Reflections on the 2010s: What I Miss Most as We Enter 2020

As we transition into the new decade, it's a fitting time to reflect on the changes that have occurred since the turn of the millennium. The 2010s were marked by tremendous advancements and a shifting landscape of technology, social media, and entertainment. While the present era is equally exciting, many elements from my teens hold a special place in my heart. In this article, I will revisit some of the key moments and changes from the 2010s and discuss what I miss the most.

The Dawn of Smartphones and Gaming

One thing that immediately stands out is the introduction of smartphones, which transformed daily life in a way that nobody could have envisioned in 2010. By 2012, far Cry 3 had been released, and smartphones were becoming commonplace. However, it wasn’t until late 2013 that I got my first smartphone, and the experience still feels like a distant memory. Prior to that, I read books and engaged in plenty of physical activities, habits that made the transition to digital entertainment more pronounced.

One specific point in time I vividly remember is when someone posted a picture of me on Instagram in early 2013. I didn’t even know Instagram existed, and the concept of having a social media platform was still foreign to me. My phone at the time was a flip phone with a SIM card, and the transition to a modern smartphone was a significant step into the digital age.

Gaming and Indie Titles

Gaming was another area that saw significant advancements in the 2010s. Frequent visits to the Hobbit movies with my grandpa during 2012-2014 were a regular part of these formative years. In 2014, the indie game industry began to flourish, with titles like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter gaining popularity. This was the beginning of an era where indie games received more recognition and played a significant role in the gaming landscape.

Moreover, the rise of platforms like Twitch brought gaming into a new realm, allowing gamers to share their experiences and connect with others in a more engaging way. My journey into web development started in 2013 with HTML, CSS, and a few JavaScript tutorials, which marked a turning point in my life.

Shift in Communication and Entertainment

The 2010s also saw a shift in how we communicate and consume entertainment. Skype was a common platform for video calls, and it was essential for staying connected with friends and family. While it wasn't as user-friendly as today's applications, its simplicity and effectiveness were noteworthy.

However, as the decade progressed, there was a notable decline in the quality of technology, games, and even TV shows. The luster of older games and titles, such as League of Legends in 2014, has faded significantly. The indie game scene, which was once promising and full of potential, has also seen a bit of a slump. The gaming industry’s tendency to milk customers dry is a polarizing issue, leading to a decline in customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Social Media and Cultural Shifts

The shift to social media was another significant change. The early days of platforms like Twitter were driven by innovation and a sense of community. Initially, it was a place for sharing random thoughts, technical developments, and local news updates. However, as the decade advanced, it evolved into a vehicle for promoting news and culture that was more often dark, negative, or divisive.

While it’s important to acknowledge the positive aspects of social media, the current state of the platform is significantly different. Twitter, in particular, has become a source of anxiety and stress for many users. The constant stream of negative news and a lack of meaningful content has led to the feature where users can choose to hide popular content, which was once a prominent feature of the platform.

Conclusion

As we move into 2020, it’s clear that while advancements continue, there are also many aspects of the 2010s that I miss. The excitement and energy of a new era, the simplicity of technology, the quality of games, the evolving social media landscape, and the overall optimism that characterized the early part of the decade are all things that have changed for the better. It’s these memories that make the transition into a new era both exciting and bittersweet.