A Study on Generation Z’s Reconstruction of Nostalgia Culture from the Perspective of Media Memory—Taking CCD Cameras as an Example

Abstract

In recent years, “nostalgic culture” has experienced an unexpected resurgence among Generation Z youth, with the culture centered on CCD cameras emerging as a particularly iconic cultural phenomenon. The rapid evolution of media in the digital age has given rise to a unique nostalgic cultural landscape among Generation Z. As a retro medium that serves both as a relic of past technology and a carrier of media memory, the CCD camera has become a key lens through which to study how Generation Z reconstructs nostalgic culture. Centered on media memory theory and drawing on related theories such as collective memory and mediatized communication, this paper examines social media content, user practices, and community interactions related to CCD cameras. It explores how Generation Z activates and reconstructs media memory through CCD cameras, thereby reimagining nostalgic culture. This study reveals the interactive mechanisms between media memory and youth subculture, offering a new perspective for understanding the generative logic of nostalgic culture in the digital age and the media practices of Generation Z.