10 HOT STORIES
IN THE 1990s it was pagers and mobile phones, in the 2000s it was Uggs and Juicy Couture tracksuits, and in the 2010s it was spiralising courgettes, then pretending you enjoyed them as much as pasta. They might be trends, but they’re also status symbols – the low-key ways that we tell the world that we’re kind of a big deal – and they’ve been a hot topic of discussion since a tweet by software architect Greg Isenberg listing the status symbols of today went viral.
His list showed that many of us now prefer to see ourselves as less materialistic and more thoughtful: it included ‘caring about microplastics’, ‘travelling to Japan’ and ‘work-life balance’. Meanwhile, a new study by Hive of 2,000 adults in the UK found that 31% believe solar panels are a sign of social standing. It’s cool to care.
While there’s nothing wrong with liking these things, it also happens to be true that they might make us feel a little superior. Here’s our (less worthy) round-up of what currently counts as showing off.
➳ Orange wine Truly the emperor’s new booze. Often disgusting, but you’ll drink it anyway.
➳ ‘Funny’ selfie in a Current Body LED mask This old thing? It’s a bit of a laugh (and the reason I look younger than you).
➳ ‘First triathlon of the year!’ That Instagram story is a humble brag and you know it.
➳ Nourishing your gut microbiome If everyone knows that you make your own kimchi and wear a Zoe monitor – it’s a power move.
➳ Serving truffle crisps to friends The smug spores known as truffles cling, year after year, to their prestige status.
➳ Tickets to an obscure festival You heard about it on BBC Radio 6 Music. The others ‘have got too commercial’.
➳ Ooni pizza oven All pizzas are delic
