Decade-ology

Summary

The author posits a personal theory that individuals tend to dislike the decade they were born in and idealize the following decade, based on their own experiences and observations rather than scientific evidence.

Abstract

The article "Decade-ology: A study in linear time" presents an unscientific but intriguing hypothesis by the author, who was born in the 1950s and detests that era while adoring the 1960s. This preference for the subsequent decade is also mirrored in the author's daughter's fondness for the 1990s over the 1980s, and in the author's ex-wife's preference for the 1970s over the 1960s. The author admits the theory is subjective, rooted in personal and anecdotal evidence, and invites readers to reflect on their own favorite decades and the impact of this preference on human consciousness. The piece concludes with a thought experiment on the potential transformative effects of abandoning the concept of decades and focusing solely on the present.

Opinions

The author vehemently dislikes the 1950s, considering it the most repulsive decade in American history, and has a strong affinity for the 1960s.
The author's daughter, born in the 1980s, shares a similar sentiment, detesting the 1980s and cherishing the 1990s.
The author's ex-wife, born in the 1960s, despises that decade and adores the 1970s.
The author suggests that the preference for the decade following one's birth decade might be a common pattern, though not scientifically proven.
The author muses on the idea that eliminating calendars and the concept of decades could lead to a significant shift in human consciousness, emphasizing living in the present moment.

A study in linear time

I have a theory that is probably totally wrong but I’m going to put it out there anyway. My theory states that everyone hates the decade they were born in and they love the subsequent decade.

I have no facts or figures to back this up. I have not conducted any scientific study. There is no logic or reasoning to my hypothesis (God forbid!). It is based solely on my own interpretations of my own experiences — and that of a few others.

I was born in the 1950s. I consider the 1950s to be the most disgusting decade in American history. I hate everything about it. I don’t care for the music or the fashion or the politics or the prevailing mass consciousness.

I love the Sixties, though. I love the music, the hippie fashion, the tune-in, drop-out, fuck-you attitude. I love the radicalism and politics associated with that. I love the piercing of the mass consciousness envelope. I love the Beatles and Transcendental Meditation and feminine empowerment and the drug culture.

Of course I was still a kid during the Sixties so I didn’t get to live all those Sixties things until the Seventies…

My daughter was born in the 1980s. She considers the Eighties to be the most disgusting decade in American history. The Nineties, however, were the epitome of human evolution to her. All you have to do is mention the Nineties to her and she gushes with sweet nostalgia.

Her daughters (my grandangels) were born in the Twenty-Teens. Will they grow up thinking the Twenty-Teens were the most disgusting decade in American history? Who knows? Will they consider the Twenty-Twenties to be the greatest decade ever? (Considering humankind survives into that decade?)

My ex-wife, who was born in the Sixties, considers the Sixties to be the most disgusting decade in American history. The Seventies, however, she considers to be the ultimate flowering of human culture — or something like that. (All you have to do is whisper, Bee Gees, into her ear and she gets very excited.)

Like I said, my theory isn’t based on science or so-called reality by any means. It is based solely on personal experience. But I’m wondering about other people’s personal experiences. Do you hate the decade you were born in and love the subsequent decade? I’m usually wrong so if others can prove me wrong then I can feel good about posting this. If I’m right then I might get confused.

(By the way, this diatribe was inspired by Bonnie Barton )

What is your favorite decade and where does it fall in the timeline of your life? I’m just curious. That’s all.

You know what I really think? I think we should go into the kitchen and rip that bank calendar off the wall and throw it away. Imagine what a humongous evolutionary leap humankind would take if we all threw away our calendars. The entire concept of decades would slowly cease to exist. We would be left with nothing but the NOW. Can you imagine the profound change in human consciousness if we all did that?

Or am I totally nuts?

Speaking of music…

Decade-ology

A study in linear time

Bongos

And the playground of life