If you could wind back the clock ....

[teamsaint]

Well we haven't got nuclear fusion yet. However, nothing wrong with nuclear fission for energy. If we didn't have it then we'd have a few more brown-outs.

That is really a statement of opinion isn't it.
Many people hold an opposite view.The sane ones. As a sweeping generalisation !
(I agree with bits of your OP, BTW).

[Flosshilde]

nothing wrong with nuclear fission for energy.

Oh yes there is.

[Northender]

All sweeping generalisations are without exception absolute rubbish.
So there.

[teamsaint]

All sweeping generalisations are without exception absolute rubbish.
So there.

[Flosshilde]

Motorways (which were invented well within the 50 year limit).

[MrGongGong]

Oh yes there is.

O no there isn't

Panto is older than 50 years though

[teamsaint]

Motorways (which were invented well within the 50 year limit).

ok, as long as you abolish reps territories that cover a quarter of the country !!
On the old roads you would be lucky to cover two counties !

[Serial_Apologist]

Motorways (which were invented well within the 50 year limit).

Er, in this country (for one) the Preston Bypass was completed in 1957

[teamsaint]

The "Premier League."

The Nuclear plants at three mile island, Fukushima and Chernobyl.

Small components for cars that cost £1500.(Edit the components , not the cars !)

The total dominance of the world economies by useless parasites who gamble with our company shares and exchange rates etc. Oh and the ever increasing control by central banks.

[doversoul1]

[/B]

Well this is a fine argument, as long as you think that
a). the intake cohort 50 years ago was perfect.
b). There is no problem at all with lots of people not achieving their full academic or personal potential.

The trend that values academic achievement over everything else, and the notion that gaining a university degree is the only way to personal success, whatever that is.

All those regulations and instructions that dominate teachers from nursery to further education.

[Flosshilde]

Er, in this country (for one) the Preston Bypass was completed in 1957

Well, the OP did say "50 or so" years. I think 4 years could be considerd 'or so'.

[teamsaint]

The trend that values academic achievement over everything else, and the notion that gaining a university degree is the only way to personal success, whatever that is.

All those regulations and instructions that dominate teachers from nursery to further education.

well I agree with your first point. The trick is ACTUALLY valuing the non academic. Whatever that is.
or allowing folks to develop academically (and otherwise) at a time of their life that works for them, and not that fits in with some predetermined path.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The National Curriculum
Mobility scooters
Cars parked on pavements
Electric Guitars
Academies and Free Schools
Charging for school instrumental lessons, but not for extra English/maths
Kenneth Baker and Michael Gove
Student loans and tuition fees
Dumbing down
Modern continuity announcers

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Er, in this country (for one) the Preston Bypass was completed in 1957

Well spotted.

[EdgeleyRob]

..over the last 50 or so years, what would you like never to have been developed or allowed?

The dumbing down of Radio 3.