I Wish Someone had Told Me About Partying Like It’s 1999

“I wish someone had told me” is a series of posts that feed into our inquisitive nature at CN&CO. Each week we hear from someone in our network about something interesting or surprising that’s recently happened or occurred to them – or lessons they learnt. These blogs are a way to pay it forward and form part of CN&CO’s belief that the world can be a better place – and we all have a responsibility to make it so. This week’s post is by Gianluca Tucci.

Change, the one true constant in life, and the 90s period stand as a testament to how innovation can flip the world on its head.

Do you recall the days when we could party like it was 1999?

Drawing inspiration from a book I have been reading titled “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters, which championed the significance of adaptation and embracing change, the 90s marked an era of substantial strides and cultural pivots.

So, let’s cannonball into the untamed waters of the 90s and how to resurface from them without feeling like a dusty relic of bygone days.

The Dotcom Era

The dotcom boom brought with it an exhilarating sense of possibility. The internet revolutionised industries, from e-commerce giants like Amazon and eBay to the wild dreams of countless startups, setting the stage for a digital landscape that continues to shape our lives today. But let’s not forget that the era introduced us to the bleak truth of dial-up internet connections, which resembled a legion of cyborg squirrels attempting to breakdance.  Ah, the sweet sound of nostalgia!

Fashion Statements

The 90s left an indelible mark on fashion, with trends that still influence our style today. Grunge fashion, featuring flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots, made a statement of rebellious intent, while streetwear gained popularity, thanks to brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, whose designs continue to inspire contemporary fashion.

Blockbuster Movies

The 90s gifted us with iconic movies that defined the era with their storytelling prowess. Even today, these films resonate with audiences, with some even progressing into new instalments that generate mass buzz and revenue.

Titanic had us swooning while trying not to think about the logistics of fitting on that floating door. Jurassic Park showed us what happens when dinosaurs meet dysfunctional theme parks, reminding us that nature always finds a way to prey on the wary. And then there was The Matrix, where we contemplated the reality of our existence while watching Keanu Reeves in a leather coat dodging bullets. Mind-blowing stuff, truly.

Sporting Moments

Sports in the 90s were a whirlwind of thrill and chills. The FIFA World Cup spectacles of 1990, ’94, and ’98 served up a plethora of soccer virtuosity. And who can forget South Africa’s World Cup win in 1995?

Meanwhile, Michael Jordan was busy hoop-dreaming his way to legendary status in basketball, and a young Tiger Woods was teeing off a seismic shift in golf, ensuring their names would echo in the halls of sports fame with the persistence of a crowd’s chants.

Technological Advancements

The 90s saw technological advancements that transformed our lives. Personal computers became household essentials, even if their sole purpose was to taunt us with the agonisingly slow dial-up internet. And who can forget those brick-like mobile phones that doubled as dumbbells? We marvelled at their size and weight, never realising that they would eventually evolve into the sleek pocket-sized wonders that now control our lives.

The Dotcom Crash

But let’s be real, the dotcom era was no bed of roses. The speculative bubble popped with a bang, giving birth to the notorious dotcom crash. Enterprises fizzled out like defective fireworks, serving up lessons in modesty, plus a handful of floppy disks for makeshift coasters. Nevertheless, the main lesson underscores the importance of learning from past blunders and adopting a level-headed attitude towards innovation. We need to grasp that true growth demands a blend of optimistic caution and a readiness to evolve.

Lessons from “Zero to One”: Embrace Change

The 90s epoch stands as a laugh-out-loud yet potent reminder that we need to bob and weave with life’s jabs and stay ready for fresh opportunities.

So, as we toast to the unforgettable relics of yesteryears, let’s also unleash our inner pioneers and welcome innovation. Blending the wisdom reaped from the 90s with the enlightenment derived from “Zero to One,” let’s gear up for a thrilling journey that involves accepting change, snatching opportunities, and crafting a better tomorrow. Cheers to navigating transformation, one throwback 90s move at a time!