Nostalgia for the Y2K Era

The discussion reflects on the Y2K era, a time marked by economic optimism and internet utopianism that spanned from 1997 to 2008. This period was characterized by a pervasive belief in the triumph of American capitalism, further fueled by the dot-com bubble and later, the housing bubble. Individuals experienced a sense of political apathy, believing that traditional forms of protest were obsolete as they focused on personal wealth through stock markets rather than collective action. The conversations highlight how events like 9/11 and the subsequent Great Recession disrupted this optimism and pushed many to reconsider their political engagement.