Inspired by the recent topic; http://www.inthe00s.com/index.php?topic=56593.0; with most of the respondents claiming that 2016 was the darkest year of the 2010s, do you think in the Late 2010's things are starting to look bright?

The reason I asked this was because I saw this inspiring Google in Search Video for 2017 and I noticed that overall tone of the video, while not entirely positive, still had a relatively positive message of deliberation and equality. Most notably, the Women's March on January 21st 2017 (which was the largest public demonstration in human history), and the #metoo movement which has revealed the true amounts of ugliness and obscene misogyny in Hollywood (and the entertainment industry in general). People (generally) do not feel afraid anymore to speak out against injustice, which is a great step in the right direction regardless of your political beliefs.

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The music in the video was also pretty uplifting and the general message was to keep pressing forward and to never give up, despite the perceived odds (the three major hurricanes this year, Las Vegas shooting, polarized politics, etc.).

This video is a stark contrast to the vibe of the Google in Search for the recent years of 2015 & 2016 which seemed a lot more dark than the new one:

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Even though many of the issues plaguing in the 2015 & 2016 videos are still present in society (the refugee crises, polarized politics/rise of nationalist policies, concerns pertaining to Global Warming, etc.), the 2017 video seemed to signal a sense of optimism for a better future, while the 15'/16' videos seemed to be bewildered and genuinely confused on where the planet was heading.

Obviously things are not perfect. From my perspective in America its a mix bag with politics still being very divided, Trump's presidency breaking so many conventions (for better or worse...), issues pertaining to gun violence and domestic terrorism still being common, etc. There has also been a lot of positives, such as the economy thriving again with the lowest unemployment rate (of 4.1%) in 15 years, rising GDP growth (hitting 3% for the first time in over a decade), a thriving stock market, etc.

Also, pop culturally the 2017 has been (at least IMO) a stellar year for movies (arguably the best in the decade) with great films like Baby Driver, It, Get Out, Wonder Woman, Logan, Dunkirk, etc. And 2018 is looking bright with films like Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Incredibles II, The Predator, etc. 2017 has also been a good year for TV, especially with the continued rise in streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. On Netflix in particular you had Stranger Things Season 2 which was really talked about.

Perhaps this is too soon, but I am expecting the rest of the Late 2010's, and eventually the 2020's to be more optimistic and prosperous than the early & (especially) mid 2010's, but we'll have to see...

There's still a strong level of gloom during the Trump era, though I suppose more and more people are successfully taking action against the atrocities of the administration, which could signal eventual positive change.

I wouldn’t call it “stellar” for movies since this summer box office was actually the worst in over a decade...
But no, I agree. The general vibe seems more optimistic than previous years.

You pretty much summed up how I feel about 2017. It does feel a bit lighter than previous years which could certainly lead to something. I'm hopeful anyway.

You pretty much summed up how I feel about 2017. It does feel a bit lighter than previous years which could certainly lead to something. I'm hopeful anyway.


2017 to me seemed a bit depressing.

I have no clue. Too many detailed causes and effects to take into account, add to that that life is unpredictable and, at least, seemingly, erratic.

I'm not sure. It's certainly possible but I have a feeling things can only go downhill from here.  :-\\ If the '20s are full of 2000s nostalgia and has a vibe that is very different and unique, then that could be good news for pop culture. But in terms of overall politics and atmosphere I just don't see it letting up.

In 2007, the IMF predicted strong global economic growth for 2008 but then you-know-what happened. There are definitely many reasons to be optimistic, but I'm going to stay "cautiously optimistic".

Also, now that ISIS is gone and for many other reasons, I think something big (bad) will definitely go down in the Middle East in 2018 and America will most likely be involved  :-X

In 2007, the IMF predicted strong global economic growth for 2008 but then you-know-what happened. There are definitely many reasons to be optimistic, but I'm going to stay "cautiously optimistic".

Also, now that ISIS is gone and for many other reasons, I think something big (bad) will definitely go down in the Middle East in 2018 and America will most likely be involved  :-X

Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if World War III will come soon.

In 2007, the IMF predicted strong global economic growth for 2008 but then you-know-what happened. There are definitely many reasons to be optimistic, but I'm going to stay "cautiously optimistic".

Also, now that ISIS is gone and for many other reasons, I think something big (bad) will definitely go down in the Middle East in 2018 and America will most likely be involved  :-X


It might be 200 years before we come back to pre-2000 America again. I know you're Canadian, but just sayin'.

I think it's gonna get worse. The (alt-) right are gaining influence, seeking to ban abortions and trans people from transitioning, net neutrality and any constraints on big corporations as long as they hold conservative views (i.e. maintaining the patriarchy). The 2020s may be more socially conservative, like the 1980s and the 2000s, but I'm hoping this will spark off a revolution.

2017 to me seemed a bit depressing.


Depressing? Slightly (at least when compared to the shiny and cheerful 2010-12 era), but nowhere near as miserable as last year.
I'd say the atmosphere was somewhat optimistic, but with a shade of uncertainty. Not "bleak", just uncertain. There's a difference.

It might be 200 years before we come back to pre-2000 America again. I know you're Canadian, but just sayin'.


Pre-2000 will NEVER return, period.
I vaguely know what you mean by "pre-2000". Not as technologically dependent, children were still children, men were men, women were women, grunge and classic rock, etc, etc. But those are strictly "20th-century" cultural traits. We should be moving forward, not backward. There should be a sheeshload of changes in the next decade or two. Some for the better, and certainly some for the worse. The least we could do is keep our head held high, and hope that the good overshadows the bad.

Depressing? Slightly (at least when compared to the shiny and cheerful 2010-12 era), but nowhere near as miserable as last year.
I'd say the atmosphere was somewhat optimistic, but with a shade of uncertainty. Not "bleak", just uncertain. There's a difference.

2017 has a much more depressing vibe than 2016. A couple celebrities dying is nothing compared to the terrorist attacks this world has suffered this year and the division in America. 2017 makes 2016 look super happy and positive, this year was much more depressing overall.

In 2007, the IMF predicted strong global economic growth for 2008 but then you-know-what happened. There are definitely many reasons to be optimistic, but I'm going to stay "cautiously optimistic".

Also, now that ISIS is gone and for many other reasons, I think something big (bad) will definitely go down in the Middle East in 2018 and America will most likely be involved  :-X


Not to mention, May 15, 1948 will be the 70th anniversary of the Arab-Israeli War.

Israel seems to have jubilee years (1917, 1967, 2017). 2018 may bring something very bad based on what I said, and it can possibly be in either Israel or America (maybe both).

Depressing? Slightly (at least when compared to the shiny and cheerful 2010-12 era), but nowhere near as miserable as last year.
I'd say the atmosphere was somewhat optimistic, but with a shade of uncertainty. Not "bleak", just uncertain. There's a difference.


You had Trump and the the mass shootings to name a few.

Hopefully it will be more optimistic, but you could be completely wrong for all we know.

Hopefully it will be more optimistic, but you could be completely wrong for all we know.


I just hope so, I just wish I could read the news and just find ALL good and heartwarming news but that will never be the case.

Can you guys believe it's already 2018 in less than two weeks? Which means there's only two years left of this decade and poof it's gone just like that. Where has the time gone?

Can you guys believe it's already 2018 in less than two weeks? Which means there's only two years left of this decade and poof it's gone just like that. Where has the time gone?


I can't believe those born in 2000 will be 18 next year.  :o

I can't believe those born in 2000 will be 18 next year.  :o

And us 2002 babies will be 16 and old enough to drive ;)

Can you guys believe it's already 2018 in less than two weeks? Which means there's only two years left of this decade and poof it's gone just like that. Where has the time gone?

As of now, January 1, 2020, is as far away as December 5, 2015.

Can you guys believe it's already 2018 in less than two weeks? Which means there's only two years left of this decade and poof it's gone just like that. Where has the time gone?

Hallelujah. I'm so tired of this decade I want change.

And us 2002 babies will be 16 and old enough to drive ;)


Drive, yeah, drive!

Hallelujah. I'm so tired of this decade I want change.
Right.This has been a never changing uneventful past 5-6.

And us 2002 babies will be 16 and old enough to drive ;)


Self-driving cars can't come soon enough.  :-X :-X :-X :-X

I can't believe those born in 2000 will be 18 next year.  :o


I can! I feel like Im 100 years old lol

Right.This has been a never changing uneventful past 5-6.


Uneventful? I wish it was "uneventful".
For the past few years, it's been tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. The worst part of it all is that the mass media pays "tragedy" and "terrorism" lip service. They fuel the flames, with their sensationalist fear-mongering reporting.
"OH NOES, ISIS COULD BLOW UP A CHURCH IN EUROPE SOMETIME IN THE NEXT YEAR, RED ALERT! RED ALERT!".

Can you guys believe it's already 2018 in less than two weeks? Which means there's only two years left of this decade and poof it's gone just like that. Where has the time gone?


I know, Where'd the 8 years go? :o

I hope pop culture is better in the 2020s

I hope pop culture is better in the 2020s


Me too. Even if the political climate doesn't improve, hopefully pop culture will.

Uneventful? I wish it was "uneventful".
For the past few years, it's been tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. The worst part of it all is that the mass media pays "tragedy" and "terrorism" lip service. They fuel the flames, with their sensationalist fear-mongering reporting.
"OH NOES, ISIS COULD BLOW UP A CHURCH IN EUROPE SOMETIME IN THE NEXT YEAR, RED ALERT! RED ALERT!".


I could be wrong, but I think kingofthetemple was talking more from a pop cultural perspective, as opposed to a political perspective.

2018 will be a transformative year and it will change everything. 2018 will be a hugely changeful year and a transitional year and we will be a in a very different world at this time next year. Mark my words.

Me too. Even if the political climate doesn't improve, hopefully pop culture will.


Yeah, I'd just ignore the political side of things. Politics have been quite bad for a few decades now and I don't see much in improvement. I'm now just focusing on the creative side of things that you see in pop culture.