10 Years ago….

By Wyatt Lester Posted April 18, 2012

2002

Our president was George W. Bush

The New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

The top three movies were:

  1. “Spider-Man”
  2. “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
  3. “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”

The two most popular quotes were:
“My precious,” Andy Serkis, Gollum, in ‘Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”.

“What happens here, stays here,” Las Vegas.

The top three most popular TV shows were:

  1. “CSI” (CBS)
  2. “American Idol” (Fox)
  3. “Joe Millionaire” (Fox)

It’s always interesting to think back 10 years ago and reflect on all the changes that have occurred in everyday life since. Things such as music, clothing, transportation, and the economy. Ten years ago was the year 2002. America was living everyday life similar to how it is now, but there are quite a few significant differences.

Music is one of the biggest things that change over the years. Ten years ago the number one song on the Billboard Top 100 was “How you remind me” by Nickelback. The current #1 song on the Billboard Top 100 is “Part of me” by Katy Perry. The popular genre has seemed to change from rock to hip hop over the years but this is only current standings.

There have also been big changes in transportation. Cars have become more efficient and less fuel dependant or just run on solid electricity. Cars have gone up to astronomical amounts of miles per gallon with models such as the Toyota Prius or the Nissan Leaf which gets 100+ miles per gallon on average fuel economy. Boats, planes, and trains have also become more fuel-efficient because of the rising gas prices over the past five years. Ten years ago gas prices were around half of what they are now. Premium unleaded prices were around $1.30 per gallon in 2002 were as now they’re at $3.80 per gallon. Prices have tripled since and might continue to rise.

The economy is one of the biggest changes America has seen since 2002. The great recession beginning in 2008 has lasted until now; the country is still trying to catch up and has seemed to find solid footing. The DOW Jones was at around 10,000 points in February 2002 and now sits at around 13,000.

One aspect of life that changes literally day to day is anything clothing and fashion. In the present we let our pants hang around our knees and skinny jeans are making a comeback from the ’80s along with many other trends from thirty years ago. The popular name brands are American Eagle, Aeropostle, and many other name brands that have been considered even more popular than Nike.

But there has been a large change in clothing in the last ten years that isn’t about which name brand is worn more. Ten years ago men wore vans shoes, regular blue jeans, khakis, and polo t-shirts. Also pants didn’t sag much as they do now. Women wore Ugg boots, hip hop inspired sweat pants, daisy dukes, tank tops, ripped jeans, and did their hair up in cornrows. Many of the colors of clothing were bright and vibrant yellows and pinks. So compared to what your probably seeing people around you right now, it’s very different.

Life has changed over the past 10 years. So in retrospect some things have seemed to have gotten better and many things have been on the downhill slide but the future comes to us day by day and I wonder, what will ten years from now be like?

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