We all have things we once adored, but trends adjust, we grow, opinions morph, and people change. Then, all of a sudden, we’re embarrassed by the things we thought were amazing.
It can be as simple as your old favorite song, remakes of movies you were excited about, or even phone calls you once enjoyed. Sometimes, it’s a person you thought was amazing, but their actions just leave you disappointed. It’s all part of growing and figuring things out.
Thousands of readers voted in a recent message board thread on the top things we thought were great but now can’t stand. I’m sure these will hit home for a lot of us!
Amazon
Most of us have heard Amazon’s iconic origin story that Jeff Bezos started the company in his Seattle garage 30 years ago—just selling books. Now, this e-commerce giant is worth $2 trillion, expanding into every corner of retail and beyond.
However, with Amazon‘s growth came big concerns: its massive carbon footprint, piles of packaging waste, and stories of rough working conditions. Some people even roll their eyes at Bezos and his superyacht. Plenty of folks are swearing off the online retailer to boycott their treatment of workers, but most still can’t resist the cheap and convenient shopping.
Phone Calls
Maybe it’s generational, but people today seriously avoid phone calls. Blame it on the rise of texting, social anxiety, the stress of being constantly reachable, bad reception, or those endless spam calls. With texts, you don’t have to worry about being “on” for someone else. Sure, texts can feel a little cold, but emojis, tone indicators, and slang fill in the gaps.
Baby boomers seem to have the biggest grievance with the younger generation’s aversion to voice calls since many haven’t gotten used to texting. I can’t tell you how many times my boomer parents have complained that me and my sisters never want to pick up the phone anymore!
Pigeons
Did you know pigeons were domesticated 10,000 years ago? With their strong homing instinct, they delivered messages for centuries—even through world wars! They were trusted helpers until the telegraph came along and took over.
So, do we hate them now? A lot of people can’t stand them. They’re noisy and leave messes everywhere—up to 25 pounds of droppings a year per pigeon! And there’s the worry about diseases. Most people call them “rats with wings.”
Birthdays
When I was a kid, my birthday felt like the most magical day imaginable. I even remember the sheer joy I got from deciding between Power Rangers paper plates or Barbie ones. Once we hit our 30s and beyond, many of us are happy to skip the big party. The thought of invites, organizing, cooking, and cleanup? Just too much. Maybe it’s the birthday blues, or maybe we just don’t need the fuss.
Either way, we celebrate how we want now. Some people still throw grand parties; others keep it simple with a very intimate dinner. Some take a solo trip, while others just want a day to sleep and relax.
Elon Musk
It’s wild how much Elon Musk’s image has shifted over the past few years. Once, he was the internet’s favorite billionaire—basically a real-life Tony Stark, with his electric cars, rockets, and even flamethrowers. Almost everyone thought he was cool.
But now Musk is one of the most controversial figures in America. After taking over Twitter and switching it to X, he’s been especially loud on a number of divisive and offensive topics. Not only that, Tesla has faced lawsuits over employee mistreatment.
Lead
Lead was one of the first metals humans ever used, dating back thousands of years. Ancient coins, cosmetics, and bullets were made from it, and Romans even used it to distribute water, ferment wine, and sweeten food. In the 1920s, engineers added lead to gasoline to reduce engine knocking.
But soon after, scientists sounded the alarm. Lead poisoning was found to cause serious health issues, like damaging the nervous, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems. Kids are especially vulnerable, with lead exposure linked to learning problems and lower IQs. Now, this metal is heavily regulated, just like asbestos.
Remember when Facebook was the cool new hangout just for college students? Now, it’s more like the place where your grandma can wish you a happy birthday while other relatives post memes. We used to be hooked, but now it’s unlikely that anyone under 50 years old spends much time there.
Facebook is all about pushing content through its algorithms. But now it’s worse with privacy issues, fake news, and hate speech running rampant. It’s not the same platform we once loved.
Air Travel
Air travel used to be an event that people dressed up for. The golden age of aviation, from the 1930s to the 1960s, made flying a rare and thrilling experience, mainly for the wealthy and adventurous. Seats were spacious, and gourmet meals were served.
Now we’re just hoping the airline doesn’t cancel our flight, we don’t get stuck sandwiched next to a loud snorer, and we can get it over with as fast as possible. And let’s not forget the nightmare of airports—long security lines, rude people, bad food, and overpriced menus.
Bill Cosby
Cosby’s role as Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show made him a household name for many years. The show, running from 1984 to 1992, became a very influential sitcom.
However, it was later discovered that behind the camera, Cosby’s life was more disturbing than the public realized. Over 50 women accused him of assault, and he was sentenced to prison. Shockingly, though, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2021 while his alleged victims continue to seek justice.
Movie Remakes
Movie remakes have been around since the start of cinema, but they used to be exciting. Now, it seems like they’re the only type of film that comes out. A good remake should offer something fresh—maybe a new twist or better effects—but still capture the original’s essence. Instead, it feels like remakes are just cash grabs, trying to take a shortcut to an established hit.
Maybe it’s just me, but most remakes these days don’t hold up to the original. Many of them don’t happen because a director has a new vision—they happen because studios want to make a quick buck by using a familiar title.
Morrissey
Morrissey has always been praised for his clever lyrics, with some even comparing him to Oscar Wilde. His songs, both with his 80s band, The Smiths, and solo, shaped the soundtrack of many Gen-Xers’ lives. But these days, he’s more known for canceling shows and acting like that one drunk uncle at Thanksgiving.
Many fans now find themselves loving to hate Morrissey, especially after his controversial comments. From calling reggae “the most racist music” to comparing eating animals to pedophilia, he’s crossed some serious lines, making it hard for many to still defend him.
Corded Telephones
Did you grow up with corded phones, too? Until recently, my family still had one hanging around. Back then, they were reliable and clear, and you didn’t need to carry your phone everywhere just to hear it ring. But now, with everyone having cell phones, landlines feel outdated and unnecessary. Why be tied to a cord when you can carry a phone in your pocket?
Even though they’re not as popular, some still keep home landlines for old times’ sake—just not as much as before.
Source: Reddit
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