Axis Conversations Roundtable: 2016 Nostalgia, Mental Health Improvements, and Voice Memos
Jan 23, 2026
The hosts dive into a wave of nostalgia for 2016, exploring why social media users are reminiscing about that year. They discuss promising trends in college mental health, revealing declines in severe depression among students. The conversation also highlights a rising preference for voice notes over phone calls, debating their impact on communication. Plus, they explore intriguing cultural trends like TikTok impersonations and the return of analog hobbies.
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Why Rage Bait Works Online
- Rage bait is content designed to provoke anger and summon an emotional reaction rather than invite conversation.
- Hosts note it exploits humans' motivation to defend beliefs and correct perceived misrepresentation.
Nostalgia Is Shaped By Social Media Aesthetics
- Nostalgia for 2016 mixes real memory with curated social-media aesthetics that amplify the feeling of authenticity.
- Hosts argue nostalgia often makes the past feel more genuine even when it was performative.
Curated Beach Photos And Performed Authenticity
- Irene described staging photos like a book on the beach that felt authentic but was carefully curated for social media.
- Evan noted nostalgia can make those curated moments feel more genuinely lived than they were.
