Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Times change and so do the generations of people. Things that everyone would take for granted are long gone. Like the days when passengers would casually smoke on flights, and when driving drunk was nothing to surprise anyone.
Similarly, people lose interest in things that were once a quintessential part of their lives. Like, television. Today, however, much of it has turned online, for better or worse.
This Ask Reddit thread is shedding light on things from the past that have lost their respect over time and now are a mere shadow of what they used to be. “What was once highly respected that is now a complete joke?” someone asked and the illuminating responses starting rolling in one by one.
Below we wrapped up the most interesting ones, so let us know in the comments if you agree or not!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Hobbies. I am a hobbyist musician, and will never try to make money off of my music. I simply enjoy creating it with zero expectations.
Hustle culture ruined a lot of that because now every time I share my music with people, it turns into a conversation about monetization or how I’m wasting my time on something. It’s hard to even find likeminded people who want to collaborate without it turning into some big thing.
Time enjoyed is not time wasted.
Ann-Marie Bentley 1 year ago
I love painting but I'm never going to be able to sell any off it (I wouldn't want the pressure even if I could paint) but I enjoy it even if it ends up looking like a 4 yo threw up after eating paint. Sometimes we do things just to enjoy it.
RELATED:
#2
Working in the educational system. Being a teacher still sounds worthy of respect, but working as one is a joke. Kids are free to do whatever they want, you're barely allowed to punish bad behaviour in any way, school politics stop from changing anything, parents always blame you etc.
#3
The American Flag, as an U.S. citizen. I know this will ring different to different people, but when I used to come across the flag it was usually displayed to show respect and pride. Now when I see it out in public, it's usually tied to some slobbish a*****e who has it attached to their truck bed, or slaps offensive bumper stickers that mix the flag with some s****y slogan. I feel like most the times I come across the flag now, it's being used by an a*****e to express F**k You.
While there are many things that have lost their popularity throughout the years and there may be countless different reasons why, experts notice the broader tendency of people losing their loyalty to many brands, services, and products. Apparently, it’s becoming harder and harder for companies to keep their clients and customers tied to them.
Ask any CEO, and they will confirm that customer loyalty is an important factor in the success of any business. By cultivating customer loyalty, businesses can ensure that customers are satisfied and come back for more.
#4
The Supreme Court.
Lynne Hammar 1 year ago
I was going to add this! Their credibility has plummeted, and they earned it.
#5
The History Channel, The Learning Channel, MTV...
#6
Healthcare! I've been in it 20 years it's changed so much. It's a joke. I'm in USA so....it's just gotten more corporate.
Mother of Giants 1 year ago
Didn't think it was possible for US healthcare to get *MORE* corporate
The key to creating customer loyalty lies in providing exceptional service and value for money. This means that customers must be given what they want, when they want it, and at a fair price. Many businesses reward customers for their loyalty, whether through discounts or other incentives.
Another way to build customer loyalty is to be available to answer customers' questions and provide assistance when needed. This could include providing customer service over the phone, online chat, or in person. As well, businesses should be open and honest about their products and services.
Creating a sense of community and belonging in acquiring long-term customer loyalty is also key. This is often done through social media platforms, newsletters, or customer feedback programs.
#8
The Guinness Book of World Records
Once a well-established and professional collection of every impressive human feat, now a quick ego boost for rich kids that have barely enough talent to balance an egg on their forehead for 15 seconds on a July Afternoon at exactly 11:55 AM while wearing a Hello Kitty onesie
Chris D'Asta 1 year ago
That time and date specification of the Hello Kitty onesie: Straight up gold. You rock.
#9
Dr. Martens‘ Boots.
A British institution, you bought a pair, they lasted for years. Alas, „private equity“ got involved, manufacturing was sent offshore, and the quality went down like a submarine.
You are better off buying a pair of boots from the company that used to make them for DM, than a „genuine“ pair of DMs nowadays, their quality is a shadow of what it once was.
OmBoyGanesh 1 year ago
Here’s the original company still making the original quality boots. They’re now branded under their own name rather than the now Hot Topic quality DM. - https://us.nps-solovair.com/collections/boots
This new study conducted byTechSee, however, showed that difficult times have come for many companies in terms of keeping their customers tied to their brands. It has to do with the fact that the pandemic created a new economic situation for most industries, with many sectors and niches struggling to keep their sales high.
#10
Journalists, and no this isn't some right wing fake news thing. Consumerism has turned hard-hitting journalism into clickbait b******t because that's the only way they can turn a profit anymore. There's still real journalists out there but no new ones are being born, very sad.
EmBree 1 year ago
Our local newspaper hired two young inexperienced journalists and put them in the outback part of the region. The part that other journalists don't bother to cover. They are amazing! They have uncovered corruption and criminality. Their interviews hit the nail, while the experienced journalists fumble. Their topics are interesting, even if it's stories that are not relevant to us. It is a joy to see that young journalists have the skills.
#11
"We are a family here" said by anyone who isnt your family.
In fact, consumer loyalty towards brands has declined ever since the pandemic, and that is resulting in higher rates of churn with numerous consumers switching to competitor brands with all things having been considered and taken into account.
43% of the consumers who participated in this survey stated that they canceled subscriptions or switched to different products primarily because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up giving them better customer service. Additionally, 39% of consumers stated that they switched brands after being approached by a competitor.
#15
The US Postal Service. A decades long campaign to smear their reputation coupled with legislation designed to cripple the service has turned them from the reason Santa Claus isn't institutionalized in *Miracle and 34th Street* to a comedians punching bag. And yeah, last time I went to the post office the service was terribly slow, but they had one window open in a building with five windows. Seemed kind of understaffed.
#16
People are going to reflexively deny its initial popularity, but Facebook. It even used its exclusivity as its primary marketing tool during its initial launch only for colleges.
#17
McAfee antivirus
Cyber Returns 1 year ago
Still gets bundled pre-installed on new computers and laptops. It's the first thing I uninstall
#18
The three branches of US Govt.
Also, accountability and leadership
The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
If the government is “of the people, by the people, for the people” who is failing who?
#19
Levi's blue jeans.
They used to last forever, now I'm lucky to get a year out of them. They always fail in the same spot too. No idea why but I'm not alone online about this.
I bought a pair of Lucky jeans on a deal. Never had a pair of them before. Now they just might be my new favorite.
Stephanie Did It 1 year ago
Levi's still have a 2 year warranty against manufacturing and fabric defects and a 6 month return policy. Levis used to be guaranteed for life. Still, If you turn in a worn out pair or jacket they will give you a gift card equal to the value of the traded in item, which can be used to purchase new merchandise at a Levi's store or on their website.
#20
Air travel
NickTheDuck 1 year ago (edited)
now its just Premium and extra Premium (thx for telling me how to spell it)
#22
OSHA. Not even their fault either. There's been so much lobbying against them that the red tape is so insane that they can't effectively regulate workers exposure to toxic chemicals.
RafCo (he/him) 1 year ago
The supreme court is about to make regulation of any industry neigh impossible. The Republicans are pushing a legal theory that Congress cannot pass off the ability to regulate to executive agencies, that any and all regulatory action must be a direct act of Congress. Which is an institution which is totally incapable of being reactive, and can take years to pass any legislation at all. This would effectively destroy all regulatory bodies in the US. No more FDA, SEC, OSHA, FTC, etc. Should be interesting to see what companies start selling as food when there is zero regulation.
#25
Sears.
Chris D'Asta 1 year ago
Agreed. Above is mention of Craftsman tools. A number of us on here are old enough to remember the giant Sears catalog that we pored over all year to figure what we wanted for Christmas. Sears-Roebuck literally sold houses in their catalog.
#26
Bank managers. They used to have serious power in local communities. Now they have to be glorified customer service reps a lot of the time
David 1 year ago
I think a lot of the power and prestige suffered from dilution. Go back in time and a town might have one or two banks. Also credit cards were not common. I can recall going into a bank for a $300 loan for parts so I could overhaul my car. Now I'd just toss that on my credit card. So if you pissed off the bank manager it mattered. Now there are umpteen banks in each town and each bank has multiple locations. Someone can be a lot lower in the food chain and still make manager and their powers are mainly their own local branch. My bank manager has been quite helpful a coupe of times and I like him but if I didn't I'd just go to a different branch.
#27
News anchor people.
#28
Wells Fargo
JoJo Anisko 1 year ago
They've been slime bags at least fifty years, I know from personal experience.
#29
Netflix originals
RafCo (he/him) 1 year ago
I like a lot of these shows. Particularly the ones from Germany, France, and Brazil.
What do you think ?
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago (edited)
I could not agree more. They used to write a lot of their own content based on funny and heartwarming stories from around the world. They also used to feature the work of a lot of neat artists who were just starting out. Now they practise censorship and ban good users for getting downvoted. Also, some of their listicles can be really negative. They are also reposting a lot of stuff from a year ago. I want more animal and art posts again!
Load More Replies... Vix Spiderthrust 1 year ago
The French as a military force. Prior to the two World Wars they were a superpower. Mark Twain wrote that "war is their business, and they do it well". Bit of a comedown to get Homer Simpson calling them "cheese-eating surrender-monkeys".
Andy Frobig 1 year ago
Don't forget they got spanked in the Franco-Prussian War over 40 years before World War I
Load More Replies...
Mike Crow 1 year ago
There is a movement called 1st amendment auditors who originally were going into public buildings or filming police and most of the time you didn’t know they were there. Now they call themselves independent journalists and purposely provoke cops and normal people in public buildings who are just doing their jobs so they can get clicks and views on YouTube. There are even some now filming kids in playgrounds and going into elementary schools claiming they are allowed because they are “journalists”.
Loki's_Lil_Butterknife 1 year ago (edited)
I could not agree more. They used to write a lot of their own content based on funny and heartwarming stories from around the world. They also used to feature the work of a lot of neat artists who were just starting out. Now they practise censorship and ban good users for getting downvoted. Also, some of their listicles can be really negative. They are also reposting a lot of stuff from a year ago. I want more animal and art posts again!
Load More Replies... Vix Spiderthrust 1 year ago
The French as a military force. Prior to the two World Wars they were a superpower. Mark Twain wrote that "war is their business, and they do it well". Bit of a comedown to get Homer Simpson calling them "cheese-eating surrender-monkeys".
Andy Frobig 1 year ago
Don't forget they got spanked in the Franco-Prussian War over 40 years before World War I
Load More Replies... Mike Crow 1 year ago
There is a movement called 1st amendment auditors who originally were going into public buildings or filming police and most of the time you didn’t know they were there. Now they call themselves independent journalists and purposely provoke cops and normal people in public buildings who are just doing their jobs so they can get clicks and views on YouTube. There are even some now filming kids in playgrounds and going into elementary schools claiming they are allowed because they are “journalists”.
Related on Bored Panda
