Bright pastel colors complemented a dramatic cut crease that took countless attempts to perfect. Everyone carried Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kit in their purses, alongside the iconic “Keep Calm” tank. Influencers dominated Coachella, singing along to The Chainsmokers while wearing bohemian outfits and delicate flower crowns. Teens filled their feeds with ironic memes and soft grunge aesthetics as they spent time scrolling on Vine and Tumblr.
2016 was a highly monocultured chapter highlighted by distinct aesthetics and viral pop culture.
The era has recently been romanticized on social media platforms. Specifically, Gen Z has called the year “nostalgic”, even though it was only a decade ago. But our culture has made an incredibly dramatic shift since 2020 with the rise of algorithmic hyper-optimized content. Monoculture has been replaced with fragmented subcultures.
It is only normal for our generation to be yearning for a simpler time.
It’s easy to forget that the pandemic was only six years ago. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our lives were complicated. Since then, technology has consumed society and created issues that were not present before 2020. But more importantly, Gen Z has grown up.
Most of us are experiencing the struggles that come with being in college or a recent graduate. It stands to reason that we are now reminiscing on life before the pandemic, and before adulthood. Some may argue that being stuck in the past only prevents growth, but what if the past contains wisdom we should bring into the present? Social media should feel fun and playful instead of stressful. Gen Z should not only bring back the aesthetics of 2016, but also the digital norms.
The social media culture in 2016 did not hold expectations of curating the perfect feed or promoting yourself as a personal brand. Instead, posting was more spontaneous and relaxed. In lieu of curating a spotless feed, posts were simply made to share playful moments. Organic creation thrived over trend-hopping. It's safe to say that social media then was less stressful, and definitely more enjoyable.
The digital 2016 environment was also about experiencing everything together. It was the last era that truly embraced monoculture before 2020. Everyone experienced universal cultural moments together, consuming and understanding the same media. From viral trends everyone participated in like the mannequin challenge to popular albums that reached everyone, including Ye’s The Life of Pablo, the world experienced everything together.
Now, we have fragmented subcultures. Millions could listen to a song, but never reach some simply because it didn't show up on their feed. People are also adopting new trends faster than ever and cycling out the old ones. “Brat Summer” was extremely popular in 2024, filled with Charli xcx’s album’s lime green visuals and messy aesthetic. However, the trend quickly died once summer ended, proving it to be short-lived. Every niche aesthetic is purely temporary, with a lifeline that always stops short. It feels like collective public moments are becoming stuck in 2016.
Ironically, those who are nostalgic for the digital age of 2016 never really experienced it. Those who have taken part in the recent 2016 trend would have been between the ages of 9 to12. The yearning for 2016 cannot be classified as a feeling of nostalgia, but of anemoia — longing for a time you never experienced. It’s admirable that Gen Z longs for this monocultural era that lacked the digital pressures most social media users are subjected to today.
Instead of simply feeling anemoia for 2016, we should focus on bringing these desired concepts into our lives. Yes, 2016 themed parties are fun, but we should be striving to bring back the simplicity of digital media and the concept of monoculture.
Contact Ella Finkelstein at efinkelstein@alligator.org. Follow her on X @Ellamfink.
Ella Finkelstein is a second year majoring in Journalism and minoring in Innovation. This is her first semester working on the Alligator staff.
