Comment: The 2020s through retro glasses: a good decade

Created: 01/22/2022, 10:00 am

By: Christian Masengarb

Merkur editor Christian Masengarb © Thomas Plettenberg

When I found out that the 2000s are now retro, I was shocked.

But I have learned: The 2020s will also be a good decade thanks to the retro glasses.

I am looking forward.

At this point I would like to tell the story of a walk that has significantly relaxed my view of the challenges of our time.

The story begins when I noticed many poorly dressed young people during a hike in July 2021.

"Teens used to dress so well," I said to my friend.

"Now they look unkempt." My friend laughed.

"They are not neglected.

They're hip.” The 2000s are now retro.

Hence the clothes.

"They want to look like Paris Hilton."

I was shocked.

In the 2000s, because of Paris Hilton, many feared that young women would all want to become squeaky society tarts in the future.

She was also badly dressed.

Now she's considered a style icon?

How can that be?

On the other hand, I never expected to see the 2000s with a glorified retro look.

The World Trade Center collapsed in New York, bombs fell on hospitals in Afghanistan, and terrorism drove people around the world to panic.

This time should suddenly be cool?

I had to think about that first.

The longer I've done this, the more I can understand the hype.

Looking back, many worries disappear: Paris Hilton didn't spoil the youth, terrorists didn't kill us all.

We know that mankind has somehow survived these challenges.

So let's enjoy the achievements of the time: cell phones, internet, fun music.

Even the 2000s are cool.

That's nothing new: Even when we think of the 1960s, we think of rock'n'roll, pretty cars and the moon landing instead of the fear of nuclear war, burning children in Vietnam and shot dead civil rights activists in the USA.

We survived the challenges, the good continues to have an effect and glorifies the memory.

So it will be with the 2020s.

In 30 years, young people will think back less to populism, corona protests and conspiracy theorists.

Mankind will survive these challenges as well.

What will be remembered is how we survived a pandemic despite corona protests, made e-cars suitable for the masses and slowed down climate change.

And Angela Merkel will be a style icon.

This begs the question: why wait?

Can't we treat each other with more understanding if we approach the challenges of our time with the certainty that we will overcome them just as we have done before?

Then we wouldn't have to associate those who think differently with the end of the world.

Anyway, I'll keep the retro glasses on.

I look forward to how together we can give future generations reasons to glorify our time.

Please don't let me down.

Also read:

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