When the first one was made it represented the pinnacle of human achievement. Now nearly every street has lights. If everywhere now had street lights like the first pic, we’d all be employed full time making street lights… or we wouldn’t have them everywhere. I don’t think this can be explained away by just saying fiat.

Street lights are ugly though, full agreement there but a lot of people appreciate them.

I remember when they would turn them off around 1am and you could see the stars.

Fiat policies and a push to cheaper junk.