Overwhelmed by the demands of the attention economy? We’ve got just the thing:
I think of the design as dystopian chic.
Frazzled by noise pollution? Not to worry, $350 noise cancelling headphones are here for you.
That is, of course, if you simply cannot afford the conservatively priced four-day $4200 silent detox retreats.
Stressed out by the crowds? There are a slew of services lined up to sell you the luxury of not having to deal with other people.
Miss the deep stillness and beauty of the night? No worries. There’s a slice of the tourism industry devoted to service just this need.
In short: public goods become private luxuries. No news here, I realize. I’m curious if you have any examples of the pattern you care to share in the comments below.
While I have an affinity for “minimalist”-type stuff, I feel like that whole industry/movement fits into this bucket. Same for pen-and-paper.