Discussion 2012 was the last year of 2000s zeitgeist

[Inbred]

Here are some of the many reasons:

• It was the last year before smartphones officially took over (though that is sorta debatable)
• Frutiger Aero was a major aesthetic before the arrival of/transition into Flat Design occurred
• Television was still dominated by shows that either started in or were at their height in the 2000s decade
• 7th gen gaming was still the norm, physical media like DVDs and Blu-Ray were still common
• The last year before streaming really began to emerge
• The last full year Kobe Bryant was a major star in the NBA prior to his Achilles tendon injury
• Scene/emo fashion and hairstyles like the "Bieber cut" were super common
• The effects of the late 00s Great Recession still had an effect on Americans
• The last year that the Recession era club boom was a really major force in the music industry before its rapid decline
• The last year before the "world was supposed to end"

 

[Krobus]

I'd say 2013 was

 

[PersonalityChad]

It was the last year before smartphones officially took over (though that is sorta debatable)

I was the only one still using a dumb phone in 2012 Everyone else i knew had already switched to smartphones long ago

For me the 2000s as a cultural era started with 9/11 and ended in 2007-2008 but you make some interesting points

 

[VeryNiceGuy]

I'll agree