[codingdave]

You know the fear of nuclear war that the younger folk have been experiencing for the first time the last few weeks. It was like that. Constantly.

Sure, video games and MTV were new and fun. Computers were new. But aside from that, it was different decade with different styles, but the day-to-day life was the same. Go to school, hang out with friends, have dinner with family, maybe watch a little mork & mindy on channel 57, and go to bed.

[jl2718]

Brezhnev was in full control by 1978 and passing power to Gorbachev. The direct saber rattling was pretty much over by that point, and the Soviet-Afghan war had distracted them from all intentions of direct conflict with the West. The Olympic protests were symbolism of a socioeconomic difference that had taken the place of a military standoff. SALT II was ratified, and basically everybody understood the concept of MAD. China was officially opening to the west and the free market in general with the ascendancy of the Reform Party. The end of the decade was full glasnost from the soviets, privatization in China, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. American music and movies ensured that our system and way of life was not just victorious, but also celebrated everywhere.

Here is what it felt like for a brief moment in 1991, our national victory lap for the triumph of the 80s: https://youtu.be/eng4OTDqtoM