Together with
Bridging the gap. To help new grads transition into the workforce, some companies and universities are offering courses on how to write an email and even talk to people in person. Yep. You read that right. Apparently, Gen Z lacks the soft skills needed to work in an office due to years of remote learning.
Silver lining: At least they’ll know how to use Zoom… we hope.
In other news… Dupe culture is on the rise, psychologists debate decency, and Apple tries to save the metaverse.
Top Trends
Reddit → Metropolis
Spotify → “Where You Go” - Kiana Ledé, Khalid
Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe
BUSINESS
To dupe or not to dupe… // Illustration by Kate Walker
The thrill of the dupe
The Future. While cheaper versions of existing products are nothing new, the rise of dupe culture has led some brands to embrace knockoffs as a way to attract young shoppers. This trend could be a financial win-win for brands eager to grow in awareness (without direct paid advertising) and for consumers who want to look stylish without breaking the bank.
Cashing in on the craze
Some brands are tapping into dupe culture to reinforce their premium position in a crowded marketplace.
Lululemon hosted a “Dupe Swap” in LA, where consumers could exchange knockoff leggings for a free pair of the brand’s Align pants. The event drew thousands of attendees — half of whom were new customers.
Whole Foods created TikTok videos showcasing its 365 label as a dupe for brands such as Coca-Cola and Froot Loops.
Finding “good enough” for less money
Dupe culture, which can sometimes promote waste, might appear inconsistent with the younger generation’s enthusiasm for sustainability. But smaller price tags beat authenticity in a challenging economy.
Search engines have made it easier to discover a product and find less expensive alternatives. The #dupe hashtag has 4.4 billion views on TikTok and 300,000 posts on Instagram.
It’s become not only socially acceptable — but even a badge of honor — for thrifty shoppers to hunt down the perfect dupe instead of shelling out for the real thing.
CULTURE
Basic human decency is the glue that holds society together // Illustration by Kate Walker
The illusion of declining decency
The Future. While people of all ages believe that humanity has gone downhill over time, new research indicates that this may actually not be true. Psychologists Adam Mastroianni and Dan Gilbert suggest that two well-known psychological phenomena might instead be working together to produce this illusion.
Has morality actually declined?
People often grumble, “Kids these days!” But there's no real evidence to support the claim that previous generations were more ethical and honest.
When Mastroianni and Gilbert polled 220,772 Americans about the changes in people’s behavior over the last few decades, most participants said that morality had declined on 84% of the questions.
A separate team predicted that cooperation rates had declined over the past six decades, with people becoming greedier. Instead, they found that cooperation rates have actually increased by nearly 10%.
Why do people have this belief?
Mastroianni and Gilbert attribute the biased exposure effect and the biased memory effect to the illusion of moral decline.
We pay more attention to negative than positive information, and the media reinforces this tendency by focusing on bad news.
When we think of positive and negative events from the past, we’re more likely to forget the negative ones or misremember them in a positive light — hence the term “rose-colored glasses.”
If we put these two biases together, we can see how we might get the impression that moral behavior is at an all-time low… when in fact, society might be in better shape now than it’s ever been.
TOGETHER WITH HERS
A mental health moment
In our evolving world, the conversation around mental health has never been so out in the open. And we're here for it.
If you're feeling anxious or depressed, there's a new way to get treatment right from home. Just visit Hims & Hers, the online telehealth platform specializing in virtual access to anxiety and depression meds.*
1️⃣ Fill out some online forms
2️⃣ Connect with a caring, licensed healthcare professional who will review your situation and prescribe a treatment plan (if needed)
3️⃣ Enjoy the convenience of auto-refills and the reassurance of regular check-ins with your care team
To make things even simpler: You don't need insurance, and shipping is free if prescribed.
Now is the perfect time to take care of yourself!
*Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information. Controlled substances such as Xanax and Adderall are not available through our platform.
TECHNOLOGY
Unsplash
The state of the metaverse
The Future. Even though investment in the metaverse has dwindled since Facebook’s name change in late 2021, the launch of the Apple Vision Pro has renewed interest in the space over the past month. Because Apple has created some of the most successful and game-changing tech, it could be the company that brings venture dollars back to the metaverse.
That was then, this is now
The venture market has seen a huge downturn since 2021, with little chance of bouncing back.
Funding to metaverse startups dropped 77% from $2.2 billion in Q4 2021 to $526 million in Q1 2023.
More than 160 deals were announced in Q4 2021 — such as the $500 million investment in AR startup Magic Leap — while an additional 46 have been reported in the current quarter (which has seen only $284 million in investments).
Rome wasn’t built in a day
… and the metaverse won’t be either. The infrastructure alone could take years to build. Still, Apple might be the one to transmute such an intimidating concept into a device that’s easy to use and accessible to everyone — not to mention affordable.
TOGETHER WITH QUARTZ
Newsletter of the day
Gain a deeper understanding of the global economy by signing up for Quartz’s Daily Brief. You’ll join over half a million readers who rely on this free newsletter as an essential guide to what’s happening in the global business world daily. Get your insights today on everything from the crypto winter to the streaming wars.
Highlights
The best curated daily stories from around the web
Media, Music, & Entertainment
Elemental (the $200 million Pixar original) grossed just $29.5 million at the domestic box office this past weekend, while The Flash (Warner Bros.’ $200 million superhero movie) struggled with $55 million in ticket sales. Read More → nyt
In recognition of XXXTentacion’s continued impact on the music industry despite his untimely passing, the RIAA awarded the late rapper a second diamond plaque on the anniversary of his death. Read More → forbes
Lady Gaga has announced a new film centered on The Chromatica Ball Tour, which could signal a big payday for the artist. Read More → forbes
Fashion & E-Commerce
People spend less on Father’s Day gifts than Mother’s Day, likely due to “the powerful biological and even cultural links that children feel to their mothers.” Read More → axios
LVMH has partnered with Epic Games to draw in customers with immersive products and experiences, as well as new collections and ad campaigns. Read More → forbes
Brands are pivoting back to brick-and-mortar shops after experiencing the difficulty of acquiring and retaining customers online. Read More → insider
Tech, Web 3, & AI
According to a Goldman Sachs study, “most jobs and industries are only partially exposed to automation and are thus more likely to be complemented rather than substituted by AI.” Read More → fastcompany
In response to Reddit’s recent API rule changes, some subreddits are protesting by changing the topic in focus and days when the community turns private. Read More → techcrunch
Meta and Alphabet were among the top-paying public companies in 2022 — offering employees a median salary of $280,000+. Read More → insider
Creator Economy
Dylan Huey, chairman and CEO of Reach, founded the exclusive, tight-knit club to offer aspiring content creators mentorship, collaboration, and workshops with speakers from top tech companies. Read More → tubefilter
PepsiCo’s new lemon-lime beverage brand (and Sprite rival) Starry just rolled out its first partnership with singer and sports influencer Taylor Red. Read More → digiday
YouTube star Emma Chamberlain spoke on a Cannes panel with Spotify about building her brand and what it takes to succeed as a creator. Read More → theinformation
Like what you see? Subscribe Now or Partner With Us
Today's email was brought to you by Kait Cunniff.
Editing by Nick Comney. Publishing by Darline Salazar.