The Unshakeable Hold of 2016: A Cultural Time Capsule for Gen Z
As we enter a new year, it's clear that the 2010s continue to hold a strange allure for members of Generation Z. A recent surge in online nostalgia has led to a renewed fascination with everything from VSCO girl aesthetics to the iconic makeup looks of YouTube beauty influencers like Kylie Jenner.
While this may seem like an innocuous trend, experts believe it speaks to deeper issues within Gen Z's collective psyche. For many young people, 2016 represents a nostalgic longing for a simpler time – one marked by relative optimism and shared cultural touchstones that brought people together. The rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok has enabled users to curate an idealized version of the past, complete with carefully curated playlists, vintage fashion trends, and retro-themed filters.
But what's behind this fixation on a particular year? According to journalist Daysia Tolentino, who has been tracking online nostalgia for her newsletter Yap Year, the phenomenon is more than just a passing fad. "I think people are romanticizing 2016 because it was one of the last years in which we engaged in a monoculture together," she explains. "We had shared pieces of culture that we could remember, like 'Closer' being on the radio all the time."
As Tolentino notes, this nostalgia is often linked to a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with the present day. In an era marked by turmoil, climate change, and social upheaval, Gen Z may be seeking comfort in a perceived more peaceful past. "There was a feeling of disruption that could be mistaken for general optimism," Tolentino says. "Then, this hope for something different to come did not materialize, but people can remember the shared culture we all had."
But is nostalgia a harmless distraction from the challenges of our time? Or does it represent a more profound issue with how Gen Z approaches the world? For journalist Tolentino, there's a clear concern that some members of this generation are fixated on looking back rather than forward. "That's always really concerning," she says. "It is an indication that there's a loss of hope."
Yet, it seems that this year, with its online energy shifting toward creating something new and introducing friction – a response to the constant need for escapism that social media has provided – may mark a turning point. As Tolentino notes, people are finally ready to move on from nostalgia and engage with the world around them. "I think people are ready for new things," she says. "I think people are ready to break out of these cycles of nostalgia and reach for something new."
Perhaps this is a message that Gen Z needs to hear – one that encourages them to look forward, rather than backward, into an uncertain future.
As we enter a new year, it's clear that the 2010s continue to hold a strange allure for members of Generation Z. A recent surge in online nostalgia has led to a renewed fascination with everything from VSCO girl aesthetics to the iconic makeup looks of YouTube beauty influencers like Kylie Jenner.
While this may seem like an innocuous trend, experts believe it speaks to deeper issues within Gen Z's collective psyche. For many young people, 2016 represents a nostalgic longing for a simpler time – one marked by relative optimism and shared cultural touchstones that brought people together. The rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok has enabled users to curate an idealized version of the past, complete with carefully curated playlists, vintage fashion trends, and retro-themed filters.
But what's behind this fixation on a particular year? According to journalist Daysia Tolentino, who has been tracking online nostalgia for her newsletter Yap Year, the phenomenon is more than just a passing fad. "I think people are romanticizing 2016 because it was one of the last years in which we engaged in a monoculture together," she explains. "We had shared pieces of culture that we could remember, like 'Closer' being on the radio all the time."
As Tolentino notes, this nostalgia is often linked to a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with the present day. In an era marked by turmoil, climate change, and social upheaval, Gen Z may be seeking comfort in a perceived more peaceful past. "There was a feeling of disruption that could be mistaken for general optimism," Tolentino says. "Then, this hope for something different to come did not materialize, but people can remember the shared culture we all had."
But is nostalgia a harmless distraction from the challenges of our time? Or does it represent a more profound issue with how Gen Z approaches the world? For journalist Tolentino, there's a clear concern that some members of this generation are fixated on looking back rather than forward. "That's always really concerning," she says. "It is an indication that there's a loss of hope."
Yet, it seems that this year, with its online energy shifting toward creating something new and introducing friction – a response to the constant need for escapism that social media has provided – may mark a turning point. As Tolentino notes, people are finally ready to move on from nostalgia and engage with the world around them. "I think people are ready for new things," she says. "I think people are ready to break out of these cycles of nostalgia and reach for something new."
Perhaps this is a message that Gen Z needs to hear – one that encourages them to look forward, rather than backward, into an uncertain future.
I think it's kinda cool that people are holding onto the 2010s as a time capsule... like a nostalgic time bomb 
just waiting to go off! 
I mean, who wouldn't want to remember good vibes and shared cultural experiences? 
But, at the same time, it's true that some folks might be getting stuck in the past instead of looking forward 
. I think it's like when we hold onto memories for too long – they can start to feel like a safety net, but what if we're meant for something new and exciting? 
Maybe this online nostalgia thing is just a catalyst for us to look towards the future with hope and optimism 
! And, honestly, I think that's kinda awesome 
it's like they're trying to escape the drama of today 
and nostalgia is their coping mechanism... or maybe it's just a way for them to feel connected to something before they were even born 
I'm not sure if it's all bad when people are nostalgic for the 2010s... like, who doesn't love VSCO girls and Kylie Jenner's makeup looks? 
Maybe we need to find ways to appreciate the past while also embracing what's next? 
I mean, come on guys! You're still nostalgic for 2016? That's like, ancient history 
. I get it, things can feel overwhelming and hopeless right now, but fixating on a specific year is not the answer 
. It's like, what about all the good stuff that's happening right now? Have you seen the advancements in tech, medicine, or space exploration? 
There's so much to be excited about! And let's be real, 2016 was also a time of some pretty major controversy and problems... like the whole #MeToo movement and the rise of social media addiction 
. So yeah, maybe it's not all sunshine and rainbows just because it was a specific year 
.
It's just a phase, folks! You'll get over it 
. And those YouTube beauty influencers? They're just trying to make a buck off of your insecurities 
. Let's focus on empowering each other instead of trying to fit into some curated mold 
. Maybe we can all use a little bit of perspective and move forward together 
because nostalgia can be a real trap. but if we're gonna look back, let's at least try to learn from it and not just get stuck in the past.
... 2016 wasn't that simple either, there was so much going on beneath the surface... but I guess it's like we're holding onto this idea of a "good old days" because it feels more hopeful than what we have now 
like, remember when you used to go out and experience things with your friends instead of just posting about them online? 
. They're seeing climate change, social issues, and stuff, and they're like "what's going on?" So they're trying to hold on to this one year when things seemed simpler, you know? It's like they're saying "remember when...?"
so i think its kinda cool how gen z is nostalgic 4 the 2010s but at the same time its like they're also super aware of whats not good about it 
like they see the good stuff but also the bad and thats why they wanna move on from nostalgia and get into something new 
.
But at the same time, I hope they're not getting too stuck in the past and forgetting that there's still so much good stuff happening out there 
i mean, 2016 had its good moments, but it was also a time of some major issues like russia meddling in elections and rising nationalism 
so yeah, nostalgia might be just what ppl need to take a break from all the craziness out there 
. maybe instead of looking back, we should be trying to recreate something new? 
but i think it's also a sign that we're feeling really overwhelmed with everything right now 
but let's be real, nostalgia can be super problematic too 
so i guess what i'm trying to say is that we need to find a way to balance looking back with moving forward 
but I think it's deeper than just a passing trend. It's like they're searching for a sense of belonging and connection in this chaotic world