Decades, II

Here's how my earlier post reads after being put thru AI with the instructions to trim it down to 200 words:

People wonder why recent decades (2000-2009, 2010-2020) aren't as distinct as earlier ones. Photos from the 50s to 90s are easily identifiable by decade: the 60s had hippies, the 70s had shag carpeting, and the 80s had neon suits. However, photos from 2002 look similar to today, making it hard to pinpoint the exact decade.

The internet, smartphones, and social media play a role. Before, a small group controlled the cultural narrative, creating a clear image of each decade. For example, the 80s were defined by media as neon and leg warmers. This image was reinforced over time, making it easy to summarize the decade later.

In reality, everyday life didn't always match these stereotypes. Personal experiences from 1975 to 1995 often blend together, not fitting neatly into the media's portrayal of the 80s.

With the rise of the internet and social media, everyone documents their lives in real time. This constant documentation means there's no need for a "This was the 2010s!" wrap-up. The gradual changes over time make it harder to define each decade with a single look or feel, making them less memorable.