Return of Movie Theaters, Why JK Rowling Got Canceled & Unusual 2020 Time Capsule Ideas | Non-Obvious Insights #249

Dear Newsletterest,

There's just one week left in the year and it's an unusual December for me ... the first time in a decade that I'm not preparing to launch a new edition of the Non-Obvious Trend Report. Since I haven't stopped gathering stories, though, next week I'll share my thoughts about the biggest trends from the past year and what I'm looking forward to in 2021. For now, enjoy this week's stories and all the best to you and your family for this holiday time.

What Would You Put Into a Time Capsule to Remember 2020?

When the team at BBC Future asked noted futurists and thinkers to nominate the objects they might choose to memorialize a difficult year, some of the suggestions were predictable: a mask or hand sanitizer. Others were more imaginative: like the suggestion to include a "sealed vial of clean city air" - only possible thanks to the significant pollution reduction that came as a side effect from so many commuters staying home. Read the full article to see even more suggestions, from pieces of toppled statues to plant-based burgers.

The Truth Behind Indian American Exceptionalism

An article from The Atlantic this week has been generating significant discussions within the Indian American community and beyond. It focuses on how our "model minority"community of immigrants has often separated itself from other immigrant groups in America and traces the history and significance of this reality. It's a compelling read (particularly if you happen to be Indian American) and offers an unusual perspective on the impact of this unusual "exceptionalism" -- and how that might finally be evolving thanks to the racial conversations happening today.

Movie Theaters Won't Just Survive, They Might Just Get Better Too

The demise of movie theaters has become a monthly meme for the past year. Economists and journalists alike seem sure that the big theater chain won't survive the pandemic. And the biggest chains warning of impending bankruptcy seem to prove them right. Yet a more non-obvious perspective emerging (which I believe) is that this time may actually be helping the best theaters get even better.

As Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League explains, “I’ve never considered at-home streaming our competitor. We are an out-of-home experience. We’re competing against restaurants, bars, and clubs.” Theaters are still a great experience for movie lovers. It's one of the experiences I have missed most since the pandemic, and plan to return to almost immediately as soon as it's safe. I suspect I'm not alone either.

How the Pandemic is Helping New Zealanders Rebuild Māori Culture

Over the past year, there has been an exponential rise in New Zealanders working to learn the endangered Māori language and to rediscover their customs. From the country's political leaders to its citizens, this pandemic has awakened new momentum from people looking to rebuild the native culture of their land and to perhaps correct the sins of past colonialism in the process. It's a heartening shift, and one that hopefully might inspire more people to spend time doing the same thing with other ancient cultures and languages in danger of being lost or forgotten.

Inside the Canceling of JK Rowling

JK Rowling has had some trouble lately. It's certainly not surprising for a celebrity to say something on Twitter that erupts in controversy. But Rowling's story isn't one of a clueless famous person posting an intentionally provocative message to get attention. As this in-depth article illustrates, her views on transgender people are based on her own deeply held beliefs. Whether you agree with her or not, this New York magazine article offers a great overview of the issue, her response and "cancel culture" itself.

Clark Griswold is Back in a New Ad For Ford's New Mustang Mach-E

Just in time for the holidays, Ford dropped a new ad featuring their new electric Mustang Mach-E ... and what better way to introduce an electric car than to bring back Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold? The ad is not that clever or funny, but they did manage to get a lot of the original cast back together and there are plenty of shots of the lovely looking new electric car ... so it will probably work.

How are these stories curated?

Every week I spend hours going through hundreds of stories in order to curate this email. Want to discuss how I could bring this thinking to your next event as a virtual speaker? Visit my speaking page >>

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Return of Movie Theaters, Why JK Rowling Got Canceled & Unusual 2020 Time Capsule Ideas | Non-Obvious Insights #249

What Would You Put Into a Time Capsule to Remember 2020?

The Truth Behind Indian American Exceptionalism

Movie Theaters Won't Just Survive, They Might Just Get Better Too

How the Pandemic is Helping New Zealanders Rebuild Māori Culture

Inside the Canceling of JK Rowling

Clark Griswold is Back in a New Ad For Ford's New Mustang Mach-E

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Tinder's Year In Review, Polar Bear Trackers, "Smellicopters" and a Diversity Summit Unlike Any Other | Non-Obvious Insights #247

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