What is your opinion of the 20th Century?

Been there. Done that.

The only periods of the 20th century that I like was the ‘30s and the ‘50s. But I’ll give you my thought of the 20th century in general.

The 20th century was quite a century of technological advance. It was the time of many great inventions and discoveries (Einstein anyone?). The technology developed so quickly that there was a time people thought they had reached the limit of science. The advanced technology also meant the better approach to humanity in some ways. And not only technology, philosophy and opinion on humanity also changed to the better, with many inspiring humanity heroes (have anyone forgotten Helen Keller and M.L. King)
But the 20th century was also the beginning of many fall-backs we know today: pollution, overpopulation, glass-house effect… And the 20th century was not kind to many “differences” like homosexuality.
But in short, the 20th century was still a milestone of many achievements. Without the 20th century we are not what we are today.

I don’t think people appreciate the magnificent achievements made in that century.
At the opening of the century, women didn’t have the vote, and had very few rights. Most races were unwelcome in America, from Irish to African. We went from horse and buggy to cars to jets to a man walking on the Moon.
Yes, it had 2 World Wars, the Final Solution, pollution, climate change, AIDS, and the gap between haves and have-nots became greater. We also had medical break-throughs, doctors without boarders, television, and a greater understanding of issues and sensitivity towards others.

High point: Invention of Internet and vaccinations.

Low point: Holocaust.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…

Dickens was writing about 1775 but it sounds like the 20th century to me.

Well! There have indeed been struggles, but so it is with any era. I would certainly rather face Watergate, war, and social discontent than smallpox without vaccine, or an ice age without a thermostat.

Foxy

Well, at the beginning we were just getting electricity, indoor plumbing, and bi-planes. We quickly went to jets, telephones, and television. Then things kind of stalled for a while. I thought everything that could be invented had already been. Then in the late 70’s, they invented microwaves and VCR player/recorders. And movie cameras that used VCR technology. Wow! And funky little computers that really didn’t do anything but play some pixely black and white games. Then another stall for a while. Then, all of a sudden, technology just exploded! Computers with software and hard drives, DVDs, blue-ray, cameras that don’t even take film, then cameras and video cameras on your cell phone, along with music, bank accounts, and everything. Instant communication with text messages. The explosion of technology makes someone my age’s head spin.