When Exactly Were the "Good Old Days" - Myth of the Golden Age

Across cultures and generations, people regularly look backward and describe earlier times as simpler, stronger, or better. Whether it’s childhood, a particular decade, or an entire era, the idea of a lost “golden age” has a powerful hold on how we understand ourselves and the world around us. But what if this sense of decline tells us less about history and more about human psychology?

In this conversation, we’ll explore why nostalgia is such a compelling force, how memory reshapes the past, and why the belief that “things used to be better” is so persistent even when evidence suggests otherwise. We’ll draw on ideas from psychology and cultural reflection, including insights from Clay Routledge’s Ted Ed talk “Why do we feel nostalgia?” (about 4 minutes long), which examines nostalgia as a deeply human response to uncertainty, meaning, and belonging rather than mere sentimentality.

We’ll also consider perspectives from contemporary psychology writing, such as Damon Ashworth’s article “The Error Called Nostalgia: Remember How the World Used to Be Better? Turns Out It Never Was,” which challenges the assumption that the past was objectively superior and explores how selective memory and emotional needs shape these beliefs.

Together, these ideas invite us to ask:

• Why does nostalgia tend to intensify during periods of rapid change or instability?
• How do memory and emotion influence our sense of history — personal and collective?
• When does nostalgia help us reconnect with values and meaning, and when might it obscure complexity or exclude other perspectives?
• What it means to revisit the past with curiosity rather than idealization
• What is it about the human mind that leads us to overlook the value of the present moment, even as we magnify the beauty and certainty of what has already passed?

As always, this will be a facilitated, open conversation grounded in curiosity rather than debate. The goal isn’t to dismiss nostalgia outright, nor to argue that the present is perfect, but to better understand why we tell stories about the past — and what those stories reveal about how we navigate the present and imagine the future.
Come prepared to listen, reflect, question assumptions, and contribute your own perspectives to a shared exploration.
Also, if you would like to watch the excellent Oscar award winning movie "Midnight in Paris" referenced in the article, it is available on Video On Demand for free (with your cable subscription) on Turner Classic Movies until 2/28

LOCATION UPDATE
The meeting room at the library is 405 (fourth floor) it can be accessed via the golden elevators on the main floor. If there is a problem please text me at 610-608-1207