Best part is, it’s not only US lol. I am from EU, one of countries that back in 2000 were…let’s say backwater (thanks USSR). I remember as a kid watching news about new tech, seeing the new, bold designs, getting hands on west tech, everyone talked how it gets better, ozone layer hole? BOOM, nobody cares cuz fixed, we can do anything!
And then I grew up and and, except for internet getting faster and more bland, nothing happened. I love e-bikes, or EV overall but…don’t take me wrong, it felt like this would be common by 2010. Games got so photorealistic that I turn to indie because if I wanted photorealsitic I’d go touch grass, I’d rather have…you know, the story and wordbuilding progress keeping up. The bold and rabid culture in the net shifted towards defeated and tired. Even news…once something that irked most politicians and was a thorn in the side of everyone for the joy of the public turned into some damned advertisement machine.
Signed, defeated and tired
Black death IIRC. Milk was one of few easily availabke foods when farmers died off. So, extremely specific scenario.