People Reflect On The Most Memorable Moments From The 2010’s

by Dillon Druker Posted on June 25, 2020

As hard to believe as it is, we’re already in the third decade of the 21st Century. What’s astounding is that things that happened in the previous decade simultaneously feel like the distant past but also just happened. There is mix of nostalgia and cringing. We said goodbye to MySpace, and hello to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. A former reality TV star became President of the United States, in one of the most shocking elections of all time.

People double-tapped on hundreds of memes that, while sometimes a little dumb, serve as the ultimate millennial mode of expression, and show that their peers are just as antisocial and obsessed with cats as they are. The 2010s have been one wild ride, and everyone’s ready to kick off a new decade with a bang- but not before doing a little reflecting…

From crazy clowns to the millions of people that named their children after Game of Thrones characters, the fine people of the internet shared their most memorable trends and moments of the 2010s, before heading into the second go-around of the Roaring Twenties. Take a trip down memory lane…

Send in The Clowns

The Clown Epidemic of ‘16. Who can forget? Before Pennywise gave us a fear of red balloons in 2017’s It and the Joker was portrayed by multiple actors throughout the decade, some better than others (ahem Jared Leto), there was the clown invasion of 2016. And it’s exactly what you think it sounds like.

Creepy clown sightings were reported all over the world, with these individuals attempting to lure children into nearby woods, chasing after strangers, and issuing warnings about a supposed clown purge on Halloween Eve 2016. It never happened, but there are plenty of YouTube videos and photos depicting the creepy clown encounters. Reddit user: R0GU3-N1T3

Superheroes Take Over Hollywood

From a cinematic standpoint, this is the age of superheroes. Comic book movies dominated in the last decade, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. 2012 may seem like yesterday, but it’s been seven years since The Avengers hit theaters and started an era of superhero flicks that changed the decade.

From The Avengers to Deadpool to Joker, the superhero flicks will just keep coming, I’m sure. Reddit user: itayfeder

RIP Harambe

2016 was a year of heartbreaking, shocking, and downright bizarre events, like the controversial killing of Harambe the gorilla. I truly believe Harambe’s death is what triggered a butterfly effect of events that led to this weird timeline we’re currently in. It’s entirely possible, don’t you think? Harambe received widespread media coverage after he was shot and killed by an employee at the Cincinnati Zoo, who was trying to protect a child who had climbed into the exhibit.

It sparked debate between primatologists, generated countless internet memes, and led to Harambe becoming a write-in candidate for the 2016 presidential election. Seriously. He was ahead of Jill Stein. Reddit user: TheFishe2112

We Love You, Netflix

Netflix and streaming services (this type of thing was available before 2010, but it didn’t get reliable until after). Believe it or not, there was a time when Netflix and chill wasn’t even a thing and the idea of binge-watching Friends for the millionth time from the couch was just a fantasy.

Now we have Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, but Netflix will always be the OG streaming service. Reddit user: Kittenlover227

Goodbye Print, Hello Podcasts

The death of traditional media. Printed newspapers and periodicals, broadcast television, and radio are fading. And while digital music way predates the 2010s, it took until this decade for pop stars to stop selling albums. They aren’t tallying CD sales anymore, they’re counting unique streams.

Forget CDs, it was just 10 years ago that people still had iPods! Wait, I still have an iPod…. Reddit user: tylerss20

Memes, Memes, and More Memes

The Meme Renaissance. Memes have dominated the Internet all throughout the decade, from grumpy cat (RIP) to distracted boyfriend to that one Real Housewife yelling at a white cat. You may not watch Real Housewives, but let’s not lie here; you definitely know which meme I’m talking about.

Memes are the ultimate millennial mode of expression and remind you every time you log into Instagram that your friends are just as overworked, constantly hungry, and obsessed with cats as you are. What could be a better bonding experience? Reddit user: kkincz733

Mother of TV Shows

Game of Thrones. It’s certainly the most important series and the decade’s defining show. When people look back on the 2010s, there’s no doubt that Game of Thrones will be the first show that’s mentioned. Just pretend the last season never happened. I still can’t find anyone who genuinely thought that was okay.

While it’s true that the last season was subpar, the show is still a pop culture phenomenon that launched a million Halloween costumes, acting careers, and questionable people naming their children Khaleesi. Reddit user: [redacted]

Broadway Took Center Stage

Hamilton was a great representation of the decade. A hip-hop musical about a founding father with a cast almost entirely made up of people of color that’s loved by many and absolutely hated by others. No other musical has had or will ever have the impact it had on culture, politics, and art.

Guess you could say that everybody got to be in the room where it happens…because Hamilton (and Lin-Manuel Miranda) did not throw away his shot. Reddit user: [redacted]

Putting a Computer in People’s Pockets

The rise of the ubiquitous smartphone. Everyone has access to the internet and can voice their opinion towards the world at any moment, with all the negative effects that doing so brings. Back in 2006, only the wealthy and elite had a Sidekick; now the smartphone is nearly a necessity.

Use it for selfies and directions, not evil. It can be wholesome if you let it. Reddit user: harambe4prezident

Minimalism Rules

Minimalism/Flat design, mostly due to the rise of tablets and browsing the internet on mobile devices. Clean lines and simple colors like black, white, and gray. A symbol of the shift between the bright/neon colors of the ‘80s and ‘90s AND an ode to the rise of technology?

Minimalism is the perfect ode to the 2010s, and it was such a sleek theme too. Reddit user: meetybeefy

Dating Apps: Love Finders or Life Ruiners?

Swipe dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. The words “online dating” and “dating sites” are now swapped with the phrase “dating apps.” Online dating is nothing new to the decade; Match.com and eHarmony did it long before Tinder ever came around. However, these swipe apps are something else entirely.

Now you can instantly reject someone with the swipe of your finger! Or vice versa, and lower your self-esteem in an instant. Awesome, right? Reddit user: [redacted]

Leggings ARE Pants

Women’s styles: yoga pants, athleisure, jumpsuits/rompers, Coachella attire (don’t know how else to describe this, but it’s a distinct look). Remember the Juicy Couture tracksuits of the 2000s worn by Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Nicole Richie? They’ve been replaced by comfy leggings and athleisure, and there’s no complaints here.

As for Coachella? The festival is a trend and culture in its own right. It’s easy to spot once you’ve seen it once or twice. Reddit user: madshm3411

(No More) Privacy, Please

Social networks and how everyone thought it was a good idea to keep track of everyone in their life. Kids in 10 years will be like, “So you met this guy at the pub and…added him into your social network? Didn’t that give him access to ALL your social details?” Privacy will become the biggest thing ever, and loose social media connections will become the exact thing NOT to do.

You know when you watch documentaries about kids in the ‘80s hitchhiking or stepping into a serial killer’s van because they said they had puppies in there, and you scream at the TV like WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT? That’s how people will think of our 2010s years. Reddit user: alexdebecker

ReLIVE the Magic

The 2010s will be probably be remembered as the remake era for Disney. Between Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and the adorable Dumbo, the ‘90s kids can show their favorite childhood movies to their own kids in a whole new way. Or should we say, a whole new world.

And they aren’t even done with the remakes yet. Then again, why skimp on the originals? Show those instead. Reddit user: _Shoe_

Go, Pokémon Go!

The first few weeks of Pokémon Go were magical! It felt like I was actually in the Pokémon world. Everyone was out adventuring and sharing what they caught. The excitement of people on the train or in the store. It was whimsical! I remember walking all the way to Liberty State Park because it was the only place to find Eevee.

I went several times and each time only found one. It was such a fun social experience. Reddit user: Mocha_Fox

A Victory For The Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2016! Made the rest of the terrible year just a little bit better. Sports bring people together, and the Chicago Cubs definitely did exactly that when they won the World Series for the first time in over a century. People laughed, cried, and drank a LOT of beer to celebrate.

We’ll see you in another 100 years, Cubs! Sorry, am I not having enough faith in you guys? Reddit user: [redacted]

Dirty Thirty Is Approaching

The moment when you realize that the ‘90s are soon 30 years ago. In case you haven’t seen enough of those “let that sink in” memes on social media, the 1990 babies are going to be thirty in 2020. That means Emma Watson, Kristen Stewart, Sarah Hyland, and many others we all grew up watching.

Feel old yet? I sure do. But hey, they say 30 is the new 20, right? Or that 40 is the new 30? I can’t remember. Reddit user: zuzg

Shocking Celebrity Deaths

The super sad celebrity deaths. Alan Rickman, David Bowie, Robin Williams, Prince. All these legends left too soon, man. And that’s only a few of the icons that died in the 2010s. There was also Amy Winehouse, Cory Monteith, Paul Walker, and more. Most were as shocking as they were devastating.

Always remembered, and never forgotten. A lot of people are still reeling from some of these. Reddit user: [redacted]

Everybody’s a YouTuber

YouTube becoming a viable, if extremely difficult, career option. Twenty years ago, the idea of a smartphone was a distant futuristic concept, and today there are people making millions per year by doing makeup tutorials, unwrapping holiday gifts, and playing video games on camera. Jeffree Star apparently makes up to $150 million a year.

Where do I sign up? Oh, you’re telling me I missed the hype? Dang it. Reddit user: k4j98

The World Didn’t End in 2012

Remember when the Mayans (supposedly) predicted that the world would end in 2012? There was a movie about the apocalypse released in 2009, people sold all their belongings in preparation, and it was just a major thing all across the globe. Needless to say, the world didn’t end, and we’re all still here.

However, a few people on the internet believe that may not be the case if we don’t start taking better care of the planet. It couldn’t hurt! Reddit user: [redacted]

Harry Potter Comes To a Close

The Harry Potter series came to an end and devastated nerds everywhere. The iconic series will never truly be over for the Potterheads. Of course, it IS true that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ended the film series in 2011 after bringing magic to the movies for over a decade.

The wizarding world lives on through Fantastic Beasts, but this was a defining moment in the decade for the Harry Potter fans who grew up reading the books. After all this time? Always. Reddit user: [redacted]

Aliens Are Coming

Recent years have led to an increased interest in aliens and what exactly the government knows about Area 51. The horrific turn the Area 51 raid took, resulting in hundreds dead and the unleashing of angry captive aliens upon the world to exact their revenge on humanity. Oh wait, you’re saying I’m a little confused?

Apparently they’re smarter than us, they’re cooler than us, and they’re coming for us. See you soon, aliens! Reddit user: hiero_

The (Dreaded) Dress

What do neuroscience, color perception, and a dress have in common? Not a lot, except for when it comes to that dreaded 2015 viral photo. The dress became an internet sensation when nobody could agree if it was black and blue or gold and white. As it usually goes on the internet, people had a lot to say about it.

The dress was blue. Turns out the dress was finally confirmed to be black and blue! Don’t even get us started on the Laurel vs. Yanny debate. Reddit user: Goodnoodle5

Spinning Out

How am I gonna leave out one of the most influential trends of the 2010s? Fidget Spinners. They single-handedly united us as a nation in a time where our country was divided more than ever. They solved attention issues overnight while boosting our economy to levels unseen!

Okay, there’s more than a bit of sarcasm here. But fidget spinners ARE pretty cool. Reddit user: notonmyswatch

Automation Begins

The beginning of automation. A ton of jobs are already automated, but this decade was probably the true beginning, from testing driverless cars and drones to entire service industries being replaced by self-service counters. This will truly be the beginning of automated industries. Did you ever think you’d own a driverless car?

Probably not, but the rise of automation is making everything easier (and harder) than ever before. It’s nice to order your own soda off the table tablet at Red Robin, but also a bit scary. Reddit user: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa01

Millennials Get Their Moment

Millennials. The name of the game this decade. Millennials were at the center of almost every major cultural conversation. From social media and technology to jobs and the economy. Hipsters and smart phones and gaming systems and trends and Facebook and Instagram, etc. Millennials had the biggest cultural impact of this decade.

They may be criticized for entitlement, being glued to their phones, and living at home too long, but millennials are a movement, and they’ve contributed greatly to the decade. Reddit user: forman98

A Decade of Social Change

I think it might be seen as a time of real change. We legalized gay marriage, a handful of states have legalized marijuana, and whatever your opinion of it is, the ‘#metoo’ movement has been a big deal. The 2010s were a time of progression and social change for all.

I can’t wait to see all the good to come in the next decade! Reddit user: thirty-seven37

More Fusion Food Trucks

How has the decade changed our food choices? Fresher, trendier, and more hipster. A move away from chain restaurants and the rise of food trucks and locally owned restaurants that all feature string lighting, outdoor tables with giant Jenga blocks, Edison bulbs, and a craft beer selection written on a chalkboard.

Be honest: you definitely just read that description and envisioned that very same restaurant. There’s probably five of them in your town! More people are saying no to The Cheesecake Factory and yes please to smaller establishments with an emphasis on local, fresh ingredients and a cool aesthetic. Reddit user: Meetybeefy

Two-Second Content Creation

How simple is it to be a content creator these days? I want to emphasize the rise of Vine and TikTok and creating memorable content in a couple of seconds, as well as the popularity of YouTube, with content users working full-time on there, gaining book deals and award nominations.

When there’s an entire award show dedicated to YouTubers and TikTok stars (the Streamy Awards, FYI!), you know you’ve made it in the digital world. Reddit user: DitzyWhooves

Instagram Models Everywhere

Probably the big rise of social media stars/influencers. They used to be criticized as people with no jobs, and now kids in younger generations aspire to be them. I get it. It’s easy to aspire to be someone who gets paid millions to travel around the world while promoting a product.

Their lives seem easy and glamorous. But never compare your behind-the-scenes to somebody else’s highlight reel. You’re not Kendall Jenner, and why would you want to be? Reddit user: me_akasomeone

Cancel Culture

Not only can you ghost someone, you can cancel them! Also known as outrage culture, cancel culture is defined as a form of public shaming that aims to punish individuals and groups by calling attention to behavior that’s perceived to be offensive, usually on social media. Plenty of internet users will name this as a major trend in the decade, I bet.

Examples of cancelled celebrities? Beauty influencer James Charles. Lena Dunham. Kanye West. The cancelled culture keeps coming. Reddit user: [redacted]

The Royal Weddings

Can you believe it’s been almost a decade since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got married in Westminster Abbey in the highly publicized (and televised) royal wedding? Merch was sold. Tears were shed. It was an iconic pop culture event all across the world, and the people on the internet have not forgotten.

The couple has three adorable kids now, and William’s younger brother Harry has had his own royal wedding to Meghan Markle. You may have heard of her. Reddit user: [redacted]

Coffee Becomes Art

Coffee connoisseurs; do you agree? Just look at the progression of the cup of coffee. From my coffee fanatic perspective: this was the decade that coffee elevated from Dunkin’ to a thing of absolute beauty. As the decade wore on, more and more third wave shops opened, starting with things like Stumptown and Blue Bottle Coffee.

It’s true. From the pumpkin spice latte obsession to latte art, it’s safe to say that coffee is no longer just a beverage to wake you up. It’s a thing of absolute beauty. Reddit user: [redacted]

The ___ Challenge

The “whatever” challenges. 99% were just horrible for your health. Things like the cinnamon challenge. The worst I saw it get was someone tried to start the Fire Extinguisher Challenge. The guy put the nozzle in his mouth and hit the lever. No matter what extinguisher you’re using, this is incredibly stupid.

Remember the ice bucket challenge? The cinnamon challenge? Planking? Please stop challenging yourself in 2020. Reddit user: ggibby0

National Donut, Penguin, and Cat Days

People just ‘inventing days’ like International Donut Day and International Bring Your Cat to Work Day. Like how do these become a thing? These national days became a thing in the 2010s because people wanted an excuse to eat junk food and bring their pets to work. Duh.

On another note, do people actually bring their cats to work? Asking for a friend. Reddit user: punkalunka

A New Level of Duckface

Highly overdrawn lips and eyebrows. Like, I can see where your real lip ended a half inch back! Plus the crazy Kylie Jenner lip injections people have been getting. They’re going to regret those in a few years when they deflate. You’re welcome for that unfortunate visual, but alas, it’s true.

Looks like duckface isn’t going out of style anytime soon, whether you use lip injections or muscles. Reddit user: punkalunka