What has been the *single* most significant event of the last 25-50 years?

[DarkRange55]

Say post-WWII, post-atomic bomb- so some examples, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the USSR, the rise of chatbots, the advent of the internet, the creation of social media, the Epstein Files, the elections of Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine, the Syrian Civil War, etc.

 

[sadlittlekitten]

That's so hard to say. I really like and appreciate your question. I have a feeling only time will tell…but when I think about what I personally perceive as having the most impact globally, within the last 25-50 years, my brain goes to the internet. It has facilitated global communication and the development of technology in such a rapid way. We can share more than we ever have before in such a short amount of time. Not that it's always led to good things, in fact I think it's facilitated horrific things, too. But overall in my view, profoundly impactful to us as a species as well as the planet we live on, the environments we occupy, the other species on earth… I'm very interested to check back in on other folks opinions!

 

[Custos]

Cat videos

 

[noname223]

Say post-WWII, post-atomic bomb- so some examples, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the USSR, the rise of chatbots, the advent of the internet, the creation of social media, the Epstein Files, the elections of Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine, the Syrian Civil War, etc.

I am tempted to say the invention of the internet. Though, this wasn't a single event. But the rise of chatbots wasn't a single event either.

I think the Epstein files are not significant enough.

Maybe the most significant event was a nuclear crisis between the USSR and the US. This could have reshaped human existence on the whole planet as we know it if certain outcomes had changed. Okay the Cuba crisis happened 63 years ago.

I think the collapse of the USSR was very significant.

What about 9/11? Trump's second term has the potential to become even more significant though.

 

[idontknowwhatiam]

Say post-WWII, post-atomic bomb- so some examples, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the USSR, the rise of chatbots, the advent of the internet, the creation of social media, the Epstein Files, the elections of Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine, the Syrian Civil War, etc.

9/11 or Covid

 

[itsgone2]

9/11 or Covid

Agree. I think the rise of private equity has been terribly destructive, and mass migration is causing an enormous amount of stress, but right now these two have been devastating in both the event and aftermaths.

 

[takuyangel]

i dont think anyone not in america really gives a fuck about 9/11 LOL i definitely wouldn't call it the biggest event of the past half century

Agree. I think the rise of private equity has been terribly destructive, and mass migration is causing an enormous amount of stress, but right now these two have been devastating in both the event and aftermaths.

i personally think the invention and spread of the world wide web and internet as a whole has culturally changed human society and interaction as a whole to an extreme and permanent level

 

[itsgone2]

i dont think anyone not in america really gives a fuck about 9/11 LOL i definitely wouldn't call it the biggest event of the past half century

Equal parts rude, naive, and uninformed. The entire world changed overnight. You aren't old enough to have any idea.

 

[OzymandiAsh]

Cat videos

lol!

Equal parts rude, naive, and uninformed. The entire world changed overnight. You aren't old enough to have any idea.

You are right, but also they do have a point. 9/11 was sad yes, but no way near as sad as the genocide in Palestine, for one example, unless you're American and American lives matter more than everyone else's.

To answer OPs question, honestly, nothing stands out in mind. Even the most significant events just seem trivial to me compared to the world wars. It feels like an age of triviality. The most significant thing is the slow and gradual decline of the West and capitalism, the moral and spiritual decay of it all, rather than one major event.

 

[itsgone2]

You are right, but also they do have a point. 9/11 was sad yes, but no way near as sad as the genocide in Palestine, for one example, unless you're American and American lives matter more than everyone else's.

Not arguing, but the entire world implemented vast security changes after 9/11. Many countries entered the armed conflict. International banking rules changed to attempt to avoid funding terrorism. Surveillance laws, civil liberties, police powers all changed globally. NATO invoked article 5 for the only time in history. Seriously not arguing but it's not a matter of being sad it's a matter of the entire world changing overnight. If it could happen in New York and dc then no place was safe.

 

[OzymandiAsh]

Not arguing, but the entire world implemented vast security changes after 9/11. Many countries entered the armed conflict. International banking rules changed to attempt to avoid funding terrorism. Surveillance laws, civil liberties, police powers all changed globally. NATO invoked article 5 for the only time in history. Seriously not arguing but it's not a matter of being sad it's a matter of the entire world changing overnight. If it could happen in New York and dc then no place was safe.

Yes, of course. That all happened and if you had to pick a most significant event in the last 25-50 years, 9/11 is a good bet. But still, I prefer to think of this timespan as a series of constant unfortunate events rather than just one... the 'significant event' for me is the series.

Trump being elected has been profoundly significant, though, in terrible ways. So that's a contender.

 

[GyreOfAsh]

Billie Eilish responded my dm

 

[OzymandiAsh]

Billie Eilish responded my dm

No fucking way! Pics or didn't happen

 

[Xi-Xi]

i dont think anyone not in america really gives a fuck about 9/11 LOL i definitely wouldn't call it the biggest event of the past half century


i personally think the invention and spread of the world wide web and internet as a whole has culturally changed human society and interaction as a whole to an extreme and permanent level

@itsgone2 explained it perfectly, people outside of America were definitely affected. This is definitely America centrist, because it's the only country in the world that matters, right?

But I agree with you on the internet bit, even though I think COVID was perhaps more significant.

 

[Arvayn]

Me being born! The whole world came into existence and stuff.

 

[YourLocalSadGirly]

Maybe this is a copout because it happened over many years but I'd say the creation of the modern surveillance state. You can't do anything anymore without America, Israel, Russia, China, or all 4 listening to you!

 

[takuyangel]

@itsgone2 explained it perfectly, people outside of America were definitely affected. This is definitely America centrist, because it's the only country in the world that matters, right?

man what we can really talk about is 9/11 being a inside job as to propagate mass surveillance & wrongfully invade and take control over iraq but on GOD y'all aint ready for that conversation....... -3-

 

[tzon]

Last 25 years? Hm, happened today; Denmark won a winter olympic medal.

 

[Xi-Xi]

Last 25 years? Hm, happened today; Denmark won a winter olympic medal.

Are you Danish?

 

[GyreOfAsh]

No fucking way! Pics or didn't happen

View attachment FullSizeRender.MOV

It's only because I was an early fan. I found her through the 13 reasons why show before she went mainstream. She was surprisingly active back then. Not sure if she is now or has people to engage for her now lol. Would be cool if she still does.

 

[OzymandiAsh]

2017 was a long time ago lol. I got a reply from Noam Chomsky once.