out with the new + in with the old

📈 Trends worth celebrating

What is ‘underconsumption core’ and is it a positive trend? – thred.

Underconsumption core – a movement against relentless consumerism – promotes sustainability and living in a more practical way. Though some have criticised the trend, calling it a sad attempt to rebrand ‘scarcity’ and ‘an inability to afford stuff’ as an enviable lifestyle, the trend isn’t all bad. It encourages people to prioritise authenticity by living in a way they can afford, rather than leaning into the expensive, splashy fashion items that have come to define internet ‘it-girls’. Because honestly, how many of our favourite influecners could afford their lavish digs without digital audiences (you and me!!!!) paying with our engagement?

Our desire for community is seeing a rise in old traditions – Bon Appétit

The novelty of being online (might have) officially worn off. Hardly anyone posts to Instagram anymore, and even the newest social media apps aren’t igniting fire in us like they used to. Gen Z is craving meaningful face-to-face interactions with their peers, and it’s causing a surge in age-old traditions like dinner parties and book clubs. While we may use our phones to organise or RSVP to these meet-ups, our devices might hopefully eventually become nothing but a means to a better and more fulfilling end. If this sounds good to you, why not combine both a supper and book club? Actually… I might text the group chat about that right now.

Is tackiness having its moment? – thred.

Being called ‘tacky’ might’ve once been a fear for many, but now, young people everywhere are starting to embrace this side of themselves. It’s no longer a rarity to see loud-coloured crocs at fashion shows, slogan tees worn by pedestrians, and (sorry to say) a brat summer booming. Frustrated with the effort it takes to curate a ‘clean-girl aesthetic’ or decide on which shade of ‘millennial grey’ is best, young people are rejecting a life defined by overwhelming neutrality. Instead, they’re expressing their unique creativity and diverse identities through what they wear and how they decorate. Ugly is in babe, go ahead and pair the neon frock with the gaudy gold chain.

🫒 Culinary corner

Eating alone at a restaurant isn’t sad, it’s hot – British Vogue

Parisians are rolling their eyes at this, because stepping out solo for a bite to eat is basically a right of passage for the French. But for the rest of those in the West, having a meal alone can feel awkward, conjuring feelings of self-consciousness and loneliness. It’s hardly our fault. Popular TV shows and films always depict eating in a restaurant alone as an extremely depressing act. This article explores the art of learning to feel comfortable while eating out by yourself, embracing the lack distractions and small-talk, and enjoying a truly selfish moment over a delicious plate of food.

Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan talks food waste, sustainability, and conflict – Salon

Chef Fadi Kattan has just released a new cookbook filled with recipes from Palestine. It not only sheds light on the rich heritage of his culture, but promotes a more sustainable approach to food consumption. Cooking recipes passed down over generations and made from ingredients grown on Palestinian soil – za’atar, olive oil, sumac – has long been a way for people living in Gaza to keep their cultural identity and traditions alive, especially in times of extreme hardship. Food, in this sense, is a powerful form of resistance, but consuming it (or not) can also be one of extreme protest. It was announced today that McDonald’s has seen a 12 percent dip in net income after being targeted by global boycotts. This alone proves just how impactful our individual actions can be!

Ribena is using AI to track biodiversity on its blackcurrant farms – thred.

Ribena’s fulfilling its mission to understand how their blackcurrant farms interact with wildlife. Using Artificial Intelligence, the company has identified the presence of 58 threatened bird species, shining light on the potential of AI in environmental conservation in the agricultural industry. For anyone saying that large-scale farming and wildlife protection can’t go hand in hand, Artificial Intelligence – when used for good – could finally change that.