People, people, people—the Master has already addressed this issue.
He didn’t resolve it, mind you, but at least he addressed it!
The Dark Years
I started a similar thread over in Comment on Cecil’s Columns.
So far, we have nothing.
Heinlein sometimes referred to that decade (or perhaps it was 1910-1919, I was never clear on which) as the “Mauve Decade.” I don’t know why, maybe mauve was a popular decorating color among the American middle class at that time.
The dubyas.
I believe we have a winner!
It’s topical and givess tribute to the master, as well.
It’s perfect.
I would think the “2000s”, as in the two thousands. But I don’t know that I’d refer back to the first decade of the last century as the nineteen hundreds.
But it’s a much bigger problem than just what do we call the next five years. What to we call the next decade? The teens?
20 years of nameless decades. Oh the humanity.
Looking back at the last five years the one thing I have noticed that is different so far in this decade is he incessent whining of people who don’t get their way, particularly in the political arena, but also in the social, legal, etc.
For consideration: The Whinies.
Maybe 20 years of namelessness (that’s neat word!)
might help cure us of the need to label trends by round and even 10 year periods.
Things don’t start in January of a year ending in 0, and finish in December of a year ending in 9
The “fifties”–era of rigid social mores, etc,— ran from about 1945 till 1962.
The “sixties”–hippies, protest movements, etc.–ran from about 1964 till 1973
so why name decades? it’s better to name the specific trend you are talking about… for a musical style -say “the Elvis years” , not the fifties.
for a political era - say “the feel-good, high-tech boom era”, not “The nineties”
Bush presidency, Sept 11, Bush’s foolish War against Iraq, economic uncertainty . . . I say call it the Oh-Ohs
At least the next decade will have the advantage that, if we just say “The 2010’s”, no one will confuse it with the current century or millennium like they would if we say “The 2000’s”.
[Moderator Hat ON]
More of a survey than a debate, so to IMHO.
[Moderator Hat OFF]
Love it.
I like The Decade with No Name.
Well, I’ve lived through the terror of the decade with no name.
New York City will never be the same.
The Twin Towers both were hit with a plane.
We should never forget the heartache and pain.
Someone said the decade isn’t half over. Actually it is. You get five years in each half, right?
Half the First
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Half the Second
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
In reality, as the 21st century began on January 1, 2001, the 1st decade of the century will end at the end of this year (2005). But if you want to consider 2000-2009 a decade in its own right, then it is indeed half over.
I think we should call it “Steve.”
Blame Steve.
I think this decade has kind of a John Lennon’s ‘Lost Weekend’ vibe.