Cassette Futurism en · NOUN
Etymology
From Cassette + Futurism.
Meanings
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(uncountable) A retrofuturistic style depicting technology that originates from or has the aesthetic reminiscenence of the 1970s-1990s.
As you can see above Cassette Futurism is very 80s, the very hard edged, simple and cubic design that has become a huge aesthetic in the resurgence of retro design.
2018 October 14, John Hannimation, “Cassette Futurism”, in John Hannimation Blog, archived from the original on 02 Feb 2026:I’m a child of the late 70s, and for me, Cassette Futurism invokes pure nostalgia. A memory of when tech was ‘harder’ and more robust, and devices felt like they were mechanical in their operations.
2026 April 9, Phil Rowley, “From Cassette Futurism to Friction Maxing: Why we want tactile media experiences again”, in The Media Leader, archived from the original on 08 May 2026:Whether it’s bright colors and geometric shapes, the tendency towards stark plainness, or the the ^([sic]) lack of powerful computers and cell phones, Cassette Futurism includes: Cassettes, ROM chips, CRT displays, computers reminiscent of microcomputers like the Commodore 64, freestanding hi-fi systems, small LCD displays, and other analog technologies.
2023 February 4, Hunor Deak, “Cassette Futurism: The future is saved 200KB at a time.”, in Medium (Fruitcake Magazine Fiction), archived from the original on 17 Nov 2025:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| cassette futurism | alternative | lexicographic |