In the grim darkness of the past...
I just read Conditions on the Ground, by Kevin Hooyman.1 Its a superb, life affirming book, and it has this one story about cassette tapes.
I think the YouTube channel Comics People2 put me on to Hooyman, and you can get this book from Floating World, which you should do because its fantastic.
I love the way this comic reframes nostalgia, pushing back against any societal embarrassment you might feel for re-engaging with shit which was once important to you.
When i'm not drawing, my other hobby is Warhammer. I love thinking about it, talking about it, playing the game with my friends, and I especially love collecting old miniatures.
I often find myself justifying this element of the hobby, defending my position, gently, as a fan of these old metal models from the 90s. I'm sure everyone has their thing that feels silly to dwell on and obsess over.
But the truth is, I just love it. I love these little guys that set my imagination on fire as a kid. These tiny sculpts which forged friendships that I still maintain. I loved them as a kid, and it would feel fickle if I didn't still love them today.
"Progress as an idea develops in the early modern period and then gains traction in the 19th century. It’s the idea that everything over time will become better." - Tobias Becker3
The world nostalgia comes with baggage now. Maybe we need a new word. A clean slate that just says;
If you loved something, its ok to love it forever.