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What will the ‘Noughties’ be remembered for?
How does the last decade compare to previous ones?
Here’s one I thought I’d throw open to comment. It follows a discussion I had with my brother the other day when I remarked that I hadn’t particularly realised we had just seen the end of a decade this New Year. That, I thought said as much about the decade gone as it does my mental alertness. Was the period 2000-2009 the dullest in my living memory?
The saddest thing for me is that it is most likely to be remembered for appalling violence, the tradgedy in America shook the world to its very foundations and the ensuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have dominated news bulletins across the globe. Don’t get me wrong, every decade since the sixties (just sticking to what is relevant to my age) has seen violence and suffering but on the flip side I can recall many positive things too.
Maybe it’s me and I would happily stand corrected but I find it hard to get past 9/11, the tsunami, Burma, the London bombings, the financial meltdown, conflicts in the Middle East, the threat of global pandemics etc, etc.
What’s happened musically? How many artists have really come to the fore and made a statement on a global scale a la The Stones, Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna et al?? Where are the new truly great actors or sportsmen and women?
It’s not been all bad I know but my point is that I can’t think of any one positive thing that I would attach to this decade just gone. Maybe you can, in the meantime here’s some good old fashioned music. The sort that is an original track written and performed by artists without appearing on ‘talent’ shows which are little more than glorified karaoke….
Other than issues or terror and war I see nothing but a banal legacy much of which will be forgotten.
The rise of reality TV means no real talent or stars break through which is why everything seems to be a comeback tour and the like.
I think when and if the terrorism issue slides from memory a little it is just possible that the deacde could, and perhaps should, be remembered as the time the internet all but took over the world and changed the landscape of things forever
Cheers
Rod
January 6, 2010 @ 8:59 am
Miles,
This is a good question and made me think too. I would tend to go along the same lines as you and agree with Rod’s comment of the internet.
However, I also remain concerned about the media reporting generally and its reticence to inform in a balanced way. We seldom here of progresses being made where people have striven to improve lives. It leaves us with depressive reporting and as such affects peoples minds and judgements. We seem surprised to hear of great efforts and wonderful things happening as we might get to know them on an ad hoc basis. We do not seem to shout it from the roof tops when we are good at things.
On a positive note I wish you and your readers good and great new experiences for 2010.
Anne
January 6, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
Miles,
I have to agree with the statements made by both you and Rod…. and yes, I had to be reminded that it was the end of another decade. Shocking really, especially as it started so well with parties to celebrate the millenium, it’s all been acutely downhill ever since.
It’s taken me and my hard working helpers, a decade to get the house into something like a finished state. This winter/spring it’s all about painting the Forth bridge as it were and renovating everything that was begun during the last ten years.
I can’t see unemployment getting any better here in the UK and since things like self esteem and not being a drain on government hand-out resources, normally requires us to be financially self supporting, I’m not sure how things will pan out for the younger generation about to burst forth into their twenties.
Of course we do have the 2012 olympics to look forward to and the lovely Jessica Ennis…. alas no one else springs to mind in the sporting arena, although there must be others… surely!
The first ’shocker’ of the decade for me was that you don’t have a winter hat…. I shall have to dwell on what would be the most suitable option as befits a man of your status, one which isn’t knitted or with tassels presumably…. it’s going to be a tough assignment
Cid
p.s. loved the music, good choice.
January 6, 2010 @ 2:36 pm
Miles, et al,
I guess I try to block out the bad, depressing things, and look for the positive. My list would include the following (not in any particular order):
I returned to teaching for two years and had some great kids in my classes.
I retired, and found it wonderfully liberating.
I began gardening and landscaping in earnest–a good thing all ’round.
My son and daughter-in-law got married, and bought their first home.
I fully experienced the beauty of my sister’s ranch.
I got my dog, and with that, developed a new best friend, albeit a furry one.
I met and became good friends with your mum.
I “met” you and your brother, and discovered the joys of following your blogs.
Americans tend to be optimistic by nature, so I guess that has influenced my list of things. Not such a bad thing.
Annie
January 6, 2010 @ 6:36 pm
All,
Thank you, some interesting view points, Annie you do right to focus on the good things in your own life, I know that I do.
Cid, I do believe it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Miles
January 6, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Miles,
… I do believe it’s going to get worse before it gets better … are we talking about the hat or the new decade, just so it’s clear
Cid
January 6, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
What a load of depressed people!
First I wonder why any decade needs a “legacy”, then I wonder why so many people think the decade is over before 12/31/2010 . . .
Timekeeping accuracy aside, I feel it is my duty as an optimistic Yankee to try to point out a few good things that happened from 2000-2009.
1.) Bill Gates started shelling out philanthropic monies that have been put to good use around the world to save lives and improve the quality of life for many, many people.
2.) The human genome was sequenced (2004) which is ushering in a new age of genomic medicine and is catalyzing industrial-level synthetic biology production of food, fuel, materials and medicines. That we were held economic hostage by oil rich countries will be a distant memory in 2-3 decades.
3.) An African-American is President of the United States.
4.) A great thing, as far as I’m concerned, in entertainment has got to be the regeneration of Dr. Who. The superior writing of Russel Davies and the production values of BBC Wales have brought the show to new heights!
4.) I am also grateful for the global rise in Chinese cinema. They now have the corner on cinematography that the Czechs used to hold. Simply beautiful to behold films like The House of Flying Daggers or hilarious ones like Kung Fu Hustle are now mainstream - at least here in the US.
5.) Under miscellaneous ideas and inventions - Netflix - I love this. Movies in the mail - automatically via a subscription - a wonderful idea!
6.) Downloadable music from the internet - Fantastic!
(Agree with Miles that the “decade” hasn’t produced a popular music artist of the stature of The Stones, tho’ I am fond of both Dave Matthews and John Mayer. I think this is because of the rise of individualism and personalization in entertainment in general. Lots of artists are playing to niche or boutique audiences.)
8.) Digital Cameras affordable and fantastic! A general nod to digital technology everywhere.
9.) Fuel efficient, hybrid cars - paving the way towards electric cars - to hit the market this year I believe.
Reasons to be cheerful about the 2000s - 1,2,3 . . . (and this is just off the top of my head).
Laura
January 7, 2010 @ 3:55 am
And Miles - thanks for the Todd Rundgren - I loved it!
P.S. As to hats - you need a helmet with a spike on top - at least for work.
January 7, 2010 @ 3:58 am
Laura,
Fantastic comment, I agree absolutely with the advances in technology on many levels, possibly at the detrement to some things such as reading and using one’s imagination but overall for the good.
Digital cameras are fantastic and affordable as long as people print their pictures off and/or back them up more than once because we all know what computers do best-crash!
I am glad that the cinema of other countries is getting more exposure, deservedly so but in the west I don’t believe the overall quality of films has improved, sure the levels of actual ‘film making’ have but in terms of classics, I doubt it.
But you know for all the advances I am sat here in what is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries in the world and have been told not to leave my house unless I absolutely have to, 10,000 schools (so far) have shut, counties in the south are without power, gas reserves are running out, roads are not being treated because there isn’t enough grit, out patients clinics are closing, public transport isn’t running…it goes on all because we have a fraction of the snowfall seen in other countries.
That’s why I’m depressed
Miles
ps did know about the dates but most people are ignoring that bit-so I jumped on the SEO bandwagon!!
January 7, 2010 @ 10:37 am
Cid,
Both!!!!
Seriously it was meant in terms of the UK’s short term future. Not a great outlook it has to be said.
Miles
January 7, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Oh, darn! Once again I’m late to the party.
First off, this has been a wonderful decade for technology. I wouldn’t even be making this comment if it wasn’t for your wonderful blog, Miles! Keep up the good work. I also believe because of this connection, one of these days we will all be having a wonderfully raucous dinner together (at Table #5 if Rod will allow it), sharing stories and enjoying fine food and wine. We can thank you for that, Miles. And when we all meet for dinner, you are not allowed to be the chef. You must sit at the table and enjoy the community you’ve created.
A few other cursory thoughts on this:
1. Laura — oh my gosh, I love Netflix! I just subscribed a month ago and have already watched about 6 movies (that’s more than I’ve watched in the past 5 years). Do you ever download them directly to your computer? The other night I poured myself a glass of wine, built a fire and watched a movie on my laptop, which was actually on my lap.
2. Miles, you don’t have a winter hat? How in the world did that happen? I just donated about 3 dozen hats to a project that sends items to our troops in Afghanistan. Had I known, I would have saved one for you. Having said that, I’d rather see what Cid comes up with for you.
3. Meeting new friends through blogging and reconnecting with lost friends via Facebook. I love it!
4. Must get to work. I’ve been messing around all morning. Part of this is Cid’s fault.
But the bottom line is this: thank you Miles, Rod, Anne, Cid, Annie, Laura, GDave (wherever you are), Dave, Karen and all the other wonderful friends I’ve met at milescollins.com.
Melissa
xo
January 7, 2010 @ 7:08 pm
Miles,
This has been such an interesting post to read, with everyone chipping in with their thoughts… a sort of hot pot decade sweet and sour stew. It’s hard to deny any of the above. What I experience is generally disappointment that the bad stuff isn’t showing any sign of getting better… wish I could come up with an invention to at least sort one problem out, like British roads in winter and non slippy tyres. You can buy the strap on shoe bases you know… ’bout time someone made one to fit a car tyre for the couple of weeks out the year we Brits risk life and limb driving.
I’m confused… should I be happy that your hat has gone to Afghanistan or sad that you still don’t have one?
One thing’s for sure though Miles, you do have a loyal and fabulous bunch of contributors to this site. We love the posts, the outstanding photography and the community we feel we have.
Cid
p.s. I’m having trouble with my router so if there’s a lapse in my response it’s due to that. Never thought I’d say this but I prefer drainage issues, those I can generally fix… technology and wires going everywhere throws me into panic.
January 7, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
Melissa and Cid,
The fact that this blog is the single greatest thing to come out of the past decade is one which modesty prevents me from mentioning and/or taken full credit for
On the subject of blogging and web communities in general which we have discussed previously it does tie in with what this decade will in part be remembered for…a change in social networking, wonderful in many ways, not so in others. Hopefully the next decade will find the right balance.
MIles
January 7, 2010 @ 10:55 pm