Follow the Rabbit is a (video) podcast that invites you into the messy, interconnected world of cultural research. Join Igor and Johannes in Season 1 as they use Toby Shorin's essay Life after Lifestyle to explore cultural rabbit holes, connect unexpected dots, and uncover insights that shape our world, all while working with the garage door open. This episode of Follow the Rabbit explores the concept of “third places” and their recent resurgence. Key points include: Introduction to the concept of “third places,” coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in 1989. Definition of third places as locations separate from home (first place) and work (second place). Examples of third places: libraries, places of worship, community centers, parks, bars, gyms, and even virtual settings. Historical context: The concept was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, even used in advertising (e.g., PlayStation 2's "the third place" slogan). Characteristics of third places: low barrier to entry, bringing diverse people together, no need for appointments. Decline of third places due to privatization of public spaces, rising costs, and increased time spent at home. Recent resurgence of interest in third places Connection to Toby Shorin's essay: unfulfilled spiritual longing previously addressed by brand culture, now shifting. Anecdote about a recent event where the concept of third places resonated strongly with attendees. Emergence of membership clubs and gyms as modern expressions of third places. The episode highlights the renewed interest in physical spaces for community and connection, framing it within the context of current social and economic trends. It suggests that this concept will continue to evolve and manifest in various forms in urban environments. You can also watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/x6FxjhTdkpk

Follow the Rabbit is a (video) podcast that invites you into the messy, interconnected world of cultural research. Join Igor and Johannes in Season 1 as they use Toby Shorin's essay Life after Lifestyle to explore cultural rabbit holes, connect unexpected dots, and uncover insights that shape our world, all while working with the garage door open. This episode of Follow the Rabbit continues the discussion on community, identity, and brands, focusing on subscription and membership models. Key points include: Introduction to the current state of subscriptions and memberships, noting consumer fatigue with numerous options. Reference to a study showing US consumers' desire for a centralized subscription service. Discussion of Jim Barksdale's quote: "There are only two ways to make money in business. One is to bundle, the other one is to unbundle." Explanation of unbundling vs. bundling Examples of bundling in mobility services (e.g., CLB in Berlin) Challenges of bundling in media, with examples of unsuccessful attempts (Blender, Readly) Libraries as original bundlers of content Introduction to Libby, a digital library service allowing access to various content through local library memberships Suggestion that Libby could be a model for successful re-bundling in media Brief mention of the importance of identity, agency, and trust in subscription services The episode provides an overview of the current landscape of subscription and membership models, highlighting the tension between choice and convenience. It suggests that future successful models may need to balance these factors while considering issues of identity, agency, and trust. You can also watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/IpQXqlVdH_o

Follow the Rabbit is a (video) podcast that invites you into the messy, interconnected world of cultural research. Join Igor and Johannes in Season 1 as they use Toby Shorin's essay Life after Lifestyle to explore cultural rabbit holes, connect unexpected dots, and uncover insights that shape our world, all while working with the garage door open. This episode of Follow the Rabbit features Igor exploring a specific section of Toby Shorin's essay “Life After Lifestyle,” focusing on the concept of “Buy Identity First and Product Second.” Key points include: Introduction to the Triple Sphere Hiking Club, a brand that emerged from a community rather than creating a community around a product. Personal anecdote about Deru, a Munich retail shop that closed and transformed into a community-focused entity. Discussion of how some consumers prefer socially valuable products over functionally superior ones (e.g., Stone Island vs. Nanamica). Introduction to Bandit, a company that built products around an existing community, challenging traditional brand-building approaches. Highlight of Bandit's unique features, such as offering membership and selling products from other brands at a discount. Reference to David Fischer's (founder of Highsnobiety) comment about a brand having more communication experts than fashion designers. Reflection on how brands are increasingly focusing on meeting people's needs for identity and communication rather than just selling products. Observation that this trend is particularly relevant for certain generations and demographics. Suggestion that this approach to branding and community-building is likely to be a recurring theme in future explorations. The episode emphasizes the shift in consumer culture towards brands that offer identity and community first, with products becoming a secondary consideration. You can also watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/3ItplxMtvyQ

Follow the Rabbit is a (video) podcast that invites you into the messy, interconnected world of cultural research. Join Igor and Johannes in Season 1 as they use Toby Shorin's essay Life after Lifestyle to explore cultural rabbit holes, connect unexpected dots, and uncover insights that shape our world, all while working with the garage door open. This episode of Follow the Rabbit provides an overview of Toby Shorin's essay “Life After Lifestyle.” The host summarizes the key points and concepts from the essay: Cultural Production Service Economy: The essay traces the evolution of lifestyle brands and consumer culture from 2011 to 2022, highlighting how various trends and products defined each era. Lifestyle Triangle: Shorin presents a Venn diagram showing lifestyle as an intersection of brand, subculture, and supply chain. Brand Development: The essay discusses how brands evolved, influenced by events like the Obama campaign, and how they communicate with consumers. Subculture Acceleration: It explores how platforms like Reddit and Pinterest sped up the development of microtrends and subcultures. Supply Chain Changes: The rise of direct-to-consumer brands and easy access to manufacturing through platforms like Alibaba. Cultural Production as a Service: How culture is now created to serve brands and monetize available technologies. Vibe Economy: The institutionalization of drawing on subcultures to promote brands, sometimes referred to as "culture washing." Post-Lifestyle Era: Shorin questions what comes after the lifestyle brand era, noting that these products often feel empty and disconnected from their purported values. Cult-like Brands: The essay explores the concept of brands becoming more like cults or religions, providing examples like CrossFit. Culture as Product: A shift where culture itself becomes the product, with physical products becoming secondary (e.g., running clubs that produce merchandise). New Cultural Formations: Examples of new community-driven cultural phenomena, including Christian Bitcoiners, mental health-focused fitness concepts, and effective altruism. Future Prediction: Shorin suggests that financial mechanism innovations in the 2020s will lead to "incentivized ideologies, networked publics, and co-owned faith." The host uses quotes and diagrams from the essay to illustrate these points, providing a comprehensive overview of Shorin's analysis of lifestyle brands and their evolution into more culture-centric entities. You can also watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/AspoRUG3qT8?si=sUWSnMh6Hkl10hWZ

Follow the Rabbit is a (video) podcast that invites you into the messy, interconnected world of cultural research. Join Igor and Johannes in Season 1 as they use Toby Shorin's essay Life after Lifestyle to explore cultural rabbit holes, connect unexpected dots, and uncover insights that shape our world, all while working with the garage door open. In this episode, Johannes sets it up and introduces you to Toby Shorin. Watch the video version on YouTube at https://youtu.be/QvYpy7b2P2s?si=Cq8tsvANlg3tCuDw

In this engaging discussion, Toby Shorin, a cultural researcher and writer, shares insights from his essay "Life After Lifestyle." The hosts, Johannes and Igor, explore the concept of 'slow reading' as they dissect cultural themes that resonate with their experiences. They reflect on the early internet era, particularly Tumblr's impact, and tackle the complex landscape of Web3. The conversation also dives into biases within cryptocurrency and the importance of community amid cultural changes, promising a rich exploration of contemporary issues.