I'm asking because some consider childhood to be the "important part" of their lives, whereas others think being a teen in a decade was more defining to their personalities and childhood doesn't matter in the slightest.

I'm also asking because some (like @mqg96, @ocarinafan96, @Eazy-EMAN1995) claim to have really great memories and remember all the way back to age 3, and consider ages 5-10 to be their "real childhood" years. Whereas other people I've seen have rather poor memories and didn't start caring about anything until ages 9-12, like those teens in the "Teens React" videos. I know those videos are meant to make viewers upset and froth at the mouth, but still.

No, I'm not saying one part is better than the other or that everything after some arbitrary date sucks. I'm just interested to hear your thoughts.

This is complicated.  While I definitely prefer the popular culture from the early 2000s, I'd say the later part of the decade was actually when I felt happiest.  I have extremely fond memories of playing Dance Dance Revolution, running cross country, listening to eurobeat and eurodance music, watching AVGN, and attending high school during that time.

I consider 2002-2006 as my peak childhood being 6-10 at the time. (not counting years I started Kindergarten or finished 5th grade) However, most of my peak childhood moments when it comes to the pop culture geared towards kids happened throughout 2002-2005. I would say I associate with both the early & mid 2000's equally when it comes to my peak childhood; an even mixture of the culture. When it comes to the vacations I went to and most of the video games I played throughout my childhood, that would be mostly from the mid 2000's than early, since I used to play tons of games on the Gamecube and original XBOX at the time, and going on trips to Jamaica, Sarasota FL, Washington DC, Disney World in Orlando FL, Huntsville AL, and much more. When it comes to my favorite cartoons on TV from Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Toon Disney, or Kids WB, and a lot of the LEGO toys I built and collected, I associate all of that mostly with the early 2000's rather than mid. When it comes to the sports and athletic activities I did, then that would probably be my later childhood years through my adolescence years. Although, I did Flag Football a little bit back in 1st grade in Fall 2002, but only for one year though as I quit after that season. I participated in Martial Arts America, or Karate for 3 years from 2005-2008, I started with white belt in Summer 2005 and finished my black belt in Fall 2008. Now as for the late 2000's culure, I'd associate that with my early adolescence years or preteen years. I enjoyed much of the music coming out at the time and it was around the time I became more interested in watching sports on TV too!

Also, as for the polls you put up, you only gave two briefs choices, those were "Classic 00s"/Bush era: 2000–07 or Transition to 10s/Obama era: 2007–09, and I think the 2000-2007 period could easily be broken up into 2 or maybe even 3 sections.

Um, I can't decide. Majority of my 2000s memories are balanced divided. I like majority of the 2000s, so I associate more with what ever 2000s year I reminisce the most to on certain days.

Also, as for the polls you put up, you only gave two briefs choices, those were "Classic 00s"/Bush era: 2000–07 or Transition to 10s/Obama era: 2007–09, and I think the 2000-2007 period could easily be broken up into 2 or maybe even 3 sections.

Agreed, 2000-summer 2001 Y2k, Final Clinton years
2001-2007, classic George W. years
2008-2009, Obama recession years!

Agree with Infinity. This is COMPLICATED!
Me being a 95er, I guess since I consider late 2000-2004 as my most defining childhood years, 2005-2006/07 my older childhood years, the entire late 2000s were my young adolescent years; I'd identify with all 3. But if I were to choose one it would be the classic 00s since those were the main years for me growing up. It was pretty special. In my PERSONAL LIFE, in the early 00s I'd go to chuck e cheese, play with my Nintendo and two Playstation's, SEGA, and my two gameboys. Played outside when I took my game break. Mid 00s, started karate, playing baseball, playing hockey, playing soccer, camping. I also started following music more regularly. The late 2000s, I'd go out with my friends A LOT more, played baseball and tennis, play games online, listen to even more music.

Now Pop culturally I identify EASILY with both the early 00s and late 2000s. Mid 2000s had some weak mainstream music. Good rock and R&B though THAT WAS IT. As a kid I LOVED The early 00s, it had great pop, rap, nu metal rock, and GREAT R&B. In the Late 2000s it was really good again.As a young teen I LOVED the great mmixture of amazing rap, R&B, electropop, and dance music.

I will NOT use the movies and tv shows as an example.

Overall, pop culturally the early 00s, politically and lifestyle wise for me I loved the mid 00s, the economy and everyone around me were at their happiest. Late 2000s, the music and video games helped me escape the hell that was late grade school aka Middle School.

I re-did the poll to have one more option.

I prefer the late '00s.  I graduated college, moved out on my own, and began really discovering myself.  I associate the pop culture from that period with that very exciting part of my life.  Unfortunately there was a dark shadow over it because of the economy, but overall when I think of 2000s culture, I think of roughly the period from late 2006 through 2009.

I re-did the poll to have one more option.


I wouldn't really consider 2007 a mid-2000s year at all, that was when Lindsay Lohan was no longer popular, Superbad and the first Transformers movie came out, Timbaland was dominating the charts, thug rap was gone, video gaming was indisputably in its seventh generation, and Facebook and YouTube were both heavily established.  It was a very different time compared to 2004 through early-mid 2006.  I know you included part of 2007 in the late 2000s category as well, but I think the vast bulk of the transition had already occurred the year before, and that the end of '07 wasn't really much different from the beginning of '07 aside from a few tv shows beginning (Mad Men, Phineas and Furb) and ending (The Sopranos, That's So Raven).  It seems like the general consensus is that 2007 was purely a late 2000s year, which is why I bring it up.

I wouldn't really consider 2007 a mid-2000s year at all, that was when Lindsay Lohan was no longer popular, Superbad and the first Transformers movie came out, Timbaland was dominating the charts, thug rap was gone, video gaming was indisputably in its seventh generation, and Facebook and YouTube were both heavily established.  It was a very different time compared to 2004 through early-mid 2006.  I know you included part of 2007 in the late 2000s category as well, but I think the vast bulk of the transition had already occurred the year before, and that the end of '07 wasn't really much different from the beginning of '07 aside from a few tv shows beginning (Mad Men, Phineas and Furb) and ending (The Sopranos, That's So Raven).  It seems like the general consensus is that 2007 was purely a late 2000s year, which is why I bring it up.

Agreed!!
2004-mid 2006 mid 00s
late 2006-mid 2008 late 2000s
late 2008-2009 VERY late 2000s

Agreed!!
2004-mid 2006 mid 00s
late 2006-mid 2008 late 2000s
late 2008-2009 VERY late 2000s


early 2010's too, and you know what I meant, which is why the very late 2000's would be combined with that period as well.

It's three portions for me. The very early 00s are my childhood; 2002-03 is transition to me and the rest is my adolescence.

I associate with all three. I have a lot of childhood memories from the early and mid 2000s but I have the best memories from the late 2000s.

I associate with all three. I have a lot of childhood memories from the early and mid 2000s but I have the best memories from the late 2000s.


I think childhood and early adolescence/core adolescence are two completely different stages, not the same thing. It's natural that anybody is going to remember 6-8 years ago better than 12-15 years ago. Because, well, the early 2000's are further back than the late 2000's, simple as that. However, you may have been into different culture at the time depending on your age back then. To me, I relate to the early & mid 2000's when it comes to my core childhood/kid nostalgia, but I relate to the late 2000's more when it comes to the pop culture geared towards teens, my favorite music, and maybe movies too. As for video games it be a mixture of all areas.

Early-mid Hundreds for me. Though I chose "early". By late 2007, I pretty much completely dropped my childhood years and entered preteen years.

The early part definitely.  Some things were still really good.  At least music wise.

Associate with what? Childhood? Teenage years? Adulthood?

Being born in 87, I was still a kid at the very beginning of the 00s. I went through all of my teens and was in my early 20s by the end of the decade. So I associate with all of it in one way or another. If you're asking what part I prefer from a pop culture standpoint, I would probably say early-mid, like 2001-2005.

Associate with what? Childhood? Teenage years? Adulthood?

Being born in 87, I was still a kid at the very beginning of the 00s. I went through all of my teens and was in my early 20s by the end of the decade. So I associate with all of it in one way or another. If you're asking what part I prefer from a pop culture standpoint, I would probably say early-mid, like 2001-2005.


I think a lot of people get the word "child" and "kid" confused a lot, and think it's one way around or the other way around. I still felt like an older child in late middle school & high school, but I didn't feel like a kid anymore. I always thought child means under maturity (under 18) and kid means under puberty (under 12 or 13).

I think a lot of people get the word "child" and "kid" confused a lot, and think it's one way around or the other way around. I still felt like an older child in late middle school & high school, but I didn't feel like a kid anymore. I always thought child means under maturity (under 18) and kid means under puberty (under 12 or 13).


I've always associated the term "child" with younger kids who are more dependent on their parents. "Kid" can mean a lot of things. It can mean a 3 year-old or a "college kid." But for these discussions, I use the term "kid" to imply that I was still into "kid things" like playing outdoors or watching cartoons, as opposed to more "mature things" like music/fashion/relationships. For me, ages 11-13 were a transition, but I would still consider myself a kid then. By 14, I didn't feel like a kid anymore (i.e. I wasn't into "kid things").

I liked the pop culture of the early 2000s but it wasn't the best time for me in my personal life.  I liked the late 2000s a lot better.  Being born in 85 though I would say I associate with all of it because it was 'my' decade.

I think a lot of people get the word "child" and "kid" confused a lot, and think it's one way around or the other way around. I still felt like an older child in late middle school & high school, but I didn't feel like a kid anymore. I always thought child means under maturity (under 18) and kid means under puberty (under 12 or 13).

The opposite as far as I'm concerned. It would sound weird to refer to a 17 year old as a "child" ??? But kid means someone youthful, appropriate probably up to mid 20s. Whereas child sounds more like a biological term which is appropriate for non and early teenagers.

Anyway, on the topic, for me definitely 2006-2010, those were my 16-20 years and by god I wish I could go back. I don't give a sheesh about pop culture or any celebrity crap but it would have to be correct for the year otherwise it wouldn't feel right. Hell knows I wish I could go back in time and do things differently or even give a few words of advice to teenage me.

I am into technology though and I feel like things were "just right" in the mid-late 00s. Hard to believe how old the 00s are actually getting, it makes me quite sad, actually.

I graduated and still had good friends to do things with. My family was still close.

I'm more associated with the mid 2000s.

*bump*

I'm more associated with the mid 2000s.

*bump*


I miss when you, Jordan and Slowpoke had The Mid, Early and Early 2010s Guy as your avatar titles. That's when this site was at its peak of its current era.

I miss when you, Jordan and Slowpoke had The Mid, Early and Early 2010s Guy as your avatar titles. That's when this site was at its peak of its current era.


I think I called myself the Mid 2000s Guy because of that. I remember when Jordan called himself the Early 2000s Guy, while Slowpoke called himself the Early 2010s Guy. It was like a parody of The Early 90s Guy's name, since he liked the early 90s so much.

I identify with the Mid 2000s and the Late 2000s.

Mid 2000s and Late 2000s, I was only a toddler from 2000 to 2002 so it's obvious I'll identify more with times where I could understand what's going on around me. I grew up with a lot of things from the early 2000s though.

I like 2000-2003 way more, but 2004-2009 was more important. If my childhood was a movie, it would start in 2004 on my 11th birthday and end in summer 2010 when I got my first full-time job.

I like 2000-2003 way more, but 2004-2009 was more important. If my childhood was a movie, it would start in 2004 on my 11th birthday and end in summer 2010 when I got my first full-time job.


I would do the same with myself. Although, if I would do a movie on my childhood years, it would start from 2002 (when I was diagnosed with autism as a toddler) to 2011 (when I found out that Steve Jobs died).

I would do the same with myself. Although, if I would do a movie on my childhood years, it would start from 2002 (when I was diagnosed with autism as a toddler) to 2011 (when I found out that Steve Jobs died).


That's almost the entire 2000s!  ;D

That's almost the entire 2000s!  ;D


Yeah, I know. I thought it seemed interesting if it was on a movie about my childhood, like Boyhood.

Yeah, I know. I thought it seemed interesting if it was on a movie about my childhood, like Boyhood.


Boyhood is not supposed to end so sad  :\'(

Boyhood is not supposed to end so sad  :\'(

I hated that movie personally. Horrible plot and bad acting.

I hated that movie personally. Horrible plot and bad acting.


I watched the movie like 3 times tbh. 👀

The plot was heartbreaking tho  :\'(

In my opinion the "Mid 2000's" didn't really exist if we're talking about popular culture. To me it's pretty split between George Bush's two presidential terms: 2001-2004 (early 2000's) & 2005-2008 (late 2000's). The music just seems to be one or the other to me. And clothing changed very little from both periods.

Anytime before Kardashian/Jenner were common terms.  ::)

In my opinion the "Mid 2000's" didn't really exist if we're talking about popular culture. To me it's pretty split between George Bush's two presidential terms: 2001-2004 (early 2000's) & 2005-2008 (late 2000's). The music just seems to be one or the other to me. And clothing changed very little from both periods.


Clothing didn't change all that much, but hairstyles did. In the first half of the 2000s, short hair was more popular for guys.  In the latter half, you had to have a shag or swoop of some sort.

In my opinion the "Mid 2000's" didn't really exist if we're talking about popular culture. To me it's pretty split between George Bush's two presidential terms: 2001-2004 (early 2000's) & 2005-2008 (late 2000's). The music just seems to be one or the other to me. And clothing changed very little from both periods.


I guess that's why so many people see it as just an extension of the early 2000s. Maybe not to people like mqg96 and me (although the early-mid 2000s were really similar), but it doesn't seem like a big deal towards older people.

The mid 2000s had a pretty distinct culture that was carried from 2003 up until 2008. It had some early 00s influences but it was still its own thing.

The mid 2000s had a pretty distinct culture that was carried from 2003 up until 2008. It had some early 00s influences but it was still its own thing.


Yeah, but the mid 2000s still had pop culture from the early 2000s. Even when I was a kid, it felt slightly more like 2002 and 2003 with its technology, kid culture, and current events at the time. I know that some people like JordanK1982 would disagree with this, but he doesn't give a crap about pop culture since 2003.

Yeah, but the mid 2000s still had pop culture from the early 2000s. Even when I was a kid, it felt slightly more like 2002 and 2003 with its technology, kid culture, and current events at the time. I know that some people like JordanK1982 would disagree with this, but he doesn't give a crap about pop culture since 2003.

I would disagree I think the early 2000s was totally its own seperate era. Especially in regards to technology, it was much more primitive in the early 00s.

Anytime before Kardashian/Jenner were common terms.  ::)


What did you think about Paris Hilton before them? I'm ashamed to say I watched the Simple Life and Paris's BFF  :-[ Thankfully, I had grown enough to self control to not hitch the Life With The Kardashians/Jersey Shore wagon when they hit the airwaves.

In order to properly answer this question, I decided to take a quick look at the artists I have in my CD collection and let that speak for itself.

Let's see... Linkin Park, Shaggy, Fuel, OutKast, Nelly, Audioslave, The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, The Strokes, Fountains of Wayne, Jimmy Eat World, Simple Plan, Sugar Ray, to name a few.

Yeah, I think it's safe to say I associate more with the early '00s. ;D

I guess that's why so many people see it as just an extension of the early 2000s. Maybe not to people like mqg96 and me (although the early-mid 2000s were really similar), but it doesn't seem like a big deal towards older people.


I've said this before, I think the distinction is most pronounced if you were a kid during the 2000s.  I was a teenager during the first half of the decade and a twentysomething during the second.  For me, the mid '00s felt a lot closer to the early '00s than they did the late '00s.  Culture in the mid '00s was for the most part the same, with only slight differences in the music and fashion.  Politically and economically there wasn't much of a difference at all.  In terms of technology, the mid '00s saw the beginning of the rise of social media, but the mid '00s web was still more web 1.0 than 2.0.  Windows XP dominated the entire era.

2007 was when things really started to noticeably change.  Technology moved forward at a very fast rate around that time.  The storm clouds of the recession, along with Bush and Iraq fatigue started gathering, creating a feeling of more tension regarding current events.  Society as a whole started to become noticeably more liberal around that time as well, with some of the homophobia that dominated male culture during most of the 2000s starting to dissipate and the 9/11 wave of patriotism and new religiosity having worn off.

All of it, even the late 00's. I was a teenager from late 2001 to late 2008. I was basically a pure 00's teen!  ;)

What did you think about Paris Hilton before them? I'm ashamed to say I watched the Simple Life and Paris's BFF  :-[ Thankfully, I had grown enough to self control to not hitch the Life With The Kardashians/Jersey Shore wagon when they hit the airwaves.



I'm tired of talking about The Kardashians.  ::)

I'm tired of talking about The Kardashians.  ::)


She redeemed herself after she exposed Taylor Swift IMHO.

I don't really associate strongly towards any specific part of the 2000s, but I suppose I'll go with the early 2000s because that's when gaming, fashion, and music were at their best. The late 2000s is also cool, though, for AVGN and early Nostalgia Critic, plus a musical resurgence around 2009.

I don't really associate strongly towards any specific part of the 2000s, but I suppose I'll go with the early 2000s because that's when gaming, fashion, and music were at their best. The late 2000s is also cool, though, for AVGN and early Nostalgia Critic, plus a musical resurgence around 2009.


The late 2000s was great for most YouTubers, in my opinion.

The early 2000s were by far the best time for culture. But the late 2000s was the best time for my personal life, especially the year 2007.

Late 2000s is an interesting time. Shows that despite their being economical struggles an era can still be good. The 1930s and the late 2000s are good examples.

Late 2000s is an interesting time. Shows that despite their being economical struggles an era can still be good. The 1930s and the late 2000s are good examples.


I honestly wish people realized that. Ever since the Great Recession happened, people immediately thought that the late 2000s were a sign of the apocalypse. Even though everybody, including myself, weren't really devastated by it. Hell, I still saw most of the businesses where I live still open until the early 2010s (at least).

I honestly wish people realized that. Ever since the Great Recession happened, people immediately thought that the late 2000s were a sign of the apocalypse. Even though everybody, including myself, weren't really devastated by it. Hell, I still saw most of the businesses where I live still open until the early 2010s (at least).

It wasn't horrible when I look back but I really hated the late 2000s during them and during the early 2010s. But it was a great time in my life compared to now.

It wasn't horrible when I look back but I really hated the late 2000s during them and during the early 2010s. But it was a great time in my life compared to now.


Personally, I agree with this. Even though the late 2000s aren't really as great as the early-mid 2000s, it's still unique for what it's done towards the world.

Here's the thing. Some people see the 2000s as "The Decade From Hell" (cringeworthy, I know) yet these same people will talk about "great" the 1930s and 1940s were despite them having the Great Depression, Holocaust, World War 2, Cold War, and Bombing of Pearl Harber. You can't go talking about the 2000s as if it's the worst decade ever yet talk about how great the 1930s and '40s were despite many people struggling during those times. It's almost hypocritical.

I suppose that as time moves on more appreciation of the 2000s will continue to come. I can bet my house that during the 1930s people saw it as the worst decade ever  when compared to the 1920s. But nowadays everyone sees the 1930s as this amazing/classical time period. Heck I can imagine their being great 1920s nostalgia by the time the 1940s came around. Didn't care too much for the late 2000s in terms of personal life due to the Recession I'll be honest, but Pop Culture was pretty decent.

Didn't care too much for the late 2000s in terms of personal life due to the Recession I'll be honest, but Pop Culture was pretty decent.

It's the opposite for me. The pop culture was bad but my personal life was amazing.

Late 2000s is an interesting time. Shows that despite their being economical struggles an era can still be good. The 1930s and the late 2000s are good examples.


The 1930s were awful 😱 I'm not here for changing my underwear once a year lol.


Here's the thing. Some people see the 2000s as "The Decade From Hell" (cringeworthy, I know) yet these same people will talk about "great" the 1930s and 1940s were despite them having the Great Depression, Holocaust, World War 2, Cold War, and Bombing of Pearl Harber. You can't go talking about the 2000s as if it's the worst decade ever yet talk about how great the 1930s and '40s were despite many people struggling during those times. It's almost hypocritical.

I suppose that as time moves on more appreciation of the 2000s will continue to come. I can bet my house that during the 1930s people saw it as the worst decade ever  when compared to the 1920s. But nowadays everyone sees the 1930s as this amazing/classical time period. Heck I can imagine their being great 1920s nostalgia by the time the 1940s came around. Didn't care too much for the late 2000s in terms of personal life due to the Recession I'll be honest, but Pop Culture was pretty decent.


Wait, who's actually nostalgic for the 1930s and 1940s? Let me guess, Trump voters...

Lol jk. But seriously, I've never heard of anyone being nostalgic for those decades, except maybe the late 1940s (definitely Trump's constituency). For popular nostalgia, I know The Roaring Twenties nostalgia started mostly in the 1960s, then by the 1970s popular nostalgia jumped straight to 1950s.

Here's the thing. Some people see the 2000s as "The Decade From Hell" (cringeworthy, I know) yet these same people will talk about "great" the 1930s and 1940s were despite them having the Great Depression, Holocaust, World War 2, Cold War, and Bombing of Pearl Harber.


I thought there were most people saying that during the decade. So much so, that sites like this one and Retrojunk existed. I mean, they are more positive towards the 2000s than they were 5 years ago, but it's just large enough to gain a large nostalgia community on the Internet. Although people would say otherwise to the 2010s, since nostalgia is still a huge counterpart towards the Internet.

My opinion about this kinda thing is pretty spotty: I liked 2000-2001, did not like 2002-2004, liked 2005-2008, and did not like 2009.

I became a sentient kid in 2002 and started collecting My Little Pony, Transformers, and other toys. Toonami became my favorite TV block, beating out Nick Jr. (I loved it even though I effing hated Dora) and I developed a crush on Swayzak the evil computer virus from Trapped in Hyperspace, which I'd outgrow when I was 12. I also received a BlackBerry in 2002.

I became a sentient kid in 2002 and started collecting My Little Pony, Transformers, and other toys. Toonami became my favorite TV block, beating out Nick Jr. (I loved it even though I effing hated Dora) and I developed a crush on Swayzak the evil computer virus from Trapped in Hyperspace, which I'd outgrow when I was 12. I also received a BlackBerry in 2002.


You received a cell phone when you were 6? High five! :D Although for me, I only used it for recording videos.

You received a cell phone when you were 6? High five! :D Although for me, I only used it for recording videos.


I remember my uncle randomly purchased three Nokia phones for myself and my two cousins when I was 6, but my Mum took the phone several hours later and presumably hid it somewhere where I couldn't access it. I only had the phone for that afternoon, and then I never saw it again. :P

I remember my uncle randomly purchased three Nokia phones for myself and my two cousins when I was 6, but my Mum took the phone several hours later and presumably hid it somewhere where I couldn't access it. I only had the phone for that afternoon, and then I never saw it again. :P


Man, that sucks. I accessed my Motorola cell phone for only two years, when the battery ran out. I'm not sure if I still have it, but I bet it's still in my closet.