Culturally and otherwise, the 2000s have arguably been the slowest moving decade in terms of development since perhaps the 50s. I am often struck by how different 1995 and 2000 were in comparison to 2000 and 2005. I thought I'd open yet another thread to discuss/argue these differences. I am of the firm opinion the change from 1995 to 2000 was much greater than 2000 to 2005. I'd say 1995 to 1999 is the same as 1999 to 2006 or so, with the 'feel' perceptably changing around 98 or 99.

I think the '90s were sort of a fragmented decade unified by being breezy and similar themes in pop music, and a similar sense of cool that went from like 1989 to 2001, actually. There was one change that happened sometime in the middle of 1998, I think, that brought us finally into the late '90s (which was nevertheless closer to the mid-'90s than the 2002 period, in alot of ways), and then a very large change that started happening in 2001-2002 and was sort of over by the end of the early '00s in 2002-2003. For example, your "Steal My Sunshine" thread...a song like that could've been popular through the middle of 2001, maybe, but now happy, uplifting pop songs like that don't make the charts (even the A/C is depressing, actually emo-influenced stuff like "Since U Been Gone", "Bad Day", and "You're Beautiful.") That's a pretty big change. And now, being a hipster is cool, while flannel was still pretty cool through 2001.

I think the '90s were sort of a fragmented decade unified by being breezy and similar themes in pop music, and a similar sense of cool that went from like 1989 to 2001, actually. There was one change that happened sometime in the middle of 1998, I think, that brought us finally into the late '90s (which was nevertheless closer to the mid-'90s than the 2002 period, in alot of ways), and then a very large change that started happening in 2001-2002 and was sort of over by the end of the early '00s in 2002-2003. For example, your "Steal My Sunshine" thread...a song like that could've been popular through the middle of 2001, maybe, but now happy, uplifting pop songs like that don't make the charts (even the A/C is depressing, actually emo-influenced stuff like "Since U Been Gone", "Bad Day", and "You're Beautiful.") That's a pretty big change. And now, being a hipster is cool, while flannel was still pretty cool through 2001.
everything about this decade drags on example: no really likes britney spears or any of those pop acts from the early 2000's but they keep making music only because their faces are on every magazine out there theres no longer a pop culture only a celeberity culture and it sucks

everything about this decade drags on example: no really likes britney spears or any of those pop acts from the early 2000's but they keep making music only because their faces are on every magazine out there theres no longer a pop culture only a celeberity culture and it sucks


Precisely - everything is just getting more commercialised and more manufactured...

I personally think this is a very slow decade.  It's 2006, and 2000 seems long ago, but quite honestly it feels like the early '00s still in many ways.  But, the '00s is very definable, aside from the fact that most things about the '90s are still quite acceptable. 

I personally think this is a very slow decade.  It's 2006, and 2000 seems long ago, but quite honestly it feels like the early '00s still in many ways.  But, the '00s is very definable, aside from the fact that most things about the '90s are still quite acceptable. 



Yeah, the 00's has been pretty slow decade so far at least as far as the overall change in atmosphere from about mid 2001 until now. But I agree that in the future it will be a very definable decade.

Yeah, the 00's has been pretty slow decade so far at least as far as the overall change in atmosphere from about mid 2001 until now. But I agree that in the future it will be a very definable decade.


Perhaps for the very reason that it's been slow.  The '90s was a decade that is only loosely held together.  Very, very few things are really cohesive from 1990 to 1999.

Perhaps for the very reason that it's been slow.  The '90s was a decade that is only loosely held together.  Very, very few things are really cohesive from 1990 to 1999.



Yeah, and the 00's are like the 80's in that they haven't had a very dramatic change(even though the 00's aren't over yet)

Yeah, and the 00's are like the 80's in that they haven't had a very dramatic change(even though the 00's aren't over yet)


I agree. What's a bigger difference, 1980 to 1989 or 1990 to 1999? The latter without question.

I agree. What's a bigger difference, 1980 to 1989 or 1990 to 1999? The latter without question.



Yeah, that's another way IMO that the 70's is like the 90's. The 70's was much more fragmented and hard to define than the 80's.

Yeah, that's another way IMO that the 70's is like the 90's. The 70's was much more fragmented and hard to define than the 80's.


Exactly.  However, I do think the '70s is somewhat more cohesive than the '90s.  For instance, the blaxpoitation thing and funk lasted through the decade.  The only thing I can think of that really is more or less 1990-1999 is that dance music, ala C&C music factory.

Exactly.  However, I do think the '70s is somewhat more cohesive than the '90s.  For instance, the blaxpoitation thing and funk lasted through the decade.  The only thing I can think of that really is more or less 1990-1999 is that dance music, ala C&C music factory.



Yeah, the 70's are more definable overall than the 90's. The early 70's were pretty different than the rest of the decade but a similiar vibe ran from the mid 70's until the early 80's.

Big Changes occured between 1995 and 2000

For instance, the Internet.  In 1995, it was pretty much a non-entity almost (atleast compared to today).  It didn't really hit it's peak until about 1998

DVD Players made their debut in the Summer of 1996

Cable Television has evolved.  Alot more Channels

The first MP3 Player came out in 1998

Satellite Radio came out in 2000

Cell Phones became alot more popular toward the Late 90's

Broadband Internet Connection became big in the Early 2000's

CGI became alot more popular (First created with "Jurassic Park" in 1993, but then was used heavily in Late 90's and Early 2000's).  Also, Toy Story (Released in Late 1995) was the First Computer Animated film ever which has become a Highly Popular Genre lately with movies that Gross ALOT of money (Shrek, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, etc.)

Video Gaming.  "Sony Playstation" was released in September 1995 which started the new wave of Video Gaming that we have today.  Then Nintendo 64 was Released a year later in 1996

Reality Television.  First made popular with shows such as "COPS" and "The Real World", but didn't explode until 2000 with a whole Network Lineup of Reality Shows every week

Yeah, the 70's are more definable overall than the 90's. The early 70's were pretty different than the rest of the decade but a similiar vibe ran from the mid 70's until the early 80's.


Of the decades from the 50s, the ones which have experienced the greatest and most rapid changes are;

The 60s; from white picket fences and chequered shirts to long-hair and acid in less than 10 years. Saw the greatest musical changes.
70s; The split-personality decade. Stadium Rock/Disco/Punk, so many identities.
90s; the difference between 1990 and 2000 was enormous.
80s; Not much of a change.
50s; Pretty staid overall, partly due to a Post-war, Cold War conservatism.
00s; In some ways a bit similar to the 50s/80s with a lethargic pop cultural movement.

The period 95-00 saw the switch from VHS to DVD, proper 3D gaming, the proliferation of mobiles, and pretty much everything else that 5*19*76 mentioned. Wheras 2000-05 has seen comparatively few big changes; perhaps the ipod/MP3 player, Digital Radio/podcasts, widespread use of GPS.etc.

Culturally we went from late Grunge/Brit-pop/90s Gangsta rap in 95' to teeny-bopper pop/nu-metal/lo-fi in 00, while the change from 00 to 05 is less pronounced, though I think musically the degree of change has been more equal, with the music of 2006 sounding quite different from 2000.

Of the decades from the 50s, the ones which have experienced the greatest and most rapid changes are;

The 60s; from white picket fences and chequered shirts to long-hair and acid in less than 10 years. Saw the greatest musical changes.
70s; The split-personality decade. Stadium Rock/Disco/Punk, so many identities.
90s; the difference between 1990 and 2000 was enormous.
80s; Not much of a change.
50s; Pretty staid overall, partly due to a Post-war, Cold War conservatism.
00s; In some ways a bit similar to the 50s/80s with a lethargic pop cultural movement.

The period 95-00 saw the switch from VHS to DVD, proper 3D gaming, the proliferation of mobiles, and pretty much everything else that 5*19*76 mentioned. Wheras 2000-05 has seen comparatively few big changes; perhaps the ipod/MP3 player, Digital Radio/podcasts, widespread use of GPS.etc.

Culturally we went from late Grunge/Brit-pop/90s Gangsta rap in 95' to teeny-bopper pop/nu-metal/lo-fi in 00, while the change from 00 to 05 is less pronounced, though I think musically the degree of change has been more equal, with the music of 2006 sounding quite different from 2000.





The '90s were hugely changeful.  Seriously, 1990 is ancient compared to today.  The early '90s actually feel like another century.  Almost no Internet, few cell phones, no MP3s, people stilll faxed and wrote letters, video games were still 2-D or at best 2 1/2 D.

The '90s were hugely changeful.  Seriously, 1990 is ancient compared to today.  The early '90s actually feel like another century.  Almost no Internet, few cell phones, no MP3s, people stilll faxed and wrote letters, video games were still 2-D or at best 2 1/2 D.


If you asked a group of people to watch a movie set in the late 90s, say American Pie, and one set today, few would be able to notice the changes on the spot. Whereas even watching a movie that came out in 1995 like 'Clueless' may be almost a cultural shock to the youngsters.

If you asked a group of people to watch a movie set in the late 90s, say American Pie, and one set today, few would be able to notice the changes on the spot. Whereas even watching a movie that came out in 1995 like 'Clueless' may be almost a cultural shock to the youngsters.


I agree.  Take Adam Sandler's movies, for instance.  Big Daddy could have been made in 2006 and it would hardly be any different.  The Waterboy seems only the slightest bit dated compared to 2006.  Happy Gilmore, from 1996 I believe seems pretty dated, not hugely dated, but you can tell it's some years old.  Billy Madison, from 1995 screams '90s. 

I agree.  Take Adam Sandler's movies, for instance.  Big Daddy could have been made in 2006 and it would hardly be any different.  The Waterboy seems only the slightest bit dated compared to 2006.  Happy Gilmore, from 1996 I believe seems pretty dated, not hugely dated, but you can tell it's some years old.  Billy Madison, from 1995 screams '90s. 


I noticed many people in movies in the mid-90s (right up til the turn of the Century) still wore those really 80s fashion, seems like they stayed around alot longer than people realise.

The '90s were hugely changeful.  Seriously, 1990 is ancient compared to today.  The early '90s actually feel like another century.  Almost no Internet, few cell phones, no MP3s, people stilll faxed and wrote letters, video games were still 2-D or at best 2 1/2 D.


But then and again, you could argue daily life and mindset is just a more technologized, slightly more experienced version of c. 1982....and people still fax plenty. It's actually quicker in many cases than scanning. I disagree that Clueless would be culturally shocking...or even The Breakfast Club. It's still the same people, the same high school...just less tech.

The '90s did have very little to hold them together, but that was largely sort of surface. There were some things that were consistently there in a way through the whole decade, but morphed into new forms to suit changing times. The "new jack swing"/urban contemporary music, radio divas, alternapop, sense of "simple" and sort of "grungy" style, sitcoms, indie movies that were very stereotypically indie, in a way teen pop (from New Kids on the Block to Backstreet Boys....all of this was there from beginning to end.

But then and again, you could argue daily life and mindset is just a more technologized, slightly more experienced version of c. 1982....and people still fax plenty. It's actually quicker in many cases than scanning. I disagree that Clueless would be culturally shocking...or even The Breakfast Club. It's still the same people, the same high school...just less tech.

The '90s did have very little to hold them together, but that was largely sort of surface. There were some things that were consistently there in a way through the whole decade, but morphed into new forms to suit changing times. The "new jack swing"/urban contemporary music, radio divas, alternapop, sense of "simple" and sort of "grungy" style, sitcoms, indie movies that were very stereotypically indie, in a way teen pop (from New Kids on the Block to Backstreet Boys....all of this was there from beginning to end.


I agree with that.  People's minds are the same as in the late 20th century, but the tech is hugely different.  Just like how people in the early 1900s thought similarly to people in the late 1800s, but the tech was way more advanced.

I agree with that.  People's minds are the same as in the late 20th century, but the tech is hugely different.  Just like how people in the early 1900s thought similarly to people in the late 1800s, but the tech was way more advanced.


Si. Which do you think was more unified, the '90s or the '70s? They both definitely had things that were quite fragmented about them, but they had some subtle things that stayed the same and a similar overall sensibility and sense of style/cool. The '90s equivalent of blaxploitation was probably the Jim Carrey-type comedies and somewhat formulaic indie movies that persisted through the decade. And the animated movies, etc.

I agree with that.  People's minds are the same as in the late 20th century, but the tech is hugely different.  Just like how people in the early 1900s thought similarly to people in the late 1800s, but the tech was way more advanced.


Mindset never really changes. Atittudes and certain beliefs all will always be the same, that's why some people still think it's the Middle Ages...lol.

I truly think technology has progressed too fast for most people over about 35 years (and many younger than that). The technological revolution has not engendered a similar revolution in 'tech-saviness' for want of a better word.  :)

Mindset never really changes. Atittudes and certain beliefs all will always be the same, that's why some people still think it's the Middle Ages...lol.

I truly think technology has progressed too fast for most people over about 35 years (and many younger than that). The technological revolution has not engendered a similar revolution in 'tech-saviness' for want of a better word.  :)




The fact is, most of us out there care too much about the way we live persisting to listen at the tech knocking at our door. The real change in mindset was like 1964-1980, and it kind of came full circle by c. 1992 or so.

Si. Which do you think was more unified, the '90s or the '70s? They both definitely had things that were quite fragmented about them, but they had some subtle things that stayed the same and a similar overall sensibility and sense of style/cool. The '90s equivalent of blaxploitation was probably the Jim Carrey-type comedies and somewhat formulaic indie movies that persisted through the decade. And the animated movies, etc.


I'd say pop culturally, the '70s were more unified, although barely, because there are things that connect 1970 and 1979. With 1990 and 1999, that's not really the case.  However, when talking about general trends, such as TV violence, I'd say the '90s are more unified.

The fact is, most of us out there care too much about the way we live persisting to listen at the tech knocking at our door. The real change in mindset was like 1964-1980, and it kind of came full circle by c. 1992 or so.


Technology's insidious robotic tentacles will reach into even the most stone-cold old brain...because Technology has became so much a part of society and life that it will be impossible to live in a normal manner without at least mastering the basics, and then keeping up with the rapid changes.

That or else you can live in an commune somewhere...

I was just watching Mad Love, a 1995 movie with Drew Barrymore and Chris O'Donnell that takes place in Seattle, and it just SCREAMS '90s, every aspect of it. Of course, it taking place in Seattle is part of it. But there's also the clothing: scrunchy ponytails, long grungy hair, Courtney Love-style heroin chic makeup on Drew Barrymore, long-sleeved roomy shirts,  backwards baseball caps, plain sports clothing, Nike sneakers, seas of flannel and washed-out color, semi-see through girl's shirts, messy ponytails, and the interior decoration, with which its very "washed-out" look is very '90s. If somebody wanted to see an encapsulation of what cool was in the '90s, they should be taken to this movie.

I think the whole thing about something from six years ago seeming closer than something from ten years ago applies to every decade. Like something from 1989 would not seem all that far away in 1996, but something from 1985 probably would.

I'd say pop culturally, the '70s were more unified, although barely, because there are things that connect 1970 and 1979. With 1990 and 1999, that's not really the case.  However, when talking about general trends, such as TV violence, I'd say the '90s are more unified.



The 70's are defidently more unified than the 90's. 1970 is alot more like 1979 than 1990 is like 1999.

The 70's are defidently more unified than the 90's. 1970 is alot more like 1979 than 1990 is like 1999.


I agree.  They're both very rapidly changing decades, but the '70s is somewhat easier to define than the '90s. Still though, I don't think the '70s is exactly easy to accurately pigeonhole.

I agree.  They're both very rapidly changing decades, but the '70s is somewhat easier to define than the '90s. Still though, I don't think the '70s is exactly easy to accurately pigeonhole.



No doubt the 70's was also a decade of rapid change. The early 70's were still very 60's like.

Hey, 1970 and 1979 were pretty different. The only real consistency was blaxploitation and the '70s attitude which existed from  beginning to end, and some things like hairstyles and bellbottoms. 1970 was Motown, pseudo-hippie music, and classic rock. 1979 was disco, funk, punk, post-punk, and new wave. 1990 vs. 1999....1990 had hair metal, soft rock, alt rock and pop, "club music", and old school rap. 1999 had new school neo-gangsta rap, teen pop, nu metal, altpop, remaining alt rock and the roots of what became '00s "indie", techno, country. There are definitely certain threads there, though genres evolved alot through each decades. Also, the 1977ish "punk" revolution that started modern rock was bigger than anything that happened music-wise in the '90s. I think the '70s and '90s have in common that they varied very widely but had a similar "feel" to them throughout them, and sort of a similar, if less obvious, attitude.

Hey, 1970 and 1979 were pretty different. The only real consistency was blaxploitation and the '70s attitude which existed from  beginning to end, and some things like hairstyles and bellbottoms. 1970 was Motown, pseudo-hippie music, and classic rock. 1979 was disco, funk, punk, post-punk, and new wave. 1990 vs. 1999....1990 had hair metal, soft rock, alt rock and pop, "club music", and old school rap. 1999 had new school neo-gangsta rap, teen pop, nu metal, altpop, remaining alt rock and the roots of what became '00s "indie", techno, country. There are definitely certain threads there, though genres evolved alot through each decades. Also, the 1977ish "punk" revolution that started modern rock was bigger than anything that happened music-wise in the '90s. I think the '70s and '90s have in common that they varied very widely but had a similar "feel" to them throughout them, and sort of a similar, if less obvious, attitude.


I think musically, the 70s and 90s sort of were the opposite of each other. In the 70s, the huge revolution (Punk, New Wave, Disco) came later in the decade, whereas in the 90s it hit earlier with Grunge, Gangsta-rap, Adult contemparary.etc.

I think musically, the 70s and 90s sort of were the opposite of each other. In the 70s, the huge revolution (Punk, New Wave, Disco) came later in the decade, whereas in the 90s it hit earlier with Grunge, Gangsta-rap, Adult contemparary.etc.


Yes, but the revolutions were sort of similar...arguably, the real revolutions of the early '70s were the "singer-songwriter", arena rock (including glam and prog rock), and funk. These respectively are evolutions of the '60s folk, British Invasion, and soul. Disco, new wave, and punk were almost totally new, though disco has its origins ultimately in funk, and punk and new wave in American garage bands and stuff like the Velvet Underground.

Honestly, from 2000 to 2005 we have seen the biggest change in media, movies and tv in quite some time, maybe ever. I haven't seen a big change in music or clothes. Emo has exploded, punk and Gothic are really overshadowed by emo, pop has died down enless you count Ashlee Simpson, plus clubbing has become the popular activity for anyone 30 to 14 with Skateboarding also gaining huge popularity in the past 8 years.

Movies have become all about sequels, remakes and horror movies. Even action films can't really survive without being sequels. DVD's and ipods make the movie theater a second choice. Tv's all about reality shows. The media has changed.

Basically everyone and their mothers walk around with cell phones. I don't remember, 5 years ago, seeing many 11 year old kids talking on cell phones. Things have changed a lot from 2000 to 2005. 9-11 and the war has changed the media, dvd's have changed movies, and teens just move on to new styles. I wonder what 2006 to 2001 will be like. I don't see many things changing.

Honestly, from 2000 to 2005 we have seen the biggest change in media, movies and tv in quite some time, maybe ever. I haven't seen a big change in music or clothes. Emo has exploded, punk and Gothic are really overshadowed by emo, pop has died down enless you count Ashlee Simpson, plus clubbing has become the popular activity for anyone 30 to 14 with Skateboarding also gaining huge popularity in the past 8 years.

Movies have become all about sequels, remakes and horror movies. Even action films can't really survive without being sequels. DVD's and ipods make the movie theater a second choice. Tv's all about reality shows. The media has changed.

Basically everyone and their mothers walk around with cell phones. I don't remember, 5 years ago, seeing many 11 year old kids talking on cell phones. Things have changed a lot from 2000 to 2005. 9-11 and the war has changed the media, dvd's have changed movies, and teens just move on to new styles. I wonder what 2006 to 2001 will be like. I don't see many things changing.


I sort of agree, most of the little revolutions like music-sharing and the explosion of the Home Cinema and the conversion of the home unit into an entertainment unit have occured in the earlier part of the decade, and 2006-2011 will just expand and improve on this. However, I sense quite a shift in music and other aspects of culture, as well as a whole new quantum shift in society as a whole.

Honestly, from 2000 to 2005 we have seen the biggest change in media, movies and tv in quite some time, maybe ever. I haven't seen a big change in music or clothes. Emo has exploded, punk and Gothic are really overshadowed by emo, pop has died down enless you count Ashlee Simpson, plus clubbing has become the popular activity for anyone 30 to 14 with Skateboarding also gaining huge popularity in the past 8 years.

Movies have become all about sequels, remakes and horror movies. Even action films can't really survive without being sequels. DVD's and ipods make the movie theater a second choice. Tv's all about reality shows. The media has changed.

Basically everyone and their mothers walk around with cell phones. I don't remember, 5 years ago, seeing many 11 year old kids talking on cell phones. Things have changed a lot from 2000 to 2005. 9-11 and the war has changed the media, dvd's have changed movies, and teens just move on to new styles. I wonder what 2006 to 2001 will be like. I don't see many things changing.


The '00s are sheeshty. The thing is...they're the death of everything without anything new coming up interesting enough to replace them. I mean, for god's sake, Paris Hilton-style clubbing and emo? Give me a break.

Honestly, from 2000 to 2005 we have seen the biggest change in media, movies and tv in quite some time, maybe ever. I haven't seen a big change in music or clothes. Emo has exploded, punk and Gothic are really overshadowed by emo, pop has died down enless you count Ashlee Simpson, plus clubbing has become the popular activity for anyone 30 to 14 with Skateboarding also gaining huge popularity in the past 8 years.

Movies have become all about sequels, remakes and horror movies. Even action films can't really survive without being sequels. DVD's and ipods make the movie theater a second choice. Tv's all about reality shows. The media has changed.

Basically everyone and their mothers walk around with cell phones. I don't remember, 5 years ago, seeing many 11 year old kids talking on cell phones. Things have changed a lot from 2000 to 2005. 9-11 and the war has changed the media, dvd's have changed movies, and teens just move on to new styles. I wonder what 2006 to 2001 will be like. I don't see many things changing.


Reality tv is fading as I've said before. Skateboarding was already huge like in the mid '90s, maybe moreso then actually. There's been some change in music, fashion is about the same. Movies, tv, etc. I don't really see any difference from 2000. Emo is getting bigger and bigger, yes. I've had a cell phone since I was 11 in '98, but I was one of the few 11 year olds with a cell back then. 2003 or so is when you started to see everybody with a phone. DVDs were already big in 2000.

Reality tv is fading as I've said before. Skateboarding was already huge like in the mid '90s, maybe moreso then actually. There's been some change in music, fashion is about the same. Movies, tv, etc. I don't really see any difference from 2000. Emo is getting bigger and bigger, yes. I've had a cell phone since I was 11 in '98, but I was one of the few 11 year olds with a cell back then. 2003 or so is when you started to see everybody with a phone. DVDs were already big in 2000.



Yeah, reality TV is seriously fading for scripted dramas and the "process shows" about modeling, cooking, etc. Skateboarding reached its peak between the mid-'90s and the early '00s, fashion is pretty different from 1999, and music is VERY different than 1999 (really still the '90s, just the fruition of mid-'90s trends as opposed to late '80s ones.) Yeah, I'm still a little shocked when I see a ten year old with a cell phone.

Yeah, I think we can all agree music has aged the most since 1999.