A growing trend among Gen Z youth has led to a surprising obsession with the 2010s - a decade often associated with optimism and hope, but also one of great turmoil and disruption. While many can't remember the actual reality of living through 2016, they've romanticized its cultural touchstones, from maximalist makeup tutorials to the catchy tunes of that era.
According to journalist Daysia Tolentino, who has been tracking this trend through her newsletter Yap Year, Gen Z's fixation on the 2010s may be a sign that young people are ready to break free from cycles of nostalgia and reach for something new. "People are looking back to that time because it feels really hopeless at times," Tolentino explains. "The world is in turmoil, and it feels like we're stuck in this rut."
However, Tolentino notes that the 2010s were also marked by significant cultural shifts, including the rise of influencer culture and a shift towards engagement-based algorithms on social media platforms. These changes have created a landscape where people are more polished and aesthetic online - often at the expense of genuine human connection.
As Tolentino points out, the nostalgia for 2016 is not about remembering the good times; it's also about clinging to a sense of unity and normalcy that feels lost in today's turbulent world. "It was one of the last years in which we engaged in a monoculture together," she notes. "We could all remember certain things, like 'Closer' being on the radio 24/7."
Yet, Tolentino also sees a glimmer of hope in Gen Z's fixation on the 2010s. For many young people, nostalgia has become an escape from the constant need for new content and stimulation that social media provides. As they look back at the 2010s, they may be searching for a sense of authenticity and connection that feels lost online.
Tolentino believes that this year's energy is shifting towards creating something new and introducing friction - a move away from escapism and towards a more hopeful future. "I think people are ready to move on from constant escapism," she says. "I think people are ready to break free from these cycles of nostalgia."
According to journalist Daysia Tolentino, who has been tracking this trend through her newsletter Yap Year, Gen Z's fixation on the 2010s may be a sign that young people are ready to break free from cycles of nostalgia and reach for something new. "People are looking back to that time because it feels really hopeless at times," Tolentino explains. "The world is in turmoil, and it feels like we're stuck in this rut."
However, Tolentino notes that the 2010s were also marked by significant cultural shifts, including the rise of influencer culture and a shift towards engagement-based algorithms on social media platforms. These changes have created a landscape where people are more polished and aesthetic online - often at the expense of genuine human connection.
As Tolentino points out, the nostalgia for 2016 is not about remembering the good times; it's also about clinging to a sense of unity and normalcy that feels lost in today's turbulent world. "It was one of the last years in which we engaged in a monoculture together," she notes. "We could all remember certain things, like 'Closer' being on the radio 24/7."
Yet, Tolentino also sees a glimmer of hope in Gen Z's fixation on the 2010s. For many young people, nostalgia has become an escape from the constant need for new content and stimulation that social media provides. As they look back at the 2010s, they may be searching for a sense of authenticity and connection that feels lost online.
Tolentino believes that this year's energy is shifting towards creating something new and introducing friction - a move away from escapism and towards a more hopeful future. "I think people are ready to move on from constant escapism," she says. "I think people are ready to break free from these cycles of nostalgia."
they were like, a time of transition and stuff. ppl wer lookin at the world as a place w/ problems but also havin some hope. it's crazy how Gen Z is all about the nostalgia for that era 
. maybe they're just tryna find somethin in the chaos... i think it's cool that Tolentino seez this trend as a way 4 them 2 break free from escapism & move on 2 somethin new 
. maybe it's not always about lookin back but also lookin forward 
I'm not buying it 
. This whole thing about Gen Z being obsessed with the 2010s just sounds like a bunch of millennials trying to cling to their youth 
. What's next, nostalgic for the '90s? Or is this just another way to make social media companies richer by getting people to spend more time online searching for retro content? 
And what about the fact that the 2010s were marked by some pretty serious issues like climate change and economic inequality? Not exactly the most hopeful decade, if you ask me 
. Where's the source on this Tolentino person? 
. And I get what Daysia Tolentino is saying about how we're always looking for escapism on social media... but at the same time, can't we just be okay with being weird and messy online instead of always trying to look polished? 
. But at the same time, I'm not sure if nostalgic trips back to 2016 are really going to solve anything... aren't we still stuck in some kind of rut? 
Anyway, it'll be cool to see what this year brings 
!
but tolentino says its more about clingin to unity and normalcy that's lost in today's world 
... meanwhile, gen z is just tryna find authenticity online amidst all this new content craziness 
. They're not just looking back at the good times; they're finding solace in the memories of a bygone era 
. A guy can dream, right?