“Dude! The 80’s man! Or even the 70’s! I wish I was alive back then to experience the grooves and the vibes that were happening back then! People were kinder, the world was safer, and people started caring about the Earth! Oh, if only we could get the madorian? I mean, the DeLorean, and wind our way back there! Maybe even listen to some doo-wops in the 50’s! Oh, righteous man!”

Most, if not all people have heard the sayings from an elder or some other person about how they miss the good old days, or something similar to that. Even now, there are youth and elders alike who believe that back then (usually referring to between the 50’s and 90’s), life was easier. That in the past, even if there were struggles, they were few, or at least not as violent or as complicated as they are now. But, how “good” were the good old days? Were they as simple as they were dreamt up to be? Or, was the past just as troublesome as the present… or even worse? “Nah, man, it was all chill.”

1.     Serial Killers (Psychopaths and Sociopaths)

Before the year 2000, there have been more than 100 known serial killers over the course of time. Now, while serial killers are still an issue today, there have been much fewer cases from 2000-2018 compared to 1950-1999. So the next time you find yourself frightened of whatever dangers there are today, remember the horrors that your parents and grandparents had to experience because of living in the same decade as these notorious killers, and many more.

“Well meaning decent people will condemn behavior of a Ted Bundy while they’re walking past a magazine rack full of the very kinds of things that send young kids down the road to be Ted Bundys” (Ted Bundy, 1989).

Theodore Robert Bundy(“The Lady Killer”).

From 1974-1978 (although some believe it to have happened earlier), Ted Bundy went on a murder rampage across several states in America including Washington, Utah, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, Idaho, and California. He used his rugged good looks to manipulate females in order to lure them, as well as lies, pretending to be disabled or injured, and even pretended to be a cop (Disclaimer: When the police are pulling you over, do not use this as an excuse to not comply).

Ironically, Bundy did help save lives when he started working at a suicide hotline in 1971. He was also highly educated and well respected, so police at first dismissed him from the suspect list. For a long time, he was careful not to leave any incriminating evidence at the crime scene, another reason he wasn’t suspected(this was an era before DNA profiling). When he was finally apprehended as a suspect, he was put on trial. Then, as one does in court when bored, he jumped out the window. Of course, he was caught again, and this time put in a real prison. When assigned a short sentence that he could easily serve, he was inspired to lose weight.

Now that’s a sign of reformation! Well, actually no, he did this to escape through a hole, and thus escaped again, and later continued his crimes up until he was caught for the last time in Florida, 1978.(3rd times the charm?) He confessed to 30 homicides, but it is believed that he could’ve killed more than he was letting on.

In the end, he was sentenced to death in the electric chair, his final words being, “I’d like you to give my love to my family and friends.”

“The dead won’t bother you, it’s the living you have to worry about” (John Gacy).

John Wayne Gacy(“The Killer Clown”). From 1972-1978, Gacy tricked and murdered at least 33 teenage boys. During that time, he would also dress up as a clown for charity reasons, as well as to trick some of his victims into seeing what his “next trick” would be. In 1994, he died of lethal injection. His last meal contained a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, a dozen fried shrimp, French fries, fresh strawberries, and a Diet Coke. Even the worst of people know what’s a good meal.

2.     College and School Shootings

Sadly, school shootings are still very relevant today(Infowars might need some time to catch up).  But, although one might think that there are more school shootings now, or at least are more deadly now, must’ve not heard of or have maybe forgotten the past. Even before Columbine, there were more than 100 school shootings, with many fatalities for several of them. Here are just a few of them that are infamous.

University of Texas Tower Shooting

On August 1, 1996, a former marine named Charles Whitman took an elevator up the Main Building tower of the University of Texas and started opening fire upon bystanders below, killing 17(including one who died from injuries after the incident) and injuring others. He was later killed by a cop upon the tower at point-blank range. The horror had left an impact on it’s students and other people who lived in the area. Before the attack, Whitman sought professional help for overwhelming violent impulses, which a later autopsy revealed had been the cause of a brain tumor.

Columbine High School Massacre

Interestingly, this never has been the deadliest shooting on a campus in America. But, for some reason, it is just known to more people than other shootings. For those who don’t know, on April 20, 1999, two Columbine students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, opened fire inside the school and killed 12 students and one teacher while injuring 24 others.

This shooting is known for having started more fierce debates about gun control and creating new school policies, as well as sparking a fear of goth culture and violence in video games. Even police have now created new tactics against a situation like this for if and when this would ever happen again. There were many warning signs that this would happen, so if you see/hear something, say something.

3.     Theft(Burglary and Robbery)

For anyone who doesn’t know the difference, burglary is usually breaking into homes and stealing non-violently, whereas robbery is in person and more violent. Although, theft has always been an issue in every society from the past up to today. However, while theft could appear to be increasing, it’s actually quite the opposite. According to an FBI study on this matter, there have been around 3,157,150 burglaries and 687,732 robberies in 1991 compared to 2,159,878 burglaries and 367,832 robberies in 2010. That’s a vast decrease of 997,272 burglaries and 319,900 robberies in only a 19 year span! That just goes to show how much, although not entirely, safer we are in the world currently, at least from theft.

All in all, while there may be old as well as new dangers along the road of life in our generation, so far, we have it easy(albeit not entirely as one would prefer). Nevertheless, whenever one stumbles upon an obstacle in their soon future, I would urge them to seek advice from their parents, grandparents, or any well-trusted elder. Not just because of the fact that they’re older and would have more experience, but also for the reason that one would understand that the good old days aren’t really that good, therefore it would be highly plausible that an elder does actually understand most, if not all troubles one is going through, because they are very likely to have gone through the experience themselves. After all, how “good” were the good old days, anyways?