A meme that began in the 1980s suggested that America was in decline, facing poverty, crime, and environmental problems. However, a more positive meme emerged in the late 1990s, claiming that America was getting its act together economically. This positive meme predicted sustained global economic growth that could solve problems like poverty without harming the environment. Historians might look back at the 40-year period from 1980 to 2020 as a time of extraordinary transformation. The introduction of personal computers and the breakup of the Bell System triggered waves of technological change that fueled the long economic boom. The development of the internet and online commerce further stimulated economic growth in various industries. The networked economy emerged, transforming every facet of human activity. As the century progressed, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and quantum computing brought further advancements and potential for growth. These technological waves could contribute to solving global problems and create a better world.
https://www.wired.com/1997/07/longboom/