The lure of living in the past: From the Politics Desk

The results were largely consistent across gender and partisan divides, although black young adults were less likely to say they would prefer to live in the past (33%) than white young adults (52%) or Hispanic young adults (47%).

This broader sentiment underscores the negative outlook many young Americans feel about their future prospects and the state of the country. The poll found that 62% of Gen Z respondents said they expected their lives to be worse than those of previous generations, compared to 25% who said it would be better and 13% who said it would be about the same.

And 80% of Gen Z adults said the U.S. is on the wrong track, the highest proportion of any age group surveyed.

In interviews with NBC News, young adults said the desire to live in the past is shaped by their relationship with technology and a growing discomfort with being connected to the Internet at all times. Nostalgia for an earlier era can bring a sense of community and comfort to Gen Zers who worry about an uncertain technological and geopolitical future, they said.

The desire to live in the recent past is part of a growing trend among young adults interested in the culture, fashion and technology of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.

Just look at the growing resurgence of claw clips, baggy jeans and strappy tops among young women. Or the booming cassette and iPod markets and social media’s recent obsession with ’90s personalities like John F. Kennedy Jr. And Caroline Bessettemotivated in part by the FX television series “Love Story.”

Some members of Generation Z, born in 1997 or later, wish to live in an era “just before social media and computer-mediated life”, nostalgia researcher and existential psychologist. Routledge Clay said in an interview.

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Finding common ground

Analysis by Kristen Welker

In today’s polarized politics, it can sometimes seem like there are more things that divide us than unite us. But bipartisan work continues here in Washington, with members of both parties teaming up to find solutions to the pressing problems facing the country.

We’re working to highlight these stories as part of an NBC News series called “Common Ground.”

Some of these bipartisan conversations, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers sitting side by side, were featured on “Meet the Press” and “Meet the Press NOW.” Last year, my colleague Savannah Guthrie spoke with governors. Josh Shapiroa Democrat from Pennsylvania, and Spencer Coxa Utah Republican, who discussed their bipartisan friendship and shared concerns about rising political violence.

As part of this series, I met last night with the senator. Katie BrittR-Ala., and John FettermanD-Pa., who became fast friends upon arriving in the Senate — and whose friendship sparked bipartisan efforts on issues such as the use of social media.

“We took the time to not only understand our policy or our position on something, but to really get to know each other as people. And I think that’s missing so much right now,” Britt said, noting that they connected during orientation after their first election in 2022.

Britt visited Fetterman in the hospital amid his mental health struggles, and Fetterman said her visit meant everything to him.

“Having relationships now is often punished by saying, ‘Well, he’s the enemy because we’re on different sides.’ “And that’s absurd,” Fetterman said, later adding: “Working together is the only way this will actually work. We cannot forget it.

Fetterman and Britt spoke about their work together on legislation to combat youth use of social media. Britt noted that the assembled bipartisan group of senators approached the issue “not as Democrats or Republicans, but as concerned parents.”

We’ll hear more about my conversation with Senators Britt and Fetterman on “Meet the Press” this Sunday, where we’ll also be joined by the senator. Thomas TillisRN.C. and Rep. Ro KhannaD-California.

That’s all that’s coming from the politburo for now. Today’s newsletter was written by Scott Bland.

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