25 Good Things That Were Ruined By Popularity

Buzz Feed

3 days ago

We recently wrote a post where people shared good things that were "ruined" when they became too popular, and TBH, it was so accurate, it hurts. In the comments, readers shared even more things that were ruined after too many people did them. Here's what they had to say:
"Skiing. Skiing was a working-class hobby, and ski culture was mostly made up of down-to-earth young people who worked normal jobs. Now, if I see someone who isn't visibly rich at a ski resort, I assume they work there because most people at even a small ski resort are upper class. Lift ticket prices are out of control, with one-day tickets for big resorts costing as much as several hundred dollars."
"Buying a starter home in the United States was a rite of passage and a method of financial upward mobility. Now, companies buy whole neighborhoods for $50k over asking price and sit on them to drive prices higher. It's impossible to make the median wage in the United States and be a new buyer unless you're willing to spend more than 50% of your wages on a mortgage."
"Antique shops. Once, they sold items in good condition at fair value. Now, nearly everything is at collector's prices that make me wince."
"Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I wrestled throughout high school, and Jiu-Jitsu was a fun way to continue grappling and stay in shape, but slowly, it started turning into a monoculture; it became harder and harder to find a gym that didn't have a political agenda or, at least, undertone."
"Food that used to be considered 'trash,' like oxtails and collard greens. The moment the Food Network found out about our hidden food, it got priced out, and now, it's unaffordable."
"Crafting. It used to be that people who embroidered, crocheted/knitted, made jewelry, quilted, made furniture, etc., were considered artists who had worked at their craft for many years and made wonderful things that the rest of us couldn't. Now, people go on social media touting their 'crafts' using cheap products/recyclables and taking only minutes. Anyone can do them; that's their point."
"Streaming services. They used to far outweigh the cost of cable, and you could watch so many cool things. Now, there are 50 streaming services that have, like, one show you like, so you have to subscribe to 20 different services. Not to mention, their prices are constantly increasing."
"Vacationing in the woods. Just renting a cabin is so darn expensive, and you don't even get the silence. You can still hear cars and smell the exhaust most of the time. The natural lakes are all gross and surrounded by people; everything's all commercialized. You look outside into the woods and see billboards sticking up from the trees."
"Camping. Since COVID hit, everyone had to find outdoor alternatives. Camping fit the bill. RV manufacturers can no longer keep up with demand. The quality has decreased so much that brand-new campers are severely flawed. Campgrounds have increased their prices so much that it's no longer affordable to camp. It's cheaper to stay at a hotel than it is to get a campsite. And people pay for these 'resort' campgrounds, which continue to drive up the prices even more."
"Lake Tahoe. I grew up in the area and could go to Sand Harbor whenever I wanted. Now, you need a reservation. On top of that, and unfortunately, millions of parents raised littering jerks who cannot comprehend the concept of LEAVE NO TRACE. Nobody respects anything or anyone anymore."
"Trucks used to be driven by farmers and people who needed them for work; now, everybody thinks they need a 3-ton vehicle with a 5-foot high hood so they can be a bro and see over all the other 3-ton vehicles with a 5-foot high hood. People in peds, bycyclists, and reasonably sized vehicles are getting killed by them in higher numbers as the size nuclear arms race continues."
"Cooking shows. You used to be able to watch them, get great ideas for new recipes, and be entertained. Now, they are all reality show format with manufactured drama, and no recipes are shared."
"Podcasts. What started as a way for people to connect and talk about their special interests and other things has been taken over by celebrities and sponsorships who already have major followings."
"Fishing. You used to be able to go out, rod and tackle, and fish undisturbed. Now, people think that they own all the waterways simply because they want to go swimming in the same spot where you are. From stealing equipment to harassing those who fish, to purposely disrupting the water, it's becoming more of a hassle than a hobby."
"Protein bars. Previously, $2 per bar was the maximum amount I would pay. Now, it's typical to find $4 protein bars. Snacking healthy comes at a steep cost."
"The entire sports card hobby. Well, what used to be. It's not really a hobby now. A bunch of people are trying to 'chase' cards, but the real and actual hobbyist will never 'pull' the card. MLB and MLBPA killed what with giving Fanatics exclusivity rights. Topps had to sell out to them or die. Fanatics has turned the hobby into a joke!"
"New York City at Christmas. We've always been a tourist spot, but it's out of control now. The areas around the Rockefeller tree, the Macy's Windows, and the shops in Union Square are horrendously crowded. It makes people who work in those areas unable to get to and from work on time. It makes those of us who've lived here our whole lives unable to enjoy seeing these things ourselves."
Harley-Davidsons. Only some folks used to ride them — the real deal bikers, I mean. But sadly, now it's a bunch of people dressed up in their 'I'm a biker' costumes and took away the exclusivity of what once was."
"Concert ticket prices! $3 to $5 back in the day, but now $150 for nosebleed seats!"
"Buying storage units at an auction. In the '80s, I could buy a storage unit under $100, some as low as $5. Now, everyone thinks they can make a million dollars and spend thousands to get one. The TV shows are to blame!"
"Pokémon! I remember when you used to be able to buy and play Pokémon cards. Now, everything is sold out in every store and online, and the prices to buy a pack are so expensive."
"The 'country' style. It's not a style — it used to keep us safe/cleaner when WORKING, not wearing it just to wear it to have an aesthetic. And there are just a lot of clothes in general being oversaturated worldwide."
"Nashville is ruined. It's all bachelorette parties and super crowded. Everything is super expensive, and traffic is horrible. I miss the old Nashville."
"The Internet! Now, literally every page is filled with ads, pop-ups, consent forms, robo checks, and videos that auto-play."
And finally...
"Dollar Tree stores. Nothing is a dollar anymore, and some stuff — especially the frozen food items — cost more than Walmart."
WELP...they're not wrong. What other "good" things were ruined when they became too popular? Tell us in the comments, or use this anonymous form below.