Don’t get me wrong- coming back to “1986”

A few days ago I had the chance to see “The Pretenders” live in Chicago, in the most traditional venue, The Chicago theater in State. And suddenly “Don’t get me wrong” was playing - This song was released in September 1986, “38 years ago."

For the new generation that is not even in this age range, let’s recap what was going on in 1986. BTW, I was 16 years old, already going to college, and about to move to Europe.?

Movies:

• "Top Gun": A high-octane action film starring Tom Cruise as a fighter pilot.
• "Ferris Bueller's Day Off": A comedy about a high school student who skips school for a day of adventure in Chicago.
• "Platoon": A war film directed by Oliver Stone that provided a gritty portrayal of the Vietnam War.
• "Aliens": A science fiction action film directed by James Cameron, serving as a sequel to the 1979 film "Alien."
• "Crocodile Dundee": A comedy featuring an Australian bushman navigating life in New York City.

Food:

The 1980s saw a growing interest in convenience foods and fast food, with chains like McDonald's and Pizza Hut expanding their reach. There was also a rise in health awareness, leading to the popularity of low-fat and low-calorie products. In the White House, President Ronald Reagan was known for his love of jelly beans, which became a symbol of his presidency.

TV shows:

• "The Cosby Show": A sitcom centered around the Huxtable family, which was one of the most popular shows of the decade.
• "Cheers": A comedy set in a Boston bar, known for its ensemble cast and witty dialogue.
• "Miami Vice": A crime drama known for its stylish portrayal of Miami and its use of contemporary music.
• "The Golden Girls": A sitcom about four older women living together in Miami, which became a cultural phenomenon.

In 1986, the Fox Broadcasting Company was launched, marking the first new American television network since 1967.

President of the United States

The President of the United States in 1986 was Ronald Reagan, who was serving his second term in office. Reagan's presidency was marked by significant events such as the Cold War, economic policies known as "Reaganomics," and the Iran-Contra affair, which became public in November 1986.

Major Events

• Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. This tragedy had a profound impact on NASA and space exploration policies.
• Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster: On April 26, 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union exploded, releasing a significant amount of radioactive material across Europe. This disaster remains one of the worst nuclear accidents in history.
• Iran-Contra Affair: This political scandal came to light in November 1986, revealing that the Reagan administration had secretly sold arms to Iran and used the proceeds to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua. The scandal led to significant political fallout and investigations.
• Hands Across America: On May 25, 1986, approximately 6.5 million people participated in this charity event, forming a human chain across the United States to raise money for fighting hunger and homelessness.
• Halley's Comet: In March 1986, several space probes, including those from NASA and the European Space Agency, observed Halley's Comet as it made its closest approach to Earth. This event provided valuable scientific data about comets.

Political Developments

• Reagan Administration: Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States in 1986. His administration faced significant challenges, including the Iran-Contra scandal and economic issues. Reagan also signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which was a major overhaul of the U.S. tax code.
• International Relations: The United States conducted airstrikes against Libya on April 14, 1986, in response to terrorist attacks attributed to Libyan agents.

Cultural Highlights

• Music: The year saw major music releases, including Madonna's "True Blue" album and the "Top Gun" soundtrack, which became cultural phenomena.
• Film: Iconic movies released in 1986 included "Top Gun," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and "Aliens," all of which had a lasting impact on popular culture.
• Television: "The Oprah Winfrey Show" debuted in national syndication, becoming one of the most influential talk shows in television history.

Today, 38 years later, I think to myself, “THANK GOD; I am a 70s kid because I got to experience the 80s firsthand.”

What do you remember from the 80s if you were an adolescent or adult?

What do you love the most about those times??

Song/ songs??

Movies?

Food?

Tv show?

Clothing trend?

Susan

About the Author:

Susan is a former political influence consultant, profiler, and civilian hostage negotiator, with expertise, studies and Master’ in Human Behavior, Behavior Economics, Neuroscience and a nerd for data. Susan works on the humans that grow your business | High-performance Human Behavior training- I teach corporations & employees how to hack into humans using Behavior, Neuroscience & Persuasion |Behavior Economics

She has been called Freaky and the top expert on her field,? by the Chicago Tribune and Psychology Today.

She is the author and researcher of “Irrational Humans. People Make 35,000 Decisions a Day and 95% are Irrational, but Why & How?”

Topics:

• Body Language
• Micro Expressions
• Behavior Economics
• Neuroscience
• Consumer Behavior
• Persuasion
• Influence
• How people make decisions
• Irrational Behaviors