What would you consider to be the "zeitgeists" of the decades? Not exactly full decades but the years when the decade's culture was at its absolute peak.

50's Zeitgeist: Late 1954-1958
60's Zeitgeist: Mid-1965-Mid 1970
70's Zeitgeist: 1973-Early 1979
80's Zeitgeist: Late 1982-1988
90's Zeitgeist: Late 1991-Early 1997
00's Zeitgeist: Late 2001-Mid 2007
10's Zeitgeist: 2009-2016

Decade zeitgeists (in my opinion):

1950s peak: 1954-1958
1960s peak: 1965-Mid 1969
1970s peak: 1973-1977
1980s peak: 1983-1987
1990s peak: 1994-Early 1997
2000s peak: 2004-2007
2010s peak: 2014-2017

00s peak: Mid 2004-Mid 2006
60s peak: 1967-1969
90s peak: 1993-1997

Using five years per section

50's: 1954-1958
60's: 1964-1968
70's: 1973-1977
80's: 1983-1987
90's: 1992-1996
00's: 2003-2007
10's: 2012-2016

Using five years per section

50's: 1954-1958
60's: 1964-1968
70's: 1973-1977
80's: 1983-1987
90's: 1992-1996
00's: 2003-2007
10's: 2012-2016


How could you exclude 1969 from the 60's zeitgeist? It was the definitive 60's year, it had Woodstock!

How could you exclude 1969 from the 60's zeitgeist? It was the definitive 60's year, it had Woodstock!


Yeah, but even in late '68, there were some vague 70's elements that started coming in. Not only that, but in 1969, HR Pufnstuf debuted.

I never could really see a year that ends in a 9 as being part of a decade's zeitgeist.

I never could really see a year that ends in a 9 as being part of a decade's zeitgeist.


I agree, but I think the 60's are the only exception to the rule, since their peak didn't start until 1966/67 when the hippie era got started. Honestly even the British Invasion period of 1964-1965/66 isn't even that different from the 50's.

I agree, but I think the 60's are the only exception to the rule, since their peak didn't start until 1966/67 when the hippie era got started. Honestly even the British Invasion period of 1964-1965/66 isn't even that different from the 50's.


The 1965-66 school year was already very different from the 50's. A lot of TV shows switched from black and white to color in '65, and by the end of the year, hippies were already starting to be part of the culture (though not blossoming until mid 1967), but really only in the West Coast.

50s: 1953-1958
60s: 1964-1969
70s: 1973-1978
80s: 1983-1988
90s: 1992-1997
'00s: 2002-Mid 2008
'10s: 2012-2016

We've had threads like this before, but it's been awhile, and old perspectives do change, so here's how I see the decades, culturally:

1920s
Prelude: November 1918 - Mid-1923
Zeitgeist: Late 1923 - October 28, 1929
Echo: October 29, 1929 - 1933
Quintessential Year: 1926

1930s
Prelude: Late 1927 - October 28, 1929
Zeitgeist: October 29, 1929 - Mid-1939
Echo: Late 1939 - December 6, 1941
Quintessential Year: 1933

1940s
Prelude: Late 1937 - December 6, 1941
Zeitgeist: December 7, 1941 - September 1, 1945
Echo: September 2, 1945 - Early 1953
Quintessential Year: 1944

1950s
Prelude: September 2, 1945 - Early 1955
Zeitgeist: Mid-1955 - Mid-1962
Echo: Late 1962 - November 21, 1963
Quintessential Year: 1957

1960s
Prelude: 1959 - February 8, 1964
Zeitgeist: February 9, 1964 - Early 1970
Echo: Mid-1970 - 1972
Quintessential Year: 1967

1970s
Prelude: 1969 - 1972
Zeitgeist: 1973 - Mid-1979
Echo: Late 1979 - Early 1983
Quintessential Year: 1977

1980s
Prelude: Late 1978 - Mid-1982
Zeitgeist: Late 1982 - 1988
Echo: 1989 - 1992
Quintessential Year: 1986

1990s
Prelude: Late 1988 - 1991
Zeitgeist: 1992 - Early 1997
Echo: Mid 1997 - September 10, 2001
Quintessential Year: 1995

2000s
Prelude: Late 1997 - September 10, 2001
Zeitgeist: September 11, 2001 - Mid-2007
Echo: Late 2007 - 2011
Quintessential Year: 2005

2010s
Prelude: Late 2006 - 2009
Zeitgeist: 2010 - present
Quintessential Year So Far: 2015

50's- 1955 to 1958
60's- 1966 to 1970
70's- 1974 to 1978
80's- 1983 to 1988
90's- 1991 to 1996
00's- 2002 to 2007

We've had threads like this before, but it's been awhile, and old perspectives do change, so here's how I see the decades, culturally:

1940s
Prelude: Late 1937 - December 6, 1941
Zeitgeist: December 7, 1941 - September 1, 1945
Echo: September 2, 1945 - Early 1953
Quintessential Year: 1944


1939 was the start of WW2, so shouldn't that be considered the start of the 40's zeitgeist? Just saying because to exclude 1939-1940 just because the US wasn't involved seems quite disrespectful to other countries who lost soldiers and civilians between those years.

1939 was the start of WW2, so shouldn't that be considered the start of the 40's zeitgeist? Just saying because to exclude 1939-1940 just because the US wasn't involved seems quite disrespectful to other countries who lost soldiers and civilians between those years.


Disrespectful? I could also include earlier chunks of the 30s, which included Stalin's Great Purge and Hitler being the German Chancellor as early as 1933. If you're coming from a European perspective, then yes, late 1939 and 1940 belong strictly in the 40s category, but America's presence in the War is still significant, and for them, the two years preceding Pearl Harbor were still isolationist, Great Depression years.

Disrespectful? I could also include earlier chunks of the 30s, which included Stalin's Great Purge and Hitler being the German Chancellor as early as 1933. If you're coming from a European perspective, then yes, late 1939 and 1940 belong strictly in the 40s category, but America's presence in the War is still significant, and for them, the two years preceding Pearl Harbor were still isolationist, Great Depression years.


Fair point, I just felt slightly offended by your assessment as I'm from the UK, and a lot of my people died before Pearl Harbor. It just seemed as though you were trivializing the pre-pearl harbor WW2 period.

Fair point, I just felt slightly offended by your assessment as I'm from the UK, and a lot of my people died before Pearl Harbor. It just seemed as though you were trivializing the pre-pearl harbor WW2 period.


Just because I don't think 1940 is purely 40s doesn't mean I consider it an insignificant part of the War or that the people who died during that vicinity of time are better best forgotten. I think the period between the invasion of Poland and the attack on Pearl Harbor were a sort of wake-up call to the world, in which nations slowly transitioned out of their isolationist 30s Depression world and into a 40s war effort world.

We've had threads like this before, but it's been awhile, and old perspectives do change, so here's how I see the decades, culturally:

1920s
Prelude: November 1918 - Mid-1923
Zeitgeist: Late 1923 - October 28, 1929
Echo: October 29, 1929 - 1933
Quintessential Year: 1926

1930s
Prelude: Late 1927 - October 28, 1929
Zeitgeist: October 29, 1929 - Mid-1939
Echo: Late 1939 - December 6, 1941
Quintessential Year: 1933

1940s
Prelude: Late 1937 - December 6, 1941
Zeitgeist: December 7, 1941 - September 1, 1945
Echo: September 2, 1945 - Early 1953
Quintessential Year: 1944

1950s
Prelude: September 2, 1945 - Early 1955
Zeitgeist: Mid-1955 - Mid-1962
Echo: Late 1962 - November 21, 1963
Quintessential Year: 1957

1960s
Prelude: 1959 - February 8, 1964
Zeitgeist: February 9, 1964 - Early 1970
Echo: Mid-1970 - 1972
Quintessential Year: 1967

1970s
Prelude: 1969 - 1972
Zeitgeist: 1973 - Mid-1979
Echo: Late 1979 - Early 1983
Quintessential Year: 1977

1980s
Prelude: Late 1978 - Mid-1982
Zeitgeist: Late 1982 - 1988
Echo: 1989 - 1992
Quintessential Year: 1986

1990s
Prelude: Late 1988 - 1991
Zeitgeist: 1992 - Early 1997
Echo: Mid 1997 - September 10, 2001
Quintessential Year: 1995

2000s
Prelude: Late 1997 - September 10, 2001
Zeitgeist: September 11, 2001 - Mid-2007
Echo: Late 2007 - 2011
Quintessential Year: 2005

2010s
Prelude: Late 2006 - 2009
Zeitgeist: 2010 - present
Quintessential Year So Far: 2015


What happened in late 1927?

What happened in late 1927?

Well based on what I found (don't know if any of these events are what #Infinity is referring to):

Sep. 18, 1927: The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) goes on the air.
Nov. 9, 1927: Giant Panda discovered in China.
Nov. 13, 1927: New York - New Jersey Holland Tunnel, 1st twin-tube underwater auto tunnel, opens.
Dec. 4, 1927: Duke Ellington opens at Cotton Club in Harlem.
Dec. 14, 1927: Iraq gains independence from Britain, but British troops remain.

Well based on what I found (don't know if any of these events are what #Infinity is referring to):

Sep. 18, 1927: The Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) goes on the air.
Nov. 9, 1927: Giant Panda discovered in China.
Nov. 13, 1927: New York - New Jersey Holland Tunnel, 1st twin-tube underwater auto tunnel, opens.
Dec. 4, 1927: Duke Ellington opens at Cotton Club in Harlem.
Dec. 14, 1927: Iraq gains independence from Britain, but British troops remain.


On October 6, 1927, the first major sound movie, The Jazz Singer, was released to theaters. Talkies absolutely revolutionized the entertainment industry and are easily the biggest cultural distinguisher between the 20s and 30s aside from the economy. Also, 1927 was around the time Duke Ellington, one of the biggest music visionaries of the 30s, first became really popular. His breakthrough hit, "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo," hit #10 in the United States that year.

I'm not a fan of pre-1927 movies, because there was no sound.  :-\\  :-\\  :(  :(

On October 6, 1927, the first major sound movie, The Jazz Singer, was released to theaters. Talkies absolutely revolutionized the entertainment industry and are easily the biggest cultural distinguisher between the 20s and 30s aside from the economy. Also, 1927 was around the time Duke Ellington, one of the biggest music visionaries of the 30s, first became really popular. His breakthrough hit, "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo," hit #10 in the United States that year.

Oh OK, those are interesting facts.

Ok, Ronald. Here is my opinion:

Absolute peak of the 80's: Late 1984 - 1988
Absolute peak of the 90's: Late 1991 - 1995

Ok, Ronald. Here is my opinion:

Absolute peak of the 80's: Late 1984 - 1988
Absolute peak of the 90's: Late 1991 - 1995

Love ya JordanK1982 but why do you and so many people feel that late 1991 was apart of the "peak '90s"? Is it because of the release of "Smells like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana? If so, then that's a faulty reason (sorry...had to say it :-X).

Love ya JordanK1982 but why do you and so many people feel that late 1991 was apart of the "peak '90s"? Is it because of the release of "Smells like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana? If so, then that's a faulty reason (sorry...had to say it :-X).


Other very 90's albums like RHCP's BSSM, Soundgarden's BadMotorFinger, Ice Cube's Death Certificate and Michael Jackson's Dangerous all came out in late 1991 and were very important in establishing the 90's identity. I actually think Nirvana's influence is heavily overstated (I mean, REM had songs on mainstream charts since 1983! They did more for alternative than Nirvana ever could) and had Kurt never died, people might be telling a different story.

I think the 90's peaked early on in the decade.

Other very 90's albums like RHCP's BSSM, Soundgarden's BadMotorFinger, Ice Cube's Death Certificate and Michael Jackson's Dangerous all came out in late 1991 and were very important in establishing the 90's identity. I actually think Nirvana's influence is heavily overstated (I mean, REM had songs on mainstream charts since 1983! They did more for alternative than Nirvana ever could) and had Kurt never died, people might be telling a different story.

I think the 90's peaked early on in the decade.

Well to each his own. I definitely don't think that any early 1990s year besides potentially 1993 are apart of the "peak '90s".

Well to each his own. I definitely don't think that any early 1990s year besides potentially 1993 are apart of the "peak '90s".


Fair enough!

Well to each his own. I definitely don't think that any early 1990s year besides potentially 1993 are apart of the "peak '90s".


Look at this site's archives, and some say that 1993 was the peak year of the entire decade.

Look at this site's archives, and some say that 1993 was the peak year of the entire decade.


Makes sense, grunge was at its peak, it was the last full year Nirvana were still a band, hardcore rap entered the mainstream and Bill Clinton became president.

Hardcore rap (you really mean gangsta rap) entered the mainstream in 1988 not 1993.

Also, I think that some people are overstating grunge's impact. No doubt that Grunge music was a popular genre in the early '90s and the early part of the mid '90s but it was just one popular music genre among many. Also, grunge fashion was more popular than grunge music. Heck, Kurt Cobain is more popular in death than living.

Hardcore rap (you really mean gangsta rap) entered the mainstream in 1988 not 1993.

Also, I think that some people are overstating grunge's impact. No doubt that Grunge music was a popular genre in the early '90s and the early part of the mid '90s but it was just one popular music genre among many. Also, grunge fashion was more popular than grunge music. Heck, Kurt Cobain is more popular in death than living.


What I meant was hip hop acts like Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Biggie seemed to become popular in '93. Grunge was a VERY popular trend of the 90's. When it burst into the scene at the end of 1991 it practically obliterated all that was left of 80's styled music (although 1992 still had some 80's sounding songs). Although I don't think 1993 is the quintessential 90's year (1994 would probably win that title) it's still undoubtedly part of core 90's.

What I meant was hip hop acts like Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Biggie seemed to become popular in '93. Grunge was a VERY popular trend of the 90's. When it burst into the scene at the end of 1991 it practically obliterated all that was left of 80's styled music (although 1992 still had some 80's sounding songs). Although I don't think 1993 is the quintessential 90's year (1994 would probably win that title) it's still undoubtedly part of core 90's.

No doubt grunge was popular but some people are overstating it's popularity. Like I said....grunge fashion was more popular than grunge music. Also, I don't want to make this racial but grunge music was primarily popular with young White people (especially, young White Americans) not much outside of that realm.

A side note, Biggie and Tupac didn't really become popular until 1994.

Also, I don't want to make this racial but grunge music was primarily popular with young White people (especially, young White Americans) not much outside of that realm.


True, but they still wore some of the grunge fashion.

True, but they still wore some of the grunge fashion.

That is true.

1993 to 1996.  :-X  :-X  :-X

Look at this site's archives, and some say that 1993 was the peak year of the entire decade.


People fixate way too much on grunge while forgetting what the mid and late 90s brought to the decade's culture. In a decade so colorfully layered, the obsession over the grunge stereotype, especially Nirvana in particular, is really pretty ridiculous. There were still some songs, video games, television shows, and fashion popular in 1993 that sort of blended in with the late 1980s, in the same way a lot of late 90s Y2K culture blends in with early 2000s trends, as opposed to standing on its own as exclusively 90s.


No doubt grunge was popular but some people are overstating it's popularity. Like I said....grunge fashion was more popular than grunge music. Also, I don't want to make this racial but grunge music was primarily popular with young White people (especially, young White Americans) not much outside of that realm.

It was also a lot less popular in certain parts of the world, like the UK, than it was in North America. If you lived in the UK, music was all about Madchester and house in the early 90s, britpop in the mid-90s, and trance and teen pop in the late 90s.

A side note, Biggie and Tupac didn't really become popular until 1994.

2Pac's sophomore album came out in 1993 and produced two big hits that year, "I Get Around" and "Keep Ya Head Up."

There were still some songs, video games, television shows, and fashion popular in 1993 that sort of blended in with the late 1980s, in the same way a lot of late 90s Y2K culture blends in with early 2000s trends, as opposed to standing on its own as exclusively 90s.


I think the Y2K era of 1999-2001/02 is similar to the 1946-1952 period in that it is a cultural era of its own and doesn't really belong to either the decade before or after. Would you agree?


It was also a lot less popular in certain parts of the world, like the UK, than it was in North America. If you lived in the UK, music was all about Madchester and house in the early 90s, britpop in the mid-90s, and trance and teen pop in the late 90s.


Don't forget Oasis, they were huge over here in the 90s, but never managed to break America.

I think the Y2K era of 1999-2001/02 is similar to the 1946-1952 period in that it is a cultural era of its own and doesn't really belong to either the decade before or after. Would you agree?

Yeah, I would. The Y2K era is mostly 50/50 between 90s and 2000s influences but is memorable in its own right. 1946 to 1952 are clearly distinct from the World War II era, but they're also hard to fully associate with the classic 1950s.

Don't forget Oasis, they were huge over here in the 90s, but never managed to break America.

People knew about Oasis in the United States, as "Wonderwall" and "Champaign Supernova" were huge hits, and quite a few of their other songs did well on the rock airplay charts. It's the rest of the britpop scene that struggled to find a footing in America. Blur only had "Girls & Boys" being a relative flop and then the grunge parody "Song 2," while groups like Cast, Supergrass, and Pulp never made a single dent on the American charts at all. The only other britpop band I can think of to be somewhat popular here is Elastica, since "Connection" was a big alternative hit that also charted on the Hot 100, while "Stutter" also got mildly popular.

People fixate way too much on grunge while forgetting what the mid and late 90s brought to the decade's culture. In a decade so colorfully layered, the obsession over the grunge stereotype, especially Nirvana in particular, is really pretty ridiculous. There were still some songs, video games, television shows, and fashion popular in 1993 that sort of blended in with the late 1980s, in the same way a lot of late 90s Y2K culture blends in with early 2000s trends, as opposed to standing on its own as exclusively 90s.
I absolutely agree with you.


It was also a lot less popular in certain parts of the world, like the UK, than it was in North America. If you lived in the UK, music was all about Madchester and house in the early 90s, britpop in the mid-90s, and trance and teen pop in the late 90s.
You are correct.


2Pac's sophomore album came out in 1993 and produced two big hits that year, "I Get Around" and "Keep Ya Head Up."

You're right but what I meant is that that he didn't reach superstar status until 1994.

You're right but what I meant is that that he didn't reach superstar status until 1994.

He was more a superstar in 1995 and 1996, when he released Me Against the World and then got signed to Death Row. Not much happened in 1994 for 2Pac aside from personal crises. There was the Thug Life crew album, but nobody remembers that.

He was more a superstar in 1995 and 1996, when he released Me Against the World and then got signed to Death Row. Not much happened in 1994 for 2Pac aside from personal crises. There was the Thug Life crew album, but nobody remembers that.

You know what...you're right.

I think that some people are overstating grunge's impact. No doubt that Grunge music was a popular genre in the early '90s and the early part of the mid-'90s but it was just one popular music genre among many. Also, grunge fashion was more popular than grunge music. Heck, Kurt Cobain is more popular in death than living.



People fixate way too much on grunge while forgetting what the mid and late 90s brought to the decade's culture. In a decade so colorfully layered, the obsession over the grunge stereotype, especially Nirvana, in particular, is really pretty ridiculous.


I totally agree with both of you. While Grunge was definitely a popular form of music, it wasn't the only one. It seems most people have forgotten how diverse the music was during that decade. There was House/Eurodance, Hip-Hop (not just hardcore rap), Alt-Rock, R&B, Adult Contemporary, etc.

Heck, even some folks do with that with mid 90s rap despite that not every rap song from that period was all about being gangsta.


I don't want to make this racial but grunge music was primarily popular with young White people (especially, young White Americans) not much outside of that realm.
This. I'm AA, and I don't remember my family ever playing any Grunge music whether it was the radio or the Cassettes/CDs. In fact, they never even owned a Grunge album.

I totally agree with both of you. While Grunge was definitely a popular form of music, it wasn't the only one. It seems most people have forgotten how diverse the music was during that decade. There was House/Eurodance, Hip-Hop (not just hardcore rap), Alt-Rock, R&B, Adult Contemporary, etc.

Heck, even some folks do with that with mid 90s rap despite that not every rap song from that period was all about being gangsta.
Yep, you are definitely correct.


This. I'm AA, and I don't remember my family ever playing any Grunge music whether it was the radio or the Cassettes/CDs. In fact, they never even owned a Grunge album.

I didn't even know about grunge until about 4-5 years ago, lol.

I didn't even know about grunge until about 4-5 years ago, lol.
No worries. I don't think I known about it until about the same time as you, or probably about a decade ago.

What would you consider to be the "zeitgeists" of the decades? Not exactly full decades but the years when the decade's culture was at its absolute peak.

50's Peak: Late 1954-1958
60's Peak: 1966-Mid 1970
70's Peak: Mid 1974-1978
80's Peak: Late 1982-1987
90's Peak: Late 1991-Early 1997
00's Peak: 2003-Early 2006
10's Peak: 2013-2016


'50s Peak: 1951-1953
'60s Peak: 1960-1962
'70s Peak: 1969-1971
'80s Peak: 1978-1980
'90s Peak: 1990-1992
'00s Peak: 1999-2001
'10s Peak: 2011-2013

'50s Peak: 1951-1953
'60s Peak: 1960-1962
'70s Peak: 1969-1971
'80s Peak: 1978-1980
'90s Peak: 1990-1992
'00s Peak: 1999-2001
'10s Peak: 2011-2013


Man if that was the case, the decades sure would suck.

Man if that was the case, the decades sure would suck.


It is the case. I think you based your answer off what came out of those decades and not the actual culture of the decades. The "Back to the Future" saga, for example, is heavily associated with the '80s, but the general public did not enter the '80s knowing anything about the trilogy. So, it wasn't '80s like rugby sweaters, New Wave music, Star Wars movies, breakdancing or the muppets. That's what I was going by for my post.

It was also a lot less popular in certain parts of the world, like the UK, than it was in North America. If you lived in the UK, music was all about Madchester and house in the early 90s, britpop in the mid-90s, and trance and teen pop in the late 90s.


Please correct me if i'm wrong, but I believe the Grunge scene was only ever a popular movement in the US and Australia. Of course, that's not to say that Grunge was never popular in other countries around the world (such as the UK), but I think the US and Australia were the two countries where Grunge had the most resounding influence. I'm not too sure about Canada. It may have been just as popular there as well.

I don't remember my family ever playing any Grunge music whether it was the radio or the Cassettes/CDs. In fact, they never even owned a Grunge album.


Your family are the complete opposite of my parents. :P

Please correct me if i'm wrong, but I believe the Grunge scene was only ever a popular movement in the US and Australia. Of course, that's not to say that Grunge was never popular in other countries around the world (such as the UK), but I think the US and Australia were the two countries where Grunge had the most resounding influence. I'm not too sure about Canada. It may have been just as popular there as well.


Interesting. Are there any Australian grunge bands?

Interesting. Are there any Australian grunge bands?


Silverchair is the most well known one. Most of the other bands (such as Ammonia and The Scientists) were only ever popular in Australia and not internationally.

Your family are the complete opposite of my parents. :P
I take it they owned all of the Grunge albums?

I take it they owned all of the Grunge albums?


Pretty much, although I don't think they own any Alice in Chains albums.

'50s Peak: 1951-1953
'60s Peak: 1960-1962
'70s Peak: 1969-1971
'80s Peak: 1978-1980
'90s Peak: 1990-1992
'00s Peak: 1999-2001
'10s Peak: 2011-2013


It works out for the 90's and 00's just because you picked enjoyable years but 1978-1980 as the peak of the 80's!? No thanks! 8-P

1950s: 1955-1962
1960s: 1964-1970
1970s: 1974-1980
1980s: 1983-1991
1990s: 1993-2001
2000s: 2004-2008
2010s: 2013-Present

For the decades I can actually remember from the start:

2000s
Prelude: 1998-2001
Zeitgeist: 2002-2008, with the peak being 2004-2007
Echo: 2009-2011

2010s
Prelude: 2009-2011
Zeitgeist: 2012-present, with the peak being 2013-2016

Just because I don't think 1940 is purely 40s doesn't mean I consider it an insignificant part of the War or that the people who died during that vicinity of time are better best forgotten. I think the period between the invasion of Poland and the attack on Pearl Harbor were a sort of wake-up call to the world, in which nations slowly transitioned out of their isolationist 30s Depression world and into a 40s war effort world.


Sorry to bump this, but I never read this response you gave me until just now, and I just felt like I had to correct what you've said here;

1939-41 was only a transitional period between the 30s and 40s for America, not for the rest of the world. Germany was taking over Europe, bit by bit. They had ALL of Europe basically in their grip (along with Italy and their gang) except for the few neutral countries (who they marched right through anyway) and Great Britain, which eventually had no choice but to just sit and defend itself because it was vulnerable from every direction. While city after city in England and Scotland was demolished and thousands upon thousands of British citizens were being blown to pieces from German air-raid bombings. Also it wasn't just Europe involved in the conflict in 1939-40 either, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India And South Africa were all involved in the war in this time as well. Japan on the other hand was already in the conflict too, slaughtering the Chinese in the far east. 

So I really don't see how the world was "slowly transitioning out of their isolationist 30s Depression world and into a 40s war effort world".

Sorry to bump this, but I never read this response you gave me until just now, and I just felt like I had to correct what you've said here;

1939-41 was only a transitional period between the 30s and 40s for America, not for the rest of the world. Germany was taking over Europe, bit by bit. They had ALL of Europe basically in their grip (along with Italy and their gang) except for the few neutral countries (who they marched right through anyway) and Great Britain, which eventually had no choice but to just sit and defend itself because it was vulnerable from every direction. While city after city in England and Scotland was demolished and thousands upon thousands of British citizens were being blown to pieces from German air-raid bombings. Also it wasn't just Europe involved in the conflict in 1939-40 either, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India And South Africa were all involved in the war in this time as well. Japan on the other hand was already in the conflict too, slaughtering the Chinese in the far east. 

So I really don't see how the world was "slowly transitioning out of their isolationist 30s Depression world and into a 40s war effort world".


You're really hung up on the specifics of World War II, aren't you? Yeah the War was officially on in September 1939, but how the world was actually affected still varies by country. France and Britain, for example, changed a lot after the Nazis invaded them in 1940, with the former ultimately ending up under occupation. America's involvement in the conflict was still important because it was pivotal in turning the tide of the War, which was clearly favouring Hitler early on. Not to say the United States helped things overnight, but eventually the direct involvement, once enough military might was trained after our initially poor preparation, gave the Allies the extra boost to reverse the tumour or fascism.

You're really hung up on the specifics of World War II, aren't you? Yeah the War was officially on in September 1939, but how the world was actually affected still varies by country. France and Britain, for example, changed a lot after the Nazis invaded them in 1940, with the former ultimately ending up under occupation. America's involvement in the conflict was still important because it was pivotal in turning the tide of the War, which was clearly favouring Hitler early on. Not to say the United States helped things overnight, but eventually the direct involvement, once enough military might was trained after our initially poor preparation, gave the Allies the extra boost to reverse the tumour or fascism.


That has little to do with what I just said. I was just saying how illogical it is to say how nations were slowly transitioning out of the Great Depression and isolationism, when most of them were clearly at war with Germany (and China with Japan) but then you just said how when the US joined the war it helped boost morale.

1939-41 was only a transitional period between the 30s and 40s for America, not for the rest of the world.


I don't know how you can suggest that. It wasn't just a transitional period for the United States.  It was a transitional period for many countries around the world and not just because of the outbreak of World War II. Of course, the influence of transitions varied depending on the country you lived in and the circumstances of the time. Saying that it was only a transitional period for America sounds illogical to me.


Interesting. Are there any Australian grunge bands?


I forgot to mention them in my earlier post, but the most well-known one (excluding Silverchair) was Tumbleweed. Interestingly enough, Tumbleweed formed and were based in the city I live in (Wollongong). :P This was their most popular song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR7HOPsPabg

I don't know how you can suggest that. It wasn't just a transitional period for the United States.  It was a transitional period for many countries around the world and not just because of the outbreak of World War II. Of course, the influence of transitions varied depending on the country you lived in and the circumstances of the time. Saying that it was only a transitional period for America sounds illogical to me.


Based on what?

Based on what?


It doesn't have to be based on anything, it's just common sense. How can you be so certain that 1939-1941 was only a transitional period for the US and not for any of the other 150 or so countries around the world? Unless you have studied the history of every single country on Earth, you can't rule out the notion that it wasn't a transitional period for other countries. 

It doesn't have to be based on anything, it's just common sense. How can you be so certain that 1939-1941 was only a transitional period for the US and not for any of the other 150 or so countries around the world? Unless you have studied the history of every single country on Earth, you can't rule out the notion that it wasn't a transitional period for other countries.


Maybe it was, but I know a lot of what was going off in the world throughout this time and i can say that 1939-41 most nations were at war.

Maybe it was, but I know a lot of what was going off in the world throughout this time and i can say that 1939-41 most nations were at war.


I'm not denying that a lot of countries were at war at the time. I still think though that 1939-1941 would have been a transitional period for other countries around the world, not just the US.

I'm not denying that a lot of countries were at war at the time. I still think though that 1939-1941 would have been a transitional period for other countries around the world, not just the US.


The point I was trying to make is that I just can't stand when Americans think WW2 didn't truly begin until Pearl Harbor.

The point I was trying to make is that I just can't stand when Americans think WW2 didn't truly begin until Pearl Harbor.


That's understandable. I think that mindset is mostly as a result of the American education system, rather than the views people have. The topics that they learn in school seem to be heavily bias towards America itself and not so much on other countries around the world. Many Americans think that WW2 didn't truly begin until Pearl Harbour, because they don't know any different. It's what they have been taught.

That's understandable. I think that mindset is mostly as a result of the American education system, rather than the views people have. The topics that they learn in school seem to be heavily bias towards America itself and not so much on other countries around the world. Many Americans think that WW2 didn't truly begin until Pearl Harbour, because they don't know any different. It's what they have been taught.

Most Americans know that WWII didn't start with Pearl Harbor. However, the event was a monumental moment in history that we just talk about it often.

1910s : 1914-1918
1900s : 1903-1912
1890s : 1893-1897
1880s: 1881-1887
1870s : 1871-1877
1860s : 1861-1865

1910s : 1914-1918
1900s : 1903-1912
1890s : 1893-1897
1880s: 1881-1887
1870s : 1871-1877
1860s : 1861-1865


Why have you only assessed these decades, instead of the more recent ones from the 20th century?

I'd say:

50's: Mid 1955- Mid 1962: 1957 being the quintessential year

60's: Late 1964 - Mid 1969: 1968 being the quintessential year

70's: Mid 1973 - Early 1979: 1976 being the quintessential year

80's: Late 1982 - Mid 1987: 1985 being the quintessential year

90's: Late 1992 - Early 1998: 1995 being the quintessential year

00's: Mid 2003 - Mid 2008: 2006 being the quintessential year

10's: Late 2012 to the present (I'm guessing either this year or 2018 would be the last core 10's year): either 2015 or 2016 being the quintessential year

Why have you only assessed these decades, instead of the more recent ones from the 20th century?
I wanted to assess decades that had not been done yet in this question.

I would say the Zeitgeist of the 2000s went from around:  Late 2003/Beginning of 2004 - Mid 2008ish.

I'd say:

50's: Mid 1955- Mid 1962: 1957 being the quintessential year

60's: Late 1964 - Mid 1969: 1968 being the quintessential year

70's: Mid 1973 - Early 1979: 1976 being the quintessential year

80's: Late 1982 - Mid 1987: 1985 being the quintessential year

90's: Late 1992 - Early 1998: 1995 being the quintessential year

00's: Mid 2003 - Mid 2008: 2006 being the quintessential year

10's: Late 2012 to the present (I'm guessing either this year or 2018 would be the last core 10's year): either 2015 or 2016 being the quintessential year


I Disagree with just about the entirety of this list.

I would say the Zeitgeist of the 2000s went from around:  Late 2003/Beginning of 2004 - Mid 2008ish.


The 00's zeitgeist was over by the summer of 2007, the iPhone was released, 7th generation consoles (PS3, X360, Wii) were becoming much more popular, and social media was slowly beginning to emerge with Facebook.

The 00's zeitgeist was over by the summer of 2007, the iPhone was released, 7th generation consoles (PS3, X360, Wii) were becoming much more popular, and social media was slowly beginning to emerge with Facebook.


Did everyone suddenly get an iPhone? No, basically no one had any in 2007. Also Facebook only started to get really popular in Late-08/09 not 2007. So I think that around early-mid 2008 is a pretty good ending date for the core 2000s.

Did everyone suddenly get an iPhone? No, basically no one had any in 2007. Also Facebook only started to get really popular in Late-08/09 not 2007. So I think that around early-mid 2008 is a pretty good ending date for the core 2000s.


Hardly, the 2000s were definitely transitioning towards the '10s by fall 2007, the 7th generation gaming had solidified its identity with games like Call of Duty 4, Assassin's Creed and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune being released, YouTube had firmly established itself, and most of the classic 2000's TV shows like the Sopranos, Malcolm In The Middle, and That '70s Show had all been cancelled. By late 2007/2008 the 2000's were definitely past their prime.

I Disagree with just about the entirely of this list.


What's so wrong about it that you have nothing to say except you disagree with it? The boundaries seem pretty accurate to me, give or take a few.

Hardly, the 2000s were definitely transitioning towards the '10s by fall 2007, the 7th generation gaming had solidified its identity with games like Call of Duty 4, Assassin's Creed and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune being released, YouTube had firmly established itself, and most of the classic 2000's TV shows like the Sopranos, Malcolm In The Middle, and That '70s Show had all been cancelled. By late 2007/2008 the 2000's were definitely past their prime.

I agree with you but a lot of people here won't.

What's so wrong about it that you have nothing to say except you disagree with it? The boundaries seem pretty accurate to me, give or take a few.


The only full zeitgeist I agreed with is the 70s.

I'd put the end of the 50's zeitgeist more around 1959/60, not 1962. The rock and roll craze was over by 1959, Vietnam was beginning to flare up overseas, The Peace sign had been invented, Physcho revolutionized the horror genre, the pill was invented and the Beatles formed as a band.

I'd put mid-1965 as the start of the 60s zeitgeist, instead of 1964. As this was when US involvement in Vietnam started to escalate and when the hippie movement began to rise, along with folk music and hard rock.

I'd say 1988 was the end of the core 80s, not mid-1987. As this was still the height of hair metal, and the last full year of the Reagan administration. 

In regards to the 90's and 00's zeitgeists, I'd say they were Early 1992-Fall 1996 and September 11, 2001 to Mid 2007.

The only full zeitgeist I agreed with is the 70s.

I'd put the end of the 50's zeitgeist more around 1959/60, not 1962. The rock and roll craze was over by 1959, Vietnam was beginning to flare up overseas, The Peace sign had been invented, Physcho revolutionized the horror genre, the pill was invented and the Beatles formed as a band.

This seems pretty odd coming from somebody who claims the 60s zeitgeist started so darn late. If all of the things I argued got the 60s zeitgeist in full motion by 1963 weren't so important to you, then why are things like the Peace sign, the Beatles forming, and the invention of the pill so significant to killing the 50s zeitgeist when none of them were even mainstream yet? Also, rock and roll was still everywhere in the early 60s and was really not much different at all compared to the late 50s, except it was way softer and more generic.

I'd put mid-1965 as the start of the 60s zeitgeist, instead of 1964. As this was when US involvement in Vietnam started to escalate and when the hippie movement began to rise, along with folk music and hard rock.

I still think 1963 or 1964 are more appropriate starting points for the 60s zeitgeist, as the basic spirit of the 60s was already in pretty full force those years with the height of the Civil Rights movement and the New Frontier, soon followed by the Great Society. Folk music was popularized in 1962, it didn't take until 1965 for it to make it big unless you're specifically referring to folk rock as popularized by Bob Dylan's commercial breakthrough albums. Were 60s really the decade of "hard rock"? I frankly see that as more the 70s, even though the Rolling Stones were pretty iconic and influential to the decade's music. I would just seriously say 60s rock was fully established by the second half of 1964, when British Invasion music was standard.

I'd say 1988 was the end of the core 80s, not mid-1987. As this was still the height of hair metal, and the last full year of the Reagan administration.

Hair metal was still in its height in 1989 and 1990, as well. I think the ending of the 80s zeitgeist is pretty debatable, depending on what you focus on. 1987 was when you had the Stock Market Crash and the winding down of the Cold War, but many key aspects of 1980s culture were still going strong through the rest of the chronological decade.

In regards to the 90's and 00's zeitgeists, I'd say they were Early 1992-Fall 1996 and September 11, 2001 to Mid 2007.

I pretty much agree with those, actually, although like I stated in another thread, I still think 1997 and 1998 are very 90s years, despite the seeds of 2000s culture really taking form at the time.

I still think 1963 or 1964 are more appropriate starting points for the 60s zeitgeist, as the basic spirit of the 60s was already in pretty full force those years with the height of the Civil Rights movement and the New Frontier, soon followed by the Great Society. Folk music was popularized in 1962, it didn't take until 1965 for it to make it big unless you're specifically referring to folk rock as popularized by Bob Dylan's commercial breakthrough albums. Were 60s really the decade of "hard rock"? I frankly see that as more the 70s, even though the Rolling Stones were pretty iconic and influential to the decade's music. I would just seriously say 60s rock was fully established by the second half of 1964, when British Invasion music was standard.


Read the book "1965: The Most Revolutionary Year In Music" by Andrew Grant Jackson, you'll see why I think that was the year that truly kicked off the cultural 60's.


I think the ending of the 80s zeitgeist is pretty debatable, depending on what you focus on. 1987 was when you had the Stock Market Crash and the winding down of the Cold War, but many key aspects of 1980s culture were still going strong through the rest of the chronological decade.


I think 1988 makes sense though, with it being the last full year of Reagan's presidency, Berlin wall, Miami Vice and Soviet-Afghan war, etc. What do you consider the end of the core 80's?

I agree with you but a lot of people here won't.


Why?

The 00's zeitgeist was over by the summer of 2007, the iPhone was released, 7th generation consoles (PS3, X360, Wii) were becoming much more popular, and social media was slowly beginning to emerge with Facebook.


Strongly disagree.  People on this site seem to be pushing the start of the cultural '10s earlier and earlier.

Not very many people had an iPhone in 2007.  The Motorola Razr was the popular phone to have that year.  7th gen consoles are just as much '00s as '10s.  Facebook was around and popular for half of the '00s.  MySpace was the dominant social media platform in 2007.  "Crank Dat Soulja Boy" was one of the top songs that year.  Do people really think that song sounds like something that could be popular in 2017?

Nobody had heard of Lady Gaga yet.  There is very little that is '10s about 2007.

Strongly disagree.  People on this site seem to be pushing the start of the cultural '10s earlier and earlier.

Not very many people had an iPhone in 2007.  The Motorola Razr was the popular phone to have that year.  7th gen consoles are just as much '00s as '10s.  Facebook was around and popular for half of the '00s.  MySpace was the dominant social media platform in 2007.  "Crank Dat Soulja Boy" was one of the top songs that year.  Do people really think that song sounds like something that could be popular in 2017?

Nobody had heard of Lady Gaga yet.  There is very little that is '10s about 2007.


Late 2007 and beyond does not belong to the core 00's. As I mentioned earlier, The 7th generation of gaming had solidified its identity with games like Call of Duty 4, Bioshock, and Assassin's Creed. iPhones had been released, YouTube had firmly established itself and social media was slowly rising.

Strongly disagree.  People on this site seem to be pushing the start of the cultural '10s earlier and earlier.

Not very many people had an iPhone in 2007.  The Motorola Razr was the popular phone to have that year.  7th gen consoles are just as much '00s as '10s.  Facebook was around and popular for half of the '00s.  MySpace was the dominant social media platform in 2007.  "Crank Dat Soulja Boy" was one of the top songs that year.  Do people really think that song sounds like something that could be popular in 2017?

Nobody had heard of Lady Gaga yet.  There is very little that is '10s about 2007.

THANK YOU! I agree 100%.

Late 2007 and beyond does not belong to the core 00's. As I mentioned earlier, The 7th generation of gaming had solidified its identity with games like Call of Duty 4, Bioshock, and Assassin's Creed. iPhones had been released, YouTube had firmly established itself and social media was slowly rising.

You still don't seem to understand...SMH.

You still don't seem to understand...SMH.


I don't agree though, and I'm telling him why.

I don't agree though, and I'm telling him why.

He already proved why that wasn't the case.

Late 2007 and beyond does not belong to the core 00's. As I mentioned earlier, The 7th generation of gaming had solidified its identity with games like Call of Duty 4, Bioshock, and Assassin's Creed. iPhones had been released, YouTube had firmly established itself and social media was slowly rising.


All of those things are very '00s.  Bioshock was a defining game of the era.

2007 YouTube was very different from today's YouTube.  Back then, it wasn't near as commercial and was filled with a lot of videos that people recorded with their digital camera.  Most content was not HD.  VEVO didn't even exist yet.

People need to stop equating correlate to CAUSATION.

Let me break it down for you:

2007 was a year that saw the release of many things that CORRELATES to the rise of the current technological and social climate of today. However, the things that were released in 2007 did not immediately CAUSE the current social and technological situation of today.

People need to stop equating correlate to CAUSATION.

Let me break it down for you:

2007 was a year that saw the release of many things that CORRELATES to the rise of the current technological and social climate of today. However, the things that were released in 2007 did not immediately CAUSE the current social and technological situation of today.


I agree (sort of) but because of this, I feel as though it's what ended the core 2000's.

I agree (sort of) but because of this, I feel as though it's what ended the core 2000's.

Eh, fair enough. We'll agree to disagree.

I don't agree though, and I'm telling him why.


Yeah well we don't agree with you and were telling YOU why >:(!

People need to stop equating correlate to CAUSATION.

Let me break it down for you:

2007 was a year that saw the release of many things that CORRELATES to the rise of the current technological and social climate of today. However, the things that were released in 2007 did not immediately CAUSE the current social and technological situation of today.


Thankyou! Almost everything about 2007 seems core 2000s. People need te realise that everyone wasn't walking around with an iPhone the day after it was released...sheesh :-X

Thankyou! Almost everything about 2007 seems core 2000s. People need te realise that everyone wasn't walking around with an iPhone the day after it was released...sheesh :-X


Seriously though, it's pretty firmly established that the things that were becoming popular that year (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Call of Duty 4, One Republic, Timbaland, YouTube, Facebook) are much more geared toward the early 10's than core 2000's. It's pretty apparent you don't know too much about the pop culture landscape of that time.

Thankyou! Almost everything about 2007 seems core 2000s. People need te realise that everyone wasn't walking around with an iPhone the day after it was released...sheesh :-X

Exactly!.

Oh and you're welcome!

Seriously though, it's pretty firmly established that the things that were becoming popular that year (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Call of Duty 4, One Republic, Timbaland, YouTube, Facebook) are much more geared toward the early 10's than core 2000's. It's pretty apparent you don't know too much about the pop culture landscape of that time.


Ok then ;D. Your right I know absolutely nothing about what was going on then.......2007 is basically the 2010s anyways so who cares?? ???

Above all, why is it such a big deal to everyone on this thread that 2007 and 2008 are not 'classic 2000s'?

Above all, why is it such a big deal to everyone on this thread that 2007 and 2008 are not 'classic 2000s'?

What is "classic 2000s" to you?

What is "classic 2000s" to you?


September 11, 2001 to Summer 2007.

What is "classic 2000s" to you?


.......Cue huge debate about the late 2006 shift ;D

September 11, 2001 to Summer 2007.

9/11 is the "classic 2000s" to you....what in the world? ;D ???

.......Cue huge debate about the late 2006 shift ;D

We all know that we have lived in an artificial fake universe ever since September 2006. C'mon Longaotian00 stop being the glitch in the program ::).

9/11 is the "classic 2000s" to you....what in the world? ;D ???


Well that was the defining moment of the decade, so yes.

Well that was the defining moment of the decade, so yes.

Eh....OK. The "classic 2000s" to me is Mid 2003 to Mid 2008.

2000 to 9/11: Y2K Era
September 12, 2001 to Early 2003: Regular early '00s
Late 2008 to December 31, 2009: Beginning of the Electropop Era and early '10s precursor.

Eh....OK. The "classic 2000s" to me is Mid 2003 to Mid 2008.

2000 to 9/11: Y2K Era
September 12, 2001 to Early 2003: Regular early '00s
Late 2008 to December 31, 2009: Beginning of the Electropop Era and early '10s precursor.


Imo there's a ridiculous amount of different eras that the 2000s can be split up into.

Imo there's a ridiculous amount of different eras that the 2000s can be split up into.


Indeed.

Imo there's a ridiculous amount of different eras that the 2000s can be split up into.

Yep.

Strongly disagree.  People on this site seem to be pushing the start of the cultural '10s earlier and earlier.

Not very many people had an iPhone in 2007.  The Motorola Razr was the popular phone to have that year.  7th gen consoles are just as much '00s as '10s.  Facebook was around and popular for half of the '00s.  MySpace was the dominant social media platform in 2007.  "Crank Dat Soulja Boy" was one of the top songs that year.  Do people really think that song sounds like something that could be popular in 2017?

Nobody had heard of Lady Gaga yet.  There is very little that is '10s about 2007.
I agree with this entire post! I'm honestly starting to think that some folks really want to begin the 10s much earlier than they did. In the late 00s, the power of the era was still overwhelming.  Not just in technology, but everything else as well. Fashion was still the same as it was in the rest of the era. The Wii was everywhere while the PS3 was struggling in the beginning. Video games were still diverse despite that shooters sort of took over. Music was not just electropop. Films were also still diverse and not just with superhero flicks. Even the cultural atmosphere was much different compared to now.