The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/

Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.

The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance. This week’s topic is: Nostalgia - A Look Back, Introduced by Henry Antolic

Nostalgia is a complex emotional experience that blends fondness for the past with a sense of loss or longing. It’s what you feel when a song, smell, place, or memory suddenly pulls you back to an earlier time—often one that felt simpler, safer, or meaningful in some way.
A few key aspects:
1\. It’s emotional\, not just memory
Nostalgia isn’t merely remembering something; it’s remembering it with feeling. There’s warmth, sweetness, sometimes sadness.
2\. It’s selective
Our minds tend to highlight the positive aspects of past experiences and soften the negative ones, which is why the past can seem “better”
than it really was.
3\. It has psychological functions
Studies show nostalgia can:
Boost mood
Increase feelings of social connection
Reinforce a sense of identity
Help people cope with change or uncertainty
4\. It can be triggered easily
Common triggers include:
Music
Old photos
Seasonal changes
Smells and tastes
Life transitions (graduations, moves, breakups, aging)
Questions
What’s the earliest memory that gives you a feeling of nostalgia?
What sensory experiences (smells, sounds, tastes) trigger nostalgia for you?
Do you tend to feel nostalgia more for people, places, or time periods?
Is nostalgia comforting to you, or does it make you feel sad?
Why do you think certain memories become nostalgic while others fade?
Does nostalgia motivate you, or does it make you feel stuck in the past?
Can nostalgia distort your memories? How?
How has media (movies, music, games) shaped your sense of nostalgia?
Why do you think nostalgia cycles (like ‘90s, early 2000s) keep returning in pop culture?
Is nostalgia different for people who grew up before the internet?
How does nostalgia influence political or social attitudes?
**Resources (YouTube)**

* [Why do we feel nostalgia? - Clay Routledge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiTgn5QH_HU)
* [The Negative Effects Of Toxic Nostalgia - SOME MORE NEWS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEddowzqOQE)

Meet our diverse group, trade perspectives in a free and open forum and learn from others as they learn from you!

BTW: don't be concerned if there are not many RSVP’s. Many HAT members attend regularly but don’t sign up on Meetup. Our online meetings have been very popular with 20-30 attendees.

NOTE: The HAT Forum adheres strictly to the City of Toronto Policy on Non-Discrimination (http://www.the519.org/public/content/policy-files/The519SpaceUsePolicy.pdf)

Our Website (http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/)

Richard Dowsett

Humanist Association of Toronto (HAT) Meetup Group

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Every week on Saturday until December 31, 2027

HAT Forum - Nostalgia - A Look Back

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Humanist Association of Toronto (HAT) Meetup Group

HAT Forum - Nostalgia - A Look Back

Humanist Association of Toronto (HAT) Meetup Group

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