Your monthly round-up from the Culture Lab at Bricolage.
Culture in the algorithm
Nadia Khomami for The Guardian on the demise of monoculture as streaming and personalised algorithms increasingly fragment us into our own cultural kind of bubble.
Natalie Hammond for Marie Claire on the “kinda chic” trend, noting its cringe-worthiness and documenting the backlash against the phrase which came almost as quickly as it became ubiquitous. Aiyana Ishmael for Cosmopolitan argues this trend shows how algorithm-driven fashion culture is flattening our vocabulary as everyone competes to label the next thing ‘chic’.
The Romance Recession
Faith Hill for The Atlantic on ‘The Great Romance Slump’, exploring why dating and relationships are becoming less common among young adults, despite most still wanting long-term partnership.
Tatiana Sataua for Fortune on dating apps moving away from the swipe-based model that has long defined online dating as Gen Z increasingly experience ‘swipe fatigue’ and are looking for more intentional IRL ways to meet people.
Human connection
Isabelle Aron for The Guardian on ‘The Great British Switch-Off’ – how people in the UK are purposefully switching off their phones and living in the real world.
Dana Suskind for The Atlantic on how a chatbot-free childhood could become a status symbol in the future, comparing AI interactions to ultra-processed food – arguing that as technology gets better at mimicking human connection, access to real human interaction could increasingly become a privilege.
The ‘Bevolution’
YPulse on Gen Z’s “Bevolution” and fast food brands tapping into drinks that are becoming more colourful and more customisable. Nicolette Baker for Food & Wine on McDonald’s move into energy drinks with exclusive Red Bull collaborations.
Trends & Innovation
Boba POPS’ Pop & Go is a brand new line of cocktails packaged in single-serve cups with a collapsible straw, offering a convenient and fun way for adults to experience the brand’s signature, alcoholic boba.
Pasty Man Suncreen is a sunscreen brand that makes a clean SPF 30 designed specifically for men.
Culture IRL
Culture Night (September 18th) Nationally
Free late openings, performances, exhibitions, workshops, studios, and heritage spaces. Dublin alone has 300+ free events this year.
The BIG Type Festival (September 4th – 6th) Dublin
Three days around typography, print, design and visual culture.
Design Week Dublin (September 16th – 20th) Dublin
Architecture, interiors, fashion and design with talks, spaces to explore and creative industry events.
Dublin Fringe Festival (September 5th – 20th) Dublin
Experimental theatre, comedy, cabaret, club nights, performance art and great cultural stuff all over Dublin city.
Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival (September 25th-27th) Galway
Galway comes alive with a packed calendar of festivals, bringing locals and visitors together across everything from sport and music to theatre, food and culture.
