I grew up in the 80's and saw the original Back to the Future in a theater. When I was a kid, I remember thinking 1955 was ancient history. It's pretty wild that young people today, like the high school students I teach, feel the same about 1985 as I felt about 1955.
I wonder if there's something different though? I knew little about the 50's when I was in high school. None of my peers were "into" the 50's, and nobody was listening to music from the 50's. But my current students still love 80's metal bands like Metallica and Slayer, and 80's hip hop like NWA and others. They like 80's movies, and will have quote battles about 80's movies.
Maybe 1985 doesn't feel as far away to them, or as irrelevant, as 1955 felt to me.
I wonder if there's something different though? I knew little about the 50's when I was in high school. None of my peers were "into" the 50's, and nobody was listening to music from the 50's. But my current students still love 80's metal bands like Metallica and Slayer, and 80's hip hop like NWA and others. They like 80's movies, and will have quote battles about 80's movies.
Maybe 1985 doesn't feel as far away to them, or as irrelevant, as 1955 felt to me.