There’s a special place in hell for people that romanticize the past.

Romanticizing the past may be frowned upon by some, suggesting there's a special place in hell for such individuals. Could this inclination be attributed to the second law of Thermodynamics? It's an intriguing thought.

Romanticize (verb) “Deal with or describe in an idealized or unrealistic fashion; make (something) seem better or more appealing than it really is,” (Oxford Dictionary)

Ah, the past—a time when the grass was greener, the air was cleaner, and the people were… well, let’s just say they had their moments. There’s a peculiar trend I’ve noticed at social gatherings, where amidst the clinking of glasses and the passing of hors d’oeuvres, someone inevitably sighs and says, “Remember the good old days?” And thus begins the romanticization of the past, a sport more competitive than Olympic gymnastics.

Now, I’m not one to rain on anyone’s parade (mostly because parades in the past involved a lot more pitchforks and torches), but let’s take a moment to unpack this suitcase of sentimentality.

First up, the 1970s: the golden era, according to a friend who’s never even seen a disco ball in person. He insists that society peaked during the time of bell-bottoms and shag carpets. But when pressed about the status of women, minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community, he concedes that perhaps the '70s were more of a mixed tape than a greatest hits album.

And then there’s the Middle Ages, which another pal defends with the fervor of a knight jousting for honor. “It wasn’t all plague and persecution,” he protests. But let’s be honest, a time when bathing was considered optional and leeches were your go-to medical professionals doesn’t exactly scream ‘utopia.’ The Middle Ages—a time so bleak, even your favorite medieval fantasy show would say, “That’s a bit much.”

Picture this: Feudalism is in full swing, and you’re not just working on the land; you’re part of the furniture. The Enlightenment folks had it right when they called it an era of ignorance and superstition. But lo and behold, the 19th century brought a wave of medieval nostalgia, complete with “romantic ruins” and chivalric novels.

So why do we don these rose-colored glasses when looking back? Is it the comfort of a simpler narrative, or perhaps a yearning for a time when our biggest worry was Y2K and not climate change?

Whatever the reason, I propose we take off the nostalgia goggles and appreciate the present. Sure, we’ve got our fair share of challenges, but at least we’ve got Wi-Fi and a world where you can enjoy avocado toast without being accused of witchcraft.

Fast forward to the present, and we’ve got the post-modern-hippie-new-age crew painting the Middle Ages as a pastoral paradise. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Unless your idea of a good time involves the Black Death and serfdom.

Now, let’s take a stroll through the charming streets of Porto, where the anti-gentrification brigade is on a mission to “Make Porto Crappy Again.” They’re a well-meaning bunch, but they’ve got a case of historical myopia, longing for the “good ol’ days” of urban decay.

So, why do we fall for this rose-tinted view of the past? Could it be that as we age, our taste buds fade, and so does our memory of how tough things were? Or maybe it’s the existential dread of our mortality that makes us yearn for simpler times.

Some say it’s the rising tide of depression that has us clinging to the past like a life raft. And let’s not forget the religious and philosophical narratives that paint history as a downhill ride from Eden to Armageddon, only to rise again like a phoenix from the ashes.

But here’s my pet theory: blame it on the second law of thermodynamics. That’s right, entropy—the universe’s relentless march towards chaos. It’s the same principle that explains why my room looks like a tornado hit a library. If everything’s falling apart, it’s easy to believe the past was better, right?

In conclusion, let’s not get too carried away with the past. After all, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it, but those who glorify it are just doomed to some really awkward conversations at parties.

Stay tuned for more time-traveling tales where we’ll continue to unravel the mysteries of nostalgia. And remember, the next time someone waxes poetic about the “good old days,” just nod, smile, and be thankful for indoor plumbing.

• https://msmagazine.com/2013/05/28/10-things-that-american-women-could-not-do-before-the-1970s/