Probably, almost every person met with the saying that it used to be better and "where this world is heading". Perhaps we ourselves are carriers of such views. Nevertheless, it seems objectively strange that each subsequent historical period is getting worse and worse. Maybe this is a stereotype of perception?
Indeed, every time you hear about what used to be better, there is a slight bewilderment. We have lived through many critical and even tragic situations in our common destiny. Over the past 100 years, there have been revolutions, and collectivization, and repression, and war, and much more that is objectively more complex and worse than the current time, which in its own way is also difficult.
Surprisingly, such sayings were in use both 50 and 100 years ago and, apparently, throughout the entire period of human existence. Consequently, it is not the world that is getting worse, but for some reason people perceive time somehow in their own way, subjectively. What could be the reasons for this perception?
As a rule, people who can compare different times say that life was better before, which means that people are no longer young, at least mature or even elderly. If we look at their personal history, it becomes clear that their youth fell on a period that they consider to be the best, because youth is always hope, an excess of strength and faith in life. Perhaps their perception, which used to be better, is connected precisely with the personal perception of that time, which coincided with a more prosperous period of their personal history. The current time, which, according to them, is “much worse than before, ” simply fell on that period in life when disappointments are accumulated, problems, respectively, are much subjectively perceived in black tones.
Whatever the time, it has its own opportunities for development, as well as its own difficulties. A person in his youth can simply adapt better and fit into his time, which he then considers the best. Issues are easier to solve, more drive, and many of the difficulties that are now understood as problems were perceived as a challenge in youth.
Another factor to be noted. A man is formed by the culture that surrounds his childhood and, to a lesser extent, in his youth. This is the mentality, values, ideals, characteristics of relationships, the specifics of communication between people and much of what is inherent to this particular time. All these features become familiar to him and, as it were, are imprinted in him very deeply.
But what if another time comes when the norms and values change dramatically? In this case, the person may feel unnecessary or "out of place." This is not his world, not his culture, he feels like a stranger among those who are just beginning to eagerly absorb new time. It is obvious that at the same time he feels the past time period as something more dear and begins to fall into nostalgia for "good times."
Each new generation lives in a slightly new world compared to the previous one. It is enough to feel the difference in the perception of the life of a generation before and after perestroika. How have songs, movies, books, fashion changed?
In addition, the perception of life and its place in it is affected by the state of health, which worsens over the years, which means it makes its negative contribution.
Nostalgia for the past can also arise as a result of an age crisis, the passage of which determines the further perception of oneself and the surrounding world.
Thus, in this matter, the key factor is the subjectivity of the perception of reality, and not a real deterioration in the state of our world.