019 - field notes only

*cough* *cough* I'm sick.

so i’ve not been feeling well this past week, so this newsletter is going to be a little shorter than normal. Just field notes here, for you to make sense of. 'I’ve been told I need to make it shorter anyways so this is a little test run of how it works out.

No. 1 on the list! Ramadan has officially started. I feel like this year more brands are paying attention, and as a Muslim myself, it feels somewhat authentic. I found this link of this guy who carried out a research study on how young Americans celebrate, and how brands can learn from this. Here’s a beautiful collection of photos of Ramadan and Eid in South London.

I’ve started watching Swarm, created by Donald Glover (Atlanta). The first episode felt like I was watching a music video, through a kaleidoscope. Fun fact, Maliah Obama co-wrote episode 5. It’s also shot on film.

Hipstamatic (a super retro app) might be the new Instagram, or the ‘anti-Instagram social network’.

Satirical Alpha Male podcasting is exactly what you need this Friday.

We think we’re pretty self aware, but are you really? There are four archetypes of self-awareness, which one are you?

Key moments of Tiktok’s congressional hearing (US). Europe-wise, Tiktok’s already been banned on parliamentary phones i.e. work phones, on the basis of potential cyber-security threats. (Apparently, the minister of Defence had a 9K strong account, who knew). Finland and Germany have also made guidance for the app to be kept off work phones of those in the government, while the Dutch are currently carrying out an analysis on whether to follow suit.

@durafest2No because how were these questions even allowed to be asked?? #shouchew #tiktokban #tiktokhearing #tiktokceo

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Maybe some people knew about this, but I sure did not. There is a Shrek Rave subculture that’s been going on since 2022 (maybe longer)

Also I’m a big big fan of

Dulma

Altan! She's one of the few business commentators who has leveraged tiktok and IG to edutain, and cultivate her audience. It's a safe bet that I learn a lot about her takes on business strategy, the creator economy and much more. (She's a multi-faceted girlie). Check out some of my favourite bits of her, here, here and here.

If you’re into beauty, working on anything related to it, or even want to know about it. This one is for you.

Jessica DeFino

breaks down the clever marketing veil of ‘The Science of Skincare’. Get stuck in.

Alex Murell published a piece, ‘The Age of Average’, which I’m sure a lot of you have already seen but i’m putting here anyways. Things are “designed for the broadest possible audience, across the broadest number of countries, to be manufactured in the most efficient possible way.” Hello again, Blanding.

Mitchell Wakefield @wakefield00

why does every website landing page look like this now?

To his point about how we look, it seems timely, as Tiktok has a crazy new beauty filter that everyone is using. Also not to mention, it has 9M people freaking out about how non-glitchy and hyper-real it is. Standby for the fall out. (Yikes)

@katiemarble🥲 I feel awful for young girls with access to these filters honestly #boldglamourfilter #boldglamour #filter #yikes #why #makeup #relatable

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I found this piece last week, about the decline of the fashion show as an artistic expression, and how it presents an opportunity for the fashion industry to embrace new forms of creativity and connection with audiences. (not Robodogs, though).

Atmos, on how raving was used as a form of protest to defend the Atlanta forest

A profile on that IG page aka @depthsofwikipedia

The importance of mentorship to accelerate your career, by Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum, I May Destroy you)

Last thoughts,

Leila B @leilaclaire

Recently, I was in a meeting with a social strategist who said her research turned up that, "Gen-Z has a hard time relating to Kylie Jenner because she has overly 'Millennialized' her face'" and I cannot stop thinking about this because it is absolutely correct

@through.the.lleavesBusy busy bee 🐢 #tortoisetok #cutebabyanimals #tortoisesoftiktok

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Also we’re slowly but surely growing. The Field Test welcomed three new subscribers last weekend, and so i say hello and welcome to my brain! If you liked this one, make sure to like, comment and share so I can continue reaching new people :)