A-Z Culture Glossary 2017

A-Z
CULTURE
GLOSSARY
2017
The trends you need
to know to be relevant

CULTURAL LITERACY
STARTS HERE
To help the curious class stay relevant, we’ve
assembled an A-Z glossary of what we predict to be
the 100 must-know terms and concepts for 2017.
We hope this cultural crib sheet will help prepare
you for the year ahead.
Enjoy!
© sparks & honey 2016

CULTURAL ACCURACY
As “superforecasters” we measure the accuracy of our
predictions. Trend analytics and performance metrics
are an important part of what we do.
Using social listening tools, we measured the accuracy
of our A-Z Culture Glossary from 2016 and have
achieved a prediction accuracy of 80%. We aim to
improve our prediction skills to 85% accuracy in 2017.
80%
Accuracy of A-Z Culture Glossary 2016

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
sparks & honey uses a taxonomy of trends called the Elements of
Culture to organize trends that fall into five major categories:
Aesthetics Media Tech & Science Humanity Ideology
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
Audio UX
Ableism
Added Sugar
Agendered Iconography
AI Morality
Air Real Estate
Archiving Intangibles
Athletic Makeup
Death Positivity
Digital Immortality
Digital Sampling
Downscaling
Dirt
Doctor Robot
Drone Economy
Drone Racing
Halal Beauty
Hydration
Major Minorstones
Millennial Fatigue
Minimalism Backlash
Mobile Third Spaces
Mood Architecture
Museumification Recycle Chic
Robot Art
Refugee Economy
Vegan Leather
VR Education
Waste Bullying
Wine Remix
XXX for Good
Yuppie Destruction
Zones for AR
Screenshot Culture
Self-Sufficient Energy
Silicon Valley
Sleep Economy
Social Eating
Stealth Tech
Speedfactories
Store Lab
Surveillance Dating
Sustainable Supply Chain
Sexual Healing
Tech Drugs
Troll Hunting
Technosexuals
Universal Basic Income
Untruths as Facts
Naturalistas
New Modesty
New Sobriety
Poké Places
Premium Friction
Pet Society
Plant Power
Playsuasion
Polyamory
Premium Nature
Prankstavism
OS Education
Overloaded Emoji
Quota Tourism
Background as Foreground
Bedless Hospitals
Blurred Responsibility
Boozy Fragrances
Brand-Built World
Breaking Female Body Taboos
Broadcast Social Media
Brunchification
Ear Makeup
Empathy Tech
Ethnobotany
Extreme Provenance
Immersive Literature
Inclusive Economy
Insect Food Debate
Intersectionality
Calibrated Pills
Campus Rage
Carbon Dioxide
Clean Data
Cold Destinations
Crystals
Climate Change Refugees
Convict Economy
Crowdsourced Science
Face Fitness
Female Gaze
Frictionless Body Mods
Judicial AI
Killing Privacy
GIF-First Mindset
Genuine Bots
Latino Mainstreaming
Lazy Economy
Leftovers
Library Libre

a
ABLEISM
Ableism, the discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities,
will become a growing form of discrimination in 2017. Expect an increased focus
on equal rights and experiences for people with disabilities, from transportation
to sexuality to fashion. An expanded body of research will likely lend insights to
support the issue, with an eye to developing a more inclusive society.
The world’s population that lives
with some form of disability.
- WHO
15%

a
ADDED SUGAR
Sugar, the villain of a healthy lifestyle. In 2016, anti-sugar sentiment led to
sugar being taxed, new laws for sweet-advertising and a increased vigilance by
consumers over corporations – propelled by the resulting scandal from the sugar
industry manipulating research to hide its effects on health. Our grip on sugar will
tighten in 2017, along with other substances that are less than good for us.
of onsumers rated chemicals in food as
the most important food safety concern.
- Business EDF
50%

a
AGENDERED ICONOGRAPHY
Agendered iconography is the shift away from using the shape of a physical body as signage
and symbols. Long hair, straight pants, puffed dresses, curves and eye lashes are no longer
representative of gender, as we rethink the symbolism of the gender continuum. Instead of a half
man/ half woman icon relaying “gender inclusivity,” toilet icons should visually read as a “toilet.”
“ ”Androgyny is not a trend anymore, it’s
a shift in behavior and expectation.
- Eric Korman, Founder of Phlur

a
AI MORALITY
AI morality reflects the moral and ethical compass that stems from
programming AI to make our decisions. When self-driving cars recognize
a life-and-death situation, who lives and who dies? Expect more public
debate around the moral principles for designing a future in which artificial
intelligence makes decisions that shape our public space and social life.
“ ”People seem to believe that these robotic systems know
more about the world than they really do, that they
would never make mistakes or have any kind of fault.
- Alan Wagner, a senior research engineer in the Georgia Tech
Research Institute (GTRI)

a
AIR REAL ESTATE
Look up, air real estate is above your head. As urban environments grow in density,
city governments will start to embrace design principles for vertical urbanity and
the design. As many cities prepare for drone aviation, air space is the new real
estate that we will want to inhabit in 2017. But first, the mystery of managing air
rights will have to be cracked.
The price per square foot for
space over a low-rise building
in New York City real estate.
$
300

a
ARCHIVING INTANGIBLES
Archiving intangibles is the collection of sounds, smells, and even flavors to pass on to
future generations. In a world of mashup and ephemerality, intangible experiences evoke
a desire to capture the extrasensory uniqueness of a moment in time. The preservation of
these cultural nuances will inspire the innovation of products and infrastructures focused on
provenance, an edge that will resonate with niche consumers, or what we call microtribes.
“ ”People would harvest mummies from Egypt, and extract
the brown resin material that was on the wrappings
around the bodies and turn that into a pigment.
- Narayan Khandekar, Director of the Straus Center for Conservation
and Technical Studies at the Harvard Art Museums

a
ATHLETIC MAKEUP
Athletic makeup reflects the demand of functionality in the makeup industry,
particularly for the power women who live an active lifestyle. This time poverty solution
fills the need for all-natural makeup that does not dissolve on the face during workout.
As both men and women transition between work and workout, we’ll see more brands
leaning into athletic cosmetics, a natural pairing with athleisure apparel.
“ ”We looked very carefully at what women were
saying about why they felt sports and exercise
were not for them...one of the strongest themes
was a fear of judgment.
- Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England

a
AUDIO UX
Audio UX will prevail as design thinking in 2017. In 2016, message-based digital
assistants, or chatbots surfaced, along with the continued push by tech giants into
voice-command services, such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Home. As innovation
continues to steer toward AI-powered services that rely on voice control over screens,
2017 will require UX designers to rethink audio-controlled user experiences.
Amazon Alexas were sold in the
United States in the past two years.
- CIRP
3M

b
BACKGROUND AS FOREGROUND
Background as foreground is about attention in the age of distraction. From the Trump nacho bros
to the internet’s hunt for a same-sex partner for Disney’s Dory, fans are demanding narrative control
– and they’re finding it in the background. In 2017, more brands and content creators will give a
knowing wink their keen fans, rather than exposing the message in a more direct manner.
since the first “Easter egg” was
programmed into Atari’s open world
video game Adventure in 1979.
- Atari
37yrs

b
BEDLESS HOSPITALS
Bedless hospitals is healthcare without the hospital overnight. Outpatient healthcare
is on the rise, as treatments get less invasive and recovery times shrink. We’ll
see increasingly changing financial strategies to address bedless hospitals, such
as reimbursement granted to better care at lower cost and more effective and
streamlined treatments to build leaner medical facilities.
“ ”It reduces cost, and it reduces the risk of
infection. People go home to a less-risky
environment, where they tend to get
better faster.
- Dr. Akram Boutros, CEO of MetroHealth System

b
BLURRED RESPONSIBILITY
As environmental issues increase en force around the world, people are questioning
whether larger nations like the US have a responsibility to step in. The world has yet to
determine a collective solution to tackle the forced migration caused by climate change,
likely to pick up in the coming year. Expect more popular debate around climate change
actions required from governments and brands offering to assist.
people have been displace by climate
change every year since 2008.
- Worldbank
25M

b
BOOZY FRAGRANCES
Booze is the secret ingredient in today’s frangrance world – a new, yet still intoxicating way
to indulge in alcohol (without living through an unbearable hangover). Maison Margiela’s
Replica Eau de Toilette Spray in Jazz Club mystically transports you back in time to a
twenties’ New Orleans speakeasy with its unique blend of whiskey, leather, and tobacco.
Expect to see many more fragrant and alcoholic concoctions hitting the stores in 2017.
Worth in US dollars of the global
fragrance market in 2017.
- Statista
41B

b
BRAND-BUILT WORLD
Brands are stepping in to provide public space and infrastructure for people to socialize, learn,
and explore – a role formerly associated with governments. Facebook built a giant internet
drone to provide internet access, Microsoft’s authenticated video-calling program aims to
facilitate communication with local authorities and New Balance cleans the running paths during
Boston winters. We expect more brands to expand their definition of experiential marketing and
build lasting connections with consumers by providing services that meet basic needs.
“ ”There is the increasing belief that
companies have a responsibility to
make everything better.
- Tim Maleeny, CSO of Havas Worldwide

b
BREAKING FEMALE BODY TABOOS
2016 was the year of the period: underwear startup Thinx spearheading the fight against period bashing,
fueling an openness and acceptance of the female body. The Period Game teaches tweens about
menstruation and Brown University started stocking free tampons and pads across campus bathrooms.
Beyond the period, the bodily functions of women are being celebrated, from lotion and jewelry made
from breast milk jewelry, to repurposing umbilical cords and placenta as food.
“ ”While women consistently report being more
dissatisfied with their bodies than men as far as
thinness is concerned, that dissatisfaction has
decreased over the 31-year period we studied.
- Bryan Karazsia, PhD, The College of Wooster

b
BROADCAST SOCIAL MEDIA
TV is meeting its interactive audience on social platforms, transforming both its
production and the audience experience. Livestreaming on Facebook, finance-focused
network Cheddar is embracing a much more informal tone. The NFL broadcast the 2016
Football season on Twitter – because that’s where the conversation is. 2017 will see a
merging of TV and social media, as more formats are adapted to mobile streaming.
“ ”The need to see sporting events in real time is one of
the reasons networks have been immune to the changes
timeshifting technologies – streaming, on demand or DVR –
have wrought on network schedules of scripted programs.
- Amanda Lotz, Professor of Communication Studies and Screen Arts &
Cultures at the University of Michigan

b
BRUNCHIFICATION
The rest of the world is discovering the beauty of pancakes and
avocado toast: Brunch is amazing. Starbucks is testing out brunch
options, Jack in the Box has trademarked “brunchfast,” and there’s
brunch-flavored candy corn. Breakfast is becoming a flavor, rather
than an occasion. Brunchification describes how breakfast items
are going to alter menus across the country in 2017.
Breakfast occasions, in- and away-from-home, are
forecast to grow by 5 percent through 2019, ahead
of the expected population growth of 4 percent.
- NPD Group
5%

c
CALIBRATED PILLS
The evolution of sophisticated soluble 3D printing materials enable pharmaceuticals
and nutrition supplements to be printed. Multiply Labs is printing capsules with a
patent-pending pharmaceutical polymer to control the release of the nutrients at
given intervals throughout the day. This allows for combinations of vitamins that would
otherwise compete with each other, and it’s also designed for custom combinations. In
2017, this technology will likely be used for more than just the release of vitamins.
“ ”This new tablet fabrication method is a game changer – it is
technically simple, relatively inexpensive and versatile. It can
be applied at individualised settings, where physicians could
produce customized pills on the spot for patients, or in mass
production settings by pharmaceutical companies.
- Soh Siow Ling, Assistant Professor from the National University of Singapore

c
CAMPUS RAGE
Controversy around political correctness is fueling free speech debates on campuses, mostly
around racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic language. Some institutions like Clark
University conduct tutorials about the code of conduct, others such as the University of
Chicago declare that interventions, such as trigger warnings and safe spaces, are inimical to
free speech. 2017 will see increased awareness and cultural conversation surrounding the
idealist righteousness characteristic of undergraduate students on campus.
“ ”It’s not new for college students to indulge in self-righteous
certainty, to be so intoxicated by a grand moral mission that
they can’t see any value in hearing what the other side has to
say. What is new: administrators who bend to their will.
- Rob Montz, 2005 Graduate of Brown University and
a Documentary Filmmaker

c
CARBON DIOXIDE
From cars to fashion, companies are finding ways to capture carbon
dioxide and turn it into new products. ‘Diamonds from the sky’ are
essentially diamonds made from air pollution. Ford began collaborating
with Novomer to put gas into foam to be used in car seats. This
pragmatic approach to dealing with global warming will manifest in
new products, and likely shape the debate on climate change in 2017.
“ ”Proposed methods of extraction such as bioenergy with carbon capture and
storage (BECCS) or air capture of CO2 imply minimal estimated costs of $104–
570 trillion this century, with large risks and uncertain feasibility. Continued
high fossil fuel emissions sentences young people to either a massive, possibly
implausible cleanup or growing deleterious climate impacts or both.
- James Hansen, Climate Scientist led a 12 authors study

c
CLEAN DATA
Artificial intelligence needs our data in massive quantity and quality.
AI algorithms can parse huge data sets, but for neural networks to
learn accurately and without bias requires clean data. As we rely more
and more on AI to interpret situations, we can expect intense debate
on clean data and the start of the AI learning cycle.
Images in Google’s Open Image Dataset,
used by programmers everywhere for
machine learning image recognition.
- Google
9M

c
CLIMATE CHANGE REFUGEES
Climate Change Refugees, Environmental Migration or Climate Exodus are all about the
same issue: global communities that will be displaced because of climate change. Rising
sea levels, stronger storms, increased flooding, harsher droughts and dwindling freshwater
supplies could drive the world’s most vulnerable people from their homes. Prepare to
discuss the identity, food and culture that might erode with the land of these communities.
People in coastal communities globally
who could be displaced by 2050.
- The New York Times
200M

c
COLD DESTINATIONS
The idea of vacation usually evokes images of sun and sand. But following the
2016 outbreak of the Zika virus throughout the southern US, Latin America,
and Southeast Asia, increasing numbers of tourists will turn to destinations in
colder climes in 2017. Thanks to Copenhagen’s emerging fashion scene, New
Nordic cuisine, and interest in The Nordic Theory of Everything, we expect to
see the Nordic region spark high interest from travelers.
“ ”The Scandinavian concept of “hygge” has been translated as
everything from the art of creating intimacy, to coziness of
the soul and finding pleasure from the presence of soothing
things. My personal favorite is cocoa by candlelight.
- Meik Wiking, CEO, Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen

c
CONVICT ECONOMY
More than 600,000 ex-cons are released from prison every year in the US, making
their reintegration into society fundamental. In 2016, we saw a photography
exhibition by an ex-con point of view, ex-con fitness gurus and entrepreneurs such
as Richard Branson watching this new work force as an opportunity. In 2017, we
can expect a new economy around the reintegration of ex-cons into society.
Ex-prisoners released from America’s
state and federal prisons every week.
- Justice.gov
10K

c
CROWDSOURCED SCIENCE
Scientific advancements are being discovered thanks to the power of many instead of
a lone genius. Crowdsourced science can solve problems quickly, like the gamers that
beat scientists in a protein discovery contest that might help fight Alzheimer’s disease,
or SpaceX that will crowdsource the investigation of its rocket explosion. Expect
breaking news and innovation coming from crowdsourced discovery.
“ ”By utilizing volunteers, so called citizen-scientists, we
were able to bring a much greater scale of human curation
and quality control than we could have performed alone.
- Dr. Avi Ma’ayan, PhD, Professor of Pharmacological Sciences
and Director of the Mount Sinai Center of Bioinformatics

c
CRYSTALS
Cultures less immersed in ancient spiritual wisdom tend to view inanimate
objects as souless and purely functional. As an ‘East meets West’ mindset
takes hold, more Western cultures are exploring a greater breadth of
spiritual practices. One particular manifestation of this trend is a growing
curiosity about the properties of crystals. In 2017, we can expect people to
carry and use crystals for their believed benefit to our wellbeing.
“ ”This cultural construction, which includes everything from crystals and
chakra meditations to yoga and #cleaneating, could be seen as part of
a bigger shift in attitudes. For ‘spiritual but not religious’ millennials,
witchcraft is yet another expression of our movement away from the
conventional and conservative to the mystical and alternative.
- Tamsin Crimmens, Writer

d
DEATH POSITIVITY
Death is historically shrouded in taboo, secrecy, and sadness. But there’s a shift happening in the way we
think about our place in the world as mortals, including our treatment of the material world beyond the here
and now. Many traditional western practices around death are psychologically and environmentally unsound,
but we’re engaging in more open and positive conversations around death, which is driving innovation
around it. Columbia University’s Death Lab and start-up Coeio are making burial practices less damaging to
the environment, while nonprofit Death Over Dinner is facilitating open dialog about the end of life.
“ ”When Peter died, the only thing that kept me sane was
writing about grief. Blogging about grief morphed
into my new vocation. I recognized that by spewing out
my emotions with honesty, I was helping others which
meant it was work that made me satisfied.
- Laurie Burrows, Grad Cookbook author, blogger, activist/fundraiser

d
DIGITAL IMMORTALITY
You’ll never die. Everything we create and consume online has a life beyond this moment, and
it’s this digital footprint that will live beyond your expiration date. Digital death managers will be
employed to manage our forever-digital imprints. And AI systems will be used to bring the work
of the dead back to life in the digital. Thanks to machine learning, long gone artists are getting
new voices, such as at the Hereafter Institute art installation at LACMA. In 2017, VR and machine
learning will give life to the dead, along with heated conversations around the ethics of doing so.
Estimated worth in dollars of the
digital holography market by 2020.
- Markets & Markets
5.5B

d
DIGITAL SAMPLING
Despite skyrocketing ecommerce growth, shoppers struggle with the inability to
try on products when they shop online. That’s now starting to change, with L’Oréal
upgrading their Makeup Genius app, and the debut of services such as Urban
Decay’s Vice Lipstick app, so you can sample 100 shades of lipstick on your face.
In 2017, expect to see similar digital sampling move from niche to industry norm.
“ ”Virtual makeover apps are another take
on existing strategies retailers use to
push customers to try new things, like free
samples and subscription services.
- Diana Smith, senior research analyst, Mintel

d
DIRT
Dirt and bacteria have historically been regarded as enemies of health and cleanliness, but growing
research on their wellness benefits is triggering us to embrace the good in the dirty. More aware of our
own microbiomes, we’re seeing the benefits of microbes and ingesting dirt, such as for antidepressant
effects or allergy-prevention. And cleanser manufacturers are reformulating products in anticipation
of a ban on many common antibacterial soap ingredients. In 2017, look for more products like Mother
Dirt, a line of probiotics intended to cultivate good bacteria on the skin, rather than blast it away.
Reduction in allergic occurrence in
farm children across North America
and Europe.
- The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
50%

d
DOCTOR ROBOT
Health professionals are working in collaboration with artificial intelligence systems.
AI robot White Jack interviews patients at Japan’s Jichi Medical University to suggest
possible diagnoses and treatments. An AI system developed by Harvard researchers
analyzes Instagram posts to diagnose depression – with a better accuracy rate than human
general practitioners. As the healthcare system faces increasing challenges to make care
accessible and affordable, expect AI to take off as a prime ingredient in medicine.
Estimated market size of the medical
robotics and computer-assisted
surgical equipment by 2019.
- The Surgical Robotics Forum
$
4.6B

DOWNSCALING
Premium and high end brands will embrace the low end: consider Alexander
Wang serving 7-11 and McDonald’s at a recent fashion show. We’ve seen
upscaling of previously low-end products, as with the exclusive Speakeasy
serving bespoke dishes with Spam as the star. In 2017, the high-low tables
will be turned. Expect more of this low-browing of premium items, as
untouchable products become more accessible to the general public.
The market for off-price fashion has grown
dramatically, reaching $45 billion in 2015 in the
US alone, up more than 40 percent since 2009.
- RBC Capital Markets
40%
d

d
DRONE ECONOMY
We’ve heard about how the great drone economic revolution is coming,
but many consumer-facing industrial applications of drones have
been simply pilots or PR stunts. In 2017, we’ll see the drone economy
begin to emerge as a new force. Pilots will give way to drones used
to solve business challenges, in areas such as delivery, farming and
entertainment content production.
of US respondents would be willing to
pay more for drone delivery if their
order arrives within the hour.
- Statista
77%

d
DRONE RACING
Drones are already making their mark in sports, with broadcasters turning to
drones as cameras during games. Now drones are being used for a sport of
their own: drone racing is quickly gaining both popularity and legitimacy, with
ESPN soon to kick off a multiyear deal with the Drone Racing League. Unlike
most established sports, drone racing is best viewed online or on TV, from the
drone’s perspective. Look out for more coverage of this emerging sport in 2017.
Amount received by the Drone Racing League in investment
from the likes of RSE Ventures, backed by Miami Dolphins
owner Stephen Ross, and Courtside Ventures.
- ESPN
12M

e
EAR MAKEUP
Makeup isn’t just for your face any more. Ear makeup has
adorned the digital and real world, from Instagram to the
runways at NY Fashion Week. Seeing a subtle glimmer on
the ear was all it took for this this beauty trend to take off.
In 2017, expect to see more minimalist beauty trends that
defy gender, including the shimmering ear lobe.
“ ”Ear makeup started two years ago, thanks to makeup artist Tom Pecheux
at Paris Fashion Week; since then it’s been seen at Louis Vuitton, Opening
Ceremony, and Proenza Schouler shows. The trend has also shown
up on Instagram accounts, such as makeup artist @violette_fr , who
demonstrated a gorgeous metallic gold version of the trend.
- Bustle

e
EMPATHY TECH
Technology is typically associated with precision and science, and not feelings.
But technologies such as VR evoke both visceral emotional responses and allow
us to see the world from a different perspective. The UN is using VR to build
empathy with refugees, while psychologists are experimenting with VR to treat
people with post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2017, growing numbers of NGOs
will turn to tech to foster empathy in their campaigns.
“ ”I think that’s where VR has been really terrific,
because it bridges the gap that numbers and
statistics make just guilt-tripping. This is the
first time they can actually feel like they can go
into that person’s space.
- Gabo Arora, founder and president, LightShed

e
ETHNOBOTANY
Ethnobotany mines the complexity and ingenuity of plants, and it could be
the next solution to a growing number of disease-causing bacteria. These
germs are evolving immunity to every antibiotic, deemed by the WHO to
be a “fundamental threat to humanity.” To counter this, the pharmaceutical
industry will become more open to developing complex botanicals, and we
can expect to see medicine derived directly from their natural antibiotics.
“ ”We’re at the end of the current era of antibiotics, and it’s
getting really scary. We’ve gotten all of the low-hanging fruit,
and we’re going to have to work a lot harder. We have to go to
the ends of the earth — the ocean, the ice shelf, the rain forest
— anywhere we possibly can to find new natural products.
- Kendra Rumbaugh, microbiologist, Texas Tech University

e
EXTREME PROVENANCE
We assign great value to items with an unique or storied provenance, such as wines
from Burgundy’s fabled terroir. Beyond associations with a specific moment or place
in time, our very bodies will be the next frontier of extreme provenance: art made
from umbilical cords, pearls made from breast milk, and beer brewed from beard
yeast. Such hyper-personalized keepsakes and products will be in greater demand,
a reflection of our desire to leave a personal imprint on the world.
“ ”Placenta encapsulation was traditionally seen
as a pretty crunchy or natural mama thing to
do, but in recent years, mothers from all walks
of life are choosing encapsulation and love the
keepsakes that accompany it.
- Ashly McClough, director, Blissful Womb Birth Services

f
FACE FITNESS
Exercising your body is no longer enough to be a holistically healthy
individual. Working out just got a new face with in face fitness—that is,
exercising the face with forehead lifts, chin presses and facial massages.
These exercises even come at a price, and there are “gyms” that make money
off of this need to have a “fit face.” These rigorous facial exercises are set to
become more common in 2017, as people workout to get their face in shape.
“ ”When you stimulate pressure receptors under the skin, as you do in
a moderate pressure massage, you increase the temperature of the
skin, you slow down the physiology, you reduce the release of stress
hormones and enhance immune function.
- Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director, The Touch Research Institute at
the University of Miami School of Medicine

f
FEMALE GAZE
In 2017, we’ll see more women taking charge of how they’re represented in both
high and mass culture – and behind the camera. Women are often depicted by men,
whether in photographs, film or art, and often in skewed, sexist portrayals that offer
limited perspectives of a woman. Female photographers such as Zoe Ghertner and
Petra Collins, and directors like Ava DuVernay are gaining ground in their fields,
among more vocal support of putting women in the director’s chair.
“ ”I’ve heard people say that you’ll sit down with
networks, and they’ll be like, ‘Oh yeah we can’t
find any female directors. And I’m like, ‘Really.
They can’t find any?’. We are here.
- Tina Mabry, renowned indie filmmaker

f
FRICTIONLESS BODY MODS
Piercings and tattoos seem like old school body modifications in light of people around the
world experimenting with the possibilities of functional and often invisible body modification.
They play with implanting devices, tattooed or pierced into the skin, which allow them to
receive notifications, feel magnetic north, or even detect earthquakes around the world.
Expect increased discourse and ideology surrounding this topic next year, along with a
number of professionals willing (and perhaps even certified) to modify our bodies.
“ ”We have been picking up things like rocks
and sticks forever and used them as tools.
That is nothing new and this is just a natural
progression of that. We are just now putting
our tools inside of our bodies.
- Amal Graafstra, CEO, Dangerous Minds

g
GENUINE BOTS
The rise of chatbots and artificial intelligence increases our desire
for humanistic interactions with our machines. Companies will turn to
Hollywood and beyond to hire screenwriters and creatives to pen scripts
– for their chatbots. Giving life and personality to technology, with all its
imperfections, makes us love our bots.
Number of chatbots on Facebook
Messenger for you to try.
- Facebook
11K

g
GIF-FIRST MINDSET
GIFs have long been the fodder of internet culture, used to appropriate and
re-contextualize moments as reactions, jokes and commentary. In 2017, mass
media outlets will recognize and join the GIF entourage, too. News channels
and award shows will increasingly curate and create GIF-friendly moments,
and public figures will be trained to seize opportunities for the perfect GIF.
Evaluation for the Giphy company,
the biggest GIF search engine.
- Newsweek
$
300M

HALAL BEAUTY
h
The ingredients commonly found in cosmetics include alcohol, pig-derived collagen or
gelatin, or pig fat, which are forbidden ingredients for Muslims. Halal beauty is drawing in
audiences beyond religion, as people seek a healthier and ethical alternative to beauty.
In 2017, we’ll see growing popularity of halal beauty products as people are increasingly
conscious about what they consume without harming the body or the environment.
The value of the halal
makeup industry.
- NDTV
$
20B

h
HYDRATION
Staying hydrated is an easy way to stay healthy, and we’ll see
an uptick of theories geared toward better understanding
and staying well hydrated. In 2016, sales of bottled water
dominated the beverages market for the first time ever. In
2017, expect to see creative new ways to stay hydrated,
including services such as on-demand saline IVs.
“ ”Most people believe proper hydration centers around how much water
you drink per day. But now, a newly created “beverage hydration index,”
developed from a British study published in December, can quantify how
much more or less other beverages can hydrate you compared to water
(pro tip: fat free milk is one of the top three).
- Maughan et al., 2015

i
IMMERSIVE LITERATURE
Books have largely been the same for centuries, with few major advancements
in the of delivery and consumption of print. A growing desire for immersive
experiences gives the humble book an opportunity to expand. In 2017,
we can expect to see an increase in digital, virtual and real-life events that
complement and deepen the reading experience.
“ ”To help drive its accessibility to schools across the nation, Best Buy
Education has become an official carrier of Google Expedition kits,
so teachers can get everything in one kit to take their class on an
immersive VR expedition on any subject matter, from history to science.
- THE Journal: Transforming Education Through Technology

i
INCLUSIVE ECONOMY
People with disabilities have been ignored as a consumer group, even
though they make up a considerable population. Thanks to the work of
disability rights activists and allies, brands are increasingly aware of filling
this gap, as they work to adapt or invent products for the express needs of
people with disabilities. In 2017, we’ll see innovation burgeoning in this
area, and growing criticism of brands that ignore them.
of the Tommy Hilfiger children’s
business was driven by his
adaptive-apparel collection.
- PRI
20%

i
INSECT FOOD DEBATE
Insects are the unlikely hero in the rapidly growing market for
alternative proteins. In 2017, we’ll begin to consider the implications
of consuming a species that outnumbers (and terrifies) humans.
Expect conversations about the ‘creepy factor’ of eating bugs, debate
about insects’ role in a plant-based diet, and new insect recipes and
products to build mass appeal.
of protein are found in 100 grams of
cricket, while ground beef contains
about 26 grams per 100 grams of meat.
- TheScientist.com
21gms

i
INTERSECTIONALITY
Intersectionality describes the overlapping influence of social categories
– such as race, gender, and class – on our lives, so that we experience
society through their collective prism. Awareness of this intersection
is a precursor to overcoming prejudice and disadvantage. In 2017,
intersectionality will filter from academic and activist discourse to
mainstream conversations about discrimination, privilege and justice.
“ ”Talking about racism, the default assumption is that you’re talking about a black man.
Talking about sexism, the default assumption is that you’re talking about a white
woman. And if you’re talking about homophobia, the default assumption is that you’re
talking about a white, gay man. That leaves a lot of people out of the conversation.
- Jennifer Eden, a peer navigator for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland

i
JUDICIAL AI
The impact of AI and automation on the workforce is usually considered within the context of
the service industries and manufacturing, but AI capabilities are now starting to be employed in
knowledge professions like the law. ROSS, an AI lawyer, began work for law firm Baker & Hostetler
this summer, and DoNotPay, an AI legal chatbot, has already successfully appealed over 160,000
parking tickets. In 2017, we’ll see AI being leveraged to provide legal help to people who might
not otherwise be able to afford it, and to enable human lawyers to work more efficiently.
of Supreme Court case outcomes since 1953 that
were predicted by a 2014 AI model developed by Josh
Blackman, a professor at the South Texas College of Law.
- ESPN
70%

k
KILLING PRIVACY
Our society is creeping closer to the end of privacy. AI is now
capable of reversing identity-obscuring digital blurring effects, and
advances in quantum computing are poised to upend crypotography.
While 2017 won’t see the end of privacy as we know it just yet,
expect a high volume of conversation about what happens when
keeping secrets from the truly determined becomes impossible.
“ ”Simply owning a smartphone means you can’t opt out of
surveillance. ‘There is no private life. Your government can
control you now...You take your iPhone or Android phone and it
has information about your behavior, your movements, about
what you buy, and who you are talking to.
- Alexander Kabakov, founder, facial recognition startup NTechLab

l
LATINO MAINSTREAMING
The Latino population will see a more nuanced expression of its cultural
differences across Latin American countries. One area ripe for evolution
is Latino TV which has historically focused on telenovelas. Media outlets
are already beginning to deliver richer, more complex storylines that
reflect contemporary Latino issues and heritage, a trend that is set to
continue in 2017.
The number of YouTube views in 2016 by Pongalo, a US-based
content aggregator that owns one of the world’s largest IP
libraries of digital rights to Spanish-language films and TV
shows, licensed to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.
- NDTV
3B

LAZY ECONOMY
l
In past years we’ve seen innovative services aimed at making
consumers more productive and active through wearable computing,
brain training, and capabilities that allow nomads to work from
anywhere. In 2017, however, we’ll see innovation aimed at helping us
all just be a little lazier — like Beach Bites, a start-up that delivers food
directly to your beach towel.
The percent of Millennials surveyed by Mintel who
said cereal was an inconvenient breakfast choice
because they had to clean up after eating it.
- Washington Post
40%

LEFTOVERS
l
Taking a doggie bag home from a restaurant is deeply
engrained in American culture, but other western cultures are
less accustomed to saving their leftovers. As the food waste
becomes more pervasive, other cultures will start saving and
eating leftovers. We can expect to see new culinary creations
in a fusion of local palates and leftovers.
“ ”French chef Fabrice Moya has no problems with doggie bags.”We’ve
always been used to letting people take what they haven’t finished,
but it rarely happens.” One doggie bag per week at most, out of 500
customers, he estimated. They were much more likely to take home
what was left in their bottle of wine.

LIBRARY LIBRE
l
Libraries are no longer just repositories for books, but they are finding new life as
public spaces that serve as one-stop community centers, offering something for
everyone. Instead of checking out books, try our coding classes, knitting groups,
laptop rentals, and even groups for job replacement. In 2017, we can expect help
from brands and local businesses to enhance these burgeoning third spaces.
“ ”I’m a total leech of public libraries. It’s my
summer hangout. It’s where I spend the majority
of my time, and where I’m most productive.
- Matthew Carter, adjunct professor of music,
City College of New York

m
MAJOR MINORSTONES
There is no such thing as oversharing. Small, mundane, even invented
moments are being reframed as something to celebrate in a big way. A really
great burrito is cause for an engagement-level announcement, with a photo
shoot to boot. In 2017, we will see the celebration of even more of these
personalized occasions – of nothing, really.
“ ”Mobile moments of discovery on Facebook and
Instagram per year – ordinary moments that can
become extraordinary.
- Facebook White Paper Moments That Matter: Finding the
Extraordinary in the Ordinary

MILLENNIAL FATIGUE
m
In 2016, even Millennials started to tire of hearing about themselves
all the time. Constant speculation about millennial quirks and follies
will begin to wane as mass media exhausts its ability to cover the
generation. Curiosity about Gen Z will begin to percolate in 2017,
as well as a growing acceptance that generations are becoming less
siloed and distinct.
“ ”If Hannah Horvath from ‘Girls’ is the typical Millennial — self-involved,
dependent, flailing financially in the real world as her expectations of a
dream job and life collide with reality — then Alex Dunphy from ‘Modern
Family’ represents the Gen Z antidote. Alex is a true Gen Z: conscientious,
hard-working, somewhat anxious and mindful of the future.
- Lucie Greene, Worldwide Director of the Innovation Group at J. Walter Thompson

MINIMALISM BACKLASH
m
In the age of Marie Kondo, we’re urged to declutter the home, and watch our
lives reassemble into a happy, productive configuration. The promise that tidying
up is life-changing — amidst a cascade of other domestic productivity hacks — is
reaching the point of backlash. People are caving in and admitting they just can’t
be bothered to over-analyze yet another aspect of their lives. In 2017, expect this
unapologetic, self-deprecating attitude to take flight.
“ ”Minimalists don’t tell you how much effort is
required to maintain a pristine and uncluttered
life. It takes a lot of time and energy to roll up
endless piles of tshirts, and to sort through the
mismatching sock drawer.
- Isabel Lo, “Embracing Clutter,” Mama Mia blog

m
MOBILE THIRD SPACES
Third spaces like cafes—places that are neither home nor office—provide
us with opportunities for socializing and learning. In 2017, we can expect
to see growing numbers of mobile third spaces emerge, such as My Scion
Gallery, an art gallery located inside a car which drives its visitors around,
or 1Rebel, a spin class that will be housed inside a London bus.
“ ”Future vehicles will be more like a
personalized hotel on wheels, and Lyft
could offer as many as 10 different
experiences for riders.
- CNN Money

m
MOOD ARCHITECTURE
Innovative designers anda architects are realizing the detrimental effects of marching
mindlessly through the same dull spaces. In fact, when the environment is altered in
subtle, surprising ways, we’re made more curious and alert. 2017 will bring a fresh
approach to environmental design. New designs will include elements of serendipity,
such as an office building whose lobby walls change depending on the weather.
“ ”Buildings and urban spaces should be designed
first and foremost around their occupants.
- Dr Sergio Altomonte, associate professor, Department of
Architecture and Built Environment, Nottingham University

m
MUSEUMIFCATION
Artists and brands have begun curating and exhibiting everything, ranging
from the abstract Museum of Broken Relationships to the esoteric 29Rooms,
an art exhibit curated by Refinery 29. In 2017, expect museums nationwide
to capitalize on this trend as an opportunity to engage new audiences.
They’ll perhaps host offsite pop-up exhibits to make the museum
experience more accessible and less intimidating.
“ ”[U.S. baller turned Beijing Ducks superstar Stephon Marbury]
had already been honored with a statue, a musical based on his
life and a series of postage stamps….On Monday, Mr. Marbury,
38, presided over the opening in Beijing of a museum, the
House of Marbury, devoted to his career.

n
NATURALISTAS
Wearing hair naturally as it grows is being embraced among black and Latin women.
Rather than using chemicals to change their hair texture, they take pride in an all-
natural beauty routine, against the grain of mainstream definitions of beauty. Many
naturalista enthusiasts share their natural hair journey through blogs and Youtube, such
as Mo Knows Hair. And brands like SheaMoisture are driving this trend by breaking
down the barriers in the beauty aisle between ‘normal’ and ‘exotic’ hair products.
Drop in hair relaxer sales, contrasting
26.8% growth in the natural haircare
space in the last two years.
- GCI Magazine
18.6%

n
NEW MODESTY
Less revealing silhouettes are taking off in the fashion world, often
influenced by wealthy Muslim consumers’ demand for appropriate, yet
premium, clothing. This shift toward modesty is reverberating across culture,
as seen in Playboy panning full nudity. In 2017, the semantics of modesty
will also evolve: new language to allow women more agency in dressing
modestly, and further discourse on the sexualization of the female form.
“ ”A lingering tolerance for the objectification of women
among liberals is finally disappearing, and many younger
people have grown up imbued with identity politics and a
difference-tolerant mentality that is extended to all sorts
of other cultures — including more modest ones.
- The New York Times Live

n
NEW SOBRIETY
As fitness and well-being become more aspirational habits, we’re losing
the appeal of indulging in vices. The aftermath of excessive and binge-
drinking is becoming less attractive in a culture that desires self-mastery
and control. Instead, people are socializing in group fitness classes and
juice bar crawls. In 2017, a heightened interest in achieving balance
between healthy and indulgent choices will prevail.
of youths admitted to smoking cigarettes
in 2015, down from 28% in 1991 and the
lowest level in 24 years.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
11%

o
OS EDUCATION
Children born into a digital world are modeling behaviors, gestures, and cognitive
patterns after technology. In some cases, they’re losing elements of what older
generations believe is uniquely human. Some parents report that their children are less
polite to humans because they’re so accustomed to voice commands. Or it’s the toddler
who tries to swipe the page of a magazine. In 2017, expect to see a proliferation of
parenting advice to teach healthy, balanced relationships with technology.
“ ”In past generations, eyes were up observing the social
interactions around them all day long. Now, their eyes are on
their electronic devices, missing all of those opportunities to
learn manners and social skills. You can’t use manners when
you aren’t attentive to others.
- Darlene Sweetland, Ph.D. and author of “Teaching Kids to Think” Raisin

o
OVERLOADED EMOJI
The iOS10 update has been criticized for ruining emoji because it created a way
to prescribe what emoji you should use, based on the words being typed. It could
be helpful—no more searching through long lists of tiny images—but on the other
hand, it takes away from the individual’s choice. A tiny emoji popping up dictates
how you should be feeling. As people feel are losing their personalization
options, we can expect to see a backlash to such updates in 2017.
“ ”There is a danger that the more emoji that are added to an
ever-growing bank of tiny images — that simply scrolling
through to find the right one will become a chore and that the
more complicated meanings we look to encapsulate in emoji
form, the more boring and less intuitive they become to use.
- Gavin Lucas, author of “The Story of Emoji”

p
PET SOCIETY
Exclusively available for your pet: gluten-free food, wine, TV
channels, radio stations and even art exhibitions. The animal
world is expanding into our world. More than just adorable,
animals are a part of your family – and an increasingly
important audience to be targeted by any brand.
“ ”Pets are becoming a replacement for children. They’re less
expensive. You can get one even if you’re not ready to live with
someone or get married, and they can still provide companionship.
- Jean Twenge, psychology professor, San Diego State University,
Author of “Generation Me”

p
PLANT POWER
The world of vegans or vegetarians might seem niche and laden with stereotypes,
but it is a growing market. Even people who don’t identify as vegans are consuming
plant-based or dairy-free products to live a healthier life. Diners of all kinds are
choosing plants as a cuisine, even those who also eat meat. Expect to see a growing
number of consumers looking for plant-based products to avoid cholesterol,
saturated fat and allergic reactions.
Estimated growth of the halal
and vegan market by 2020.
- Euromonitor International
5%

p
PLAYSUASION
Playsuasion focuses on play that inspires and/or encourages us to explore
new textures, colors, designs, even entirely new ways of thinking about
the world and our place in it. We will see this trend across categories,
especially when serious and sensitive subjects need engagement – in
order to persuade, you will need to playsuade.
Number of Lego blocks
manufactured each year.
- LEGO
19B

p
POKÉ PLACES
From sushi to sushirito and poke bowls to wraps, sushi ingredients are a constant
consumer favorite. The shape in which this delicacy is served is proving to be extremely
dynamic, as chefs everywhere embrace the ingredients in different forms and shapes.
California is home to many of these poke places: Poke Salad, Fish Me Poke, all offering
slightly different forms of poke. In 2017, expect to see this trend migrate across state
borders, and become a mainstay of mainstreets across the world.
more menus now have poke options
than they did four years ago, but it’s
only on 2% of menus nationwide.
- Datassential
54%

p
POLYAMORY
Society is only beginning to understand the spectrum of sexuality and
gender, and we’re also spotlighting alternative forms of connection, whether
based on romance, sex-only, or community and friendship. Monogamous
coupledom is being challenged by alternative lifestyles: a party of two is
not for everyone, and polyamory is growing roots into mainstream culture.
Expect to hear more about new forms of connection in 2017.
Number of Americans who have been
in a non-monogamous relationship.
- Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
1in
5

p
PRANKSTAVISM
Prankstavism is the action of using vigorous campaigning to bring
about political or social change in a form of practical jokes or
mischievous acts. It’s literally the combination of prank with activism,
using humor to break the ice and get people’s attention and sympathy.
“ ”As a feminist, it’s rough out there, it’s really hard
for women. We need anything to lighten up the
mood, we need humor.
- Donna Kaz, from Guerrilla Girls, a “secret society” of activists

p
PREMIUM FRICTION
Brands are proactively creating friction in the purchase journey to build social buzz, increase
urgency to buy and frame products as premium. It’s getting boring to get everything so
easy in our frictionless world, so expect brands to add steps, barriers or any other friction to
value the effort and relationship. Friction usually comes in a form of time (exact amount or
its scarcity) or extra steps. For example, Suja Midnight Tonic that was hard to get (only 1,000
bottles) or the black charcoal ice cream that you had to wait in line for hours.
“ ”Nike’s HyperAdapt 1.0 – the self-tying
shoe inspired by Back to the Future –
was release in November 2016, but only
available by appointment.
- Nike

p
PREMIUM NATURE
Ideas of premium used to be linked to luxury, through fancy brands or experiences that
few could afford. But thanks to the harm we’re causing the planet, ordinary elements of life
– water, plants and nature, and air – are turning into aspirational items few can afford. We
are paying a premium price for something that used to be for free, and a human right. As
climate change advances, we will see more raw elements being sold as premium products.
“ ”Bottled Air is a status symbol for
those who can afford imported air.
- Leo De Watts, founder, Aethaer

q
QUOTA TOURISM
Countries are starting to see the negative environmental impact
that tourism can have on their fragile ecosystems. Due to
negative effects on the environment and ambiance, destinations
are reducing the number of tourists allowed to maintain the
integrity of the location.
Number of tourists allowed to visit Italy’s
Cinque Terre park, down 40% from the
previous year.
1.5M

r
RECYCLE CHIC
Recyclable products are being fashioned into the high-end, breaking the
stigma that sustainable products are just for hippies. Luxury brands are
becoming more eco-conscious, as they look for ways to reduce the impact
on the environment. This is present in brands such as Stella McCartney
switching to recycled cashmere and plastic bottles and vegetable tanned
leather are being repurposed in designer bags.
Reduction of ßcashmere’s environmental
impact for Stella McCartney’s new line
called Re.verso.
- Vogue
92%

r
REFUGEE ECONOMY
Entrepreneurs are innovating to a new reality: the refugee nation. Refugees
Welcome, a German company described as an ‘Airbnb for refugees,’ connects
citizens willing to share their homes with refugees. Modi, a startup mobile
money transfer app has rapidly built a client base by teaming with the
Finnish Immigration Service to instantly distribute cash to refugees. In 2017,
businesses across the world will embrace the refugees in a new life.
The potential cumulative EU
GDP between 2015 and 2020
for welcoming refugees.
- Tent
€
126.6B

r
ROBOT ART
Robot Art is a machine or algorithm designed to be able to interpret
stimulus (music, pictures, stories, etc) and use that to create its artwork.
These are algorithms that use deep learning to transform ordinary photos
into fine art, a computer program that can recreate the works of Rembrandt,
or a machine that paints pictures from music and many other examples.
“ ”I certainly hope that this competition will start a
dialogue in which people understand that robots are
best utilized as collaborators with humans, instead of
as replacements for humans.
- Yeliz Karadayi, interaction designer, Carnegie Mellon University

s
SCREENSHOT CULTURE
People routinely take screenshots of funny, outrageous, curious situations
for future evidence. The screenshot has become a common way to prove a
statement, opinion or fact. It could be used to support conspiracy theories
or to debunk conversations going awry over dinner. In 2017, screenshots
will continue to prevail, as we put our trust in technology.
“ ”...we enforce digital documentation policies in
relationships selectively. It is considered obsessive
to screenshot texts as mementos, but retaining
emails in our inboxes is considered a best practice.
- New York Magazine

s
SELF-SUFFICIENT ENERGY
We’re used to electrical, solar, wind and nuclear energy. But now new companies are
disrupting the way energy is generated and consumed. Tech startup Uncharted Play has
developed a ball and a jump rope that creates energy in movement, producing three
hours of light for every hour of play. In 2017, expect further innovation in transforming
sources of off-grid power to complement or even replace traditional energy systems.
of the world’s 7.4 billion
people live without electricity.
- Microgrid Media
15%

s
SEXUAL HEALING
Sex is becoming a magic ingredient for health and wellness. Elders in
Acciaroli, Italy deem love and affection as crucial to longevity, and a survey
by Gransnet, an UK social site for over-50s, stresses the importance of
sexuality for Boomers. Women are also exploring sexual healing from trauma
with the help of male sex surrogates. The physical, mental and emotional
benefits of sex for our holistic wellbeing will rise to the forefront in 2017.
“ ”A research team from Duke University carried out a study in which
they boosted levels of oxytocin [a hormonal byproduct of sex] in
middle-aged men and found increased self-reported spirituality.
The participants who received the hormone also gave more positive
responses to statements such as “all life is interconnected.”
- National Center of Biotechnology Information

s
SILICON VALLEY
Silicon Valley has been idolized as a hub of innovation,
but it’s also being spotlighted for the toxic atmosphere
driven by its culture: from racism to sexism, and
even detrimental effects to the local housing market.
Companies such as Apple will be expected to counter
this proactively from the inside.
“ ”Gender-bias limits us whether we are investors, employers or educators. In
studies that reveal gender, but keep the content the same – the same venture
pitch, the same resume, the same online course material – women are perceived
as less competent than men, even though their performance was identical.
- Renee Rottner, assistant professor, University of California,
Santa Barbara’s Technology Management Program

s
SLEEP ECONOMY
Sleep deprivation used to be a badge of honor, but now sleep is seen as a
human right. The sleep industry has awakened and is transforming how we sleep.
YeloSpa, a sleep salon, lets customer nap for a $1 a minute; luxury hotels are
offering sleep retreats; and even mattress company Casper is investing millions
to disrupt the market. Prepare to revamp your sleeping behavior in 2017.
The total amount that lack of sleep
costs firms in the US each year.
- Racounter
$
63.2

s
SOCIAL EATING
Livestreaming is the new TV channel. People watch hours of other
people playing videogames or traffic rolling by on the street, and now
the next streaming addiction is social eating: simply watching someone
eat. The trend has keen eyes in South Korea, and now it’s making its
way to the US and Europe. Prepare to not only instagram your food
moment, but livestream it, too.
Amount earned by Park Seo-yeon,
the most famous “broadcast eater”
in Korea, every month.
- Reuters
$
9,400

s
SPEEDFACTORIES
Bespoke products are desireable, but they often take time
to create. To tap that market, producers will put their energy
into fast-turnaround, customized products. One example is
ADIDAS’ Speedfactory which creates completely customized
and tailored shoes to individual consumers, using cutting-edge
manufacturing technologies.
Pairs of shoes produced in the first
few months in ADIDAS’ Atlanta-based
Speedfactory, to open in late 2017.
- ADIDAS
50K

s
STEALTH TECH
Hidden in everyday fashion and objects is smart technology. This is a
space where tech meets subtlety, such as in smart textiles that react
to body temperature, movement or chakra points; plates that absorb
calories; or a spoon that detects the salt content of your food. In 2017,
expect tech to quietly influence our behaviors beneath the surface.
Estimated market value for textiles and
wearable technologies by 2025.
- Innovation Textiles
$
130B

s
STORE LAB
Brands are taking products out of their stores and creating experiences in these
spaces instead. Physical stores are increasingly becoming test labs for new
concepts, and spaces to observe consumer behavior and create a dialog with
customers. The Samsung 837 store in New York City doesn’t sell a single item, but
lets customers explore its technology and live it through hands-on applications.
of consumers like to shop in stores
because they say they want to “touch
and feel” items before buying them.
85%

s
SURVEILLANCE DATING
Technology is empowering people to monitor everything from their heart
beat to their living rooms, and now even each other. As seamless surveillance
technology becomes more ubiquitous, partners – dating or in relationships
– will start to monitor each other. The ability to track your romantic interests
may breed automated morality, knowing that you’re being watched.
of men, and 54% of women admit to committing
infidelity in any relationship they’ve had.
- Statistic Brain
57%

s
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN
Conusmers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of the products they
use. In turn, corporations will put an increased emphasis on making sure every aspect of
the supply chain is sustainable, from sourcing to shipping, to the product itself. In 2017,
expect to see the whole product vertical optimized to be waste neutral.
of renewable energy and 65%
bio-ingredients were used to create
P&G’s new Purclean detergent.
- P&G
100%

t
TECH DRUGS
Using technology, we can influence our bodies in ways that
mimic the effects of traditional medicine and drugs. With
brainwave-altering technologies, the brain can aid healing in
the body and even performance in high intensity situations.
Such tech drugs rely on a combination of touch, auditory
and electrical stimuli for such effects.
“ ”Cognitive impairment is as ubiquitous as hallucinations in
schizophrenia, yet medications only treat the hallucinations.
So even with medication, affected individuals often remain
very disabled. What’s nice about transcranial direct current
stimulation is that it’s so benign. There are no bad side effects.
- David Schretlen, Ph.D.

t
TECHNOSEXUALS
Human relationships and sexuality are evolving with technology. Technosexuals
have love and erotic affairs with fictional digital characters on Loverwatch,
the most popular dating sims. Sex tech like the Hug Shirt is reimagining the
magic touch, and erotic wearables like Wisp aim to ‘explore the future of sexual
arousal’ by stimulating sensitive body zones. In 2017, sexuality and tech will
become even more entwined.
Expected worth in US
dollars of the global adult
toys market by 2020.
- Technavio
$
29B

t
TROLL HUNTING
The launch of PokemonGo created a new market for criminal activities,
such as luring people to remote locations to rob them. Governments
and law enforcement agencies worldwide are making more of an
effort to crack down on and censor cyber bullying, internet trolls,
malicious content, and digital preditors.
Number of states in the US that have laws
protecting citizens from cyberbullying.
- StopBullying.gov
50

u
UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME
Countries around the world are beginning to experiment with universal basic
income to give give all citizens with same payment from the government, regardless
of background, gender or race. This trend provides a solution to those who may
work over 50 hours a week, yet struggle to make ends meet. In 2017, it is likely we
will see universal income embraced in attempts to make progress toward equality.
The richest fifth of the global population
receives 82.7% of total world income.
- United Nations Development Program
82.7%

u
UNTRUTHS AS FACTS
Searching for facts, stories or opinions that confirm your own beliefs is known as
confirmation bias. We explore only information supporting our perspective, which
potentially omits a plethora of untruths at the core of a new reality. In 2017, we
will see this human bias continue to expand in public consciousness: untruths will
be questioned less as we live in our own algorithm.
The number of biases scientists have
identified in human decision-making.
- Huffington Post
175

v
VEGAN LEATHER
As part of the plant-based movement, more brands are taking pride in not using animal
leather. New leather alternatives are entering the market: Piñatex is vegan leather made
from pineapple leaves, an invention of the innovative materials company, Ananas Anam.
Similarly, Kombucha Couture is made from probiotic leather: mats of cellulose grown
from green tea enzymes. In 2017, expect to see vegan leather rise in popularity.
Growth in Plant-based foods, that
raked in $4.9 billion in the last year.
- Plant Based Foods Association
3.4%

v
VR EDUCATION
To keep up with tech advances, classrooms venture outside their four walls and
even out-of-this-world into virtual reality — testing a new space for education.
With the help of VR technology, teachers are able to educate students with more
personalized curricula to each individual learner, and students are excited to
explore and learn in a setting that is more exciting than a traditional classroom.
The number of VR startups with an
average valuation of $5.1 million.
- AngelList
966

w
WASTE BULLYING
Cities across the globe are beginning to crack down on sustainability efforts,
specifically plastic. France recently banned all plastic cutleries, reinforcing
how individuals are becoming more vigilant in an effort to reduce harmful
waste, but also larger institutions like the government are embracing this
attitude. In 2017, the war on plastic will continue to expand all over the
world, with new consequences to the environmentally unfriendly.
The time it takes a plastic bag
to completely degrade.
- Environmental Protection Agency
1000yrs

w
WINE REMIX
Time has always been a key ingredient in winemaking. And now the
wine industry is shifting to changes in culture. Taking cues from craft
brewers, vintners have begun looking outside the grape to bring new
excitement and intrigue to their craft. From new packaging innovations
like canned rosé to new flavor profiles, such as jalapeño-infused reds.
In 2017, wine will take on increasingly new personalities.
More Millennials than the overall adult population drink beer,
wine and spirits. As the wine industry’s leading consumer cohort,
millennials’ grazing across categories is putting significant
pressure on the industry to think more innovatively.
- WineBusiness.com
40%

x
XXX FOR GOOD
The porn industry is becoming a force for good, advocating for causes,
inclusivity and equality. Pornhub created a new product for visually impaired
people, expanding business and welcoming new audiences. And the Bangfit
program recommends sexual exercises to build muscle instead of going to
the gym. Expect to see a continued rebranding of porn in 2017.
Increase for the Diesel brand after displaying
their Spring 2016 ads on PornHub.
- Complex
31%

y
YUPPIE DESTRUCTION
Food trends focused around products of nature, such as the avocado,
have had unintended consequences. As we consume these goods in
unprecedented quantities, their oversized footprints decimate their
natural environments. As food trends fuel demand that vastly exceeds its
natural supply, we can expect to see more of this destruction in nature.
Gallons of water required to produce roughly
two avocados. That translates to filling a
bathtub with each avocado you eat.
- National Geographic
100

z
ZONES FOR AR
Pokemon Go officially marked the arrival of augmented reality (AR).
Businesses noticed the opportunities emerging from crowds moving
through public space with their devices, while governments realized the
need to reevaluate trespassing and safety regulations. We can expect a
growth in areas specifically designated for AR gaming, fitness, fashion
and brand experiences in 2017.
“ ”It’s not a stretch that soon you’ll be able to denote
your home as a sort of digital no-fly zone, requesting
its exemption from databases like Niantic’s without
requiring you to individually negotiate a deal with
every single AR company.
- The Guardian

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A-Z Culture Glossary 2017

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A-Z Culture Glossary 2017