Very well put Ali. I remember asking friends why certain tv shows or movies nowadays are huge hits, even though I thought they were good, but nothing special. And they said it’s because they have music from the 80s, and the scenes,timelines, props are often from the 80s. They evoke a certain nostalgia that make people who grew up back then fall in love with the show/movie.
Going deeper even than nostalgia (on which our current president is basing a dangerous amount of action) I think it's significant how our adult preferences are likely influenced by what we were exposed to as children. Psychologically this is old news, but it creeps into many areas of daily life. Sometimes these can be subtle things. For example, I generally dislike and disparage the treacly art of Thomas Kinkade "Painter of Light." And yet, I'm strangely drawn to those warmly lit bungalows tucked away in the woods. I suspect this goes back to imagery from picture books and Disney movies from young childhood. Similarly, I've always suspected that my love of jazz was predisposed by the jazz-inflected music in the background of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. There are no "aha!" memories associated with these feelings, just an awareness of how childhood experiences lie in the subconscious.
It used to terrify me when I became a parent. The idea that every experience I gave someone who's essentially a blank slate might affect them decades down the line without either of us knowing. I see it in myself. Where I'll reflect on a habit or a fear for the first time, and then trace it back to an experience from childhood. To your point, we might not always be able to trace them back. They shape us all the same.
Ali - I've been enjoying your Substack since subscribing a couple of months ago after reading your 'Bad Arguments' ebook. I particularly appreciate how you weave storytelling with critical thinking, making each post very engaging. While I find your regular issues fascinating, I wasn't as drawn to the recent conversation post with Editor Karen.
Very well put Ali. I remember asking friends why certain tv shows or movies nowadays are huge hits, even though I thought they were good, but nothing special. And they said it’s because they have music from the 80s, and the scenes,timelines, props are often from the 80s. They evoke a certain nostalgia that make people who grew up back then fall in love with the show/movie.
Now that you mention it, I wonder if That '70s Show came out when it did for the 20- and 30-year-olds nostalgic for the good old times of the '70s.
Going deeper even than nostalgia (on which our current president is basing a dangerous amount of action) I think it's significant how our adult preferences are likely influenced by what we were exposed to as children. Psychologically this is old news, but it creeps into many areas of daily life. Sometimes these can be subtle things. For example, I generally dislike and disparage the treacly art of Thomas Kinkade "Painter of Light." And yet, I'm strangely drawn to those warmly lit bungalows tucked away in the woods. I suspect this goes back to imagery from picture books and Disney movies from young childhood. Similarly, I've always suspected that my love of jazz was predisposed by the jazz-inflected music in the background of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. There are no "aha!" memories associated with these feelings, just an awareness of how childhood experiences lie in the subconscious.
It used to terrify me when I became a parent. The idea that every experience I gave someone who's essentially a blank slate might affect them decades down the line without either of us knowing. I see it in myself. Where I'll reflect on a habit or a fear for the first time, and then trace it back to an experience from childhood. To your point, we might not always be able to trace them back. They shape us all the same.
Ali - I've been enjoying your Substack since subscribing a couple of months ago after reading your 'Bad Arguments' ebook. I particularly appreciate how you weave storytelling with critical thinking, making each post very engaging. While I find your regular issues fascinating, I wasn't as drawn to the recent conversation post with Editor Karen.
Thanks for reading the book and newsletter.
Welcome.