Perhaps cuz back in that time there wasnt equipment available like today. Anyway we all know a good photo doesnt necessarily have to be sharp as hell and technically perfect. But its just the times we live in
Times are really busy nowadays and mainly cuz of the internet we live in some kind of "highspeed information age". I think this information overload causes people to get caught up in things like megapixels, AF points, FPS, Lens resolution etc. instead of just looking at a picture and listening to their own feelings wether they like it or not.
Plus the technology also develops so fast! Film didnt develop so much like the digital world i think. Even when u use an old Canon T90 for example you will get good results. But on the other hand using a DSLR like the EOS D30 (3,1 MP) simply wont give you what u need anymore by a high chance.
Yes the internet is awesome, its good to have informations but i also think many people just know TOO MUCH!
Long ago you just didnt know much more than what goes on in ur own town and u were born there and probably married a girl from there and then died there. But it also gave some kind of security and you didnt have to worry so much.
Nowadays i sometimes catch myself worrying about wars, political crises in the middle east, financial security in my own country worrying if i will ever be able to afford an L lens, worrying about my job future, worrying if the food i eat is healthy, worrying if my camera is still enough for me, worrying, worrying, worrying....
I think yall will understand what i mean. Basically i think the camera rant just has to do with the fact we live in insecure times and familie bonds have a lower importance in many places than they had e.g. 30 years ago. Things that gave security just broke away. There are way more psychic problems diagnosed today as well. Things go more extreme ("adult movies", sports, body modification and so on) to compensate.
Ok im starting to get off topic
