## π„žβ¨Ύπ“’Φ΄ΰ»‹β‹†βœ΄οΈŽΛšο½‘β‹† The Misguided Nostalgia AKA Why we don't need to "Bring Back Frutiger Aero" β‹†β­’Λšο½‘β‹† I noticed a big rise in Gen-Z Aesthetics that can honestly be boiled down to reviving a time when things felt simpler. One aspect of this is Frutiger Aero Design from the 2000s. Now, I will not act like I don't see the appeal of wanting to move past Corporate Memphis Minimalism and bring back something that felt livelier in tone. That being said, I don't believe revivalism is what will bring life back to the culture. For one, Aero and other previous aesthetics were built at a time when the internet was still prepubescent of sorts. Unless we as a culture regress any forms of technology back to 20 years ago, it won't satisfy the nostalgia crowd if the mechanics are the same, but the design is different. There will still be doom-scrolling, AI, and an overabundance of ad placement. My second issue with the call for revivalism is that it hinges on capitalism and corporations to take the lead, as it did when said aesthetics were being formed. Most of the nostalgia I see online is through products we previously consumed, commercials we used to see. A utopia built on glossy consumerism. The problem is that people are more aware of the ethics of consumerism post-pandemic. Reviving a time when capitalism "looked more fun" is to lie to yourself. To put it shortly, it's cope. I think nostalgia as a whole requires one to lie to themselves one way or another. As others on Flounder have brought up, there's a growing trend of Gen-Z bands and musicians who gain popularity by deriving their aesthetics from a previous movement. It make look good and nostalgic in the moment, but it's fickle. I recently talked with a friend about a band that started ten years ago, who were part of the "Tame Impala" neo-psych trend, and has since rebranded as a 70s Jangle Pop Revival group. Why? Because not even Kevin Parker stayed with that sound in the long run. I feel that is representative of what will happen to 2000s nostalgia. People will get bored, they will find a new trend to hop on, and so continues the cycle. When I say this, I don't believe that it is wrong to feel inspired by previous aesthetics and designs. Let that inspiration help you grow into your art. Don't use it as an excuse to not live in the present, and especially not as a way to ride a current wave. 23 SKIDOO!