What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future Rebroadcast: Dupes!
Nov 28, 2025
Mia Sato, a technology reporter at The Verge, dives into the fascinating world of 'dupes'—affordable knock-offs of popular products. She explains how the internet fuels this trend, enabling rapid creation and distribution through social media and algorithms. Topics include the types of dupes in fashion, beauty, and even travel, along with the psychology that drives consumers to seek them out. Mia also addresses the legal complexities behind design protections and the moral implications of duplication in creativity.
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Taylor Swift Makes A Skirt Go Viral
- Cassie Ho screamed when she saw Taylor Swift wearing her Pirouette Skort, which sent the design viral.
- That visibility immediately turned PopFlex's $60 skirt into a mass-market target for cheaper dupes.
Limitless Shelf Space Speeds Dupes
- The internet's limitless shelf space and fast manufacturing let dupes appear almost instantly after something goes viral.
- A photo can spark prototypes within days and shipping within weeks, accelerating copycat production.
Dupe Became A Cultural Shorthand
- The word 'dupe' now applies to everything from skincare to vacations, making it a cultural shorthand.
- That broad usage creates demand, prompting makers to intentionally produce 'dupe' alternatives.