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Originally posted by CrowServo
Terms like these are largely academic labels. As a historian by training, I think of modernity as beginning during the Renaissance. This is "early modern." I think true modernity begins about the time of the French Revolution. What comes after, historically speaking, is "contemporary history," which begins around the time of WWI. It can be argued, however, that we are actually living in the post-postmodern age. I suggest 9/11/01 as the marker date for that. This event signaled the passing of the "short 20th century," (1914-2001) just as we have the "long 19th century" (1789-1914).
Loosely speaking, of course, we use the term "modern" all the time, to distinguish our own time from past eras. But I think your point is valid when talking about the academic idea of "modernity" and what that entails.