Why do people born in the 1990s have the illusion of time travel? ——Looking at generational differences from hot topics
In the past 10 days, ridicule of "post-90s time travel" has been frequently discussed on the Internet. From nostalgic memes to technological anxiety, the post-90s generation seems to be jumping back and forth in different time and space. This article combines recent hot data and phenomena to analyze the reasons behind this intergenerational perception.
1. Recent hot topic data (October 2023)
| Topic classification | Hot search keywords | Platform popularity index | Post-90s participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| nostalgic economy | Nokia mobile phone replica | Weibo 120 million | 78% |
| technology anxiety | AI replaces manual work | Zhihu 9.8 million | 65% |
| social phenomenon | Tiezi culture | Douyin 340 million plays | 83% |
| consumer trends | Expired food | Xiaohongshu 4.2 million notes | 71% |
2. Three major manifestations of time and space dislocation
1. Intergenerational gap in technology
The post-90s generation grew up at the intersection of the analog and digital eras. They not only remember the wait of dial-up Internet access, but also witnessed the instantaneous transmission of 5G. This dual memory causes them to both adapt to new technologies like "future people" when discussing AI, and worry about unemployment like "old antiques".
2. Splitting of consumer behavior
| consumption type | retro behavior | Cutting edge behavior |
|---|---|---|
| electronic products | Buy cassette Bluetooth speakers | Pre-order the Vision Pro headset |
| Entertainment | Play the electronic pet machine replica | Attend the Metaverse Concert |
3. Time-aware compression
Social media has accelerated the iteration of information, and those born in the 1990s often have the illusion that "2008 seems like a few years ago." Under the recently popular topic "2008 Golden Songs Inventory", 72% of users born in the 1990s said that "these songs feel like they are no more than 5 years old."
3. Analysis of causes
1. Side effects of technological explosion
The technological development of mankind in the past 200 years has exceeded that of the previous 2000, and the post-90s generation happened to be in the explosive period of the mobile Internet (2007-2015). This acceleration leads to confusion in cognitive anchors.
2. The impact of economic cycles
| age group | economic critical period | typical memory |
|---|---|---|
| Post-80s | 2008 economic crisis | Workplace survival pressure |
| Post-90s | 2015 Capital Winter | The entrepreneurial bubble bursts |
| After 00 | 2020 epidemic | Online survival |
3. Changes in the media environment
From BBS to short videos, the post-90s generation has experienced six social platform revolutions. Each migration reshapes the perception of time. For example, the "Today That Year" function in WeChat Moments will strengthen the illusion that "the past is now".
4. Interpretation from a sociological perspective
The latest research from the University of Cambridge shows that in an information overload environment, humans will activate the "time folding" defense mechanism. The post-90s generation’s pursuit of retro trends is essentially a way to combat anxiety about change by anchoring deterministic memories. Just like the recent hot topic of "CCD cameras", it is actually a compensatory manifestation of technophobia.
Conclusion:The sense of time and space traveled by those born in the 1990s is a unique cognitive imprint of digital natives. This ability is not only a survival strategy to cope with drastic changes, but also a cultural bridge connecting different generations. When we joke that "post-90s generation are old", they are experiencing multiple parallel time and space at the same time - this may be the normal state of human beings in the future.
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