DeepSummary
The podcast episode begins with a transcript of a conversation discussing a T-Mobile promotion offering new iPhone 15s and discounted monthly plans. The conversation then transitions into a roundtable discussion about the rise of the 'kidult' trend, where adults engage in play activities traditionally associated with children, such as collecting toys, playing in ball pits, and attending adult summer camps.
The group explores the psychological and social factors driving this trend, including nostalgia, social media's normalization of 'eccentric' hobbies, and the benefits of play for overall well-being. They debate the line between healthy play and unhealthy hoarding, and whether certain activities are more 'acceptable' for adults than others.
The conversation touches on related topics like the influence of capitalism on consumer habits, the gendered nature of certain hobbies, and the role of alcohol in creating environments for 'adult play'. The group acknowledges the complexity of these issues and the need to approach them with nuance and self-awareness.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The 'kidult' trend of adults engaging in play activities traditionally associated with children is on the rise.
- Social media has played a significant role in normalizing and destigmatizing this trend.
- Psychological factors such as nostalgia, the benefits of play for well-being, and the desire for shared experiences contribute to the trend's popularity.
- Capitalistic forces and consumerism also drive and influence the 'kidult' trend, as corporations cater to this market.
- There is a debate about the line between healthy play and unhealthy hoarding, and whether certain activities are more 'acceptable' for adults.
- The role of alcohol in creating 'adult play' environments is a point of discussion and potential concern.
- The trend highlights the complex intersection of personal enjoyment, social influences, and economic factors in modern consumer habits.
- Approaching the 'kidult' trend with nuance and self-awareness is necessary to understand its potential upsides and downsides.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “And social media is, like, sparking interest in people who didn't even have this thought and normalizing it at the same time. So it's more and more destigmatized as a thing that's okay to do and be interested in and spend your time on and spend your money on and whatever.“ by Speaker A
- “The wonderful thing about games, toys and puzzles is that they provide us with plenty of variety and opportunities to bridge the generations. There are endless avenues for shared experiences among friends and family, fostering togetherness and strengthening relationships.“ by Quoted article
- “And I completely agree with that because I feel like it's hard to separate them just because we do live in the capitalist. So when you break down certain things, like, Alison would probably push back. If I brought up spending money on collections to, you know, the amount of books that I've bought or the amount of library fees that I've collected, I am more likely to participate in experience.“ by Speaker E
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Episode Information
Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
BestOfTheLeft.com
6/23/24
Air Date: 6-23-24
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The Kidult trend in depth (since we had to cut it short last time)
- A right-wing attempt at a puppet-based kids show to draw in young viewers early
- How Nanalan' - a kids puppet show from the 90s - is helping some Millennials with reparenting
REFERENCES:
Adults Are Spending Big on Toys and Stuffed Animals—for Themselves
Kidults - do you have one in your life?
'Gus Plus Us' Offers a Glimpse of Texas Filmmaking’s Conservative Future
'She Is the Icon of All That Is Joyful in the World
Leave a message at 202-999-3991
Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
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