7 Stranger Things' Details That Don't Actually Fit That '80s Nostalgia
Some things and ideas came much later.
Pop culture in recent years has largely been built on the sense of nostalgia, offering the audience simulacra in the form of experiences and aesthetics of a bygone era. In particular, the mass consciousness is fixated on the 1980s, as this synth-pop and neon glam age has captured the hearts of many, even the people who were not yet born in the decade.
Among many series inspired by the 80s aesthetic, the Duffer brothers' Stranger Things has really managed to deliver powerful nostalgic vibes. However, the popular show also features a few anachronisms, and here are seven of them.
7. No computers in the AV club
Hawkins, Indiana is a small Midwestern town, and the fact that the school's AV club does not have computers is certainly believable. However, many American schools at the time had at least one computer, so Mr. Clarke, who encouraged the children's interest in science, could at least talk about ordering one.
6. Kentucky Fried Chicken as KFC
Remember the awkward and hilarious situation in Season 2 when Steve enjoyed KFC at a family dinner? The characters referred to the restaurant as KFC even though the chain was not called that at the time; the rebranding happened much later.
5. 911 system
Today, dialing the emergency services number is a common practice, but in the early 80s, the system mostly covered only large cities. So it doesn't make much sense for Will to dial 911 in Hawkins.
4. Satellite dishes (and no TV antennas)
In Episode 2 of the first season, eagle-eyed fans spotted black satellite dishes on the roofs of many houses as Jonathan drove by. However, such satellite dishes were not introduced to households until the mid-90s.
3. Casual bigotry was ubiquitous
Although the writers touched on such issues in the story (like how Lucas 'could not' be Bill Murray's character from Ghostbusters or how Max was not 'girly' enough), people in general were much more prejudiced in the 1980s compared to today. It's nice that Steve accepted Robin's non-heterosexuality, but let's be honest, it's unlikely that would have happened so easily in the 80s.
2. Awareness of mental health issues
Yes, people were seeing therapists and psychiatrists in the 80s, but society as a whole was still not as educated about these issues. So it felt somewhat strange that Jonathan casually told Hopper about Joyce's anxiety problems.
1. Anachronistic fashion
Again, Hawkins is a small backwater town. But surprisingly, many of the characters look overly stylish, especially in Season 3. Those kinds of outfits would be more typical in big cities, and perhaps more widespread in the late 80s than the middle of the decade.