A thought ocurred to me while reading the discussion on the "Banned Concert", and Psychodads 'sinner' thread. The gemara, an SA discuss what one can or cannot read on shabbos, and make note of the fact that even during the week whats the heter, in reference to Bitul Torah/Zman, and "Moshav Leitzim". It seems that once upon a time most if not all of the things that we do today were considered assur, (not "yesh osrim" but assur...) Today we find people who make every attempt to live according to the SA, and as they believe God would like still doing these things without a second thought.
Why would they be completely assur back then and muttar now?