The Nineties: A Book

Klosterman explores the cultural landscape of Generation X, focusing on how this demographic was defined, perceived, and misunderstood during the 1990s. He begins by discussing the origin of the term “Generation X,” which gained popularity after Douglas Coupland’s 1991 novel of the same name. The author explains that the book’s title became a marketing term and eventually an ironic expression associated with the generation born between 1966 and 1981.

Klosterman examines how media outlets, particularly TIME magazine, attempted to characterize Gen X in the early 1990s. These initial portrayals often depicted young adults as damaged, risk averse, and paralyzed by social problems they inherited. The author notes that these assessments were sometimes accurate but often reductionist and flawed.

This chapter further explores the concept of “selling out,” which Klosterman identifies as a central concern for Gen X. He explains that selling out involved compromising one’s values for superficial gain, usually financial. The author illustrates this concept through examples from popular culture, including the film Reality Bites and the band Fugazi. Klosterman argues that the preoccupation with authenticity and the fear of selling out colored every aspect of cultural currency during this period.

Klosterman discusses the dissonance between the media’s portrayal of Gen X and the actual experiences of most people within that demographic. He points out that while certain cultural artifacts, like the film Reality Bites or the TV show My So-Called Life, are now strongly associated with Gen X, they were far less popular at the time than more mainstream offerings like Forrest Gump or Friends.

The author examines the work of two writers he considers emblematic of the 1990s: Elizabeth Wurtzel and Mark Leyner. Klosterman describes how their literary personas caricatured the audacious charisma criticized by those who longed to possess it. He argues that these authors represented exaggerated versions of common ’90s personality types.

Throughout Chapter 1, Klosterman reflects on the lasting impact of Gen X stereotypes. He suggests that the generation’s disinterest in contradicting allegations of apathy has led to a self-fulfilling prophecy in which myths and facts about Gen X have become indistinguishable. The author concludes by noting that what is remembered as universal about Gen X was, in fact, often marginal and specific to a small subset of the demographic.

In Chapter 2, Klosterman examines the cultural shift that occurred in American popular music during the early ’90s, focusing on the rise of grunge and the transformative impact of Nirvana’s album Nevermind.

Klosterman argues that while the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the September 11 attacks in 2001 bookend the ’90s, the cultural landscape of the 1980s persisted well into 1990 and 1991. He contends that the release of Nirvana’s Nevermind in September 1991 truly marked the beginning of the ’90s because it created a seismic shift in popular culture. He explains that while the album’s commercial success was not immediate, its influence quickly permeated various aspects of society, from music to advertising. To illustrate how pervasive Nirvana’s influence had become, the author uses the example of a 1993 Subaru commercial that attempted to capitalize on the “punk rock” aesthetic.

The chapter examines the paradoxical nature of Nirvana’s success. Klosterman notes that Kurt Cobain, the band’s frontman, was deeply uncomfortable with fame and constantly expressed his disdain for the commercialization of his music. This attitude, Klosterman argues, became central to the band’s iconography and ultimately more important than the music itself. The author suggests that Nirvana’s success marked the end of rock music as a transformative cultural force, as it introduced a sense of self-aware skepticism to mainstream rock.

Klosterman discusses the broader impact of grunge on the music industry, describing how record labels rushed to sign any band from Seattle in hopes of finding “the next Nirvana.” He notes that even bands who benefited from this rush were skeptical about what was happening, recognizing the shallow nature of the industry’s interest in their music.

The author then explores the dark side of grunge’s success, detailing the numerous deaths and tragedies that befell many of the genre’s prominent figures. Klosterman pays particular attention to Cobain’s suicide in 1994, discussing its impact on the music world and how it came to symbolize the darker aspects of grunge culture.

In the latter part of the chapter, Klosterman shifts focus to compare Cobain’s death with that of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996. He examines the differing perceptions of these two deaths and how they reflected broader cultural attitudes toward rock and hip-hop. Klosterman argues that while Cobain’s death received more immediate attention, Shakur’s murder has come to be seen as equally significant in retrospect.

The author explores the contrasting trajectories of Cobain and Shakur, noting that while Cobain struggled with the inauthenticity of his fame, Shakur seemed to transform himself to fit the violent persona he had created through his music. Klosterman details Shakur’s complex background, from his parents’ involvement with the Black Panthers to his education in the arts, and how this contrasted with his later image as a “gangsta” rapper.

Finally, Klosterman discusses the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry of the mid-’90s, which culminated in the deaths of both Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. He reflects on how what began as a seemingly manufactured conflict for publicity evolved into real-world violence with tragic consequences.

Throughout the chapter, Klosterman weaves together these various narrative threads to depict a tumultuous period in American popular music, one marked by rapid change, cultural upheaval, and tragic loss. He argues that these events not only defined the music of the early ’90s but also signaled broader shifts in American culture that would continue to resonate in the decades that followed.

This chapter examines the political landscape of the early ’90s, focusing on the 1992 presidential election and its key players. Klosterman begins by discussing George H. W. Bush’s rapid fall from popularity following the Gulf War. Despite achieving an 89% approval rating in 1991, Bush lost the 1992 election. Klosterman explores various factors contributing to this decline, including a recession and Bush’s broken promise that there would be no new taxes.

The chapter then introduces Ross Perot, a Texas billionaire who ran as an independent candidate in the 1992 election. Klosterman details Perot’s background, his unconventional campaign tactics, and his appeal to voters. Perot’s campaign mostly focused on economic issues such as the national debt and opposition to free-trade agreements. Klosterman notes that Perot’s candidacy significantly impacted the election, even though he did not win any electoral votes.

Klosterman also discusses Bill Clinton’s role in the election, describing him as a “New Democrat” who distanced himself from traditional Democratic positions. The author explains how Clinton’s youth and charisma appealed to younger voters, contrasting with Bush’s perceived lack of charisma. The chapter explores the media’s role in shaping public perception during the election. Klosterman highlights Perot’s use of infomercials and appearances on Larry King Live to communicate directly with voters.

Klosterman then examines the aftermath of the 1992 election, including its long-term effects on both the Democratic and Republican Parties. He suggests that Perot’s candidacy may have contributed to the rise of partisan polarization in subsequent years.

The author concludes by reflecting on Perot’s legacy and drawing comparisons between Perot and Donald Trump. While acknowledging some similarities, Klosterman argues that Perot and Trump appealed to different voter demographics and represented different political ideologies.

Throughout the chapter, Klosterman incorporates broader cultural observations about the early ’90s. He discusses the Gulf War’s media coverage, the changing nature of political discourse, and the public’s evolving relationship with information and current events. Klosterman particularly emphasizes how the Gulf War’s televised coverage created a sense of detachment among viewers, presenting the conflict as a clinical operation rather than a human conflict, which influenced public perception of warfare and international affairs.

The author also touches on other significant events of 1993, such as the World Trade Center bombing and a major superstorm, to illustrate how perceptions of historical events can shift over time. Klosterman notes that these events, while momentous when they occurred, have been largely overshadowed in collective memory by later, more catastrophic incidents like the September 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina, demonstrating how historical significance can be recontextualized by subsequent events.

Klosterman ends the chapter by analyzing the film Falling Down, a controversial 1993 film about a disillusioned white-collar worker who violently lashes out against perceived societal injustices, using it to illustrate the cultural tensions and individual-centric worldview prevalent in the early ’90s. He suggests that the film’s reception and themes reflect a particular mindset prevalent during that period, one in which individual experiences were often prioritized over broader societal concerns.