On social media, a viral video showed the eerie change to humanity in 1996 in shoping center, gained attenton and sparked debate.
On TikTok, a user shared a video depicting how humanity has changed since 1996, showing the future impact of the cellphone boom.
A recent viral video from a 1996 shopping mall has ignited widespread discussion about how much humanity has changed over the past few decades. As social media users reflect on the late ’90s, they are noticing a stark contrast between then and now, particularly in terms of technology and human interaction.
The era did not have smartphones
In the 1990s, our lives lacked smartphones and advanced technology.
It was also a time when the first smartphones appeared, with the 1994 release being more about text, fax, and basic apps like calendars and calculators. It wasn’t until the advent of 3G and later the iPhone that smartphones began to transform our daily lives.
In 1996, social media was non-existent, and mobile devices were not nearly as advanced or addictive as today’s smartphones. This absence of digital distractions has sparked nostalgia among those who yearn for a time when people were less glued to their screens.
The sight of no phones in 1996 in viral video
On Tiktok, a user, who goes by @iamthenostalgiagoat shared a video showing the bustling shopping mall scene from 1996.
The video has the caption: “bustling shopping mall scene from 1996.”
The text overlay reads: ‘Not a phone in sight in 1996.”
The video starts with three women ascending an escalator. As they reach the next level, two women walk right while the third goes left. Subsequent clips show various groups of people in the mall, including women chatting, two men in denim, and individual shoppers.
The footage vividly displays a festive atmosphere with Christmas decorations and shoppers navigating the mall. Notably, none of the people in the video are using smartphones, a stark contrast to today’s norm.
The viral clip has prompted many viewers to nostalgically reflect on a time when society was less dominated by technology.
The video quickly went viral and sparked debate on social media.
The video has resonated deeply with viewers, leading to a flood of nostalgic comments. In the comment selection, any users express a longing for simpler times, reflecting on how technology has changed societal behaviors.
One person said: Not a phone in sight well yeah obviously they didn’t have them… but if they did then they would jave used them
A second wrote: I’m convinced 2012 really was the end of the world… the end of an era… smartphones and social media took over the world.
While a third commented: Everyone more relaxed. no anxiety and no social anxiety
Someone else said: smart phones and technology ruined everything now everywhere you go you see almost everybody on there phones
Another added: Back when life was great real social interaction. No social media, No filters, No keyboard warriors, No faces buried in phones.
Another user added: 100% miss it please take me back!!
These nostalgic snapshots provide a window into a time when life was less digitally dominated and offer a reminder of the simpler pleasures of the past.
While modern devices offer incredible convenience, they have also changed the way we interact and experience daily life. As we reflect on these changes, it’s clear that the past holds a certain charm that many of us miss.
“What do you think about this sight of no phones in 1996?