One of the more interesting ways the Endtimes mindset has manifested is in a groundswell of pushback against the 24/7 encroachment of technology into every facet of our lives. The Internet of Things is looming large.
But maybe not in charge. Not fully, at least.
Researchers at the University of Washington uncovered an ongoing, militant vein of pushback. “Pushback,” explains Ricardo Gomez, assistant professor in the UW Information School, "is an expression of those who have access and use of communication technologies, but who decide to resist, drop off, manage or reduce their use of these technologies."
In studying those underserved by technology, he came across their mirror-opposite, the overserved - and he wondered what life was like for them. Frustrated with their devices not for reasons related to techno or cost but emo, they expressed something surprising to Gomez: the sentiment that technology was failing to meet their needs, particularly in the area of privacy. “We were surprised by the lack of concern about privacy,” he admits. To push back, many users actively try to limit their time online, use dummy accounts to deal with the avalanche of spam and other unwanted communication, or engage in "digital fasting." Some even drop offline entirely or embrace a "dumb" phone as a way to compromise. Until they seem to find their way back. “Longing for connection to people," he adds, "is what makes it hard for users to push back on technology, what brings them back."
(image)
Indeed, this longing for connection mixed with some privacy, some mystery, is I think why there has been such a strong drive toward artisanal and old-school perfumes.
"Fragrance is mysterious," agrees Celiné Ellena. "At the beginning, I think, we created fragrances to talk with God. Now when you wear fragrance, you want to send a mysterious message. You want people to smell you, to be listening."
Despite being the daughter of Hermès's exclusive in-house perfumer, Jean-Claude Ellena, her favorite all-time fragrance can be found at Chanel. It was created in 1926 by Ernest Beaux, the same perfumer responsible for Chanel No.5 - which I wrote about at length in The Five Secrets of Chanel No.5. Ellena loves the warm, woody Bois des Iles - which spirals into a heart of sweet flowers - for its masterful use and balance of materials to "create music. For me, it captures what perfumery and creating fragrances means."
- Lesley Scott
The aggressive pushback and social "rage" against mainstream technology is very congruent with the vibe of the Apocalytical fashion tribe which has a chic (but somewhat depressing) cloud of effitalltohellalready Doomsday & End Times that seems to follow them everywhere. For more of my posts and podcasts about the Apocalytical tribe, CLICK HERE. To learn more about each of fashion's four mega-tribes that I track, START HERE.
Follow Fashiontribes on TWITTER
Join me on FACEBOOK
Let’s connect on LinkedIn
