How Rough Is Life Today?

Don Boudreaux conducted a nice litte experiment we all should appreciate. He used his first purchase on eBay to score a 1975 Sears catalog, and what he found is quite interesting.

Other than the style differences, the fact most noticeable from the contents of this catalog’s 1,491 pages is what the catalog doesn’t contain. The Sears customer in 1975 found no CD players for either home or car; no DVD or VHS players; no cell phones; no televisions with remote controls or flat-screens; no personal computers or video games; no food processors; no digital cameras or camcorders; no spandex clothing; no down comforters (only comforters filled with polyester).

Of course, some of what was available to Sears’ customers in 1975 is also quite noticeable to those of us looking back from 2006: typewriters, turntables for stereo systems, 8-track players, black-and-white television sets. And lots and lots of clothing and bedding made from polyester.

Boudreaux goes on to compare the prices of some of 1975's hottest items with their prices today, adjusted for inflation (today's price in parens).

Sears Best kitchen range, $589.95 ($2,088).

Sears Best television, $749.95 ($2,655)

Sears Best black and white television, $137.95 ($488)

Sears Best typewriter, $278.99 ($988)

Sears Best motion-picture camera (no sound; but it did have 8X zoom!), $197.00 ($697)

There's more, but you get the point. Anyone who tries to tell you that capitalism, and capitalism alone, doesn't account for the prosperity we have today - not to mention lower and lower prices for better and better goods - is simply nuts.