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Megaplex 2025 has taught me something...
2 weeks ago
For those who didn't know, yes, I was at Megaplex this year! I did announce it on Bluesky, though I'm sorry I completely forgot to announce it here too, because I know not everybody on here also follows me on Bluesky. Here's the link to my profile again if ya need it:
https://bsky.app/profile/chi-chi.bsky.social
Anyways, Megaplex '25 went absolutely fantastic for me, that is for sure! This year's theme for the con was basically all about 90s cartoons. Now personally, even though I was born in 1995, I'm not exactly one to define myself based on when I was born, or to relish in nostalgia, although I could understand why others do. For a while, I've been the type of guy who just wanted to see what happens in the next episode of this show we call life, instead of replaying the same stuff over and over again...if you know what I'm trying to get at with this metaphor. Basically, I always more-so enjoyed seeking out new things, new media, new experiences, and whatnot, instead of living in the past.
Still though, after attending this wonderful convention over the weekend, I think I've come to a deeper understanding as to why the 90s were so fun, and why nostalgia is a very real and valid thing. I think with all the technological and cultural advancements at that time, there was actually little something for everyone to enjoy, and any great new innovation that came out at the time (especially the internet), we were not so overly dependent on. It felt like everything was just right, and just enough.
Fast forward to now, we kinda lost that sense of just right and just enough, one thing overpowered the other, shit happened, and look at the world we're living in now. I can guarantee that not one soul is gonna look back on the 2020s and think "yes, that was the decade I'm most proud of!"
That doesn't mean I'm losing hope for the future though. At this point in time, I think more and more people are starting to wake up to the unfair and imbalanced state we're all so clearly experiencing, especially with our social and political climate. It's up to us now to educate each other on what's going on, and bring more and more people in to fight the flat-out evilness that oppresses and brings us down, whether it's taking the form of mental illness, or a very specific regime.
I don't know how or when exactly we'll regain this sense of peace, joy, and fun, but we gotta hang on and hang together if we are to ever find a way. Essentially, we must save the unborn child that is the 2030s...if, you know, that sounds about right. 😅
https://bsky.app/profile/chi-chi.bsky.social
Anyways, Megaplex '25 went absolutely fantastic for me, that is for sure! This year's theme for the con was basically all about 90s cartoons. Now personally, even though I was born in 1995, I'm not exactly one to define myself based on when I was born, or to relish in nostalgia, although I could understand why others do. For a while, I've been the type of guy who just wanted to see what happens in the next episode of this show we call life, instead of replaying the same stuff over and over again...if you know what I'm trying to get at with this metaphor. Basically, I always more-so enjoyed seeking out new things, new media, new experiences, and whatnot, instead of living in the past.
Still though, after attending this wonderful convention over the weekend, I think I've come to a deeper understanding as to why the 90s were so fun, and why nostalgia is a very real and valid thing. I think with all the technological and cultural advancements at that time, there was actually little something for everyone to enjoy, and any great new innovation that came out at the time (especially the internet), we were not so overly dependent on. It felt like everything was just right, and just enough.
Fast forward to now, we kinda lost that sense of just right and just enough, one thing overpowered the other, shit happened, and look at the world we're living in now. I can guarantee that not one soul is gonna look back on the 2020s and think "yes, that was the decade I'm most proud of!"
That doesn't mean I'm losing hope for the future though. At this point in time, I think more and more people are starting to wake up to the unfair and imbalanced state we're all so clearly experiencing, especially with our social and political climate. It's up to us now to educate each other on what's going on, and bring more and more people in to fight the flat-out evilness that oppresses and brings us down, whether it's taking the form of mental illness, or a very specific regime.
I don't know how or when exactly we'll regain this sense of peace, joy, and fun, but we gotta hang on and hang together if we are to ever find a way. Essentially, we must save the unborn child that is the 2030s...if, you know, that sounds about right. 😅
Come to think if it, one thing I do think I can acknowledge, from what I remember, is that 90s cartoons had a lot of different art styles. If anything, If I wanted to pick out a defining style for the decade, I guess I would go for a kind of semi-realistic movie-esque look, but that's a major pigeonholing, and only because Disney & WB happened to jump on the bandwagon at the time. Outside of that there was still a TON of variety.
For example, while the internet and digital media were in fact becoming more popular, things like newspapers and magazines were still around and accessible if you preferred those above reading things from a screen. There was variety in just about every sense.
As for general 90s nostalgia, I think people miss various aspects of the pre-social media world: the Internet was still this new thing that a lot of people hadn't connected with yet, so it was fun discovering it. It's great being able connect with people more easily than ever now, but there have been terrible aspects of 24/7 social media as well, like the spread of disinformation and scams and the harmful effects on kids' mental development.
Despite having conveniences like Amazon and various streaming services, I think people particularly miss stores like Toys R Us and Blockbuster because they served as "third places" besides home and school/work. Having a place to go to hang out with like-minded individuals is important, which is why I get antsy if I haven't gone out to do something fun in a while. Of course, another aspect is longing for a bygone era in which various friends, family members, and pets were still around. If Blockbuster returned, I'm sure there would be an initial boost in interest from people trying to relive their past, but unfortunately it's impossible to truly return when loved ones drift apart and/or die.
I've had severe moments of depression in my teens and early adulthood, but It's important to stay optimistic for the future and keep moving forward while we're still alive. It was devastating losing my father, but the outpouring of support from various friends and family members showed that life isn't as hopeless as it can seem.