Ross Benes' new book, "1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times," scrutinizes the chaotic influences from that year, highlighting its impact on modern culture. He explores various cultural elements, including television and toys like Beanie Babies. The phenomenon surrounding these plush toys not only made them valuable collectibles but also transcended into a societal obsession, driving people to irrational behaviors, exemplified by a notable incident where a truck spill led to dangerous retrieval actions by commuters on a busy Atlanta highway. The excitement over these toys also fostered widespread counterfeiting issues.
In his new book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times, Ross Benes explores one fateful year and its impact on everything from network television to consumerist mania.
The specific touchstones range from Jerry Springer to Grand Theft Auto, with Benes drawing a direct line from these cultural sensations to our modern era, but one object stands out among the eccentric bunch.
Few products embodied this strange era as well as Beanie Babies, leading otherwise rational people to make ludicrous and damaging life choices.
A truck carrying mini Beanie Babies spilled merchandise across five lanes of Interstate 285 during rush hour, prompting motorists to risk their lives to nab them.
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