The big idea: is nostalgia killing politics?
From the Tories’ Thatcher fixation to Labour’s Blair fetish, ideas from the past are poisoning the political present
The pop culture of past generations weighs like a dark cloud on the youth of today. Teenagers may have their own subcultures but the mainstream is all nostalgia. The big films are sequels, remakes or long-running sagas. The most watched shows on Netflix are 90s sitcoms, or paeans to the past like Stranger Things. The main stage at Glastonbury is full of OAPs performing tribute acts to their youth. The top music story of 2024 is the return of Oasis, a band whose songwriter was born during the Wilson administration.
This is all a function of the internet, which makes the past ever-present in easily accessible form, leaving little space for the new or innovative. In a slightly more subtle way it’s doing the same thing to politics, with more severe consequences than Champagne Supernova being played incessantly on the radio.
Continue reading...Date: |
Topics
-
World - The Guardian
The big idea: why it’s OK not to love your job
October 14 -
World - The Wall Street Journal
Justin Trudeau Has a Big Political Problem: Justin Trudeau
2 days ago -
Top stories - NBC News
Sinwar's killing looks set to boost Netanyahu, the Houdini of Israeli politics
2 days ago - Israel -
World - The New York Times
Tensions Spike in Mozambique After Killing of 2 Political Activists
Yesterday -
Business - MarketWatch
Big Fed rate cut was justified, but it may have acted politically, Trump economic adviser says
2 days ago - Donald Trump -
Entertainment - Los Angeles Times
Revival of L.A. record store Licorice Pizza serves a slice of vinyl nostalgia
October 14 -
Tech - Wired
14 Practical Gift Ideas for New Parents and Their Babies
3 days ago -
Top stories - The New York Times
A Political Misdiagnosis
October 14
More from The Guardian
-
World - The Guardian
Network of Israeli citizens arrested after spying for Iran, police say
3 hours ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: explosions in Beirut after Israeli warning of imminent strikes
17 hours ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
US investigates leaked documents alleging Israel plans to attack Iran
Yesterday - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Netanyahu’s house hit by drone as Israel and Hezbollah trade blows in Lebanon
Yesterday - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: Netanyahu vows revenge on Iran proxies after drone attack on his house
2 days ago - Iran
Latest in World
-
World - The New York Times
Live Updates: U.S. Envoy Calls Spiraling Conflict in Lebanon ‘Out of Control’
13 minutes ago -
World - ABC News
Indigenous senator yells at King Charles during Australia trip
13 minutes ago - United Kingdom -
World - ABC News
Mexican schools have 6 months to ban junk food sales or face heavy fines
37 minutes ago -
World - Financial Times
How much will it cost to fix the England’s NHS?
38 minutes ago -
World - ABC News
Tropical Storm Oscar dumps heavy rain on eastern Cuba as it heads toward the Bahamas
46 minutes ago