Slow living, golf & the future of jobs
Slow Lives
Jialin Yan’s photobook Fissure of a Sweetdream pictures the movement among Chinese youth to leave big cities for coastal areas like Hainan Island, described as a Chinese Ibiza. Young people seek a slower, simpler life away from the pressures of careerism and the big city. Because of the unemployment crisis and the pull of the local surfing scene, many Gen Z and millennial Chinese are moving to rural, coastal areas, forming communities that reject a fast-paced city lifestyle. Read more here
The Future of Jobs
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 outlines the trends in the future job market, highlighting sectors with significant growth and those in decline. Fast-growing fields include green economy roles, tech-driven jobs like AI and cybersecurity, and healthcare professions, particularly in mental health and telemedicine.
Jobs in manufacturing and clerical roles are expected to decline due to automation and changing business needs. The report highlights the need to stay flexible and curious and learn new skills. The top three soft skills projected to be most in demand by 2030 are creative thinking, resilience and agility and curiosity and life-long learning. Read more here
Ozempic Tastes
It seems that GLP-1s such as Ozempic may make the flavour profiles of ultra-processed foods less appealing. Ozempic users aren’t just eating less, they are eating differently. Users are turning toward fresh, natural whole food alternatives.
They are losing interest in ultra-processed foods and have a lust for fresh and unpackaged alternatives. Some say their taste is back, and they discover the true flavour of food: carrot tastes like carrots, or they develop a craving for ginger. This shift is disrupting the food industry, not just snacks but the ultra-processed category as a whole. Read more here
Alternate Forms of Golf
Imagine being in a major city and every other block has something golf-related; in Seoul, they are as common as karaoke spots. In a population of 51 million, 1 in 10 Koreans plays golf. Non-traditional venues like simulators are growing the young generation’s interest in golf. The culture is moving the sport forward. The game’s impact across the country is both cultural and economic, it rounds business deals, influences fashion, and gives shape to retail and recreation trends. Read more here
The Anti-social Century
People are spending more time alone than ever, a trend that has accelerated since the pandemic and reshaped social habits, dining, and leisure activities. Restaurants have shifted from communal spaces to takeout hubs, while entertainment and leisure have largely moved from public venues to private homes, mirroring a broader cultural retreat into solitude.
Despite concerns about loneliness, studies show that many people are choosing solitude for its comfort and convenience. This shift, driven by new technology, economic pressure and changing values, is reshaping society and people’s connections and emotional lives. Read more here
Post-apocalyptic Nigeria
The novel Death of the Author is a story about Zelu Onyenezi-Onyedele, a disabled Nigerian American woman who writes a science fiction book titled “Rusted Robots”. Her life changes as the book becomes a global sensation.
Set in a post-apocalyptic Lagos, Nigeria, “Rusted Robots” explores the bond between a robot and a Nobody, an AI, amidst tribal conflicts and family dynamics. The novel delves into themes of identity, disability, cultural heritage, and the complexities of sci-fi storytelling. Watch an interview here