i mean, how can you even compare them now as a middle aged adult in the 2020s

i was of the ages of 3-13 in the 80s. aka not really a care in the world. yes, there was the cold war threat but that was a distant threat.

i was a latch key kid. i had G.I. Joes, Transformers, the dawn of the video game age and other tech like personal computers, etc.

i got to go outside and touch grass, play in the woods, ride bikes, play sports, etc.

in the 2020's? nothing is affordable, the world is literally burning up, resources are more and more scarce, social media has made people weirdos, or worse, platformed them, etc.

like, if you're asking me now? there's no way i could possibly think the 80's are worse.