Do you ever find yourself longing for the past? I know I do, especially for the decade of my childhood – the 1980s.
It was a decade of excess, innovation and grandiose aspirations. It was a time when people pushed the limits of technology, fashion and music. It marked the dawn of video games, personal computers and the birth of pop culture as we know it today. So it’s no wonder that many people nowadays feel a strong sense of fondness for the decade that defined their formative years.
The concept of nostalgia comes from the Greek words ‘nostos’ (returning home) and ‘algos’ (pain). It is a feeling of homesickness or yearning for a past experience. In this case, Eighties nostalgia is a longing for a time when things were simpler, full of neon colours, big hair and synths-heavy music. It is a fondness for the retro arcade games, over-the-top action movies and the emergence of MTV that defined the decade.
One of the reasons for the growing popularity of all this past reflection is the rise of the digital age. Today we’re surrounded by technology that advances so quickly that it’s sometimes hard to keep up, let alone take time to stop and appreciate it. The same goes for music and movies, with new releases popping up all the time, leaving no time for reflection. In short, everything seems oversaturated.
But those years were different times. It was a decade of great change, with new beginnings and many people who grew up in that era look back at it fondly, as a time of innocence and excitement. It was a time when science fiction was still a novelty, and movies like ET, Ghostbusters and Back to the Future captured our imagination. It was also a time when popular culture was shaping up, with the rise of artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince.
The world then was certainly no utopia, but like many children, we were pretty much cocooned from all its troubles. Who else remembers avidly watching Back To The Future countless times and playing computer games on a BBC Micro that took forever to load? Activities such as Lego building, driving Tamiya remote control cars and swapping mix tapes with friends were all a must. Fun times and fond memories of what was indeed a magical period.
In conclusion, nostalgia for the 1980s is about reflecting on a time that was formative for many of us, a time of big dreams, innovation, and cultural movements. It's a way of capturing the energy and excitement of that era and bringing it back to the present day. For many of us, it's here to stay.
