Welcome to From the Politics Desk. This daily newsletter delivers the latest insights and analysis from the NBC News political team, covering the White House, Capitol Hill, and election campaigns.
In today’s edition, Alexandra Marquez examines the latest NBC News Decision Desk poll, revealing a growing sense of nostalgia among Gen Z. Additionally, Kristen Welker explores bipartisan efforts in Washington through NBC News’ nonpartisan interview series, Common Ground.
— Scott Brand
Gen Z’s Discomfort with Technology Fuels Nostalgia for the Past
Analysis by Alexandra Marquez
A significant segment of Gen Z is expressing skepticism about the future and modern technology, leading many to reflect on a seemingly simpler past. A recent NBC News Decision Desk poll conducted by SurveyMonkey indicates that nearly half (47%) of adults aged 18 to 29 prefer the idea of living in the past if offered the choice. Of those, one-third would select a time period within the last 50 years, while 14% would opt for a period further back.
Conversely, only 38% of respondents would choose to live in the present, with 10% favoring a future within 50 years and a mere 5% looking beyond that. While these sentiments were consistent across gender and political lines, the desire to return to the past was notably less pronounced among Black youth (33%) compared to their white (52%) and Hispanic (47%) counterparts.
This wide spectrum of views illustrates the deep-rooted pessimism felt by many young Americans regarding their prospects and the current national landscape. The survey showed that 62% of Gen Z respondents believe their lives will be worse than those of previous generations, while only 25% anticipate improvement and 13% feel their lives will remain relatively the same.
Furthermore, an overwhelming 80% of Gen Z adults perceive the U.S. as heading in the wrong direction—the highest percentage among all age groups surveyed. Conversations with NBC News reveal that this yearning for the past is influenced by the overwhelming presence of technology in their lives, with many feeling increasingly uncomfortable being perpetually connected to the internet. Nostalgia appears to offer a sanctuary of community and comfort amid anxieties related to technological and geopolitical uncertainties.
The trend toward revisiting the recent past also reflects a cultural renaissance, with many young individuals embracing the fashion, music, and technology of the late 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. From the resurgence of baggy jeans and nostalgic aesthetics to the demand for cassette tapes and iPods, these artifacts signify a longing for an era seen as less complicated. As noted by nostalgia researcher Clay Routledge, many Gen Z individuals yearn for a time “just before social media and computers mediated our lives.”
Exploring Bipartisan Solutions with Common Ground
Insights by Kristen Welker
In today’s politically charged environment, it often seems that division overshadows unity. Yet, bipartisan collaboration persists in Washington, with members from both parties joining forces to tackle the pressing challenges facing our nation. As part of our NBC News series Common Ground, we aim to highlight these stories that reflect collective problem-solving.
Recent bipartisan discussions featuring lawmakers from both parties have been showcased on “Meet the Press” and “Meet the Press NOW.” Last year, my colleague Savannah Guthrie engaged with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who shared their mutual concerns about escalating political violence.
During my latest conversation with Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), their camaraderie stood out. Having formed a close friendship upon being elected, they spearhead bipartisan initiatives related to youth social media use. Britt stressed the importance of understanding one another beyond political affiliations, attributing their strong rapport to heartfelt discussions that took place during their orientation in 2022.
Throughout their friendship, Britt supported Fetterman during his mental health struggles, illustrating the personal connections that can transcend political differences. Fetterman remarked on the tendency to view the opposition as adversaries based solely on differing perspectives. He emphasized the necessity of collaboration as a pathway to genuine progress.
Both Senators expressed their commitment to addressing youth social media concerns not through party lenses but as dedicated parents. Further insights from our dialogue will air on “Meet the Press” this Sunday, alongside contributions from Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
