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BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT THE T-SHIRT.

22 FEBRUARY 2024 • MODERN CULTURE

"Come up with something new. You know, your own ideas. Quit riding the coattails of someone else. If you can't come up with something yourself, move out of the way for someone who can." - This plea taps into a widespread feeling in pop culture: it seems like nostalgia is king.

So, does nostalgia enrich our culture, or are we just stuck replaying the hits of the past, missing out on what could be next? Is it just a harmless trip down memory lane, or is it holding us back from creating new memories?

Harry Styles’ Pleasing AstroMilk pop-up
Deadwood SS25
We're seeing everything from old-school 4:3 aspect ratios in music videos to 90s-inspired fashion to Disney classics getting the live-action treatment.

Some people argue that there's comfort in nostalgia. It gives us a sense of continuity in a world that's changing super fast. It reconnects us with our history and shared memories—things that new brands or artists might find tough to offer.

But on the flip side, there are those who worry that this obsession with the past could be making our culture stagnant and stale. They feel that recycling the same old ideas doesn't leave much room for fresh ones; squashing creativity and stopping us from exploring new paths.