2024 Trends
Trend #1: Reality Mirage
Deepfakes, AI generated images/texts/responses have become common. Filtered images, cosmetic surgeries, ultra perfect images were all quite the rage. We have now come to a stage where we cannot differentiate between the real and the replica. So much so that it is now a cause and an effect.
We see the real trying to replicate the replica! Actual photoshoots start to look like AI generated images. Skin looking so blemish free that it seems like the original fake. Physical art pieces take inspiration from AI art.
What is real? What is fake?
This has led to a certain amount of disbelief, uncertainty and neutrality among people - appreciation seems measured, acceptance seems hesitant, as we know not what is real and what is fake.
Trend #2: Bursting of the Hustle Bubble
Having been through an era where constant hustling, overworking, not having time for anything, hopping from one meeting to another, struggling to make time - were all glamorised, people have just stopped believing in this approach to life. They have quietly exited this hustle culture, and have decided that it is not worth it.
This is manifested in the quiet quitting syndrome, setting of boundaries, the appreciation of the world beyond the constant hustle, the efforts to consciously take on lesser, valuing one’s time, etc. It also means there is no clear plan, there is an acceptance of being in a kind of a limbo state, but there is faith and hope for somehow making it through.
Trend #3: Not so ‘Social Media’ Connections
Mindless scrolling, excessive ads, push notifications, deteriorating relevance, have all made the social media obsession quite a lot lesser. At the peak of the pandemic, social media connections, posts and chats were like a breath of fresh air, but today we see an attempt to actively seek out real life socialisation opportunities. People are opting for hybrid over remote work structures; physical hobbies over digital hobbies; hanging out in person, over scrolling social media posts. Tactile, tangible, touch and feel aspects are cherished - feeling the earth below one's bare feet, holding and working with ingredients by hand while cooking, interest in materials, textures and finishes, and of course no masks, no social distancing and the rediscovery of hugs, huddles and crowding.
Experts declared the death of social media a while ago, is it an imminent death indeed?
Or else, how will we see the evolution of social media going forward?
Trend #4: The Kingdom of Blah
When data, technology and algorithms determine what should be offered, viewed and purchased - there is the rise of the inefficient, the bland and the boring. When the metrics of evaluation for rewards is not based on creativity or quality, it is only natural that the quality drops. There is a sense of ‘blah’ - for the lack of any other apt word to describe this feeling.
App based services have lesser accountability, customer care seems hidden behind a many layered wall that is hard to break through, products are priced the same but the quantity is lesser (shrinkflation), creative content of all types seem to be going in a sameness loop, service at most places is well, blah.
On top of all this, there is a nihilist outlook with no faith in all that is going on in the world today.
Welcome to the kingdom of blah.