Best Ever Albums

Re: Nostalgia

19loveless91 — Fri, 2 Aug 2013 17:07:18 GMT

Author: 19loveless91

Posted: 08/02/2013 21:07

I think reminiscing is the process of remembering old events, whereas nostalgia is a more abstract term that describes the feelings that come along. More accurately, nostalgia arises with memories (also the very vague memories that are triggered by minor things like scent or music) that are positive, and that you know will probably not happen again. It can be painful that way, however I also think it's not just painful. Basically I don't think nostalgia has connotations of dwelling. Rather, I think dwelling is just one way of "dealing" with nostalgia, that (IMO) happens when your life isn't sorted out. Same with regret. I don't see why you wouldn't, if you're in the healthy state of mind and happy about your life, look at these positive memories just as that - positive memories. Yes, there's still this "itching feeling" that something is lost forever, but there's no reason to hold on to these memories. Rather you look back on them with fondness. Meccalecca had a good example of that. For me this happens with music of my childhood.

to sum up my opinion: while nostalgia describes a certain bitersweet feeling that arises from a memory of a better, easier time, it can be still also a positive, not just a negative feeling. Which one it is, depends on a person that you are in the present.

BTW I had about 8 (or even more) paragraphs written on this, including a lengthy part with me spilling my guts out about my life so far and why nostalgia over particular memories of my past is also a bitch for me, but I pressed something by accident I guess and the whole thing deleted itself. Fuck me and fuck this.

Re: Nostalgia

benpaco — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 01:11:41 GMT

Author: benpaco

Posted: 07/29/2013 05:11

To me it's all that keeps a few of my friendships alive. I remember a happier time and I can put myself there with the friend. This is especially true of my ex(-ish ... it's a long story I'd be glad to share but that you'd probably not be glad to read). I just feel somewhere in my stomach a feeling of happiness even in terribly dull moments because I can feel when I was happy WITH that person. Whoever it may be.

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 17:06:12 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/27/2013 21:06

Crazy Bones 😎

Re: Nostalgia

ButterThumbz — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 10:22:01 GMT

Author: ButterThumbz

Posted: 07/27/2013 14:22

Polythene Pam wrote:

Looks like someone know how to use Google search.

Or read a book, watch tv, remember shit they heard. It's just a shame more people don't do it.

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 08:39:16 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/27/2013 12:39

ButterThumbz wrote:

It's actually Greek, "nostos" means "homecoming" and "algia" means "pain". It was initially used as a medical term to describe a kind of mood disorder that soldiers experienced when fighting abroad.

Looks like someone know how to use Google search.

Re: Nostalgia

ButterThumbz — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 06:08:23 GMT

Author: ButterThumbz

Posted: 07/27/2013 10:08

CellarDoor wrote:

The russian meaning to "nostalghia" is much more painful, a longing for home.

It's actually Greek, "nostos" means "homecoming" and "algia" means "pain". It was initially used as a medical term to describe a kind of mood disorder that soldiers experienced when fighting abroad.

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 04:42:22 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/27/2013 08:42

What Junodog said is the best thing that can be said on the subject in my movie. Personally, I view nostalgia as more harmful than something painful. I think nostalgia can be very corrupting to a lot of people's world views. Personally, when I get nostalgic over something, I don't feel so much a longing to be back in that time, rather just a satisfaction at having had that experience, if that makes any sense. Like, thinking back to the first time I listened to an album that I love, I don't rue the fact I'll never have that experience again. But, that isn't true for a lot of people and I think that can really harm the way people view the world. Everything from kids with borrowed nostalgia for the 70's that shit talk modern music to people who have absolutely no interesting in making something out of their lives and would rather reminisce. I don't think nostalgia is wholly bad, but it can be awful.

Re: Nostalgia

CellarDoor — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 04:28:09 GMT

Author: CellarDoor

Posted: 07/27/2013 08:28

This thread needs more Tarkovsky :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostalghia

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

The russian meaning to "nostalghia" is much more painful, a longing for home.

Oh and the film is a beauty.

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 20:52:48 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/27/2013 00:52

Past is yuck. Don't like thinking about it. Don't long for it.

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 20:36:36 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/27/2013 00:36

Jhereko wrote:

Pretty much this. I've found the healthiest mindset for me has been "It doesn't matter what happened only what's happening". Not even 'what's going to happen' because worrying about the future can be as unproductive as worrying about the past.

As Pam said there's a difference between reminiscing and nostalgia. Reminiscing with friends about cartoons we used to watch or dumb things we used to do as kids is pleasant and unlike nostalgia (which has connotations of 'dwelling') it can even create new experiences all on its own (otherwise there'd be no point in revisiting music).

I dunno, maybe it's all semantics but I see there being a distinction. Maybe it depends on how your brain recalls events and then what it does with the feelings brought up but it seems to be different for everyone in terms of how beneficial it can be. I know some people who just seem to live in the past and never seem to move on but...it makes them happy, so you couldn't convince them that nostalgia is unproductive (and why should you?). 'Nostalgia' being bad isn't a rule for everyone but it's certainly something that I try to avoid for various reasons.

Saved me from typing that out.

Re: Nostalgia

ButterThumbz — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 17:03:19 GMT

Author: ButterThumbz

Posted: 07/26/2013 21:03

Puncture Repair wrote:

Thinking about it now, yes, you're probably right. But some have different benefits. Being happy for instance, might make the people around you happy. Crying is a negative emotion, and unless someone else isn't feeling self-indulgent, shouldn't really be shared. Nostalgia is also a negative emotion that doesn't help anyone.

Whether an emotion is a benefit or not all depends on how you choose to act upon it. You can't decide an emotion is negative in advance in the hope that you can avoid experiencing it... And crying isn't an emotion.

I'd imagine that being aware of your emotional responses was more beneficial than labelling them as negative and preventing them from being shared.

Re: Nostalgia

Mother Nature's Son — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:19:35 GMT

Author: Mother Nature's Son

Posted: 07/26/2013 20:19

It's a very interesting subject, very relevant for me these days. Nostalgia is really something that has kept me from living the last few years. I have some memories where I literally was thinking (in danish though) in the specific moment "Wow, this is magic. I wish this would last forever.". Such moments do exist forever. In reality, just for a few seconds/minutes, but in the mind forever. It's tragic, not one day goes by without me thinking "why can't that happen to me again?" and I'm often worrying if I'll ever experience anything as great again. Psychological terror, that's what it is. As others have touched on, the best thing to do is probably not to recreate these great memories in your mind, but it's just so damn hard not to live in the past. On better days, great memories are kept pretty much in the background, but the days when you're feeling lonely, depressed, unhappy, etc., these memories start to surface again. At least, that's how it works for me. Here's the ultimate song about nostalgia:

Link

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 15:21:19 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/26/2013 19:21

Puncture Repair wrote:

I can't speak for other people, but forgetting the past, for me, has been nothing but healthy.

Re: Nostalgia

Jackwc — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 14:59:31 GMT

Author: Jackwc

Posted: 07/26/2013 18:59

Polythene Pam wrote:

Why does the United States economy bad?

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:16:58 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/26/2013 17:16

ButterThumbz wrote:

Aren't most emotions self-indulgent?

Quote:

What, exactly, is tricking your brain? Surely, it's your brain that's being that's being nostalgic.

Quote:

I'm all for living in the now but is recalling things you enjoyed in past really so damaging?

I find myself always looking back to the past and thinking about how much happier I was - how I felt so much more free and had so much more time. The truth is, when I think about it more, I recall looking back at those times at a time even earlier, and thinking the same thing - I'll likely do it about now in a few years. I keep somehow telling myself that I was once much happier, when I know it's not true - and then I find myself using that as an excuse to give up on things in the present, because I won't be that happy. It's complete crap, and I've found it really damaging to my psyche. I'm much happier and more productive now than I've ever been since I've realized this. I can't speak for other people, but forgetting the past, for me, has been nothing but healthy.

Re: Nostalgia

Patman360 — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:13:27 GMT

Author: Patman360

Posted: 07/26/2013 17:13

SquishypuffDave wrote:

But seriously, don't you find it nice to share a bit of nostalgia with someone? I love talking about 90s children's shows with people that grew up at the same time I did. People get so strangely excited.

I'm down with this, sure there's some negatives with regards to nostalgia, stuff I regret doing/not doing and so on, but I personally feel that the positives of nostalgia definitely outweigh the negatives (In the case of me anyway, no doubt this is different with each individual). I love being reminded of old shows, games, toys, etc. from my childhood that I've completely forgotten through the years, and in most cases I even try and relive these in the present. For example a few weeks back, me and one of my closest friends were discussing video games from our childhood, notably Spyro The Dragon and Crash Bandicoot, it was nice to reminisce over levels, bosses, characters and so on, in fact, we ended up digging out the original trilogies for both of these series and we're currently getting great entertainment from them all over again. Maybe I have the wrong idea of nostalgia but I tend to think it's cool for the most part.

Re: Nostalgia

revolver94 — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:12:05 GMT

Author: revolver94

Posted: 07/26/2013 17:12

Puncture Repair wrote:

Makes sense. I'm still very young and (hopefully) have a lot more life left in me, I don't have much to be nostalgic about at the moment, so I might not appreciate the benefits.

Absolutely the case. I think it might be more relevant to some people than others, and clearly it's not for you (at least yet). I really don't spend time being nostalgic, either, only once in a while.

I do mostly agree with you, in that most people are way too fond of nostalgia and that we really need to worry about the present/future more.

Re: Nostalgia

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:06:21 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/26/2013 17:06

The video came across as pretentious crap. He just reeled off a bunch of clever theories that never answered the question. We're nostalgic because our bodies renew their atoms over a period of time? I don't buy it. There's a piece of music that will last a thousand years and not repeat itself? Okay, that's great - but I'd like to hear more about nostalgia.

revolver94 wrote:

I used to agree with this 100%, but now I think nostalgia is OK in doses. A lot of people get carried away, which leads to depression and stagnation - no good.

A little every now and then is good, I think. It helps keep a sense of continuity, makes you remember where you came from, things like that.

Makes sense. I'm still very young and (hopefully) have a lot more life left in me, I don't have much to be nostalgic about at the moment, so I might not appreciate the benefits.

Re: Nostalgia

ButterThumbz — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:05:15 GMT

Author: ButterThumbz

Posted: 07/26/2013 17:05

Puncture Repair wrote:

I think I just hate nostalgia. It's almost always a complete waste of time and an entirely self-indulgent emotion - no one else benefits from your nostalgia.

Aren't most emotions self-indulgent?

Puncture Repair wrote:

You're lulling yourself into a twisted view of your own past, tricking your own brain like a drug.

What, exactly, is tricking your brain? Surely, it's your brain that's being nostalgic.

Puncture Repair wrote:

Living in the past or the future is dangerous play - well all do it - but we'd be more production and positive if we focused on how to make the present a better experience.

I'm all for living in the now but is recalling things you enjoyed in past really so damaging?

Re: Nostalgia

revolver94 — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:52:58 GMT

Author: revolver94

Posted: 07/26/2013 16:52

Puncture Repair wrote:

I think I just hate nostalgia. It's almost always a complete waste of time and an entirely self-indulgent emotion - no one else benefits from your nostalgia. You're lulling yourself into a twisted view of your own past, tricking your own brain like a drug. Living in the past or the future is dangerous play - well all do it - but we'd be more production and positive if we focused on how to make the present a better experience.