Past Tense | Our Hang-Ups with nostalgia

• Instead of just embracing history, society selectively filters it for aesthetic clout.
• From TikTok-core aesthetics to 90s-themed Insta filters, the past becomes a product.

It’s not history—it’s a curated mood board.

• Social media’s infinite scroll favors recycled content over originality.
• The article claims that platforms push "digestible" nostalgia because it’s easy to consume.

Think short poems or retro memes—designed to be double-tapped, not deeply felt.

This part gets deep: nostalgia isn’t harmless. It distracts us from dealing with today’s problems (climate, inequality, AI) and makes change feel impossible.

A world that’s obsessed with its past is too scared to dream about what’s next.

• Big brands milk nostalgia to sell everything—from throwback logos to Stranger Things-style branding.
• But it’s more than marketing; it’s about corporate control over how we remember.

Pop culture reflects this trend. Instead of revolutionary art, we get endless remakes, prequels, and reboots.

The result?

Original storytelling becomes rare, and our cultural imagination shrinks.

Challenge yourself to ditch the nostalgia goggles. Instead, focus on creating memories worth revisiting later.

It's not about erasing the past—it’s about not being trapped by it.

• Use Case: Commit to daily mindfulness practices to stay grounded.
• For instance, instead of scrolling through “vintage” filters on social media, explore the unfiltered beauty of your environment.

Practical Step: Spend 10 minutes a day journaling about today’s experiences without reference to the past.

Support art, films, or literature that imagine new futures or explore underrepresented narratives.

For example, attend a local indie film screening rather than a reboot of a classic franchise.

Practical Step: Curate a book or movie club that prioritizes groundbreaking, contemporary works.

Channel your energy into a new skill or project instead of consuming nostalgic media.

For example, learn to code a game or create art inspired by future concepts like AI ethics.

Practical Step: Set aside time each week for "visionary" projects—things that explore future possibilities rather than mimicking past aesthetics.

Engaging in Radical Imagination

Host brainstorming sessions with friends or colleagues on futuristic solutions for today’s challenges, such as climate change or inequality.

Example: Create mood boards or digital art imagining life in 2050 without relying on retrofuturism.

Replace time spent reminiscing with activities that build meaningful connections now, such as volunteering or participating in local civic groups.

Example: Organize community events like sustainability fairs or skill-sharing workshops.

Eschew the accumulation of nostalgic collectibles in favor of objects or experiences that resonate with your current life values.

Example: Host a “present moment” swap, exchanging items tied to forward-looking hobbies or goals.