nostalgia

The image of a man in a suit and hat with a dark tie repeats through sets of images descending in three film strips, each of which is in imperfect alignment with each other. The first man is in a grey strip, reaching to touch the shoulder of his clone in a green strip, who in turn is staring at his copy in a blue strip, as if they are in a cycle repeating endlessly through time.

Black & White: The Historic Film Technique Directors Are Rediscovering

Santiago Rivera, Washington University in St. Louis

In the modern era of digital coloring and novel technologies, how is modern cinema reinventing its roots in Black and White?…

March 28, 2024

Deadpool stands out against a paper-like background in his red and black uniform, swords strapped firmly to his black. A question mark hovers next to his head, held by a speech bubble made from a similar paper-esque material as the background; the material also outlines Deadpool's body, suggesting both he and the question mark have been cut out and glued to the background. His eyes are fixed in a smug glance, like he wants the question communicate just how stupid he thinks you are.

Could Deadpool be the “Messiah” the MCU needs?

Santiago Rivera, Washington University in St. Louis

As fun as the trailer was, after so many disappointing Marvel productions lately, is it worth getting hyped up?…

February 27, 2024

Elmo stands in front of a grey staircase, flanked by brown walls, leading up to a set of blue doors. He is hugging an orange dolls close to his chest as he gives the audience a smile; the special kind, which is warm, and reassuring and promises you that everything will turn out all right in the end.

Elmo and Steve: “How Are You Doing?” Causes A Movement

Sarah Erin, Brooklyn College

From Sesame Street to Blue’s House, shedding light on the realities of mental health has taken center stage.…

February 23, 2024

In this article -- about how sites like TikTok are enabling new ways of preserving memories like a digital scrapbook -- a girl with a red shirt and hair is smiling at posts on her iphone against a blended background of pink, orange and green, dotted with brown stars. A speech bubble extends from the phone, containing old photographs and hearts, representing the memories found in the posts therein.

The Rise of Digital Scrapbooking: How TikTok Makes Nostalgia Trendy

Allegra Walker, University at Albany - SUNY

How has TikTok made a universal feeling we all have become viral? How do we use this platform to commemorate milestones?…

February 19, 2024

Don’t Throw Out My Legos

Noah Hernandez, University of Texas at San Antonio

How these little bricks have impacted an entire generation.…

December 22, 2023

An illustration of icons featuring different trends of the 2010s against a galaxy print background.

How Do We Reminisce About the 2010s?

Julia Concepcion, Virginia Commonwealth University

Generation Z has renounced the new Roaring 2020s in favor of reviving the recent past.…

September 3, 2023

An illustration of a microphone used in a rewatch podcast.

Rewatch Podcasts

Julia Concepcion, Virginia Commonwealth University

History isn’t only about learning from our mistakes. It’s about learning from our successes.…

June 13, 2023

a screencap of Charlie Brown and Linus in 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

Why the Holidays Feel Duller the Older We Get

Valentina Palomino, SUNY Old Westbury

Is our age taking away from these special days? Or is life just getting in the way?…

December 15, 2022

The Life Cycle of Video Games

Kirsten Kalebich, Arizona State University

What is it about older video games that make people want to keep playing them?…

December 6, 2022

In an article about Iron Giant and his appearance in 'MultiVersus', an illustration of Iron Giant standing next to Superman

The Inclusion of the Iron Giant in MultiVersus Is a Good Thing

Christian Simon, Kutztown University

It’s time to bring this animation legend back into the spotlight, despite the concerns of long-time fans about his new role.…

June 17, 2022

In an article about the new 'Nintendo Switch Sports' game, two people discuss the pros and cons of the game

Nintendo Switch Sports Brings Back Some Old Favorites

Janey Schmidt, Columbia College Chicago

The arrival of the system's newest sports game offers some nostalgia for fans of the classic Wii Sports collection.…

June 8, 2022

Illustration of the Harry Potter insignia.

The ‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts’ Special Is Spellbinding and Tactful

Tori Barney, Columbia College Chicago

HBO Max recently released a reunion event celebrating the magical series, and long-time fans were delighted to see the main trio on their screens once more.…

January 9, 2022

‘Crazy Stupid Fangirls’ Is the Perfect Podcast for Pop Culture Enthusiasts

Ariana Quijano, Georgia State University

Elle Mills and Michelle Platti detail wild fangirl stories, debate pop culture minutiae, analyze celebrity news and so much more. …

July 21, 2021

Illustration by Alicia Paauwe for an article on Polaroid

Polaroid Mania: Why Instant Film Is Now All the Rage

Drew Goretzka, Michigan State University

Whether it be because of nostalgia, a new market or just self-expression, the infamous grainy images have made a huge comeback — letting us know that maybe things don't always have to be picture perfect.…

February 11, 2021

An illustration of the Glass Animals "Dreamland" album cover

Glass Animals’ ‘Dreamland’ Uses Multimedia To Redefine the Album Release

Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

Their latest record is far more than just a collection of songs: Here’s a closer look at how the band has changed the game when it comes to debuting new music.…

August 25, 2020