Even though a decade is simply a numerical demarcation, completely stiff to the tides of culture, politics or technology, it hasn't stopped folks from obsessively trying to define each 10-year period within those parameters.

So far the decade of the aughts, which expires in less than 48 hours, isn't rating very well with the pundits, who are calling it the "worst decade ever," or the people, who seem to agree.

We seriously doubt that a decade in which most of the information in the world has become readily (and freely) available to most of the people in the world could be that bad.

But what do you think? How does this decade stack up to the ones before it? Read on for a quick and dirty analysis of each of the last five 10-year periods.

Which Decade Was the Worst?
'60s -- hippies223 (9.5%)
'70s -- polyester336 (14.4%)
'80s -- yuppies583 (24.9%)
'90s -- interns356 (15.2%)
'00s -- iPhones766 (32.7%)
Another -- I'm really old75 (3.2%)


The '60s
Pro: Exciting cultural upheaval. Gratuitous nudity.
Con: Assassinations. Poor hygiene.

The '70s
Pro: Terrific movies and music, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Con: Vietnam. Watergate. Jimmy Carter and general malaise.

The '80s
Pro: A goofy optimism reflected in the politics, pop culture and feathered hair of the time.
Con: A goofy optimism reflected in the politics, pop culture and feathered hair of the time

The '90s
Pro: Peace. Prosperity. The end of history.
Con: Anybody who was there knows this sounds a lot better than it actually was.

The '00's
Pro: All the information in the world is now at your fingertips.
Con: Recession. Having to get to the airport at least an hour-and-a-half before the flight.