1. People Are Living in RVs and Storage Units—By Choice
In 2005, living in a van or RV was either a retiree’s dream or a rock band’s reality. Now, it’s a lifestyle for tens of thousands of Americans priced out of the housing market. Skyrocketing rents and home prices have made traditional housing unaffordable in many cities. As a result, people are choosing (or forced into) living in vans, campers, and even storage units.
The “van life” movement has been romanticized on Instagram, Heather Long of The Washington Post explains, but the reality is often less glamorous. Many folks hold full-time jobs while showering at gyms and parking overnight in Walmart lots. In places like Los Angeles and Seattle, entire neighborhoods of RV dwellers have formed. Your 2005 self would’ve assumed this was a sign of the next Great Depression—not a trend.
2. Grocery Stores Don’t Always Have Groceries
In 2005, grocery store shelves were always full—unless there was a blizzard on the way. But since 2020, Americans have seen random, persistent shortages: baby formula, sriracha, cream cheese, even toilet paper. Global supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and climate-related crop failures have made everyday shopping unpredictable, Siddharth Cavale and Christopher Walljasper of Reuters explain. You can walk into a store today and find a gaping hole where butter or eggs used to be.
It’s not just a COVID-era thing anymore—it’s become a lingering issue. Some items vanish for months, seemingly without explanation. For instance, the sriracha shortage in 2022 was due to a chili pepper crop failure in Mexico. Your 2005 self would never believe a taco night could be ruined by global climate patterns.
3. No One Knows What News Is Real
In 2005, if something looked like news, you could probably trust it—especially if it came from a major outlet. Fast-forward to today, and misinformation spreads online faster than truth, especially on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok. Deepfake videos, AI-generated articles, and partisan content masquerading as journalism have made people question everything, according to Pranshu Verma of The Washington Post. Even real news stories sometimes get dismissed as “fake” depending on who shares them.
This has led to a breakdown in shared reality, where people can’t even agree on basic facts. The Pew Research Center has found declining trust in media across nearly all demographics. And with generative AI now writing entire news websites, verifying sources is harder than ever. Your 2005 self would be stunned that seeing is no longer believing.
4. You Need a Subscription… to Drive
Back in 2005, the idea that your car might come with a monthly fee would’ve sounded ridiculous. But in 2025, some automakers now lock features—like heated seats or remote start—behind subscriptions. BMW sparked backlash in 2022 for offering heated seat subscriptions in certain markets, and Mercedes now charges monthly for “acceleration increases” in some electric models, according to Tom Gerken of the BBC. Essentially, you’re paying extra every month to use hardware that’s already built into your car.
This kind of microtransaction mindset has spilled over from video games into everyday life. Car companies defend it as a way to “offer flexibility,” but consumers often feel nickel-and-dimed. It’s not just luxury brands, either—this model is creeping into midrange cars too. Try explaining this to your 2005 self, who thought paying off a car loan meant you owned everything in the car.
5. Tipping Has Gotten Out of Control
Tipping used to mean 15–20% for waiters, maybe a buck for the barista. Today, you’re asked to tip at self-checkouts, drive-thrus, and online for services that didn’t traditionally ask for it. This trend, sometimes called “tipflation,” took off after the pandemic, when businesses leaned on tips to supplement workers’ pay. But now, customers are getting tipping prompts even when there’s no human interaction.
Many people feel pressured or guilty, especially when the digital screen turns toward them with a smiling employee just inches away. Surveys show tip fatigue is real, with resentment building over unclear expectations. The situation has sparked national debate over what counts as a “tippable” service. Your 2005 self would’ve thought, “Wait—why am I tipping an iPad?”
6. Fast Food Isn’t Cheap Anymore
Remember when you could get a full meal at McDonald’s for five bucks? That’s long gone. In 2024, the average combo meal at fast food chains like Wendy’s, Chipotle, and McDonald’s costs over $10. Even the once-mighty Dollar Menu has either vanished or quietly become the “$3 Menu.”
Part of this is due to inflation, but labor costs, rent, and supply prices have also jumped. Restaurants are trying to balance profitability with keeping customers, but consumers are noticing. Viral TikToks regularly complain about $18 burritos and $7 fries. Your 2005 self would wonder if that Big Mac came with a stock portfolio.
7. You Can Be Denied a Job Because of Your Social Media from High School
In 2005, social media barely existed—Facebook was just for college students. Now, a single post, tweet, or TikTok from your teenage years can tank your job prospects. Employers routinely check candidates’ online presence, and even something posted a decade ago can come back to haunt you. It’s not just criminal behavior; tasteless jokes, political opinions, or even photos can be held against you.
This has led to a generation of young adults constantly curating their online identity. The idea of digital permanence is now a key part of growing up. And while some argue this encourages accountability, others see it as an unforgiving trap. Your 2005 self would ask, “Wait—what’s a tweet, and why is it ruining my life?”
8. Public Schools Are Battlegrounds for Culture Wars
In 2005, school controversies were mostly about dress codes and vending machines. Now, public education is at the center of intense political and cultural battles. Books are being banned at record levels, especially titles dealing with race, gender identity, or sexuality. Teachers have faced restrictions on what they can say about history, gender, and current events.
Some states have passed laws banning certain topics altogether, often under vague terms like “divisive concepts.” Others have introduced surveillance-like policies to monitor educators. School board meetings have turned into shouting matches, with parents and politicians alike using them to push larger agendas. Your 2005 self would never expect that reading a Toni Morrison novel could spark a political firestorm.
9. Your Doctor Might Be a Robot—Or at Least a Chatbot
Getting health advice from a robot sounds like science fiction, but today it’s increasingly normal. Chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Med-PaLM have been tested in clinical settings to answer patient questions, draft medical notes, and even assist in diagnosis. Some insurance companies and clinics now use AI tools to triage patients or deny claims. It’s convenient, but also raises ethical and safety questions.
There are real concerns about accuracy, bias, and accountability when non-human agents make health decisions. And while these tools can reduce burnout for doctors, patients sometimes feel like they’re being treated by an algorithm. It’s a world where your first “doctor’s visit” might be a screen. Your 2005 self would say, “This feels like a Black Mirror episode.”
10. Americans Are Getting Lonelier—Despite Being More Connected
In 2005, you might’ve chatted with friends on AIM, then met them at the mall. Fast-forward to today, and Americans have more digital tools to connect than ever—but report feeling lonelier. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health crisis in 2023, citing its effects on mental and physical health. Studies show that fewer people have close friendships, and more live alone or feel socially isolated.
Social media gives the illusion of connection without the depth of real relationships. Add in remote work, urban sprawl, and rising anxiety, and it’s easy to feel detached. Loneliness now rivals smoking and obesity in terms of health risks. Your 2005 self might wonder how a phone that fits in your pocket could make you feel so alone.
11. The Weather Feels Like a Sci-Fi Movie
In 2005, extreme weather meant the occasional bad hurricane or snowstorm. But now, cities across the U.S. are breaking heat records every year, experiencing “once-in-a-lifetime” floods… every few months. In 2023 alone, Phoenix had a 31-day streak of 110°F+ heat, and Vermont—a state known for maple syrup and skiing—had historic flooding. Climate change has made formerly rare events feel like the new normal.
Wildfires have blanketed the East Coast in smoke, hurricanes are stronger and more frequent, and Texas can freeze in February. “Unprecedented” is starting to lose its meaning. Weather apps have had to add new colors for high heat levels. Your 2005 self would wonder when we started living inside a Roland Emmerich movie.
12. Renting an Apartment Can Feel Like Applying for a Mortgage
In the mid-2000s, you could find an apartment with a quick search, a deposit, and maybe a credit check. Now, in many cities, renting an apartment feels like entering a competitive sport. Applicants submit résumés, write personal letters, offer months of rent upfront, and still get outbid. In places like New York and Austin, some landlords require incomes 40 times the monthly rent.
And good luck if your credit score isn’t sparkling or you’ve had a financial blip. The affordability crisis has pushed more people into shared housing, long commutes, or even back in with family. Zillow and Redfin have become tools of stress, not hope. Your 2005 self would be shocked to learn you need a near-perfect credit history just to rent a studio the size of a parking spot.
13. Kids Are Being Raised by Algorithms
In 2005, screen time for kids meant TV and maybe a LeapFrog toy. Now, toddlers can navigate YouTube before they can read, and many parents rely on tablets and phones to occupy their children. But the content pipeline is shaped by algorithms that sometimes go wildly off the rails. In recent years, “Elsagate” content and bizarre AI-generated cartoons have raised alarm bells among parents and experts.
There’s also growing concern over how this exposure impacts attention spans, empathy, and emotional development. Social media apps are designed to be addictive—even to kids—and companies profit from endless engagement. While some screen time can be educational, the lack of regulation means kids are exposed to content even parents can’t always predict. Your 2005 self would think you were kidding if you said Peppa Pig was battling YouTube horror clones.
14. AI Can Do Your Homework—And Write Your Resume
In 2005, cheating meant copying off your friend’s paper or maybe sneaking a glance at SparkNotes. Now, artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT can write essays, generate resumes, and even pass the bar exam. Students use AI to write term papers in seconds—and some schools struggle to detect it. While some educators embrace these tools, others are scrambling to rewrite their curriculums around them.
It’s not just students—professionals use AI for emails, coding, and presentations. The line between skill and shortcut is getting blurrier by the day. Some worry it’s killing creativity, while others say it’s just the next calculator. Your 2005 self would think Clippy went through one heck of an upgrade.
