Perhaps sliverstorm was talking about availability of information. Growing up in the 1970's, there was only the public library, 2 TV channels, and 2 daily newspapers. In the eighties, there was the university library, which had a lot more but the best books were always borrowed, and desk copies only. And only so many bought books were within budget.
Recently, I spent a couple months at my Mum's country house without a car or internet at home, bringing only a stack of newly bought nonfiction books with me. The only entertainment was the intro cable TV package, excluding the movies and sports. I got more out of those books than I had since before the internet and wikipedia etc became widespread. It brought back memories of earlier times, when there was LESS knowledge at my fingertips than I knew what to do with, instead of FAR MORE knowledge.
Recently, I spent a couple months at my Mum's country house without a car or internet at home, bringing only a stack of newly bought nonfiction books with me. The only entertainment was the intro cable TV package, excluding the movies and sports. I got more out of those books than I had since before the internet and wikipedia etc became widespread. It brought back memories of earlier times, when there was LESS knowledge at my fingertips than I knew what to do with, instead of FAR MORE knowledge.