Welcome to the fin de siècle, only a few years too late. According to Wikipedia:
Without context, the term is typically used to refer to the end of the 19th century. This period was widely thought to be a period of social degeneracy, but at the same time a period of hope for a new beginning. The “spirit” of fin de siècle often refers to the cultural hallmarks that were recognized as prominent in the 1880s and 1890s, including ennui, cynicism, pessimism, and “a widespread belief that civilization leads to decadence”.
“Period of hope for a new beginning…” that part doesn’t apply.
Also, the previous end of a century got some great art, but we’re just going to get some flaccid, dead-eyed AI art.
the backlash against perceived decadence was more starch in collars and oscar wilde sent to prison, so we’ll have that kind of stuff too.
Note that the era was only sometimes a “period of hope for a new beginning…” It was mostly known for ‘ennui, cynicism, pessimism, and ‘a widespread belief that civilization leads to decadence”.’ Pretty much what we’ve got today.
Part of the backlash was the temperance/abstinence movement pumped up by religious fanatics which eventually let to 18th Amendment and the “Prohibition” era.
“A widespread belief that civilization leads to decadence” — This is not an idea to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.
There’s always hope isn’t there?
Even if faint hope and fools hope..
Where does giving up and giving into despair get us after us?
Strange and amazing and surprising things can and do happen.
Can we make them so for better not worse? Please.