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New York has the edge on the experience of this decade. First there was 9/11, and NYC as "America's City", then there were the massive war protests there in 2003, the 2004 Republican Convention, 2006-2007 marked the rise of the "hipster" (spawned in Brooklyn's Williamsburg), and in 2007-2008, spawned two major presidential candidates (Hillary and Rudy Giuliani. Three if you count Bloomberg.)
Los Angeles is close, but I think it's actually in a weaker position now than when the decade started. Its lost a hold on the global media culture as the world goes global--indie and foreign films are more popular than ever, and movie revenue has dropped precipitously. Also, I would argue that the O.C. and Hollister period marked more of a fad than a real cultural event.
I don't think Las Vegas' sort of 24/7 carefree hedonism reflects the mood of this decade at all, no matter how much the city has grown or how many TV shows/movies are set there. In fact, that might be the reason so many are--that it feels like a place removed from the rest of the country. It might be the city of the next decade, but this one just hasn't been a flashy, fun one.
I really don't see any case for Atlanta or Houston. Growth is nice, but it doesn't make a city stick in the American imagination. Rap doesn't do it for me either, since the trend in music seems to be going away from rap right now.
In this narcissistic, "I'll do anything to be on TV," youtube-obsessed, Paris/Lindsey/Britney-watching era we currently live in (the 2000s), I cannot think of a more representative city than Las Vegas.
I put down Vegas because of those reasons and it's apperance in shows and movies (CSI, the Ocean's 11 sequals, and Rush Hour 2). Also, Vegas hosted the NBA All-star game eventhough it has not team and the NASCAR event held there has drawn more than 165,000 fans. And Panic! at the Disco came from there.
Didn't you hear? Panic at the disco removed the exclimation point in their name! ugh, some people. just joking
Chicago has alot, but I still don't feel that the city made a HUGE impact on this decade. It may represent this decade when it comes to growth, but I still dont feel Chicago should be on the list.
....then again, we still have this and 2009... so maybe, just maybe Chicago could be in this thread. But for now, I just don't think it should be. But that's just me.
goozer made a good point in that this decade is the "I'll do anything to be on TV," youtube-obsessed, Paris/Lindsey/Britney-watching era. And two cities that come to mind are Vegas and (even though it's not on the list) Los Angeles.
Maybe Vegas, but the 90's were kinda Vegas' big coming of age.
I don't think Las Vegas is even close to being the city of the decade. But I will say that it has more of a national importance now than it did 10 years ago. All the "What Happens in Vegas" commercials, and the Paris Hilton appearances, and the TV shows are all recent things.
the 2000s have been marked by:
-hedonism
-an all-about-me attitude
-self-conceitedness
-snobbishness
-backstabbing in order to get ahead
-materialism and an obsession of money for the sake of having more
-celebrity obsessions (the more useless of a celebrity, the more focus) along w/ the ultimate desire by teens and young adults in life to live like one
-a significant decline in morality, faith-based religion, social progress, race relations, and even in music, TV, movies, and entertainment
-a widening gap between the rich and poor
I think we can safely say that Los Angeles characterizes this decade
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJG
My list from the 1930's up until now.
2000's: Los Angeles
1990's: Seattle
1980's: Miami
1970's: Chicago or New York
1960's: the San Francisco Bay Area
1950's: Los Angeles
1940's: Detroit
1930s': Chicago
I was hoping that someone else would see the 1990s as more of a progressive time. I just hope that I can live in an era like this again, but I'm not sure that the cycle for America (and its desire amongst its people) has reached a point to live in a decade where we're defined by more of a progressive place like San Fran, Seattle, Minneapolis, or Denver. But I do have a slight hope that once Obama can get into office, he can contribute to making the 2010s America more like Honolulu.
the 2000s have been marked by:
-hedonism
-an all-about-me attitude
-self-conceitedness
-snobbishness
-backstabbing in order to get ahead
-materialism and an obsession of money for the sake of having more
-celebrity obsessions (the more useless of a celebrity, the more focus) along w/ the ultimate desire by teens and young adults in life to live like one
-a significant decline in morality, faith-based religion, social progress, race relations, and even in music, TV, movies, and entertainment
-a widening gap between the rich and poor
I think we can safely say that Los Angeles characterizes this decade
I was hoping that someone else would see the 1990s as more of a progressive time. I just hope that I can live in an era like this again, but I'm not sure that the cycle for America (and its desire amongst its people) has reached a point to live in a decade where we're defined by more of a progressive place like San Fran, Seattle, Minneapolis, or Denver. But I do have a slight hope that once Obama can get into office, he can contribute to making the 2010s America more like Honolulu.
Yeah. L.A...... and I don't even have it on the list..... silly me.
2000's: ????
1990's: Seattle
1980's: Miami
1970's: Chicago or New York
1960's: the San Francisco Bay Area
1950's: Los Angeles
1940's: Detroit
1930s': Chicago
Good list, but the 1970's were a horrific time for New York, and I believe Chicago was losing a lot of population. I would pick something else.
It's definently Vegas. New York may be mammoth in size and represent every second of progression, or retardation, depending on how you look at it. However, the current source of vibrancy is found in Las Vegas. That town, simply put, is just happening. It is currently the "it" city thus represents this decade the best.
Chicago has alot, but I still don't feel that the city made a HUGE impact on this decade. It may represent this decade when it comes to growth, but I still dont feel Chicago should be on the list.
....then again, we still have this and 2009... so maybe, just maybe Chicago could be in this thread. But for now, I just don't think it should be. But that's just me.
goozer made a good point in that this decade is the "I'll do anything to be on TV," youtube-obsessed, Paris/Lindsey/Britney-watching era. And two cities that come to mind are Vegas and (even though it's not on the list) Los Angeles.
Chicago will get the nod next decade with the 2016 Olympics and all.
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just joking
The top 10 has been all Sunbelt and Mountain cities for awhile now. 
