1995 and 1996 vs. 2011 and 2012

Attribute	1995 and 1996	2011 and 2012
Technology	Emergence of the internet	Smartphone dominance
Popular Culture	Boy bands and grunge music	Social media influencers
Politics	Bill Clinton presidency	Barack Obama presidency
Economy	Dot-com bubble	Global financial crisis

Technological Advancements

In 1995, the internet was still in its infancy, with dial-up connections being the norm. Email was becoming more popular, but social media as we know it today did not exist. By 1996, the internet was starting to gain traction, with more people getting online and websites becoming more sophisticated. In contrast, by 2011, the internet had exploded in popularity, with high-speed broadband connections being the standard. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were dominating the online landscape. In 2012, smartphones were becoming ubiquitous, changing the way people accessed the internet and interacted with each other.

Global Events

In 1995, the world was still reeling from the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The internet was starting to connect people from around the world in new ways. By 1996, the Olympics were held in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Unabomber was captured. In 2011, the Arab Spring swept across the Middle East, leading to political upheaval in several countries. The Occupy Wall Street movement also gained momentum in the United States. In 2012, the world watched as the London Olympics took place, and Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast of the United States.

Pop Culture

In 1995, popular movies included "Toy Story," "Braveheart," and "Apollo 13." Music was dominated by artists like Mariah Carey, TLC, and Coolio. By 1996, "Independence Day" and "Jerry Maguire" were big hits at the box office. The Spice Girls were taking the music world by storm. In 2011, movies like "The Hunger Games" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" were breaking records. Adele's album "21" was a massive success. In 2012, "The Avengers" and "The Dark Knight Rises" were among the highest-grossing films of the year. Psy's "Gangnam Style" became a viral sensation.

Economic Climate

In 1995, the economy was recovering from a recession, with the dot-com bubble starting to inflate. By 1996, the stock market was booming, fueled by the rise of internet companies. In 2011, the world was still feeling the effects of the 2008 financial crisis, with many countries struggling with high unemployment and slow growth. In 2012, the global economy was starting to show signs of recovery, with stock markets rebounding and consumer confidence on the rise.

Political Landscape

In 1995, Bill Clinton was in his first term as President of the United States, and Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the House. The Republican Party had gained control of Congress for the first time in 40 years. By 1996, Clinton was re-elected for a second term, and the Democrats made gains in Congress. In 2011, Barack Obama was in his first term as President, facing challenges from a divided Congress. In 2012, Obama was re-elected for a second term, and the Democrats retained control of the Senate.