Persuade a Family Member That the World Today Is Better Than It Was 50 Years Ago.

In my opinion, the world today is better than it was fifty years ago primarily due to technology, civil reform and medical breakthroughs. The technology of today is far more advanced. In 1960, computers were not household items, nor were cell phones, the internet, digital cameras/camcorders, DVD players, plasma television sets and GPS systems. It is clear that because of the increase in affordable household appliances, home life is easier now than it was fifty years ago. With the added efficiency, more time can be focused on continuing to progress towards a better future.
Innovations in technology have made life easier for many people. Almost every school and college in the nation has the use of computers. With computers, students can access large databases of information at the touch of a button. Prior to computers, you would have had to use a card catalogue, which listed every book in a large, hard to use cabinet. Now, thanks to technology and the internet, access to information is easy. Technology has also helped the world to communicate faster and more effectively. Cell phones, email, and television have allowed news and information to travel at light speeds. No longer waiting around for the mail to come to your house, you can instead obtain information from your television, computer, or even cell phone.
The development of technology has not only made life easier for everyone, but the cost of technology continues to decrease. Earlier home computers cost anywhere from five thousand to ten thousand dollars. Now they cost as little as three hundred dollars. In addition, almost every household has basic appliances such as a microwave, television, refrigerator and many others. Although some of these appliances existed fifty years ago, they are far more affordable and efficient today. There is clearly a large increase in technological advancements. Problems around the world still exist; however, technology is allowing developing nations to live more comfortable and successful lives, a much harder thing to do in the past due to the lack of technology.
As well as technology, there also have been civil reforms in the last fifty years. For example, it is now easier for an African American or a woman to obtain a position of equal pay as a Caucasian man. Although laws were passed earlier than this to give minorities and women equal rights, it took some time before they received equal pay to a Caucasian man. It may be debatable that the pay is still not equal; however, it cannot be denied that it is better now than it was fifty years ago. At that time, it was almost impossible for a woman to be paid the equivalent of a Caucasian man, however, today women and minorities receive fairer treatment. If the current trend continues, men, women and minorities will eventually be treated as complete equals, something they were far off from fifty years ago.
Besides technology and civil reform, medical breakthroughs have evolved by unbelievable bounds. An example would be that of the Endo-PAT, which was approved by the FDA in 2003. This device clicks onto the end of your finger and can tell by sensing lack of elasticity of your blood vessel lining whether cardiovascular disease has started. A score indicating endothelial dysfunction on the device is a stronger warning than the typical risk factors, because it indicates that cardiovascular disease has already begun, but at an early stage when you can more easily control your risks.
With all the advances previously stated above, properly educating yourself on the history of this country is an action, which must be taken for clear understanding of how far we have come over the years. Without this background, the privileges of today can be potentially overlooked. It is important to understand that society today still has its problems; however, it has come a long way from fifty years ago. It is likely that in an additional fifty years, it will continue to improve. Some people doubt this and think that the future will be desolate. However, if someone said the future was discouraging in 1960, and you knew now what you know about society fifty years into the future, you would be able to tell them that life will only improve due to technological advances, civil reform and medical breakthroughs. Correspondingly, if someone says that the future looks desolate in 2010, you could say that historically speaking, people thought the same fifty years ago but look at all the progresses we have made. Developing a society takes great amounts of patience, but knowing that the world progresses in time helps people to adjust to the changing aspects of life. Some actions that can be taken are to understand the importance of technology, civil reform to society and medical breakthroughs and to seek to improve these conditions for future generations.
In closing, above are some of the reasons why the world is better now than it was fifty years ago and why it is important to understand this. Compared to fifty years ago, regular household appliances are fairly less expensive. Not as many households had the kind of conveniences they have now. In addition, society has started to change their outlook on minority races (women included) and seek to bring equality to people regardless of race or gender. The medical breakthroughs in the last fifty years are just beginning. Imagine how medical breakthroughs will transform as technology advances. These are important steps, which make life in society better, and in another fifty years, we can only hope that we can say that life is better than it is now. This is why it is important to understand how society has progressed. Understanding the past also helps us to understand the future, and so knowing that life is better now than it was allows us to look towards the future with hope.