By Hisham Hilal | Staff Writer
In the hit sitcom That ’70s Show, one character stood out as a fan-favourite and a voice for a new generation. Steven Hyde, the rebellious and sarcastic teenager, was known for his distinctive style, countercultural views, and love for rock music. As a close friend of Eric Forman, the main protagonist of the show, Hyde frequently expressed his anti-establishment beliefs and offered a unique perspective on politics, social issues, and pop culture of the time. Despite his tough exterior, Hyde showed a deep caring nature towards his friends, making him a relatable and endearing character for viewers.
Steven Hyde’s character went beyond just being a representation of the 1970s. His countercultural views and rebellious spirit made him a voice that resonated with a new generation, not only within the show’s original timeframe but also beyond. Despite the decades that have passed since the show’s creation, Hyde’s character still inspires and connects with viewers today.
The 70’s was a decade that produced a lot of things that stood the test of time and remained relevant with new generations decades later. From Led Zeppelin IV, the first four Black Sabbath albums, and the Sex Pistols, to introducing downforce to F1 cars in 1978 (which came back into the sport in 2022), and of course the birth of a new form of counterculture which was grittier and had a darker edge than the Flower Power movement of the previous decade. Music was getting louder and heavier, cars were having bigger and more powerful engines, and a resentment towards governments and “the man” was growing among young people everywhere, all of which was perfectly embodied decades later in That 70’s Show in one character, Hyde. The creation of this show itself in 1998 was proof that the 70’s always found a way to make a comeback for newer generations, but it is the core essence of Steven Hyde himself that represents the 70’s rocker that is the ideals of every generation.
Let me explain; in a digitally saturated world, we are always bombarded with messages and media from all sources. Social media has created a sort of herd mentality that has trapped certain people in the same cyber cycles where everyone just follows what the next person is doing. That is why a rise in individuality is taking place, and in the age of TikTok, one of the best ways to do that is going back to vintage culture. Hyde’s distrust to the media is still valid, in fact was proven to be even more necessary with the rise of Web 3.0, when he says, “The three true branches of government are corporate, military, and Hollywood,” I would like to add social media as the fourth. From cancel culture, to digital advertising and government censorship, a lot of social media spaces have become a place to push corporate, government, and Hollywood ideals.
A recent example here in Lebanon, was one the government issued two time zones for religious/political reasons. Hyde’s rebellious outlook again gives us the vocabulary to deal with this situation “I don’t trust the government. I don’t trust the newspapers. I’m not even sure that what time we think it is right now is really what time it is.” Given the fact that government would use religion as an excuse to mess with time zones and pit people against each other, as one of the many examples of what has been done in the name of God before we hear Hyde saying “While I respect the Judeo-Christian ethic, as well as the Eastern Philosophies. Of course, the teachings of Mohammed. I find that organized religion has corrupted those beliefs, to justify countless atrocities throughout history. Were I to attend church, I’d be a hypocrite.”
Steven Hyde spoke for generations for years to come by not only embodying the 70’s spirit of rebellion, but by being a figure for personal freedom even with current generations. We live in a time where we need to focus on relentless individuality and personal freedom. Questioning the media and sticking to personal values is what Hyde teaches younger generations. Finally, nowadays, all things retro are making a comeback, especially with the niche of people that just wants to listen to some good rock and have a good time away from the norms of current society.