WDT 8/16/13. As always the entire WDT is NSFW. Wah.

I was thinking of somewhat of a different discussion idea, but related. We just had a discussion about 80s music, but what I was wondering is what are the eras, really? I mean the 80s were a pop-cultural era, just like every other decade, but it's not like the culture of the 80s emerged right at the start of 1980 and ended on December 31st, 1989. So that begs the question: What are the actual timeframes of the different eras? I've thought about it for a bit and here's what I've come up with:

The 60s: 1963 until 1973
The 70s: 1973 until 1981
The 80s: 1981 until 1991
The 90s: 1991 until 2001
The 00s: 2001 until 2008
The 10s: 2008 through the present day

I felt that the 60s truly began with the Kennedy Assassination and lasted until the end of US involvement in the Vietnam War in 1973. That's when the 70s really began and lasted until Reagan's Inaguration in 1981, which truly kicked off the 80s. I struggled with coming up with a good date to act as a cutoff into the 90s, and thought that the release of Nevermind was the tipping point because 80s music was so strongly tied to that era and for the most part Nevermind ushered in the mainstream beginning of the grudge era. (Although from a different cultural standpoint you might say the release of Straight Outta Compton in 1988 was the turning point.) I thought the end of the 90s was an easy decision: September 11th 2001. Although it's probably too soon to look back and determine how long the era of the 00s really lasted, I'd say it ended on September 15th 2008, the day Lehman Brothers went bankrupt and kicked off the beginning of the Great Recession. I feel we're still in this era culturally; who knows when we'll move on to the next.

I was thinking of suggesting this as it's own topic, but I wasn't sure what kind of legs it would have.

 

To Abernetta, about names: Did you ever consider something like Deshawn, Jamarcus, or Tyrone (if it's a boy), or Loquesha, Shante, or Tawnesha (if it's a girl)?

Seriously though, I think boy's names should be as short as possible (Li'l Bandit's name is monosyllabic), AND WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE SURE IT'S EASY TO SPELL. Don't try to get creative with the spelling. Either spell it phonetically, or spell it conventionally. If you don't do that, you are setting up your child for a lifetime of having their name misspelled/ or awkward conversations about how to spell their name.
Don't do what Ballsack was thinking of doing to his potential daughter. No one would ever spell that name right on the first try.

 

I can make a pretty compelling argument that the current era is 1981 to present. Culturally, economically, socially, we're pretty much still living in the Reagan years.

 

OMG CUTE OVERLOAD

<a class="postlink" href="http://thechive.com/2013/08/22/whatever-happens-dont-say-awwww-33-photos/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://thechive.com/2013/08/22/whatever ... 33-photos/</a>

 

Then argue away because I'm not seeing it. Economically I can see you making a case, and even somewhat socially, but culturally no way.

 

Harry and Jack. Short, classic, easy to spell, and strong sounding.

 

Wow, I failed that challenge SO terribly.

 

Harry? John? Bob?

might as well name this child Basic Bitch, because that's some basic ass shit.


whatever happened to the old classics? Devonte. Charmaine. Luscious. I swear it's like y'alll don't even want boy to be fab.

 

+1 for Basic Bitch

 

I was thinking about this at the liquor store this morning. In this digital age, I would rather give my kid an ungoogleable name by naming them something common. That way when they fuck up in life, which they undoubtedly will, it will be easier to hide.

 

Berlin Wall coming down and the break up of the USSR? The end of the Cold War seems like a good split.

 

The dying off of elastic-cuffed jeans and Aqua Net hairspray.

The 60's, and it's entire message, died at Altamont. There was no way it could recover. Then Nixon threw the drug report in the garbage, and as a result the 70's went straight into disco and coloured underpants.

 

I just did a quick search, but I turned up this.

Not really a vast difference over the 80-10 time period.

Just looking at 01-10, the top 15 bands are from the 60's, 70's or early 80's.

 

Maximus. It's a badass name, and there's nickname options. Perfect.

 

Yup... like Maxipuss & Maxipad.

 

This is sure to be a flop. I can't imagine Affleck following Bale with success.

 

Love it. My wife won't have kids with me because I want to name my firstborn, male or female, 'Shazaam McCool My Last Name.'

Well, that and she doesn't want to have sex with me. Details, baby, details.

Edit: I also don't get all the Affleck hate. He's done some pretty incredible movies over the past ten years. I'd give it a chance when it comes out.

 

He's directed some incredible movies, and acted well in the last two. It's still hard for people to shake Bounce and Forces Of Nature dreck.

 

You'll get no argument from me about his early stuff, I thought it sucked.

Hollywoodland was terrific, and he was good in the Black Dahlia, besides Argo and The Town. Actually, I thought he was great in Extract as well, playing against type. I guess I view him as a 'Second Chance Guy.' And strangely that gives me some modicum of hope. Weird, I know.

 

That was Josh Hartnett in Black Dahlia. Changing Lanes is a very good movie with Affleck.

And allow to me to risk it all: did anybody besides me NOT entirely hate Reindeer Games?