Why 2016 Feels Special Again: Internet's Nostalgia for a Simpler Time Explained

• The internet is experiencing a surge in nostalgia for 2016, with TikTok searches for "2016" up 452% in early January and over 55 million videos using a 2016-themed filter.
• Users romanticize 2016 as a time before AI saturation, characterized by Reddit rabbit holes, popular songs like Zayn Malik's 'Pillowtalk' and The Chainsmokers' 'Closer', and Justin Bieber's 'Sorry'.
• Cultural touchstones included The 1975's album release, widespread Pokémon Go play, and Snapchat's dog filter, reflecting a more whimsical and less curated online presence.
• The nostalgia stems from a perceived simpler era, predating noisy Instagram reels, Trump's presidency, George Floyd's death, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Despite its perceived simplicity, 2016 also saw significant events like Brexit implications and the deaths of cultural icons such as Alan Rickman, David Bowie, and Prince.

Why It Matters: Internet users are romanticizing 2016 as a simpler, more authentic time before major global shifts and AI dominance.