There’s NO comparison between the 1950s & now. The United States was at the height of its cultural & economic power in the 50s. The USA of today, and for that matter ALL the Western nations; are collapsing. It’s not a simple matter of cell phones & micro-brews....it’s a matter of survival.
And its not technological advancement that has ruined us its the influence of a Socialist Europe, the Progressive takeover of our society and increased role of govt in the average American’s life. That coupled with disasterous trade deals and the Federal Reserve hijacking the economy that has decimated the middle class and you have 2016.
In 1956 if you had money in a savings account you were earning interest. If you owned a home you were building equity and if you had a job it was fairly certain you could work there til retirement.
If you got sick you went to the family doctor and paid the bill. If you had to go into the hospital you either paid the bill on the way out or they put you on a payment plan and you paid every month til it was paid off. Family dentist same deal.
There were no credit cards. At the Department Store there was layaway. You put so much down on an item and paid on it every week or so til it was paid off then went and picked it up. People just did not have that much debt.
If you wanted to go to college you either got a scholarship or paid as you went.
If you could not afford a car you took public transportation.
Flying on airplanes was for the rich. Everybody else drove or took the train. Or bus.