📡 Alpha Waves
From the digital footprints of Generation Alpha to today's bewitching aesthetics, UFOria, and the ever-shifting dating scene
Hi everyone! A warm welcome to our newest readers. I hope you enjoy what you find here and decide to stick around for more. :)
Today's newsletter offers a vibrant mix of topics that touch upon the very pulse of our current culture. From musings on modern aesthetics to the intriguing world of anti-sunscreen TikTok, we've got a lot to unravel. I've kept this edition concise though, presenting you with a selection of thought-provoking links without my usual commentary. This is to ensure our deep dive into Generation Alpha in the latter part remains undiluted for our premium subscribers. Feel free to explore, and see you again next week!
This is what's on my radar this week:
A muscle-building obsession in boys: What to know and do, Harvard Health
The Cult of Ugly Aesthetics, Highsnobiety
The Strange And Sunburned World Of Anti-Sunscreen TikTok, Nylon
UFOria: how aliens are fuelling a new and uncharted era of disinformation, Dazed
Why We Find Blue Aliens Like In 'Avatar' & 'The Fifth Element' So Sexy, Bustle
‘We could soon see a Jane Austen-style marriage market’: how the housing crisis is turning modern dating on its head, The Guardian
What It’s Like at the Chaotic Singles Parties, The New York Times
What Should We Call the Next Generation of "Lesbian Bars"?, Punch
The ‘lazy girl job’ trend romanticises the drudgery of work, Dazed
Forget subtitles: YouTube now dubs videos with AI-generated voices, Rest of World
How would diabetics survive the apocalypse?, Reddit
NPC STREAMING AND THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL CONTENT
I'd previously delved into NPC streaming with you all. Now, I'm honoured to have my insights shared on Variety VIP+. For those catching up, here's more about this phenomenon: TikTok creators like PinkyDoll, Cherry Crush, and Natuecoco are taking cues from video games, mimicking NPCs (non-playable characters) for fan interactions. These performances involve repeating scripted phrases and movements, capturing both attention and… money. It's more than just entertainment, and the underlying layers include elements of power dynamics and the uncanny valley effect. Read more on Variety VIP+.
DECODING GENERATION GLASS: AN IN-DEPTH DIVE INTO THE ALPHAS
Born amidst iPads and Instagram, they're reshaping the current digital landscape, all before their first teen year. This new generation is coming of age, making their presence known not just by their numbers but by their profound impact on technology and culture.
In the following section, the focus will be on this generation of tech-savvy tweens and children that are also known as The Glass Generation.
Beyond a mere overview, there's a pack of resources included in the end, specially curated for an in-depth understanding of who they are, the challenges they face, their shifting social dynamics, global awareness, mental health, their vision of the future, and more.
Have fun!
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