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?
Born 87 here. During 01 things got way more serious. 08 things got depressing, looking back 08 may have actually been worse than 01 bc it was so dragged out. 14-15 is when clown world started up, and was my personal "there's no way there isn't some massive conspiracy" moment. Specifically seeing the Caitlyn Jenner magazine cover was a big moment. That to me symbolized that the conspiracy isn't just about stuff happening in DC, Hollywood, etc Now it's about disrupting people's day to day lives and their view of themselves.
And corona meant to me that there was nothing that they wouldn't try at this point. Enough of the public is that compliant now
Go back and watch a 90s NBA game on YouTube. Watch the commercials. Everything is so light and goofy, it's pretty jarring when you rewatch that stuff. The culture is so different now