N is for Nostalgia: What Will Gen Y Pass On?

Most of my late teens and early twenties were spent in the 80's. Those of my age can get very nostalgic about that era. We have made an industry of it, really. I think we epitomise the "everything old is new again" philosophy. And because we are now at an age where we run television studios, radio stations and other media outlets, the world is experiencing the fruits of that nostalgia.

Songs that contain riffs from songs that were popular at that time (think Africa by Toto and I Fight For You by Jason Derulo), remakes of old movies (think Dirty Dancing) and even comedy shows about the era (think That Seventies Show) are all being imposed on Gen Y. There is a sense of the familiar to us and it takes us back to the days of pastel colours, frilly shirts and big hair. But I am not sure whether we really have to inflict these things on Gen Y. Clearly, these types of nostalgia trip shows and music rate, otherwise they would stop making them.

So what form will Gen Y nostalgia take? What are they going to impose on Gen Z and Gen Z + 1?

Recreations of Facebook, remember when it was free and you got all of your friends' posts in your feed?

The i-phone or i-pad perhaps? When you actually got to physically hold a device in your hand and type in letters?

How about remakes of Harry Potter, Twilight or The Hunger Games?

Clones of Nicki Manaj or Adele?

The reprise of the neon skinny jean?

All are intriguing possibilities and only time will tell. My grandchildren (when I get them) will no doubt roll their eyes, shake their heads and wonder just what was Gen Y thinking.