We’re Gonna Party Like It’s 1999

(Kelsey Kirchmann) In 1999, I was nine-years-old. I had never been out of the country, I had never operated a motor vehicle and I was five years away from holding my first real job as a line cook in a pizza joint. I had barely discovered the Internet past AOL Instant Messaging in the elementary school computer lab.

 

1999 was an exciting year. This new currency called the Euro was established as the official currency of the eurozone (which did not yet include Greece). The world population reached 6 billion people, ExxonMobile became the world’s largest company and this guy named Hugo Chavez became the President of Venezuela.

 

Bill Gates’ fortune exceeded 100 billion dollars with the release of Windows 98.  This amazing new music-sharing site called Napster was launched and the music was totally free (until they were prosecuted for contributory and vicarious copyright infringement). Apple released the Power Macintosh G4. China started restricting the use of the Internet in these things called Internet cafes. We were all afraid Y2K was going to be the beginning of Armageddon, starting with our bank accounts because you just can’t trust those computers.

 

At that time we had no idea about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, Hulu or Groupon. Google was a brand new search engine, a few years away from its IPO. We didn’t use the word netizen and we spent significantly less time on the Internet. Oh, and did I mention there were no smartphones (collectve gasp).

 

Last Thursday, the FCC released a report called “Information Needs of Communities”. This report is the product of the FCC’s examination of the future of media and information launched in 2010.

 

This project was launched after the FTC published a staff discussion draft in 2010 of policy recommendations to “support the reinvention of journalism”. These policy suggestions include massive federal subsidies for the press, a journalism division of AmeriCorps, expanded postal subsidies and taxes on cell phones and consumer electronics to pay for it all.

 

Now please pause for a moment to take all of that in. How different would our world be if those policy suggestions were taken in 1999? I am almost positive I would not be using my iPhone to tweet about Facebook in China after a quick Google News search.

 

The FCC’s report is broad where the FTC’s staff discussion draft was controversially specific. The FCC report focused on an objective overview of modern media. Instead of trying to suggest policy that will most likely inhibit the rapidly-evolving, organic nature of modern media, the FCC suggests streamlining policy and promoting transparency in media online. Instead of a strident regulatory framework, the FCC’s policy suggestions favor a light regulatory touch.

 

The FCC’s approach seems both rational and highly intelligent considering the amazing information revolution that has taken place over the past few decades. It remains hard to say what will become the next Facebook, Google or Twitter and it is even harder to say why Prince wore this sparkling trench coat, but it easy to see we will continue to experience the lightening-fast progress of innovation in the digital age.

 

 

Comments

[happycamp]

many guys like party girls haha !

[Nfl Jersey Sale]

Nfl Jerseys For Salel smile and laugh, and down her eyes sweep, a similar age in South Korea South Korea The following basketball. Only that the act of playing basketball boys basketball this they do not understand people who read Nfl Jerseys Usa awkward. Also occasionally fall, just let his basketball hit vote. See the boy rubbed his head, Wang aunt can not help but laugh. But does not seem to want him to Han Han Know that they watched him play basketball. Once, when the boy picked up the ball happened to see Nfl Jersey Sale

[cl men]

yes good !

[happycamp]

i thought i had forget jaejoong , but i saw his performance today , i still feel painful of him , i must follow him forever , never climbing walls , yeah , thats the goal !

[happycamp]

many people said success is at the hand , but why i see it in the sky ?

[sfhbfdh]

party is great. why is it 1999?

[cheap nfl jerseys]

with more reasonable applications, was revived in the early part of this century (1818) by Blundell, who, with others, demonstrated its occasional efficacy in desperate hemorrhage, and in the last stages of some diseases.

[Ugg Boots Clearance]

the emperor should be released. "The emperor, Chenqie feel some discomfort, you want to rest, to retire the first." Finish, Hou Qingning to want to leave, he was lonely and the wind got hold of the

[Wholesale from China]

Excellent post,thanks for sharing.the coach sale are hot for every one at us , i think you will like it~

[China Wholesaler]

You surely placed a brand name new spin on the matter thats been composed about for years. excellent stuff, just great!admirable that which you have executed here.

[Adrian Gonzalez Jersey]

And we are determined to solve all the problems that still exist, along to the constitution. http://www.mlbfansjerseys.com/boston-red-sox-dustin-pedroia-jersey-c-1_18_113.html
And in terms of SOFA, we do believe that it namely in the amuse of the Iraqi government, it's in the interest of this nation, and we have been and we will http://www.mlbfansjerseys.com/boston-red-sox-adrian-gonzalez-jersey-c-1_18_128.html continue to assist it and aid its ratification.

[MBT Shoes]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[Coach outlet bags]

Some time ago and friends talked about, ask me how I still don't find. I say don't want to look for, because once the injury, afraid, afraid to really to love. In the meet a scared to be so. Then gradually away from the understanding of the opposite sex, more interested in the is the understanding just friends, the pure friendship. http://www.coachoutletbags-sale.com

[Christian Louboutin]

Sorry,i don't know how to receive my response, why?

Christian Louboutin/Shoes/Sale/Cheap/Outlet/UK/Shop/Store/2011/Online/Discount/

http://www.christianlouboutins-cheap.com/

[timberland boots]

I often ask myself, why come here ?I thought it really like everyone said, is a paradise. We are looking for paradise, in the end where is the real paradise ?http://www.todsspa.com
http://www.micomarket.com/

[Account Deleted]

Your essay is good, I like it very much. Here I would like to share with you some things
Replica Handbags: http://www.replicabagsell.com

[cheap jordans]

I'm looking for a great quotes that i can use on my everyday task and duties. Lucky enough to drop by on your blog. Thanks.

[cheap jordans]

Thanks for sharing. This website is to I too have to help. Very good.

[Christian Louboutin]

Sorry,i don't know how to receive my response, why?

Christian Louboutin/Shoes/Sale/Cheap/Outlet/UK/Shop/Store/2011/Online/Discount/

http://www.christianlouboutinsshoesoutlet.com/

[Christian Louboutin Sale]

what's wrong with the people?

Christian Louboutin/Shoes/Sale/Cheap/Outlet/UK/Shop/Store/2011/Online/Discount/

http://www.christianlouboutinshoes-store.com/

[Ugg bailey button black]

I find myself visiting your blog more and more often enough where my visits are just about every day now!
http://www.bootsuggcollection.com/

[cheap jordans]

Thanks you for your support, all the information is just what i need.

[Nike Shox TL1]

It sounds really amazing !I suppose if you like sports?I think choose right sporting shoes is very important!

[Chaussures Jimmy Choo]

la demande potentielle pour les chaussures élégantes mais portable et approché M.

[Chaussures Christian Louboutin]

Les médias en font beaucoup de son argent dans l'intérêt des gens obsessif dans la vie de leurs célébrités préférées.