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WHAT it is:
In capitalist societies we gravitate to defining nearly everything in relation to its economic value. But as Kohei Saito argues in his new book Capital in the Anthropocene — which has been a breakout hit in Japan — the climate crisis will spiral out of control unless the world applies emergency brakes to capitalism and devises a new way of living. The book makes the case for degrowth, largely through ending mass production and consumption of wasteful goods in categories like fast fashion. Saito also advocates for decarbonization by way of shorter working hours and a new prioritization of labor intensive work like caregiving. As The Guardian’s Justin McCurry notes, the book’s 35-year-old author “needn’t have worried about using the language of radical change; as the world emerges from the pandemic and confronts the existential threat posed by global heating, disillusionment with the economic status quo has given him a receptive audience.”
Why we like it:
Re-evaluating the role of traditionally paid work within capitalist systems has knock-on benefits. Research has found that reducing worker requirements to a four-day workweek from the traditional five has unintended benefits around sustainability, cutting an individual’s carbon footprint by 20%. And it doesn’t only come down to commuting: When people feel a sense of time expansiveness, research shows they’re more likely to use it in ways that are more sustainable — like shifting from pre-prepared food to making their own, or choosing to cycle instead of drive. As more and more of us reconsider the role work plays in our lives, we should be cognizant of the broader, collective positive externalities that such a mindset shift can provide.
How it might continue to manifest:
While narratives of degrowth are becoming more common, we’re particularly interested in Saito’s focus on prioritizing essential labor. As many populations are getting older fast, economies will need to place more emphasis on the value of service-based work such as caregiving — and adopting a framework that makes this work feel both important and aspirational will be important in speeding this transition.
WHAT it is:
Dormio is a wearable device that influences biosignals in order to incubate and induce different kinds of dreams. As we fall asleep we enter a state called hypnagogia: a semi-lucid sleep state where we begin dreaming before we fall fully unconscious. Hypnagogia is characterized by phenomenological unpredictability, distorted perception of space and time, loss of sense of self, and spontaneous, fluid idea association. Dormio can detect the beginning and end of our time spent in this state, using audio cues to incept content into this phase of dreaming (yes, this is literally Inception). Scientists are experimenting with using these techniques to treat recurring nightmares and even PTSD.
Why we like it:
Amid our ongoing re-assessment of ambition, there’s been an emphasis on the importance of rest and recovery. From socialclubs centered on rest to the emergence of communal dreaming practices, cutting-edge technology isn’t the only way we’re seeing rest prioritized for the well-being of people and our planet. Ensuring that people are able to access the seven different kinds of rest — physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, and creative — is key to ensuring we can move forward and avoid burnout.
How it might continue to manifest:
As tools like Dormio move from the lab into the market —and places and practices mentioned earlier invade the mainstream — we imagine a future with greater control over the type of rest we’re able to induce and the ways in which we do so.
WHAT it is:
Selfridges has set a goal for half of all transactions to be resale, repair, rental, or refill by 2030. The upmarket UK department store is stepping up its efforts after increasing sales of secondhand items by 240% last year (to 17,771 pieces) and facilitating 28,000 repairs in order to operate more sustainably. We’ve had our eyes on the Repair Economy for quite a while now, from visible mending as an aesthetic and right-to-repair laws, to repair as luxury and entertainment. This is but the latest — and perhaps the biggest — signal that we’re transitioning our relationship with consumer goods from products → artifacts.
Why we like it:
As an aspirational brand, Selfridges often finds itself at the forefront of industry trends, which means that this statement will surely be something that encourages the market to follow suit. Sustainability advocates have previously suggested considering if we would wear something 30 times before purchasing; but as the climate crisis becomes more urgent, we should now be evaluating whether we’d wear it for 30 years instead. Improving our attitudes on disposability and what’s deemed worthy of repair may be an uphill battle, but we’re hopeful — keeping our eye on emerging efforts to reframe repair as an aspiration, not just an occasional necessity.
How it might continue to manifest:
As raw materials are likely to become more expensive, we’ll need to begin building the second and third lives for items into their initial design. Creating products that consumers will love longer than a single trend cycle will be key, while design and fabrication choices like enhancing durability and offering modular options can ensure even longer wear.
WHAT it is:
Hamlet Organic Farm (or HOG Farm) is one of many community-supported agriculture farms vying to bring people both closer to the food they eat (through access to seasonal produce) and to each other (through seasonal events). They shift the conversation around localism from merely cultivating vegetables to cultivating social connection. HOG Farm and its likeminded brethren are doing a bit of everything: hosting earth-to-table dinners, cooking classes, biodynamic wine tastings, performances, sound baths, and yoga sessions. And as regeneratively-minded web3 organizations like Farmers Marketverse, Thirsty Thirsty, and Happy Goat get in the mix, this feels like it’s the start of something bigger.
Why we like it:
Strategies like this help shift the narrative when it comes to what can often feel like a dull topic, dimensionalizing something earnest and good as trendy and fun, as well — faster than you can say ‘sound bath’. By fostering both sustainability and social cohesion, these players are closing the gap between ourselves and our neighbors, creating deeper connections to — and care for — the places where we work, eat, and live.
How it might continue to manifest:
As we consider the overwhelming challenges we’re all facing, organizations are likely to find greater success enacting strategies that combine good vibes with the ability to do actual good across multiple facets in a person’s life.
