In the wake of the 2024 election, many individuals, including Kyle Monson, have turned to escapism through reality TV and other distractions as a response to overwhelming news fatigue. Unlike the previous Trump administration when social media became a battleground for resistance, there is now a noticeable shift toward withdrawing from political engagement in response to relentless negativity. People are finding solace in activities such as sewing, reading, or watching shows with low stakes, seeking to avoid the doomscrolling that characterized earlier years. This shift has led to a significant change in how people consume news, prioritizing reliable sources and group discussions over social media. As traditional media landscapes become increasingly politicized and fragmented, a sense of powerlessness emerges, prompting individuals to curate their own information channels to maintain their mental well-being.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shift to Reality TV Consumption | People are increasingly turning to low-stakes reality shows for distraction from political news. | A transition from serious news consumption to entertainment-focused viewing choices. | In 10 years, reality TV may dominate media consumption as a coping mechanism for societal stress. | The relentless nature of news cycles creates a fatigue that drives people to seek lighter entertainment. | 4 |
| Return to Analog Hobbies | More individuals are engaging in offline activities like sewing and reading as a form of escapism. | Shifting from digital engagement back to analog hobbies for mental well-being. | Ten years from now, there could be a resurgence in physical crafts and reading over digital consumption. | Mental exhaustion from continuous online engagement encourages a return to fulfilling, hands-on activities. | 4 |
| Personalized News Filters | People are creating group chats for curated news experiences instead of consuming mainstream media. | Moving from broad news digestion to personalized, trusted news-sharing among small groups. | In a decade, news consumption may be dominated by small, trusted networks instead of large media outlets. | Disillusionment with traditional media prompts a preference for community-based information sharing. | 5 |
| Decline of Engaged Political Discourse on Social Media | The online political conversation has degraded into passive consumption rather than active engagement. | A shift from dynamic political debate on social media to passive consumption of broadcast content. | In ten years, social media may evolve into a less interactive space for political discourse if trends continue. | Growing political confusion and fatigue drives users away from interactive engagement. | 5 |
| Podcast and Independent Content Growth | More individuals are consuming content from independent creators instead of traditional news outlets. | People are favoring podcasts and independent content over mainstream news sources. | Ten years from now, independent creators may dominate the information landscape, shifting trust away from institutions. | Dissatisfaction with traditional media accuracy and bias leads users to seek alternative voices. | 4 |
| Mental Health Impact of Doomscrolling | Increased awareness of the negative effects of constant news exposure is affecting consumption habits. | Heightened concern over mental health is changing how people interact with news media. | In a decade, there may be a broader cultural shift towards prioritizing mental health over news consumption. | Growing discourse around mental health encourages people to minimize anxiety-inducing media exposure. | 4 |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Escapism from Political Reality | Growing trend of people retreating into entertainment and hobbies to escape overwhelming political news, potentially leading to disengagement from civic duties. |
| Deterioration of Civic Engagement | Shift from active participation in political discourse to passive consumption of media, which may undermine democratic processes. |
| Impact of AI on Information Consumption | The rise of AI and algorithmic feeds may skew information sources, leading to misinformation and reduced quality of news content. |
| Polarization of Social Media Platforms | Increased division and politicization of platforms like Twitter and Meta may limit exposure to diverse viewpoints and constructive dialogue. |
| Mental Health Deterioration due to Doomscrolling | Excessive exposure to distressing news may contribute to anxiety and feelings of powerlessness among individuals. |
| Concentration of Power in Information Sources | With fewer trusted news outlets, the consolidation of information could lead to biased representations and manipulation of public opinion. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Binge-Watching Reality TV | Distraction through binge-watching light-hearted reality shows, contrasting previous habits of engaging with more serious content. |
| Return to Analog Activities | Engaging in analog hobbies like sewing, playing music, or reading literature as a counter to digital distractions. |
| Curated News Consumption | Intentional pruning and curation of news sources and consumption habits to avoid overwhelming sensations. |
| Shift to Private Communication | Replacing social media engagement with private group chats to create a collective filter for news. |
| Doomscrolling Retreat | A notable decline in doomscrolling habits, with individuals seeking alternatives to anxiety-inducing news. |
| Increased Consumption of Nostalgic Content | Turning to nostalgic television shows or films as an escape from current realities and anxieties. |
| Social Media Disengagement | A trend of withdrawing from social media platforms to restore mental calm and focus on real-life interactions. |
| Market Shift to Independent Creators | A growing preference for content from independent creators over traditional media outlets, reflecting distrust in established narratives. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| A.I.-driven corporation | A future where corporate structures and government functions are managed and operated by artificial intelligence systems. |
| User-generated content platforms | Emerging platforms where individuals create, share, and consume content, providing alternative channels for information and interaction. |
| Social media algorithm changes | Evolving algorithms that influence how content is displayed, particularly favoring businesses and suppressing political content. |
| Online community engagement via group chats | The rise of private messaging and group chats as a means of discussing news, offering a more curated and reliable information source. |
| Streaming services and immersive content | The increasing importance of streaming services that offer content reflecting or responding to current societal issues and events. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Escapism and Mental Health | Individuals are increasingly turning to distractions like reality TV and analog activities to cope with overwhelming news cycles and political stress. |
| The Decline of Social Media Engagement | Shift away from social media platforms for news consumption, indicating a change in how people interact with political content and information. |
| Political Polarization in Digital Spaces | The blurring lines between pro- and anti-Trump narratives, leading to confusion and heightened political fatigue among users. |
| Reliability of Online Information Sources | Increase in skepticism towards traditional news outlets and a preference for localized or curated news sources in light of perceived media failures. |
| Impact of AI on Information Consumption | The influence of AI and algorithmic changes on the distribution of news content, impacting user experience and engagement levels. |
| Shifts in Political Discourse | The emergence of independent creators and platforms as primary sources of political discussion, altering traditional media dynamics. |
| Collective News Filtering | The rise of group chats and personal news curation as means to engage with current events, promoting community-driven discussions. |
| Nostalgia as a Coping Mechanism | Turning to nostalgic media consumption as a form of escapism during turbulent political times. |