Let's say you are somehow transported back to the 1970s. Not forever, just for one month or so. I picked the 1970s because I am very familiar with that decade and because it was before a lot of items we are used to today did not exist or were not in common use by the general public.

Here is what I would miss most:

1. An obvious answer, the Internet/computers. For me, most useful are emails, reading and posting on forums and keeping in touch with family and friends both local and long distance. Online shopping (ebay, Amazon, etc) is not only time (and gas) saving but I've found some rare and hard-to-find books and magazines via the Internet.

2. This may surprise some, but my second choice is the basic VCR and (VHS) video tape. Because I still own and use a VCR and have hundreds of tapes which I still run from time to time. It's nice to be able to pop in a movie or TV shows I've recorded and I couldn't do that in the '70s. But I do remember articles saying that someday we will be able to tape programs off the TV and watch it whenever we want. Actually, I didn't really believe it then! I also own a DVD player but it's not used as much as the VCR.

3. The ATM machine. I use it regularly and it's great not having to wait for the bank to open to withdraw cash. I don't remember if ATM machines were common in the '70s. I don't think so but if they were, it would have been mainly in the late-'70s.

I am going to add what I would miss LEAST, too.

1. New/modern cars. "New" meaning 2000+ cars. Hey, what can I say; I like classic cars! I miss cars with chrome, whitewall tires, long overhang (front & rear), vinyl roofs and chrome bumpers. I miss when Mopar were not owned by another company. And I miss when Cadillacs were not "luxury sports sedans," but were true full-sized luxury 6-passenger (9-passenger for the Fleetwood Seventy-Five series) cars.

2. Cell phones. I have one because it's necessary but I don't use it much. The camera it has does come in handy at times, though.

3. The (over)development of my area. So much better when there were more open spaces and I could bike ride in places which back then were rolling hills and dirt trails which now have become shopping areas and churches.