Ripped jeans were a staple in every closet, and your Walkman was your best friend.
Life was simpler, music was raw and real, and pop culture was more than going viral. The 90’s were a beacon of authenticity and individuality. Trends were organic, and people lived in the moment.
Starting with music, the 90’s gave us bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Deftones, Stone Temple Pilots, Metallica, and so much more. Artists who redefined the cultural landscape. Messy, dyed hair, thrifted clothes, and worn-out converse were a part of everyone’s wardrobe. Character and personality were so apparent and in your face. Everyone was unapologetically themselves, embracing flaws in a way that was bold and vibrant. The personality is very attractive when everything today seems watered-down or generic.
The tech landscape was a world apart from today. Cell Phones were hard as bricks, streaming was a distant dream, and social media simply didn’t exist. Human connection was a necessity. Whether it was a phone call, face-to-face conversation, or a handwritten message, all were more personal than a text. When human beings are forced to spend time with each other, it fosters a deeper relationship than what we experience on an average day. In contrast to today, the juxtaposition is enormous. Feelings of disconnection and loneliness run rampant in today’s society, especially among teens. AMA Journal of Ethics finds that, “greater internet use was associated with a decline in participants’ communication with family members, a decrease in their social circle, and an increase in depression and loneliness.” clearly exposing the detriment of increased innovation.
It needs to be noted that the post-war era that was the 90’s had significant flaws. One of the bigger issues was homophobia. We are much more open minded towards sexuality than we were 20 years before. This is a great change that needs to be kept. Incarceration was also increasing, especially among the black population. Police officers were not held to the same standard that they currently are. On top of that, mental health was often seen as a taboo topic, not openly discussed and treated. In stark contrast, therapy is highly sought after in the current day where waitlists are now months long.
We can bring back the spirit and lessons we learned from the 90’s while injecting ourselves, creating a new, positive world. Being aware of the shortcomings of the time puts us in the best position to make it even better. By taking a step away from our reliance on technology, and rekindling human relationships are the best ways to significantly improve the cultural landscape. You don’t have to love the fashion trends to be your true, authentic self and love other people for doing the same. Small changes over time will build up to repair the world more quickly than we tear it apart. Let’s bring the best parts of the past into the future.
