Gareth Roberts Gareth Roberts

Life was better in the 1990s

Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in Notting Hill (Credit: Clive Coote/Alamy)

Does anyone else miss the nineties terribly? Everything seemed simpler in that pre-internet era of The Fast Show, the band Suede and heaving nightclubs. Twenty-five years ago today, one of the defining films of that decade – Notting Hill – held its premiere in London. In the years since, we’ve made progress, of sorts: technology has improved immeasurably and we’re all living longer. But are we any happier? I’m not convinced.

It’s true that the 1990s weren’t perfect: there was a sprinkling of identity-based grievance and envy, but it was still safely contained in the universities. We genuinely thought experts knew what they were doing. There were also vital cultural vents, like TV comedy, and our playful pop scene thrived; now, it’s all bunged up. And we wonder why youngsters seem so barmy. 

It’s no surprise that most people view their own twenties as the time when things in general were better

What do I miss about the 90s? I miss the old folk back then.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in