Killer list! I'll add "bicycles with banana seats".
80's was nothing but pop and one hit wonders? Umm, no. 80's was a solid mix of everything. Some of the best metal ever made is a product of the 80's. There would be no mainstream rap without the 80's. There was much more going on than the battle for the queen of the mall between Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.
I do think most of the music is weak today. It's nothing but the same crap warmed over and over. No originality at all, especially in country and rap. This whole techno/house/trance/whatever BS is what confuses me. I just don't get that at all.
The Ohio river was never safe to swim in, we just didn't know it back then.
The biggest problem with these kids today, is YOU, the parent(s). Quit trying to be the "coolest mom or dad EvAr" and teach your kids what it really takes to survive on this planet. Your 8 year old does not need a cell phone, ipod, and probably not a $600 console game system either. Nor do they need to have access to Youtube, MySpace and other adult oriented outlets. They do need grass cutting and snow shoveling jobs, and to clean their room, and taught the value of a dollar, etc...
Hand outs and lack of reprocussions for negative behavior is the worst thing a parent could possibly do to their child. Believe it or not, your kid is not an angel, probably even an :asshole: at times. Accept it and stop blaming everyone elses kid, or even worse ADD, ADHD, and all that scapegoat jazz...
Sorry got a little OT there... :woops: