Why is the internet calling 2016 the ‘last good year,’ and was it really?

Hey trendsetters,

Ever wished you could go back in time when the term “brain rot” hadn’t existed yet? Well, apparently, a large chunk of the internet wants to rewind the past, too.

If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen posts declaring 2016 as the “last good year,” with people sharing throwback photos from a decade ago alongside recent snaps as part of the so-called 2016 challenge. One of the more striking entries I came across was a post on r/Pinoy comparing photos of former senator Bong Revilla during his detention in 2014 (mistakenly labeled as 2016) and another taken earlier this year.

2016, according to people following this trend, was a time before politics polarized timelines, before algorithms dictated feeds, before the pandemic reshaped everything. Social media actually felt social. The terms “brain rot” and “AI slop” meant nothing a decade ago.

Personally, I don’t agree with this. 2016 was when former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was elected, and Donald Trump was inching his way into the White House. These two populist figures fueled so much online drama that it felt like binge-watching a never-ending season of Game of Thrones.

But I do understand where the sentiment is coming from. I, a “certified unc” and a “trentahin,” lived through a time when the internet was simple and silly. People posted the most mundane things just to stay connected with others, and feeds hadn’t yet felt so curated.

And with the internet feeling so toxic and pumped with AI-generated content, looking back at a time when things were different is attractive. Tech felt lighter, more personal, and less geared toward turning us into screentime addicts.

So, this week, we’re rewinding to 2016 — the gadgets, the toys, the gear — to see how nostalgia reflects our craving for tech that feels more human.

The gadgets that defined 2016 — and what replaced them

From wired earphones to the Nintendo 3DS, 2016’s gadgets remind us of a time when tech was straightforward and didn’t come with generative AI out of the box. Many are gone, but the habits they sparked still shape how we interact with our devices today.

👉 Scroll down memory lane with us

Doomscroll-proof phones

Want a clear sign that people are experiencing digital fatigue? Well, interest in “dumbphones” is on the rise. The trend isn’t about wanting to totally disconnect, but having the ability to reclaim attention.

 👉 See which “dumbphone” fits your needs

We’re taking care of Tamagotchis again

Tamagotchi never stopped producing its toys, but it has experienced a full-blown resurgence in recent months, especially with the toymaker’s collabs with BLACKPINK and UNIQLO. “Kidult” culture is on the rise, and adults with purchasing power are healing their inner child by enjoying something they may have long forgotten or ignored. 

👉 Raise a new Tamagotchi with us

Pumped up kicks of 2016

Sneaker culture in 2016 lived in a sweet spot. Shoes weren’t yet overengineered for performance metrics or content virality. They were about everyday wear, personal style, and cultural moments. You wore your sneakers to commute, hang out, and live in, not just to optimize workouts or flex online. Kicks back then didn’t need to be influencer-approved, and here are some of the pairs that rocked the year, and which ones you can still buy today.

👉 What did the sneaker culture of 2016 look like?

Why this lineup matters

The “2016 was the last good year” meme isn’t nostalgia for wired earphones or VSCO filters. What this really shows is that people want tech that feels personal, finite, and grounded — tools that fit into life instead of taking it over.

And judging by what’s landing in carts lately, that shift is already happening.

Until the next scroll. – Rappler.com

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