Do You Carry An Analog Bag?

PRESENTED BY DELVE

Happy Friday, Future Party. During Tesla’s earnings call yesterday, Elon Musk delivered what might be the most James Bond–villain line ever uttered by a CEO while defending his proposed $1 trillion pay package: “I just don’t feel comfortable building a robot army here and then being ousted because of some asinine recommendations from ISS and Glass Lewis.” Yes, a robot army. At least he conceded that he should have just enough voting power to avoid being fired if he ever went “insane.” We’re sure that put everyone at ease.

Hollywood is officially getting into the microdrama business — low-cost, mobile-first, vertical shows made up of 1-2 minute, mostly-paywalled episodes — as former studios heads launch new ventures and SAG-AFTRA gives the format its stamp of approval.

The Big Picture: Microdramas are already a $7 billion industry in China, with global revenue expected to hit $25 billion by 2030. The US is quickly catching on, with American audiences leading global consumer spending. In Hollywood, where production costs are rising and box office returns are shrinking, some execs are betting that the short, cheap TV format can fill the gap.

Behind The Scenes: A new wave of studios hopes to become the Netflix of microdramas rather than a rerun of Quibi.

Final Credits: The big pitch behind these new studios is that they’ll bring Hollywood-level production and polish to what has, so far, been a decidedly non-premium experience. It’s not that they’re shying away from the racy romances and melodramatic mob tales the format is known for (one of Zuiker’s shows is literally called The Lust Cop), but rather that they aim to do it better — and across more genres — while still keeping budgets lean.

And if they can spark even more virality by casting digital stars, all the better. Or, as MicroCO co-founder and CEO Jana Winograde describes it: “We’re sort of looking at it as a bridge between the creator economy as it currently exists and the traditional studio-produced series.”

Next Episode: It’s hard to imagine microdramas truly competing with Hollywood… but the mobile-first battle for attention in this space may end up being between microdramas and AI-generated shows. Welcome to the post–social media attention economy.

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Millennials and Gen Zers are curating “analog” or “stop-scrolling” bags — filled with things to do that don’t involve endlessly scrolling through social media.

Why It Hits: There’s a prevailing theory that society has reached peak social media — and young people are looking to log off, touch grass, and reconnect with activities that actually let them relax and unwind. That shift is fueling everything from the rise of hobby culture to a renewed fascination with analog media.

Inside The Bag: One of the hottest new online trends is… reaching for anything but your smartphone.

Final Checklist: Ironically, analog bags have taken off on TikTok — the hashtag #AnalogLife is up 330% this year. People aren’t just showing off what’s in their bags, but what kind of bags they’re carrying (the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is especially popular). And while that virality may seem counterintuitive to the analog ethos, it might just inspire more people to spend a little less time online… and that’s probably a good thing.

Prediction: Considering Erewhon just dropped a tote covered in Swarovski crystals (yes, very extra), it’s only a matter of time before celebrity influencers start hawking luxury analog bags. It’s the natural evolution of the unboxing video.

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72.5% of you voted No in yesterday’s poll: Do you currently own any branded movie merch?

“In general, I do not care for branded merchandise unless I’m being paid to be a walking billboard.”

“No movie merchandise, but T-shirts from concerts I’ve attended.”

“I used to collect movie posters. I have a few drink cups from more recent movies.”

“A24 has me in a chokehold.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join our Poll Of The Day newsletter, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

🍿 The two-hour Stranger Things finale is coming to theaters on New Year’s Eve — marking the first time a series has premiered in theaters simultaneously with its streaming debut.

🎮 Video game developer Electronic Arts has struck a deal with Stability AI to integrate AI tools into game design and workflows aimed at “empowering” creators and artists.

🎲 The FBI has arrested 30 current and former NBA players and coaches in a sweeping crackdown on illegal insider sports betting.

🚙 GM plans to roll out a new autonomous driving system that lets drivers take their eyes off the road.

👀 President Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who was convicted of money laundering. Could this open the door for Binance’s return to the US?

📎 Microsoft would like you to meet its AI replacement for Clippy — Copilot’s “Mico.”

🍔 Fox Entertainment has taken an equity stake in B.J. Novak’s nostalgia-fueled fast-food experience company, Chain.

👟 Nike is gearing up to launch some “epic” new shoes and apparel — including powered running sneakers, shoes that induce a meditative state, and a jacket that adjusts its temperature using air.

❓ Amazon has debuted a new AI shopping tool designed to help you choose between similar products — yes, a technology for indecisiveness!