Older Generations Share the Core Memories Kids Today Will Never Understand
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A now-viral Reddit post calling on people to share their pre-social media memories has led to huge discussion on the platform about what the world looked like before smartphones.
The post, shared to Reddit on May 30 by u/kidbaj, invited Reddit users to detail the pre-smartphone memories that they miss, at a time when Gen Z are increasingly romanticizing the past online.
"For people who grew up before smartphones what is something that the newer generation won't get to experience?" The post read.
To date, the post has been upvoted more than 14,000 times, leading to more than 15,000 comments from viewers eager to share their experiences with others.
While several Reddit users poked fun at life before the rise of smartphones and social media, many viewers opened up about the very real life experiences that they miss from that era—and that Gen Z will never see.
"Carrying around a dozen or more phone numbers in your head," one viewer said, while another added: "Or just memorizing the pattern instead of the numbers, lol."
"The freedom of your parents not being able to get a hold of you while you're out and about with friends," a third viewer shared. Their comment has been upvoted more than 18,000 times to date.
Stock photo: A man holds an iPhone 13 Pro max in his hand.
Stock photo: A man holds an iPhone 13 Pro max in his hand.
Getty Images
"I had to keep a list of all my friends numbers next to the phone so if I forgot to check in my mom could go through the list calling to see if I was there," another viewer said.
"Going to make a call at the pay phone and finding change in the coin return," another commented, with a similar yearning for the pre-smartphone era.
"I tried to get my mom to follow this but she always accepted the call. I'd call and say 'need a pickup' (if she knew where I was) yet she never caught on. I kept telling her to stop accepting the call and just come to the school to pick me up but alas she didn't seem to get it," another added.
"My mom somehow kept track of how many calls from school I made and would always refill the quarters in my pencil pouch before I ran out," another said. "Maybe she checked everyday, idk but I somehow always had change for a call.
"I wonder if that's why I love coins so much? I get way too excited finding change on the ground because I think of that."
Newsweek reached out to @kidbaj for more information via Reddit.
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"Jane" A woman who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024 testified under the pseudonym "Jane." Jane was asked by the prosecution if she consented to freak-offs with Combs. "I'm still trying to figure that out," Jane said. She is considered a key witness for prosecutors as they attempt to prove the charges against Combs. Jane said she felt obligated to agree to freak-offs because Combs was paying her rent. "I felt this was something I had to do in return," Jane said. Jane said Combs is still paying her rent. Jane said she arranged sexual encounters with two porn stars. When asked by the prosecution if she wanted to have sex with the entertainers, she said no. "I wanted to impress my lover," Jane said. Jane also recalled reading a lawsuit filed by Cassie against Combs in November 2023. She became emotional as she explained that three specific pages in the complaint were a "harrowing reference to what I was experiencing." Andre LeMon Andre LeMon, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent, testified about the raid at Combs' Los Angeles home last year. He said federal agents found 900 bottles of Astroglide and 200 bottles of baby oil. They also found six envelopes with the letter "K" on them, which tested positive for ketamine. LeMon said Combs also had various types of firearms and ammunition at the home. Jonathan Perez Jonathan Perez worked as a personal assistant for Combs from 2021 to 2024. Perez said he would buy drugs for Combs, including cocaine, Xanax and molly. He said Jane did not appear to be an unwilling participant in freak-offs and helped to coordinate them. "I feel great about him, the same way I did when I was leaving my employment," Perez said, referring to Combs. What's Next Combs' trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. He is facing life in prison if convicted. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? 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