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"The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching."
-Assyrian tablet 2800 BC
I grew up in the 70s and early 80s, and my sense is that it's much easier to be a geek now than it was then.
On the other hand, some of the innocent pranks and chemical experiments we conducted would probably cause the police and social workers to get involved if done today.
Young people today seem more worldly, more tolerant, less sheltered, and more respectful of legitimate authority than we were growing up. JMHO.