The influencee

There are many periods in life that define a personality.
I’m going to sketch my background about the day I was born, turned 5 and became 18 year old.

0 years alive

1984 was the year TED conferences started, the AIDS virus was discovered, chemical weapons were condemned by the UN, Metallica released their second album ‘Ride the lightning’, Galileo was forgiven by the Vatican for his work on the earth orbit and NATO General Kiessling got fired because of being seen in gay bars.

If I look at the present, TED tv has become a big information giver, Metallica has never been able to level with that second album and the Vatican is still ignoring much scientifically facts.

I chose these subjects because of the link to my current life and environment.
For example, chemical weapons have still been used over the years, but governments now have the ability to condemn such treathfull attacks.
We’re still not in a time where homosexuals are completely free in speech and act, but there has been much improvement. I give this item attention because of the idea to be able to act freely in general.

5 years young

In 1989 we had the fall of the Berlin wall, ‘Samson en Gert’ had their first emission, Russia has retreated from Afghanistan, the Hillsborough disaster cost 96 Liverpool supporters lives and Indiana Jones launched his first movie.

As a kid, ‘Samson en Gert’ were probably my biggest friends. These days it’s amazing to see how much public their show has lured. Even now, I know some of their songs by heart.

Everybody heard about the Hillsborough disaster. A general world news item at that time, but true football fans still feel the horror that happened in the Liverpool family.

The most important issue in 1989 was the fall of the Berlin wall. Being 5 and being out of touch, this event has started a wealthy period for entire Europe. Again, the idea to be able to act freely, has risen to new heights.

18 years old

At 2002 the Euro was introduced, Spiderman and Shakira had the most Google search hits, the USA and Russia agreed to lower their nuclear arsenal by 2/3, Al-quada is almost vanished from Afghanistan and Bush starts searching for allies to invade Iraq.

I can’t even remember paying in Belgian franc. I know approximately what the notes looked like, but not one payment stayed in my memories. I do am happy I don’t need to calculate from Euro to BEF anymore, to know a price its true value.

I never was fond about all the expansion wars America did, but the anti-Iraqis allies were a big counter point for Europe. Before, the European countries were kind of neutral. This time, I guess money drove most countries into war, for which we recently suffered many strike backs. Commonly said is that the Iraqis war made it possible for IS to bait fighters and win territory, due to dismantled areas or lack of strong governments.

35 years too old

I see myself influenced by many of these happenings.
I was raised with much freedom, typical for my parents’ generation: freedom of speech got stronger, Europe has been unified and they had a decent and steady economy.

The ‘not so fond about the USA’ is due to the many poor decisions we saw on their behalf, but previous generations still see them as the WWII liberators.

I’m glad to live in such a modern world, from which the difference between 1984 and now never has been so modified in comparison with previous eras.
I’m speaking about the many technology advancements. E.g. my first music experience was playing some self-mixed tapes instead of the current large, instant music libraries such as Spotify.

I’m curious about doubling my current age. Where will we stand in another 35 years.