As students and staff say goodbye to the 2010s and welcome the 2020s, many are reflecting on the achievements of the past decade. Although it is hard to comprehend the extreme changes the United States has endured in just ten years, it is clear that technology, music and entertainment have shaped current society in unprecedented ways. 

US History teacher, Mr. Majoris, provided insight on the role that this decade has played in history, summarizing these past ten years as “progressive, contentious and hectic.”

Indeed, the changes that the country has endured have been revolutionary in many fields, specifically in technology.

Some believe that the technology craze started at the turn of the decade with the release of the iPad in 2010. Although tablets previously had been on the market, it wasn’t until Apple introduced the iPad that the market for this kind of technological product truly took off.

From there, technology continued to improve and take on new roles. 2015 welcomed the Amazon Echo and Alexa System, two products that introduced AI into everyday life like never before. By 2018, AI assistance became even more accessible in the Apple Watch. Today, computer assistance seems to be in every household product, from cell phones to refrigerators. 

With this growth in dependence on technology, social media has had immeasurable influence in the decade as well. It is estimated that 3.48 billion people throughout the world are using social media today, with many of those users joining in the past decade. This growth of social networking has changed the very foundations of communication, advertisement and fame.

In this sense, Majoris believes that Mark Zuckerbuerg was one of the most influential people of the decade. His contributions to the popularity and accessibility of social media have forever changed society in the United States. 

The 2010s will not only be remembered for these technological advances, but also for the transformation of music consumption. At the beginning of the decade, music lovers mainly relied on MP3s and CDs to enjoy their favorite songs; now, streaming services dominate the market. 

With this changed format for music releases, many artists have found fame with unique styles. TIME Magazine predicted that songs such as “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore, and “Young Dumb and Broke” by Khalid are a few of the singles that will be remembered for defining the music culture of the decade in this way.

The entertainment industry, outside of music, also took a dramatic turn throughout the decade. The growing popularity of podcasts, Netflix, Hulu, and other platforms completely changed the way that people enjoy their favorite shows and movies. 

The entertainment industry also evolved in the sense that it became more inclusive and driven by reform. 

With the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, celebrities took a stand for women’s equality in the workplace and everyday life. The successes of these movements can be seen in countless accomplishments of women across the country, including Kathryn Bigelow becoming the first woman ever to win an Academy Award for best director, the wage gap shrinking in Hollywood, and movies such as “Wonder Woman” and “Captain Marvel” showing that girls can be superheroes, too. 

TV shows also pushed the stereotypes of society. “The Big Bang Theory” and “Modern Family” reflected the changing times and introduced contemporary issues, and solutions, to family entertainment. 

Even “Hamilton,” a cultural phenomenon stemming from Broadway in 2015, pushed social norms when Hispanic, African-American, and Asian-American performers were cast as America’s founding generation. With this precedent, Broadway has begun to focus more on diversity and inclusivity. 

“It was a decade that people challenged America to live up to its ideals,” stated Majoris as he reflected on these major reform efforts.

In the next decade, Majoris shared his hope that our country will seek compromise and “find the ability to understand each other and think logically”

No matter how you celebrate this holiday season or what your plans are for 2020, enjoy the fresh start of a brand-new decade, filled with endless possibilities for change. Happy New Year Hillers!