Blog.H34 – Best of 2009, Part 3: Culture
The final installment of our look at the best of this year concerns a subject I rarely discuss on the blog. I do, however, read and follow the political, economic, and cultural developments that happen around the world. It’s probably for the best that I keep the political aspect safely out of the blog, there’s no need to include content which cannot escape bias, and which almost guarantees disagreements. However, just as I only party as hard as I do once a year for New Years, I think we can open this can of worms and talk about what sorts of cultural developments made a big impact around the blog.
Best Word to Describe 2009: “Change”
While some of the more inept and closed minded reports, such as that which I saw on CNN a few months ago, claim the big buzz word of 2009 was, “Twitter,” I say they are not thinking straight. The word of 2009 is, “Change,” Twitter was but a component in its perpetuation. From the very beginning of the year, with the swearing-in of a new president and a new strategy, things around us started to change. The picture shifted, new issues took precedent, new solutions were proposed, and new consequences arose from new decisions. And things changed, account balances changed, job security changed, outlooks changed, mindsets changed. Maybe then, a more positive type of change will arrive in 2010, and next year’s word can be, “Evolve.”
Runner-up: “Mess”
Most Captivating Political Development: The Iran Election
I don’t think I’ve ever seen news coverage quite as exciting as this past June’s disputed presidential election in Iran. When Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, considered by many to be the West’s fiercest opponent, won re-election before enough districts could even close the polls, the familiar scent of bullshit began to permeate the aftermath, and it quickly became clear that the election was a complete sham. In the resulting protest, documented and communicated through sites like the afforementioned Twitter, viewers around the entire world winced as they witnessed the brutality of Iran’s militiamen as they arrested, beat, maimed, and killed the brave protesters who demanded justice and democracy. Things are still precocious as ever between Iran and the world at large, but the longer Ahmadinejad and Khamenei stay in power, the weaker their grip on the country will become. Let’s hope peaceful justice is served in 2010.
Runner-up: Balloon boy (just kidding!)
Most Significant Celebrity Death: Michael Jackson
Man, I don’t know if this was just a bad year to be a celeb or what, because if their careers weren’t getting demolished, they were just dropping like flies. The biggest of those lost in ’09 would be Michael Jackson. Say what you will about the course his later life took, if you close your eyes and just listen to the music, you will remember that at some point in your life, chances are you loved this man’s music. Even if you don’t like his music, chances are you like a band or musician who cites heavy influence in Michael Jackson’s music, his contribution is unavoidable. I think I grew pretty disenchanted with the Michael Jackson I remember really liking when I was a kid, once the trials started coming down, he seemed to have gone off the deep end. But when Michael Jackson died, it was unexpected, and I think a lot of people, when they heard his music again, playing wherever they went, would think back on his incredible musical career and smile. And that, at the end of the day, was Michael’s goal.
Runner-up: Les Paul
Biggest Innovation of 2009:
Alright, so maybe Twitter wasn’t introduced in 2009, and maybe I’m just jumping on the Twitter bandwagon here, but 2009 was definitely the year it blew up…I mean, I’ve already mentioned its prominence twice. Even if most of us don’t understand the tangible value of the social status updating website, much less derive a profit from it, we can’t stop using it, and word has been getting out on Twitter long before it hits news websites. Twitter is also appearing to have an effect on the way people communicate, forcing competing social networks like Facebook to change as well, and to integrate. But of all the social networking time-drains out there, none have seemed to make integration easier, nor sharing your current status in a cramped 140-character limited blip more effortless than Twitter. I predict that 2010 will find Twitter making boatloads of cash (finally) and going public, but I will refrain from investing unless they have something tangible going on, I see Twitter’s current offering as a simple fad.
Runner-up: Google Wave (beta)
Most Important Person of 2009: Barack Obama
There is absolutely no question, the United States’ newest president, Barack Obama, was the biggest factor in the worldwide changes that have taken place in this crucial year of 2009. It doesn’t matter if you voted for him or not, if you love him or hate him, he has been making good on his campaign promises, and has shaken America, and much of the rest of the world to its core like few have done in recent memory. Last year ended in hope, as the conservative grip George W. Bush and company had on the country was finally released. This year was not an easy year, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it’s probably been the toughest, but I can’t remember the last time I felt I had such a confident, purposeful, intelligent, intellectual president at the helm of our collective efforts. It fills many of us with a sense of duty and a will to press on, let us hope that 2010 will be the year our many sacrifices finally pay off.
Runner-up: Harry Reid
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