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Desperation for Optimism?
Desperation for Optimism?
Commentary by Victor Perton
In the article Science Fiction Aesthetics and Space Age Fashion, Jordan Bogigian writes about "retro-futurism's resurgence as desperation for optimism."
This raises compelling questions:
What is a desperation for optimism?
Is there a desperation for optimism?
I know there's a need for more optimism—declining optimism is listed as the first of the key global risks in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025.
Retro-futurism, a cultural movement that reflects past generations' visions of the future, blends nostalgia with futuristic aesthetics. It often manifests in art, design, and fashion, showcasing an idealised, hopeful view of technological progress and human potential. This resurgence suggests a collective longing for the optimism those visions represented—a contrast to the complexities and uncertainties of the present.
Desperation for optimism reflects a deeper need to believe in a better future and to find inspiration in the hopeful narratives of the past.
How can we channel this yearning into actionable optimism that inspires confidence and drives meaningful change today?
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