It's weird, but I haven't felt this way about a year since 2008. And 2020 is even more changeful than 2008. 2020 is definitely the year that marks the end of the 2010s era and the beginning of the new 2020s era. This year was transformational. And it really marked the start of what feels like a new world.

The "Big Eras"

Late '90s to 2008 : 2000s era
2008 - 2020 : 2010s era
2020 - ? : 2020s era

It's weird, but I haven't felt this way about a year since 2008. And 2020 is even more changeful than 2008. 2020 is definitely the year that marks the end of the 2010s era and the beginning of the new 2020s era. This year was transformational. And it really marked the start of what feels like a new world.

The "Big Eras"

Late '90s to 2008 : 2000s era
2008 - 2020 : 2010s era
2020 - ? : 2020s era


One thing about 2020 that's similar to 2008 was the election results providing a light at the end of tunnel kind of feel, and the historical significance having firsts for the president or VP.

I wouldn't say the late 90's era lasted all the way to 2008. You had 9/11 in 2001 that like the pandemic in 2020, started a new era and not in a good way.

One thing about 2020 that's similar to 2008 was the election results providing a light at the end of tunnel kind of feel, and the historical significance having firsts for the president or VP.

I wouldn't say the late 90's era lasted all the way to 2008. You had 9/11 in 2001 that like the pandemic in 2020, started a new era and not in a good way.

The late '90s were part of the 2000s culturally though, not 1990s. Just like 2009 was part of 2010s culturally. 1998 was the shifting year, then 2008, now 2020. This is when we look at the big picture and divide things up into large eras.

2020 feels like a year that will never end, since the pandemic had started, people couldn't wait for this miserable year to be over.

2020 feels like a year that will never end, since the pandemic had started, people couldn't wait for this miserable year to be over.

Yeah and the pandemic has changed how the world works.

It's weird, but I haven't felt this way about a year since 2008. And 2020 is even more changeful than 2008. 2020 is definitely the year that marks the end of the 2010s era and the beginning of the new 2020s era. This year was transformational. And it really marked the start of what feels like a new world.

The "Big Eras"

Late '90s to 2008 : 2000s era
2008 - 2020 : 2010s era
2020 - ? : 2020s era


Or hear me out Slim

2000-2009 is the 2000s

2010-2019 is the 2010s

And

2020-2029 is the 2020s

2010s has been the best era yet and the 2020s will bring some amazing changes for everybody

2001 was changeful. As was 2008, and now 2020.

I think I kinda know what Slim95 is talking about. 2000 still felt like 1998 or 1999. Then 2001 felt completely different! This is why I always say that a decade begins with year 1. Like this:

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

Onto the next decade:

2011
2012.....so on. But you all know what I'm saying by now.

2001 was changeful. As was 2008, and now 2020.

I think I kinda know what Slim95 is talking about. 2000 still felt like 1998 or 1999. Then 2001 felt completely different! This is why I always say that a decade begins with year 1. Like this:

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

Onto the next decade:

2011
2012.....so on. But you all know what I'm saying by now.

But I don't agree the 2000s started late, I think they started early, in the late '90s. That was 2000s culture.

But I don't agree the 2000s started late, I think they started early, in the late '90s. That was 2000s culture.


The late 90's were different from the mid/core 90's, but I didn't think they were as changeful as 2001. I think 2000 was more culturally 90's than the late 90's (even 1999) were 00's.

The late 90's were different from the mid/core 90's, but I didn't think they were as changeful as 2001. I think 2000 was more culturally 90's than the late 90's (even 1999) were 00's.

I don't agree with that. I think 1999 was a 2000s year in everything but name only. I think Y2K is an aspect that really defines 2000s culture.

I don't agree with that. I think 1999 was a 2000s year in everything but name only. I think Y2K is an aspect that really defines 2000s culture.


Again, I'll have to agree to disagree. Y2K culture was it's own transitional period which ended when 9/11 happened, much like how COVID-19 halted the transitional late 2010's culture. To me the 2000's culture was defined as the the Post-9/11 era of patriotism mixed with paranoia and conservatism under GWB. At least in the States it was.


2020 feels like a year that will never end, since the pandemic had started, people couldn't wait for this miserable year to be over.


To me it was like 2003 in that way. That was a year that had one thing going wrong after another, after another... at least in my personal life though maybe not the common consensus. 2006 was another year that never seemed to end, but that was more of the pop culture that left much to be desired, although my personal life wasn't that great either.

But I don't agree the 2000s started late, I think they started early, in the late '90s. That was 2000s culture.


I feel like both assessments are correct to an extent.

The Y2K era encapsulated the late 90s and early 2000s and yet The Matrix, American Beauty, and Fight Club all feel like they were completely 90s whereas Bring It On, Dude Where's My Car, and Road Trip feel completely 2000s.

I feel like both assessments are correct to an extent.

The Y2K era encapsulated the late 90s and early 2000s and yet The Matrix, American Beauty, and Fight Club all feel like it was completely 90s whereas Bring It On, Dude Where's My Car, and Road Trip feel completely 2000s.

Yeah and I actually go as far as to attribute the late '90s elements to the 2000s rather than to the '90s decade. I know that's an unpopular opinion but I truly do believe there were enough changes in the late '90s to make it feel more as part of the 2000s decade culturally.

It's weird, but I haven't felt this way about a year since 2008. And 2020 is even more changeful than 2008. 2020 is definitely the year that marks the end of the 2010s era and the beginning of the new 2020s era. This year was transformational. And it really marked the start of what feels like a new world.

The "Big Eras"

Late '90s to 2008 : 2000s era
2008 - 2020 : 2010s era
2020 - ? : 2020s era

¬
Absolutely right! I think this is the biggest year of change that Ive ever lived through

2021 is the beginning of a new era.

2021 is the beginning of a new era.


Hopefully, and not a continuation of 2020.

Hopefully, and not a continuation of 2020.


2020:vision, What do you think 2021 will be?  ???

2020:vision, What do you think 2021 will be?  ???


Apparently my 2020 vision wasn't clear at all since I did not see that coming. I'd rather not try to think what 2021 will be like and just let it play out.

Apparently my 2020 vision wasn't clear at all since I did not see that coming. I'd rather not try to think what 2021 will be like and just let it play out.

I didn't see it coming either.

I saw big changes coming but I didn't predict a pendemic. It's funny because I predicted a pandemic in 2018 or 2019 but not 2020. And I never could have imagined a pandemic would cause lockdowns, social distancing, and mask wearing. That part was definitely sudden and surprising.

I saw big changes coming but I didn't predict a pendemic. It's funny because I predicted a pandemic in 2018 or 2019 but not 2020. And I never could have imagined a pandemic would cause lockdowns, social distancing, and mask wearing. That part was definitely sudden and surprising.


If this pandemic hadn't happened, we wouldn't have been wearing masks and social distancing.

I saw big changes coming but I didn't predict a pendemic. It's funny because I predicted a pandemic in 2018 or 2019 but not 2020. And I never could have imagined a pandemic would cause lockdowns, social distancing, and mask wearing. That part was definitely sudden and surprising.



How could you possibly not have imagined a pandemic would cause lockdowns, social distancing, and mask wearing? EVERY pandemic has masks and social distancing. And, to some degree, lockdowns. Every single one with the possible exception of the Bubonic Plague of the Middle Ages, which they thought was caused by God. Back in the 1918 pandemic the masks were referred to as "gauze masks" and there was no cutesy market research name like "social distancing" (why isn't it just "distancing", by the way?). People just had the plain sense to keep a distance from each other. And "lockdowns" were just called "quarantine" and sometimes signs were put on houses where people were quarantining so nobody would go in or out. You foresaw a pandemic without all this? That's a very polite kind of pandemic.

How could you possibly not have imagined a pandemic would cause lockdowns, social distancing, and mask wearing? EVERY pandemic has masks and social distancing. And, to some degree, lockdowns. Every single one with the possible exception of the Bubonic Plague of the Middle Ages, which they thought was caused by God. Back in the 1918 pandemic the masks were referred to as "gauze masks" and there was no cutesy market research name like "social distancing" (why isn't it just "distancing", by the way?). People just had the plain sense to keep a distance from each other. And "lockdowns" were just called "quarantine" and sometimes signs were put on houses where people were quarantining so nobody would go in or out. You foresaw a pandemic without all this? That's a very polite kind of pandemic.

Actually no. This was the first time in history measures at this extent were implemented. It was never like this. I could not have predicted it. There was NEVER  a shutdown of non-essential businesses in the history of mankind. NOBODY could have predicted that.

The last big plague I experienced was H1N1 and it was nothing like this... Only a couple hand sanitizers were installed. Nothing like this ever. In the Spanish Flu people wore masks but there were no lockdowns or social distancing, there never was. There were many pandemics that occured and nothing was set up like this with the measures we have now.... Therefore it was completely shocking and unpredictable.

Actually no. This was the first time in history measures at this extent were implemented. It was never like this. I could not have predicted it. There was NEVER  a shutdown of non-essential businesses in the history of mankind. NOBODY could have predicted that.

The last big plague I experienced was H1N1 and it was nothing like this... Only a couple hand sanitizers were installed. Nothing like this ever. In the Spanish Flu people wore masks but there were no lockdowns or social distancing, there never was. There were many pandemics that occured and nothing was set up like this with the measures we have now.... Therefore it was completely shocking and unpredictable.


There was shutdown of businesses in 1918. That pandemic was especially intense, and they didn't pussyfoot with the rules like today. Many city actually made laws banning coughing  :o

There was shutdown of businesses in 1918. That pandemic was especially intense, and they didn't pussyfoot with the rules like today. Many city actually made laws banning coughing  :o


Spiting was banned also. Basically because of tuberculosis. There were signs in subways and the like "NO SPITTING---$10 fine". Some of these signs remained through the 70s.

There was shutdown of businesses in 1918. That pandemic was especially intense, and they didn't pussyfoot with the rules like today. Many city actually made laws banning coughing  :o

I get that part. And I wouldn't be surprised if it was just that. Nor was I surprised at the beginning stages before the lockdown where the government mandated restrictions on large social gatherings, I get that. But all over the world countries initiated lockdowns, social distancing measures, closures of businesses worldwide? That sort of thing never happened before in history ever.

Even closing the borders doesn't surprise me. But ordering people to stay at home for the lockdown, mandating closures of businesses, mandating the use of face masks, and implementing social distancing orders (2 metres apart) by law is something that has never happened before in history and it was quite a shock and surprise. In the Spanish Flu there wasn't literal lockdowns and social distancing orders and closing down bussinesses, this is a new thing that never happened betore. I was surprised by it.

Normally in a global pandemic you'll have a few government regulations and restrictions here and there and just consistent "suggestions" on hand washing  and mask-wearing. But never mass worldwide government mandates and new laws like we had this year, that was surprising. Good or bad is besides the point and a different argument, but the fact that the restrictions and new mandates this year is new and unordinary/surprising is a fact as it never happened before. The extents of the mandates/measures they created this year is brand new and historical.

Spiting was banned also. Basically because of tuberculosis. There were signs in subways and the like "NO SPITTING---$10 fine". Some of these signs remained through the 70s.

Oh my mom had that when she was a kid. She said she spent the better part of a year in hospital and didn't see her parents that entire time. My teenage uncle passed away from it too in the 1950s or 1960s.

I get that part. And I wouldn't be surprised if it was just that. Nor was I surprised at the beginning stages before the lockdown where the government mandated restrictions on large social gatherings, I get that. But all over the world countries initiated lockdowns, social distancing measures, closures of businesses worldwide? That sort of thing never happened before in history ever.

Even closing the borders doesn't surprise me. But ordering people to stay at home for the lockdown, mandating closures of businesses, mandating the use of face masks, and implementing social distancing orders (2 metres apart) by law is something that has never happened before in history and it was quite a shock and surprise. In the Spanish Flu there wasn't literal lockdowns and social distancing orders and closing down bussinesses, this is a new thing that never happened betore. I was surprised by it.

Normally in a global pandemic you'll have a few government regulations and restrictions here and there and just consistent "suggestions" on hand washing  and mask-wearing. But never mass worldwide government mandates and new laws like we had this year, that was surprising. Good or bad is besides the point and a different argument, but the fact that the restrictions and new mandates this year is new and unordinary/surprising is a fact as it never happened before. The extents of the mandates/measures they created this year is brand new and historical.


But there were business shutdowns, border closures and mask mandates in 1918. Maybe not in every country but it was in North America.

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/alberta-1918-spanish-flu-history-covid19-coronavirus/
https://www.history.com/news/1918-spanish-flu-mask-wearing-resistance
https://www.syracuse.com/living/2020/03/1918-syracuse-bans-all-public-gatherings-for-17-days-to-halt-the-spread-of-influenza.html

The first confirmed Alberta cases were in Drumheller. By mid-October, Edmonton was on edge.

City theatres purchased a full-page ad in the Journal, declaring they were “leaving no stone unturned to make our Theatres thoroughly safe and sanitary places for public attendance.”

They were forced to close anyway on Oct. 18, when the Edmonton Board of Health banned public gatherings and ordered schools and churches to shut their doors. Gauze masks became mandatory — the Journal even printed instructions for how to make one out of cheesecloth.

When this pandemic ends I plan to go to the library and check out my town's 1918 archives. Would make for fascinating reading.  :o

But there were business shutdowns, border closures and mask mandates in 1918. Maybe not in every country but it was in North America.

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/alberta-1918-spanish-flu-history-covid19-coronavirus/
https://www.history.com/news/1918-spanish-flu-mask-wearing-resistance
https://www.syracuse.com/living/2020/03/1918-syracuse-bans-all-public-gatherings-for-17-days-to-halt-the-spread-of-influenza.html

When this pandemic ends I plan to go to the library and check out my town's 1918 archives. Would make for fascinating reading.  :o

Yes but again, there wasn't social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Here we were encouraged and not ordered to stay at home. But in some countries they made curfews and fined people for breaking them like in Eastern Europe. That never happened before. If you look at photos from the spanish flu people weren't social distancing as there was no mandate like that they just wore masks.

Yes but again, there wasn't social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Here we were encouraged and not ordered to stay at home. But in some countries they made curfews and fined people for breaking them like in Eastern Europe. That never happened before. If you look at photos from the spanish flu people weren't social distancing as there was no mandate like that they just wore masks.


Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah, they knew about contagion back then but their knowledge about viruses was still primitive.

Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah, they knew about contagion back then but their knowledge about viruses was still primitive.

Well their knowledge about viruses is apparently primitive today too because the health minister said masks don't help at first and then she changed it and said they do help and they changed many things they initially said because they didn't know enough about the virus at the time. So that made it even more surprising that they would do all those measures. Even they weren't 100% sure.

Well their knowledge about viruses is apparently primitive today too because the health minister said masks don't help at first and then she changed it and said they do help and they changed many things they initially said because they didn't know enough about the virus at the time. So that made it even more surprising that they would do all those measures. Even they weren't 100% sure.


That's different-we didn't know much about this virus since it was still new, most importantly that you become contagious before you even show symptoms, but we do know about viruses in general. In 1918 they didn't even know a virus was causing the flu, and the first virus particle wasn't seen until the 1930s after the advent of electron microscopes.

2020 feels like a nightmare that never ceases to end, and like what batfan said, early 2021 is probably gonna be just as bad, if not worse due to the massive surge in cases and deaths in countries like the U.S.

But I still have hope that mid-late 2021 will make up for the disaster that'll come our way.