Digital Illustration
Cristina Rana is a sophomore at Sheyenne High School and is currently in her second year of art classes.
She enjoys experimenting with both traditional sketches and digital pieces and develop her personal style.
Her art style is inspired by an anime-influenced look, with soft coloring and stylized character features that help give her drawings a warm and lively feeling.
True crime is everywhere, from documentaries to podcasts. People enjoy it not just for. shock, but for curiosity and suspense. Following a case from beginning to end can make. viewers feel like detectives.
Research’s shows that curiosity activates the. brain’s reward system. Each clue or twist releases dopamine, the chemical linked to motivation and satisfaction.
It creates a “safe fear,” similar to riding a rollercoaster. Viewers experience suspense and adrenaline without real danger.
This mix of excitement and safety keeps. people returning to new documentaries, pod-casts, and cases.
True crime helps people explore motives and empathize with victims. Unsolved cases. encourage critical thinking, helping viewers. make sense of confusing or frightening events.
Fans share theories online, discuss cases. with friends, and bond over their interest in mysteries. Even when watching alone, viewers. feel part of a larger community.
It remains popular because it combines curiosity, suspense, empathy, and. connection. It allows people to explore. fear safely while learning more about human behavior and the world around them.
The Return of the “2016” Aesthetic
When the clock hit midnight on January 1, 2026, people didn’t post “new year, new me.” Instead, the phrase “2026 is the new 2016” began flooding timelines in apps like Instagram and snapchat.
Post were filled with old Instagram-style filters, blurry pictures with flash, random selfies, and silly videos without worrying about aesthetics. It felt like the internet had decided to rewind.
From skinny jeans and chokers to messy buns and Snapchat filters, Gen Z is reviving the 2016 style that once defined 2016 . This aesthetic feels so nostalgic back when time where photos felt didnt feel like a performance.
2016 Fashion
Why Is Everyone Looking Back?
The internet today moves fast. Trends last only a week. Feeds are carefully curated. Everything feels so intentional that it doesnt feel real. In comparison, 2016 feels messy and maybe that’s the point.
Back then, people posted without overthinking every detail. Not every photo was aesthetic, and not every video was optimized for engagement. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt more genuine. The revival isn’t really about trends. Instead, its about remembering a point in time when social media felt more real.
The Mustang Post 