Tag Archives: decade

Naming the old decade, defining the new

Fashion plate

Fashion plate

As we head towards the end of the decade, there’s been much discussion around what to call the past 10 years, and where we’re heading beyond that.

What were the 00’s called? The ‘Ohs?’

Coming in at First Place in the running to name the decade is the “aughts” or playfully, the “aughties.” We already had an ‘Aughts’ from 1900-1909, full of hoop skirts, the Wright Brothers and saloons.

New Hampshire Public Radio is asking listeners for their Name-The-Decade suggestions, just in case the Aughts doesn’t catch on. Commenter Ryan Guerra suggested the “unis” (yoo-nees)– share your ideas here.

What should we call the next era? Looking at some of the innovations of the past decade help to give a sense of where we’re headed. The Nightly Business Report has a series on the top technologies of the past 30 years, and how quickly things like phone books have become all but obsolete.

The PBS NewsHour is asking experts what’s in store for the economy in the next year. The predictions are mix of hopefully and fearnervous, but this one from Richard Sylla, professor of economics at New York University’s Stern School of Business, gives provides hope for light at the end of the dark economic tunnel:

“My biggest surprise in 2010 would be to witness a failure of the U.S. economy to grow at least at its real long-term trend rate of about 3 percent. Add in 1-2 percent inflation, and nominal GDP ought to grow at least 4-5 percent.”

Answering more tough questions about the economy in 2010, Capitol News Connection’s podcast took questions for Rep. Jim Hines, a member of the House Financial Services Committee this week.