The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
Why do we feel nostalgia? And why do some things trigger it more than others? Jules, Fife
Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.
Because things used to be better? Gorgoblin
Because “the human condition” in general, and our individual lives in particular, are difficult and can be disappointing. As youngsters we hoped for more for ourselves, and become disillusioned. So we yearn for the good times of our past, and idealise them and our relative innocence – often forgetting the anxiety and fears we may have had at the time. Some of our cultures also idealise the good aspects of the past, and ignore the hardships. justsomeguy01
