On the most basic and fundamental level: how underrated and under-appreciated are the 2010s?

At the most basic and fundamental level, the 2010s feel like a decade that will always struggle to be seen as truly iconic, at least compared to its predecessors. Culturally significant in its own right but lacking the overwhelming nostalgia or clear-cut identity of the decades before it, the 2010s often feel overshadowed by the impact of the 80s, 90s, and even the 2000s.

Music, movies, and fashion from the 2010s certainly made waves, but they lacked the same staying power that previous decades had, largely because they were defined by fragmentation rather than a singular, dominant culture. Social media and streaming services created a world where entertainment was more personalized than ever, preventing the emergence of a truly unified pop culture moment. Compare this to the 90s or early 2000s, when specific trends, music, and styles felt inescapable—whether it was grunge, hip-hop, pop-punk, or the dominance of network TV.

Politically and socially, the decade was turbulent, marked by increasing polarization, the rise of cancel culture, and the overwhelming presence of social media discourse. Technologically, it was transformative—smartphones, streaming, and social media all reshaped daily life in ways we’re still processing. But does that make it a decade people will look back on with the same warm nostalgia they do for the 80s or 90s? Unlikely.

Even in terms of aesthetics, the 2010s lacked the strong visual identity of past decades. The rise of minimalist fashion, digital media consumption, and the decline of physical media made it harder for the era to leave behind a tangible, iconic aesthetic. Instead, it was a transitional period—one that connected the analog past to the hyper-digital future we now live in.

The 2010s might be one of the most underappreciated decades imo — because it wasn’t about defining a new cultural wave but rather about accelerating changes that had already begun. It was a time of upheaval, transition, and digital dominance, but it lacked the defining moments and widespread appeal that make other decades so nostalgically revered.