TWOSDAY: From “Back in the Day” to “Now Now” — A Journey Through Objects!

Once upon a time not too long ago life was simple, fun and full of objects that had vibes not just features. Today, everything has evolved smarter, faster, sleeker but those 90s treasures? They had character! So, let’s do a little Then vs Now Twosday comparison, because the objects we used say a lot about how far we’ve come.

First is the Cassette Tapes vs Streaming Apps, If you grew up in the 90s, you knew the joy of slotting that cassette tape into your Walkman, praying it didn’t eat your favourite song halfway. Side A, Side B both had hits! When the tape tangled, you’d grab a pencil like a surgeon on duty, rewind and keep jamming. Now? One click on Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube and you’ve got endless playlists without stress. But let’s be honest, nothing beats the feeling of flipping that cassette and hearing the click sound before the music continued.

The Video Cassettes vs Netflix Those chunky VHS tapes lived in every home stacked beside the TV like trophies. “Please blow it first!” was a national anthem before inserting it into the VCR. Now it’s all about Netflix, Amazon Prime and Showmax. No dust, no tape-ribbon wahala just popcorn, blanket and “Are you still watching?”

Remember those big silver stereos with giant knobs and flashing red lights? You had to slam the top cover to make the CD play. Today, it’s MP3s, AirPods, Bluetooth speakers, and soundbars that could wake the whole street. Sleek, portable, wireless but deep down, some of us miss the days of carrying “deck” batteries like national pride.

Once upon a time, every home had that short local broom that required full commitment, bending, stretching and sweeping till your back said “I’m done.” Add “sweep under the chair!” and you knew you were in for a workout. Now? Long-handle broom, mops, vacuums, we sweep like bosses, upright and proud. Modern problems, modern solutions!

Before LG and Samsung took over, we had the mud freezer that clay pot chilling water like it had a degree in natural cooling. The taste? Pure bliss! Now we’ve got fancy refrigerators with dispensers, LED lights and ice cubes on demand. Still, nothing beats the cold satisfaction of water poured from a “pot fridge” on a hot afternoon.

There was a time you had to fan your coal iron while pressing your school uniform one careless move and you’d see a smoky mark. Now we have steam irons that hiss gently, with temperature control and auto shut-off. Back then, it was vibes, smoke and bravery.

“Turn down the wick!” was a common statement during NEPA failure days. Lanterns ruled the night smoky, warm, dependable. Now? It’s rechargeable lamps, ring lights and power banks. NEPA still plays games but at least we glow differently now.

If you never shouted “Hello! Can you hear me?!” at a call center, did you really live in the 90s? Today, we’ve got smartphones that do everything camera, GPS, news and even therapy sessions. But back then, one phone in the sitting room connected the whole family to the world.

Life has changed from mud pots to microwaves, from cassette tapes to playlists. Yet, the spirit of innovation, nostalgia and joy remains the same.

So whether you’re from the “blow the VHS” generation or the “Wi-Fi won’t connect” crew, here’s a toast to every era that shaped us,
Different objects, same laughter, same Nigeria, same vibe.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.