Nathan Zed - How Trying Became Cool Again
The speaker highlights a cultural trend where putting in effort has become uncool, leading to a preference for nonchalance and minimalism in various aspects of life, including art, music, and relationships. This trend is contrasted with past eras where maximalist and expressive efforts were celebrated. The speaker argues that this shift has made things boring and has discouraged people from trying due to fear of judgment. However, there is a recent shift back towards valuing effort and creativity, as seen in the success of artists who put genuine effort into their work. Examples include Tyler the Creator's unique music style and the elaborate rollouts of recent pop albums. The speaker emphasizes the importance of authenticity and effort in creating meaningful art and connections, suggesting that people are tired of the superficial and are craving realness.
Key Points:
- Effort and creativity are becoming valued again after a period of nonchalance.
- Artists like Tyler the Creator are rewarded for genuine effort and unique styles.
- The cultural shift back to valuing effort is evident in music and film successes.
- Fear of judgment has led to a culture of nonchalance, but this is changing.
- Authenticity and effort are crucial for meaningful art and connections.
Details:
1. 🎤 A Viral Performance Shakes the Internet
1.1. 🎤 Performance Introduction and Setup
1.2. 📈 Impact and Lasting Influence
2. 🎶 The Art of Trying: Music and Effort
- An artist named DOI gained viral attention through a talk show performance featuring her and two other girls with elaborate hair choreography and skilled rapping.
- The performance showcased significant effort and skill, contradicting a cultural trend of valuing minimal effort in performances.
- A viral tweet associated with the performance claimed 'Harriet Tubman music is the cheat code for getting respected in rap,' which engaged audiences through provocative language but was disconnected from the performance's content.
- Despite its political undertones, the tweet did not reflect the performance's actual themes, which were not related to politics or historical figures like Harriet Tubman.
- This discrepancy highlights a cultural attitude towards interpreting music performances and the role of social media in shaping public perception.
3. 😎 The Rise of Nonchalance Culture
- The cultural shift towards nonchalance has made visible effort seem 'uncool', resulting in a decrease in motivation and engagement, particularly among younger generations.
- This trend is driven by a fear of vulnerability and the desire to avoid failure, leading to a general sense of boredom and a lack of personal challenge.
- Despite this prevailing attitude, there is an emerging shift back towards valuing effort and trying, as individuals and organizations recognize the importance of engagement and the potential for personal growth and achievement.
4. 🔍 History of Effort in Arts and Society
- Historically, mastery and effort were highly valued, as seen with figures like Mozart and Michelangelo, who were celebrated for their skills and contributions.
- In contrast, modern society often rewards nonchalance and effortless talent, marking a significant shift in values from previous centuries.
- The last decade shows a clear departure from the emphasis on effort that characterized the last 100 to 1,000 years, highlighting a cultural evolution in what is considered praiseworthy.
- This evolution indicates a broader societal change in how effort and mastery are perceived and rewarded, with less emphasis on visible effort and more on innate talent or the appearance of ease.
- Examples of this shift can be seen in contemporary arts and entertainment, where the focus is often on effortless success rather than the hard work behind achievements.
5. 🌟 Minimalism Takes Over
- The transition from maximalism to minimalism became evident around 2016, with notable influences such as 'The Life of Pablo' album cover signaling a major shift.
- There was a significant retraction from the maximalist and highly personalized expressions prevalent on the internet, moving towards more restrained, minimalist aesthetics.
- This shift allowed previously corporate and generic designs to embrace unusual or 'cringe' elements, reflecting a broader acceptance of minimalist design.
- The trend was not limited to music and digital spaces but extended to fashion, interior design, and branding, where simplicity and functionality became prioritized.
- The cultural impact of this shift is evident in the way minimalist aesthetics have influenced consumer preferences, focusing on quality and sustainability over excess and abundance.
- Minimalism's rise is also linked to a growing awareness of environmental concerns, prompting industries to adopt simpler, more sustainable practices.
6. 🎬 Entertainment and Relationships in an Effortless Era
6.1. Entertainment Aesthetics
6.2. Relationship Dynamics
7. 🎭 Trying vs. Trying Too Hard
- Individuals often struggle with balancing personal effort versus societal expectations, especially under the scrutiny of social media.
- The pervasive nature of social media has amplified the pressure to maintain a perfect image, making people feel constantly watched and judged.
- Fear of public embarrassment, particularly in viral situations, discourages people from taking risks or trying new things publicly.
- In the music industry, there's been a shift from flashy marketing to more mysterious and subtle presentations due to fear of failure and public ridicule.
- To address these pressures, individuals and industries are adopting more authentic and personal approaches, focusing on genuine self-expression rather than external validation.
8. 🎶 The Return to Effort in Music and Art
- There is a cultural shift away from nonchalance in relationships, highlighting the inefficacy of detached behaviors and advocating for genuine effort.
- The irony of nonchalance is that it requires significant effort to maintain, suggesting that direct engagement is more rewarding.
- Artists and individuals are increasingly opting to express themselves fully rather than suppressing their enjoyment for fear of judgment.
- The trend is shifting with artists becoming more open and authentic in their expressions, indicating a broader cultural movement towards sincerity and engagement.
9. 🏆 Celebrating Genuine Efforts and Achievements
- Tyler the Creator's album sold 300,000 copies in its first week, marking his biggest album yet and surpassing any album sales of DJ Khaled.
- The success is attributed to a well-executed album rollout with real-world building and distinctive elements, contrasting with the trend of delayed music releases.
- Artists like Tyler, who have consistently put in genuine effort over the years, are now experiencing a pop renaissance, suggesting that hard work and authenticity are being rewarded.
- Kendrick Lamar's dedication to his craft, particularly his lyrical effort, has earned him significant accolades, including performing at the Super Bowl and winning five awards.
10. 🎥 Film Industry's Renaissance
- The film industry is experiencing a resurgence in audience interest, demonstrated by events such as 'Barbin Heimer,' where audiences are compelled to watch multiple films in a single day due to unique director efforts.
- A shift is occurring from formulaic blockbusters to director-driven projects, moving towards more authentic storytelling, as seen in the contrast between films like 'Nacho Libre' and large-budget productions.
- Example films like 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' distinguish themselves with unique attributes; 'Barbie' offers vibrant set designs, while 'Oppenheimer' utilizes the grandeur of IMAX scale. These films emphasize the importance of human creativity over algorithm-driven production.
- Director-driven projects are becoming more prevalent, with directors prioritizing unique, creative visions that attract audiences seeking authenticity in film experiences.
11. 🤖 AI, Automation, and the End of Effort?
- AI is perceived as the endgame of no effort, with concerns that reliance on AI like ChatGPT eliminates the need for human effort and critical thinking.
- There is a fear that automation might lead to the loss of human creativity and problem-solving abilities, which have historically led to the best innovations.
- There is an expectation of a shift towards seeking authenticity and real human experiences, as people might resist the full automation trend in favor of genuine human interaction and creativity.
- Examples include industries such as customer service and manufacturing, where AI has drastically reduced human labor, raising questions about the future of work and skill development.
- Different demographics, such as younger generations, might embrace AI more readily, while older generations might prioritize maintaining human-driven processes.
12. 💪 Embracing Authenticity and Effort in Life
- In a world where everything feels fake and low-effort, genuinely caring about what you do stands out.
- Achieving a seemingly effortless level of skill requires significant effort and dedication, exemplified by Miles Davis, who improvised a film score in one night after thousands of hours of practice.
- Attempting to skip steps to reach an effortless appearance often leads to failure and regret.
- Putting genuine effort into something, despite the risk of failure, is more fulfilling than not trying at all.
- Fear often holds people back from being authentic and pursuing meaningful connections and accomplishments.
- There's a societal hunger for genuine connection and authenticity, suggesting a shift towards valuing real effort and sincerity.
- The text encourages embracing authenticity and effort to create meaningful experiences and relationships rather than succumbing to fear.