Culture is ephemeral.
Cultural trends are whisked about by the tides of public interest and attention span, buoyed or sunk by internet popularity or ridicule. Ultimately, despite their perceived omnipotence, they are forgotten as the population moves on to their next fascination.
It can be hard to sort through this cacophony of trends to know what is new, what is old and what is worth paying attention to. But there is one question that cuts through the noise and brings to light what trends are worth your time: What is IN, and what is OUT?
IN: Local radio stations
Music is a huge part of culture, especially for Gen Z. Increasingly, people are turning to physical forms of music such as CDs and vinyl records, as opposed to streaming music. Radio has the same retro appeal as physical music, but doesn’t cost as much. There are so many funky local radio stations, such as 89.1. In Portland, they can help you discover new music 24/7, all for free. Get yourself a radio at a yard sale or Goodwill, because radio is IN this spring.
OUT: Email
Folks, it’s not 1999. We can stop using “electronic mail.” There are many other methods of communication that are more modern and fashionable. Keeping an email inbox free of spam and junk is unnecessarily difficult compared to other forms of communication, especially when colleges and corporations get ahold of your email address. We, as a society, need to move on. Email is antiquated, uncool and OUT.
IN: Flat ground hikes
We can all agree that getting out into the wilderness with some pals is a uniquely fulfilling experience. But it can feel like such a commitment to do mountainous trails. While the payoff is a stunning view, it feels like a chore. Not every hike has to exhaust you. There is nothing inferior about a level hike through a beautiful forest full of stream crossings and verdancy. Hiking is always in, but being sweaty and tired never is. Thus, the flat-ground hike is IN.
OUT: The mall
In a world where corporations seem to be constantly doing irreparable damage to society, why would you want to hang out in a big, ugly box full of them? Portland’s full of small businesses and local spots that are better than any mall. The Hawthorne, 23rd and St. John’s neighborhoods have some great ones. As spring warms up the city, these spots will get even more pleasant and fun. They have more variety, a better atmosphere and are more IN than the mall.
IN: Old-timey insults.
New slang is often recycled from old slang. If we, as a society, are going to use the phrases of previous generations, we should use their insults. Imagine, for a moment, someone calling you a “dingus.” That hurts much more than any profanity. It’s pointed and deeply wounding in a way our current insults simply are not. Other great insults from years past include “dork,” “moron,” “doorknob,” “blockhead” and of course, “nincompoop.” Old-timey insults are classy, fashionable and IN.
Follow these suggestions, and you will be the hippest, coolest, most in-the-know person around.
