The following is an excerpt from an as yet unfinished work by Andy Nowicki, tentatively titled Alienated in the 80s: A Compendium of Negative Nostalgia
Showing posts with label the 80s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the 80s. Show all posts
THE ALCHEMY OF NOSTALGIA
The following is an excerpt from an as yet unfinished work, tentatively titled Alienated in the 80s: A Compendium of Negative Nostalgia
Nostalgia is always unfathomable, except in retrospect, which is why one only “appreciates” the present when it recedes into the past.
This may appear to be a mere reflexive observation, since nostalgia refers to a yearning for the past, and the past cannot be regarded any other way than retrospectively, but a greater point is concealed within this bit of staid factuality. One never misses something until it is no longer present; indeed, one never comprehends that what is gone is worthy of being missed until one suddenly finds one’s nose pushed against the mystically malign barrier that divides the present from the past. When it becomes apparent that one can no more gain access to the past than step into a magical fairy realm, one at that moment feels oneself overcome with a sense of wonder and awe for that which had previously seemed drearily mundane.
by Andy Nowicki
Nostalgia is always unfathomable, except in retrospect, which is why one only “appreciates” the present when it recedes into the past.
This may appear to be a mere reflexive observation, since nostalgia refers to a yearning for the past, and the past cannot be regarded any other way than retrospectively, but a greater point is concealed within this bit of staid factuality. One never misses something until it is no longer present; indeed, one never comprehends that what is gone is worthy of being missed until one suddenly finds one’s nose pushed against the mystically malign barrier that divides the present from the past. When it becomes apparent that one can no more gain access to the past than step into a magical fairy realm, one at that moment feels oneself overcome with a sense of wonder and awe for that which had previously seemed drearily mundane.
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