The Decade With No Name

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And, heheh, perhaps Starbucks is an 80's thing ...

It's 90's, not 80's, that GD was referring to as a Starbucks/coffee decade.

I can't believe you thought grunge was 80's. Here's a great way I once saw the shift into the 90's described:

Michael Jackson's Dangerous was on the top of the charts in the Xmas sales of 1990. In January of 1991, Nirvana's Nevermind took off like a rocket and Dangerous fell off a cliff. The theory the author put forward was that kids got MJ's album in their Xmas stockings and returned it to the stores to swap it for Nevermind. (Or more likely, they spent their Xmas cash on it.) Let's say it together: AND THE WORLD WAS NEVER THE SAME.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

But wow, the 10-day Desert Storm action being essential to the 90's? My mileage certainly varies on that one.

As someone who had never known an America At War before then, seeing news about the Gulf War was a seriously big deal for me. Agreed with GD on the goggles!

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

So yeah, I suppose even I can come up with a political element or two that are quintessential to the Milleni-Os (sp? - but I love that term). But no pop-cultural ones spring to my mind ... for the last 20 years. No fashions (seems everything is a re-tread of earlier fashions). No music (nothing seems a new and unique style). I'm getting the distinct feeling It's All Been Done.

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I think we're in the Neo-Retro decade.

I thought the late 70's and early 80's were very influenced by the 50's. The Ramones used simple riffs and lyrics like Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp, reminiscent of 50's doo-wop. Poodle skirt fashions, Happy Days and of course Grease. Tie-dye came back in the mid-late 80's as part of a 60's throwback.

Originally Posted by Alex

So do I, I just think one is the product of the other.

I disagree. The internet came first, now net neutrality and censorship are political issues. Napster was some guy programming, now it's big legal history. iTunes and cell providers didn't come out of government maneuvers. Twitter is what moved the Iranian protests forward...

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I disagree. The internet came first, now net neutrality and censorship are political issues. Napster was some guy programming, now it's big legal history. iTunes and cell providers didn't come out of government maneuvers. Twitter is what moved the Iranian protests forward...

I am not saying that the flow is 100% in one direction. That would be nonsensical. I'm saying the direction of influence is predominantly in one direction.

And Twitter has not driven the Iranian protests, though it is certainly a popular idea among Twitterers.

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by Alex

And Twitter has not driven the Iranian protests, though it is certainly a popular idea among Twitterers.

Would you say it's been a significant organizing force?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

Would you say it's been a significant organizing force?

According to most of the people I've seen interviewed about it actually in Iran? No.

But I'm sure that it played some role.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

This is a fascinating thread. I really agree with the things GD, Alex, Tom, CP, and Morri are saying

And, Moonliner, my image of the last turn-o-century is very clear: RAGTIME.

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I thought the late 70's and early 80's were very influenced by the 50's. The Ramones used simple riffs and lyrics like Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp, reminiscent of 50's doo-wop. Poodle skirt fashions, Happy Days and of course Grease. Tie-dye came back in the mid-late 80's as part of a 60's throwback.

This goes along with my theory that every new pop cultural era looks back by about 20 years. This, I think, is due to two factors. One, those who grew up in a decade look back fondly and depict it when they're taking the reigns. And those who are consuming it are connecting - even if subconsciously - with their parents' youth.

Think about it:

1970s. Happy Days. Creators grew up in the 50s, depicted it.
1980s. Wonder Years. Creators grew up in the 60s, depicted it.
1990s. That 70s Show. Creators grew up in the 70s, depicted it.
2000s. Well, it would've been if it hadn't been canceled. Freaks and Geeks. Creators grew up in the 80s, depicted it.