Global Monoculture: Are we all locked in the same algorithm?
Originality is hard these days
Does everything… look the same?
Same adidas and long socks, Oura rings, marble kitchens, white sofas… they’re not TERRIBLE, don’t get me wrong. I’m not asking we throw every trend to the curb. Marble will never not be a good move, and I’m typing this in a very much trending pair of jorts.
But it’s getting a little lackluster, no?
I blame the internet. An easy target, I know, but think about it. Globally, for the past 10-15 years social media’s fed us the same viral videos on what to wear and how to decorate our homes. What to think.
Culturally, it feels as though we’re slowly meshing together, locked in the same algorithm on an international scale. Doom scrolling an echo chamber of our own biases that’s merged us into a monoculture where we no longer think for ourselves. We THINK we’re thinking for ourselves, but who feels more informed after a doom scroll? Truly.
Whereas, for example, reading an actual book rarely feels like a waste of time. I could write a post entirely on how we’re now relying on catchy headlines (most won’t even click into) and 10 second videos that took 10 minutes to make as our main source of information. Rather than books that took years of research and analysis (that one may consume in a week or so! It’s incredible).
We know the dopamine hit from scrolling to find one good recipe or makeup hack quickly fades.
And of course the apps are programmed to keep us scrolling as long as possible. The algorithm catches you lingering on “cottage core” content and concludes to show a stream of wicker and slipcovers as soon as you refresh your feed. A tough loop to escape when your biases are confirmed, rather than challenged with other styles (or opinions).
Is global monoculture a bad thing?
Maybe it means we’ll have more in common, dance together in adidas, and world peace will surely ensue.
Yea. I think we can agree that’s not tracking.
I think it’s sad.
Because it’s not you. Or me. It’s lazy consumerism and our subconscious survival instinct to fall in line, fit in, and not offend anyone. You’re either racing to keep up with the status symbol of Hailey Bieber’s latest look, or opting for all white furniture because a “real” color or interesting piece of art in your home could be controversial. Your favorite color could change(!). The abstract art from Target is safe for now as there’s no statement being made (besides being gutless or boring).
Within a world of transparency, it’s more and more common to cloak oneself in the safety of the herd and predictability. Personality and character can be dangerous if not perfectly formulated for optimal appearance and approval.
Being an interior designer I get to see a lot of stunning homes. I know they’re out there. And having lived in New York City I know the girlies have style - doses more than myself. Individuality isn’t dead, it’s just dying.
(I’ll leave the deep dive on fashion monoculture to the fashion focused Substacks, but there’s meat on that bone.)
Look for example at any fast furniture store such as West Elm, Target, or CB2 - stores with the advantage of scale and lower cost at the price of quality.
For the past 10 years we’ve seen the same bouclé chairs and off-white basic home decor. They take something beautiful, like a perfectly looped bouclé fabric, monetize it into a cheap poly synthetic look-alike, and drench the market. 10 years later and people are still buying them. Alas. The ultimate placeholder chair.
Can you tell me anything about the person who lives here (below)? Besides the fact they likely have a GREAT hygiene routine.
The silence is deafening.
I’m not against beige interiors. There’s a place for them and it’s true they bring a sense of serenity to a space. Perhaps living in a blank canvas is a reprieve from your phone’s constant stimulus.
And with many buying mansion-sized homes without budgeting for a designer or furniture to fill said home, going all white and beige eliminates decision fatigue. It may not be you, but it’ll all match and you don’t have to think about it.
To top it, there’s a million ways to decorate one’s home if you look beyond beige, and I often hear the dilemma “how do I know my style when I love 10 different styles?”. I could write a post answering that alone (should I? Big tip: lean into your location). In which case, character can be added to your oversized white canvas of a home over time. It’s true.
If serenity is what you’re after, here’s a few rooms in that vein offering a stronger sense of personality:
Explore the designer’s IG pages (linked) for more inspo.
It’s not only our outfits and homes blending together
Yes, it’s affecting our closets and interiors, but I don’t think we’ve realized the impact global connectivity is having on us culturally. It’s been a slow burn.
Take a trip to Europe and you’ll see that sure, there’s a baguette peaking out of a bag and that’s cool, but French or not I bet they’re wearing the same wide legged jeans as you with a reservation at the same “must try” restaurant spot (that week). You now have to dig for an authentic spot in a city rather than a cove-lit trendy bar relying on colorful cocktails.
Europe feels more and more like I might as well be in NYC or Miami if not for the narrow cobblestone streets and Gothic cathedrals (I’m a sucker for both).
Honestly, I’m grateful for the waiter that refuses to speak in English (after already proving he knows English). To him I say thank you. Hold onto your country’s culture and ask that I learn a phrase in another language because, “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore”. And I don’t want to leave Kansas to only be in an italicized Kansas.
WHAT’S TO BE DONE
The internet isn’t going anywhere and I don’t foresee people not traveling en masse anytime soon. In fact, the world is only getting smaller as technology advances.
Perhaps we begin to wince at our sameness and pivot towards differentiating ourselves more. Practice our grandma’s recipes rather than “5 step” ones on TikTok, and read books on history so we don’t repeat it. Let’s (because I’m at fault too):
Embrace imperfection.
Refuse to conform for the sake of fitting in.
Anticipate and HOPE that future you cringes at current decisions in your outfit and home not yet (or ever) publicly approved/trending - that’s a good thing. It means you’ve evolved. It means you had something interesting to say.
