Nostalgia

kazzer

Why do we look back with fondness? Even though back then, things seemed mundane or ordinary. But when you look back now, they were "the good old days".

nyarlothothep

I would hazard a guess that its because those moments are irretrievable, which makes them precious, if they were good ones. We seek to resurrect them in thinking nostalgically about them. Similar to the 80s craze for the last few years and the 60s/70s craze in the 90s. We try to relive the past as a commemoration.

Kama

All I'll say about nostalgia is it ain't what it used to be...

GirlInterrupted

nyarlothothep wrote: »

I would hazard a guess that its because those moments are irretrievable, which makes them precious, if they were good ones. We seek to resurrect them in thinking nostalgically about them. Similar to the 80s craze for the last few years and the 60s/70s craze in the 90s. We try to relive the past as a commemoration.

I think you're right. I also think that the element of safety plays a part.

We can tell a story about going over our bike handlebars with a smile, because we know how the story ends, with lives intact! Its comforting to think about things that have no element of danger or risk attached, especially during times of turbulence.

When its a memory, we know the story can't harm, or touch, our present lives.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

I remember when i used to be really into nostalgia.

nyarlothothep

GirlInterrupted wrote: »

I think you're right. I also think that the element of safety plays a part.

We can tell a story about going over our bike handlebars with a smile, because we know how the story ends, with lives intact! Its comforting to think about things that have no element of danger or risk attached, especially during times of turbulence.

When its a memory, we know the story can't harm, or touch, our present lives.

Yes, thats a good point, I think theres always an element of unease about the future or the present situation. Even if its totally subliminal and fairly passive at the best of times, it can still be there.

Gavin-Ryan

Another reason is we usually remeber the better things, the boring and mundane things usually leave our mind leaving mostly fond memories.

Shinji Ikari

kazzer wrote: »

Why do we look back with fondness? Even though back then, things seemed mundane or ordinary. But when you look back now, they were "the good old days".

.....Sigh...Perhaps its because the more experience one has of the human condition and our fellow man drains ones idealism and hope of permanent happiness. Thats my theory. I will openly admit that the older I get the more cynical and discontented I become. Yet when I recall my philosophy of life even ten years ago I was far more quixotic and trusting. Yeah I'm turning into a miserable ol' ****e and I'm not even thirty yet.:rolleyes:

Still though I think there may be a modicum,at least, of universal, subjective truth behind my theory. Is anyone else a disgruntled cynic?