The Information Age Arrives
While this system of “interlinked hypertext documents” was in the process of being developed during the late 80s, it wasn’t until 1991 that the project began its first few public test runs. This was of course a technological revolution that ultimately led to the creation of the biggest online platforms today. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have a lot to be grateful for.
Hip-hop Sparks Social Debates
By the late ’80s and early ’90s rap and hip hop totally blew up in the United States, causing waves among the younger generations, from inner cities to suburbia. Rappers like Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, and Dr. Dre raised important social issues about race and class. This time, everybody was listening.
Seinfeld and Friends
The first “Seinfeld “episode appeared in 1989 and immediately became a hit show. The show became the defining sitcom of the ’90s as it excellently portrayed dating, work, and the general adventures of 30 somethings of the time. Of course, “Friends” came with an even younger and edgier portrayal that definitely shaped the way we view modern relationships.
The Simpsons and South Park
“Seinfeld” and “Friends” may have been pretty out there for TV, but then came these two animated shows which blew everything out of the water. Although the “Simpsons” started in the late ’80s it defined adult cartoons of the era. “Southpark” amped it up even further with scathing critical commentary and extremely crude humor.
Napster and the Release of Free Digital Content
In 1999 the peer-to-peer file sharing platform called Napster rose in popularity, ushering in the age of pirating music. Very soon young people all over the internet would be sharing pirated digital content. Though Napster did ultimately pay the price for copyright infringement, the company set a precedent that would come to dominate the internet and the way in which people acquire media.