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2016: The Decade That Changed Everything
24 Jan
Summary
- 2016 is now seen as the last 'normal' year before global shifts altered life.
- Nostalgia often romanticizes the past through a softened, idealized lens.
- Ten years later, pop culture from 2016 reflects the era's contradictions.
The year 2016 is increasingly viewed as the last truly 'normal' year, existing prior to the global transformations that reshaped daily life, social connections, and cultural consumption. This era preceded the pandemic, extensive lockdowns, and the pervasive influence of AI.
Nostalgia often revisits this period through a romanticized lens, softening its edges and presenting an idealized memory of the past. This yearning for a bygone era, even if not precisely as remembered, is a common human experience.
Despite significant global events such as Brexit, the US presidential election, and deepening refugee crises, pop culture from 2016 played a crucial role. It did not merely serve as a distraction but actively reflected and engaged with the complexities of its time.
Ten years on, films and shows from 2016 offer a window into the societal mood and cultural landscape of that pivotal year. Examples include the irreverent 'Deadpool,' the insightful animated film 'Zootopia,' and the groundbreaking series 'Fleabag.'
Other notable releases like 'Batman v Superman' showcased ambitious yet divisive filmmaking, while 'The Jungle Book' pioneered realistic CGI. 'Captain America: Civil War' and 'Stranger Things' captured a sense of impending change and refined genre elements, respectively.
Finally, 'The Crown' offered prestige television with quiet tension, 'La La Land' became a cultural phenomenon celebrating ambition, and Donald Glover's 'Atlanta' redefined television storytelling with its surreal and melancholic approach.
