Almost time to celebrate...

As the decade draws to a close, it is time to start remembering what made the years 2000-2009 so special. Most notably, the ten-year period can be defined by the burgeoning mobile industry. However, other cultural segments saw some unique changes over the course of the decade:

• Music: We’ve seen a shift from traditional pop music to more hip hop/club flavored songs. The public has said goodbye to Jewel and Alanis (although they are still greatly loved as members of the 90’s music canon). The Black Eyed Peas have the new formula down, and have consequently been successful for much of the past 10 years. Boy bands marked a transition from the 90’s to 00’s and are by now long gone. Also, indie music has become more mainstream than ever.
• Food: Asian fusion and sushi have really caught on. Wraps were big in the mid-decade and trans fat is no more.
• Internet: YouTube and social networking, plus random memes and blogging. No explanation needed.
• Mobile: The digital mobile network hardly existed 10 years ago. Imagine a voice-only analog network where weak signals meant distorted calls and then think of today’s 3G.
• Computers: Apple. From iMac to iPod.
• Sports: Football is more popular than ever; baseball is losing its audience.
• Climate: What was global warming before the year 2000?
• TV: Survivor and co. have given way to performance-based shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.
• Fashion: Cargo pants are dead and slimmer fitting pants are in. Hipsters abound.
• Drugs: Crystal meth is up; smoking is down.
• Auto: Everyone knows someone who drives a hybrid. CUVs are replacing SUVs and minivans are a thing of the 90s.