Nostalgia versus Progress

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Nostalgia was once feared for hindering progress, as it was believed that longing for the past could impede moving forward. Progress was seen as a weapon against nostalgia. However, the belief in progress has dwindled over time as people feel stuck and desire easier lives. The concept of progress has lost its appeal, especially with the experience of stagnant growth and unfulfilled promises in daily life. As a result, some individuals are turning towards anti-progress narratives, finding them more relatable and appealing.

Paris Marx is joined by Grafton Tanner to discuss the dangers and consequences of companies and politicians leveraging nostalgia for their own purposes.

Grafton Tanner is the author of Foreverism. He also teaches at the University of Georgia.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Paris wrote about the material footprint of data centers in Disconnect.
Ian McKellen broke down on the set of The Hobbit after acting with no other actors on a green screen.
In an interview with Charlie Rose, George Lucas described differences between Soviet and US film industries.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy told Vanity Fair it wasn’t as fun making Star Wars films today as it was making the original trilogy.
Jake Gyllenhaal described the difficulty of acting in a Marvel film after Spider-Man: Far From Home.