The 2020s, Day 2 or Day 368?

I received a long, reflective email from an Australian friend living in Korea, sent to a large group of his contacts. It started:

Welcome to the 3rd decade of the 3rd millennium Anno Domini 2021.

I see that I first wrote about this exactly a year ago.

The idea, here, is the “third decade” of the century starts with Jan. 1, 2021, and not Jan. 1, 2020, because there is no “Year 0.”

In our counting system, “Jan. 1st of AD 1” was the first day of the first year of the era, approximately around the time of Jesus’ birth. Therefore Jan. 1st of AD 2021 would be the first year of the new decade.

I think this is too complicated and decades ought to be measured by the third digit for clarity and simplicity’s sake, and therefore we are now at Day 368 of “the 2020s” (Leap Year 2020 at 366 days, plus Jan. 1st and now Jan. 2nd = 368). Before you know it we will hit the 11% mark of the decade. And for how terrible a decade it’s been so far, one might hope it will get better.

___________

There is another way or counting eras, only possible in retrospect, always subject to possible dispute. The (“Short”) 20th century was really Nov. 1918 to Nov. 1989. A clean seventy-one years, from the end of the Great War in Europe, which unleashed the era of competing ideologies, until the Fall of Communism process, a complicated process but symbolized by the peaceful Fall of the Berlin Wall, Nov. 1989.

In more recent times, “the 2000s” may have ended in Sept. 2008 when the financial crisis suddenly hit, or at least that’s when the panic in the news hit, preceded by the strange oil price spike of mid-year 2020. I remember it.

Economic disruptions affect almost everyone at least a little, and some a lot, often in ways they don’t recognize or appreciate. I was determined to go abroad in 2009 and did. The 2008-09 recession had a long, lingering effect. If my old job were still there, in Sept. 2010, when I showed back up, I would have taken it back. Instead, I did a lot of other things. The 2010s went in unexpected directions for me, but I never had a master-plan anyway, and maybe it was for the better. I did some interesting things in the (calendrical) 2010s.

Now the harder question: When did “The 2010s” begin and end? Or have they not ended yet? We’re too close to say. Check back on this in the 2030s.

_____________

Comments

  1. Great goods from you, man. I’ve have in mind your stuff previous
    to and you are just too excellent. I actually like what you’ve got here,
    certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which through which you are saying it.

    You make it entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it wise.
    I can not wait to read much more from you. That is actually a tremendous website.

  2. Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems
    finding one? Thanks a lot!

  3. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your site provided us with valuable information to
    work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful
    to you.

  4. Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this site, as i want enjoyment, as this this web
    site conations in fact fastidious funny material too.

  5. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you really recognise what you’re talking approximately!

    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally seek advice from my web site =).
    We will have a link change arrangement between us

  6. I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter
    a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit
    the nail on the head. The problem is something too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy I came across this during my hunt for something concerning this.

  7. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that
    I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

  8. Consultant Référencement Web depuis 2006 et véritable autodidacte, Nicolaseo à appris à optimiser des sites web, les héberger sur le net et les positionner en 1er
    page des moteurs comme Google. Nicolaseo à fait de la
    publicité web sa spécialité !

  9. Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, awesome blog!

  10. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I
    am having troubles with your RSS. I don?t understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it.
    Is there anybody getting identical RSS problems?
    Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

  11. L’optimisation de la publicité de votre blog est vraiment nécessaire vu que il donne retour sur investissement mais
    ces diverses techniques vous sont chronophages ?
    dévoilez votre popularité pour 500 euros mensuellement.

  12. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now
    each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks!

  13. Picking a casino online guide could be a tricky task for anybody, particularly when you’ve never played before.
    With tens and thousands of different alternatives and a variety of promotions,
    it may be simple to feel overwhelmed. Thankfully, a casino online
    guide will allow you to navigate the complex online gambling world and get probably the most from your time
    at the casinos. This short article will explain a few of the things
    to find when choosing a casino.

  14. Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering
    which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve
    had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for
    another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  15. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in internet explorer, could check this?

    IE still is the marketplace leader and a big part of folks will miss your great writing because of this problem.

  16. Its such as you read my mind! You appear to know a lot approximately this, like you wrote the book in it
    or something. I believe that you simply can do with
    a few p.c. to drive the message home a little bit,
    however other than that, this is excellent blog.
    A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

Comments are closed.