*It must be clarified that this should NOT be frivolous or thoughtless recklessness. Of course, in line
with the rest of what’s IN it will be genuine and sincere, which then excuses the normally absurd or
ridiculous actions. This is a result of doing what you feel, regardless of what would be NORMAL.
**See footnote 4.
***Writing a letter would be the obvious example here, but it is important to note that this should NOT
turn into a performative “oh I’m writing a LETTER on PAPER” kind of communication. Don’t make a
thing of it! This also then extends to digital communication, like texting or FB messenger.
Personalization is obviously personal, so this will likely mean various things for different people, but
the role of GENUINENESS is most important.
^4 This is clearly the counterpart to the not making a thing of choking. Basically, everyone is weird or
aggressive sexually, so there is no need to overperform how much you like it as a personality trait.
Don’t stop liking it, just maybe don’t classify it as a !!fetish!! or a !!kink!! Not wholesome! Liking it is,
though, as long as it’s genuine.
^^5 Basically, go short or long. The middle ground is over done and is hardly even a look, but it also
doesn’t matter given “creativity expressed only through haircuts” being out.
This semi-year list takes on a less individualistic tone than Summer 16. Decidedly, 2016’s “quiet confidence” is becoming or will become interpersonal. Trimming the social fat turns into more genuine, humble communication (and therefore a change in how we use social media and talk about it and on it). 2017 is about a shift from hedonism or minimalism into a both more multi-dimensional and simpler WHOLESOME EXCESS. Or, potentially, maximal minimalism. That is, personal minimalism, or minimalism that retains joy and expression and romanticism for the sake of purity and sincerity. It is decisively not sterile minimalism but a lived-in version. This year’s list possesses the image of a diner. Local and unpretentious, yes; the same as anywhere else and special only because of familiarity, likely. It is highly necessary to understand that this wholesomeness is not synonymous with conservatism. In fact, it connotes more of a humbleness and generosity. Acting upon feelings thoughtfully is key, and while this may come off as emotionally reckless, it is just that people will be thinking and acting more independently of what they “should” do. This is extremely important in the changing political and social climate.
Additionally, while it isn’t out, persay, self-care will take a bit of a backseat to caring for a few people around you as well. Not a backseat, maybe, but the passenger seat. Wholesomeness is also a type of cleanliness, which will be seen in clothing and makeup.
Communication is especially important as a facet of this new turn. Pettiness, ubiquitous especially in Fall of 2016, must realize that it’s time to go. Additionally, with its aging and therefore ever-decreasing novelty (despite short-term surges), we will use social media less performatively. It will not be a separate piece of life or ultra-performative platform, but it will merge with it and be a pathway for genuine communication, especially more private. A few weeks ago, I was talking about how much I love twitter. While my sentiment is still true, this kind of mindset is out. I don’t love twitter, I love what I can use it for which is verbal expression and communication (consider what this may mean for the concept of DMs and sliding into them). Allowing social media to overtake its purpose of communication is NOT wholesome, although using it frequently for genuine communication and not for the sake of using social media is excessive wholesomeness. A hierarchy in media as communication platforms still remains, but there will be some evening of the playing field. Instagram is still not an acceptable medium for important conversations, however, if others are available.
A note on memes: the starter pack, although used by a range of social groups, admirable to deplorable, is in many ways the perfect format. Therefore, while applications of it may seem out, it is in fact a staple for the time being. Memes, like most things on the Internet, are short-lived. They are digital insects, flitting around and dying after a rather short time—but only once they have also reproduced by the millions. So, therefore, they must be judged somewhat differently in regards to timelines/groups. In fact, one major sign of the oncoming era of wholesomeness was in a way predicted by the slew of “wholesome memes” that existed largely on alternative media platforms, only lightly showing up on Facebook. Pettiness as a meme—think Joanne the Scammer (sorry for making you think of that)--gave way to more wholesome types. Additionally, although vine is decisively out, the consumption of quick videos, especially on Instagram and Facebook, will remain a staple, although their novelty will go down and their presence as a kitsch medium will increase.
A continue in the return to painting will be seen in art, given its ability to stay in line with previously mentioned tenets of the time.
Please direct any questions to pander2ourselves@gmail.com, and feel free to
disperse the PDFs as you will. Thank you to contributors on Twitter.
;) xoxo
Miller and Helen