I was born in 86, and my parents divorced in 92 (which for me was the first step down in quality of life, and I've seen a few other people throughout the years remark on 92/93 being a step down). From there on things really seemed to deteriorate. I know a lot of people point to the dot.com crash and 9/11 as major markers, but I think 2008 had a bigger impact of the socioeconomic climate then anything. I feel like I have been living my life of pause since 08, like a sort of safe mode.
What about the rest of you, especially you older folks that have been around longer? Was there a before and after year? Or years where there was a progressive and noticeable step down?
Late 90s where a lot of the wars were a distraction. 9/11 and Patriot Act were a confirmation and a repeat of what happened with Vietnam and how government changed.