END OF THE DECADE - PART ONE

THE Noughties are fast drawing to a close. At the end of first decade of the 21^st century the world is a changed place. We started off the new millennium with great hopes, the only fear was an over hyped computer bug, which in the end never existed. We leave the decade in recession, facing huge debt, worries over climate change and a great number of other global concerns.

Here is the first part of the top ten events that have shaped our decade. It’s one opinion so you are welcome to add your thoughts to it.

SEPTEMBER 11^TH 2001

The Al-Qaeda terror attacks in New York, in which two passenger jets were crashed into the World Trade Centre Twin Towers, shaped the decade. In the early days of the Noughties the world’s biggest concern had been Y2K bug. Over a year and a half later, the West was fast approaching a road to war that would last longer than World War 2.

The 9/11 terror attacks have to a great extent shaped our decade and the way we live. The fear of terror has been used greatly by politicians, the state, and even police to control citizens lives like never before. More surveillance, an erosion of human and civil rights are just a few of the consequences.

BUSH ELECTED AS PRESIDENT

George W Bush was elected to the White House in 2000. Bush, probably one of the most prominent politicians of the decade, but not always for the right reasons, led the US to war in two countries and took it upon himself to ‘fight terror’.

Though he may have done more harm to the democratic state of the world then good he certainly gave us much entertainment. Whether it was chocking on a pretzel or giving somewhat unintelligible speeches, he is defiantly one President the US will not be able to forget in a hurry.

THE BEIJING OLYMPICS

The 2008 Beijing Olympics signalled a big turning point for global politics. As the Communist super state with ever increasing wealth could no longer be ignored by the West. Near the end of the decade emerging super states and powers like China, India and Brazil slowly started to become more powerful on the world stage. It seems that power maybe slowly shifting from the West to East.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

History was made in the US in 2008 when Barack Hussein Obama became the first black man to be elected to office of President of the United States. Promising hope, change and reform he also embarked on a much-needed attempt to change the world’s view of America, which had been eroded by President Bush.

SUSAN BOYLE & CELEBRITY BIG BRITAIN’S STRICTLY GOT THE X-FACTOR

Susan Boyle, now a global sensation, represents the craze and obsession over reality TV. Whether it was Big Brother, Pop Idol, Popstars, Strictly Come Dancing, I’m a Celebrity, the X-Factor or Britain’s Got Talent, in the noughties we became a nation obsessed by reality TV. Whether it was the z-list celebrities or hard done by sob stories from contestants, the cheap to make, formulaic shows, have become a staple of prime time television.

And in an age of digital diversity and the ability to choose from a vast number of channels these shows have drawn the country together, lately amassing audiences of up to 19 million.