Longing for a Time Before Smartphones
Summary
In this episode of *How to Touch Grass*, hosts Julie Beck and Natalie Brennan explore Gen Z’s surprising nostalgia for a pre-smartphone era they never experienced. Psychologist Clay Rutledge explains that this longing for analog technology reflects a desire for control and community rather than a rejection of progress. The discussion highlights how revisiting the past can help people renegotiate their relationships with modern tech and find meaning in the present.
Topics discussed
Intro: Nostalgia for a pre-smartphone era and Gen Z trends
Defining 'How to Touch Grass' and introducing psychologist Clay Rutledge
The psychology of nostalgia: A forward-looking resource
Gen Z's longing for a time before they were alive
Personal stories: Getting lost without smartphones and tech-free camps
What we miss: Control over tech and organic community
Sponsor break: AI trends and Claude by Anthropic
AI and the rise of analog trends: Seeking embodiment
Game: Psychoanalyzing nostalgia for computer rooms and film cameras
Nostalgia as a disease vs. a tool for progress and empathy
Shared cultural nostalgia and finding agency in a chaotic world
Gen Z leading the way back to an in-person, real-world life
Outro, credits, and preview of next episode on AI and anxiety
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