The mobile swimming poo, vintage GE fridge, pedicab style EV #231 / February 2, 2024 (Fri) / Confidential |
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Taylor Swift is an unparalleled figure in the United States. Unlike powerhouses like Beyoncé or Ariana Grande with their incredible vocal abilities, Taylor Swift doesn't rely on that and entered the music scene with a country-pop genre that appeals to a more diverse audience, including older adults.
While female country and pop-rock genres have consistently remained popular in the United States, the trend shifted as we entered the 21st century, with black music taking the lead, and some genres losing popularity or transitioning towards electronic music.
However, Taylor Swift stood out. Unlike other American celebrities, she faced minimal gossip, and she personally writes her songs. Her lyrics are not filled with meaningless adjectives about love, drug references, or exaggerated tales of adolescence. Instead, she creates songs that are straightforward, easy to sing along to, and resonate with multiple generations. Especially targeting teenage girls, she often crafts songs that easily capture the hearts of young female listeners.
Beyond her musical talents, Taylor Swift is also known for her literary skills, having published books from a young age. Occasionally, she creates songs based on her personal experiences, sometimes taking shots at her ex-boyfriends. (Shall we take the example of the song created after her ex-boyfriend Jonas Brothers started dating actress Camilla Belle?)
she’s not a saint and she’s not what you think she’s an actress, whoa
she’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress, whoa
soon she’s toys on the playgrounds gonna find stealing other people's toys on the playground won’t make you many friends
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Although she may have a tomboyish appearance, this woman is a symbol of affluent Southern conservatism, radiating an image of decency and sweetness. Recently, she has embraced the body positivity movement on social media after gaining around 20 pounds (9kg). Despite her chubby image, she exudes the persona of a sweetheart.
Having experienced bullying during her school days, she even underwent homeschooling as a result. Drawing on these experiences, she has posted messages on social media offering support and advice to students who have faced bullying.
Even her parents have a positive reputation, with many fans taking family photos with them at concerts. Overall, Taylor Swift's songs have accompanied the lives of Americans in their 10s, 20s, and 30s for over a decade. Even as a member of Generation X, I find myself knowing and singing along to many of Taylor's songs. In essence, her concerts cater to a wide age range, from elementary school students to those in their 40s and 50s. Admittedly, the concerts can be a bit pricey (starting from $49 and going up to $499, with the secret being that a ticket once cost $35,438).
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With over 330 million citizens in the United States, more than 280 million of them follow Taylor Swift, who was selected as the Person of the Year in 2023. Simultaneously, her romantic involvement with Travis Kelce, a football player for the Kansas City Chiefs, led to a 40% surge in sales of Travis's jerseys last year.
Already considered an iconic figure in American culture, Taylor Swift has now extended her influence into the political arena. Her calls to encourage voter registration resulted in an increased registration rate, and two candidates she supported achieved successful victories. While Taylor has not officially endorsed President Biden, Trump, the former president, has expressed concerns, unleashing various criticisms. Such criticisms are expected to persist until the next election.
Interestingly, after Taylor's support for politicians, her fan base has continued to grow. The anticipation of the Taylor Swift effect on the presidential election remains, and the ongoing interest in this matter is expected to continue.
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[ Content of This Week]
01 Consumer Trend : Massive mobile swimming pool enhancing both New York residents' and river health simultaneously
02 Vintage : Innovative drawer design of the 1963 GE refrigerator
03 Automotive Weekly : Separable EV auto-rickshaw for flexible use in the Indian market |
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01 Consumer Trend : Massive mobile swimming pool enhancing both New York residents' and river health simultaneously
In the 1870s, the New York City Department of Public Health had plans for a 'floating swimming pool' on the East River. However, with the convergence of three waterways causing environmental pollution concerns, including the passage of floating and sewage materials, the project could not progress and was eventually terminated. Nevertheless, as New York City actively continues various environmental protection policies, the water quality of the East River has improved enough to allow for swimming.
Understanding the gradual decrease in the number of municipal swimming pools in New York, a non-profit water resource organization has conceived plans for a large offshore public swimming pool on the city's river.
Named +POOL, this swimming pool can be redesigned and adjusted to accommodate various activities such as swimming lessons, lap swimming, water sports, and children's activities. Overall, the surface area of the swimming pool is about 9,000 square feet (249 square meters), and its establishment aims to improve the health of both New York residents and the river. +POOL not only provides swimming pool services but also cleans over a million gallons of river water daily, creating a safe space for swimming with water that has been purified by multiple layers of the swimming pool walls, removing bacteria and other contaminants.
Conceived in 2010 by a young designer, +POOL is set to open a trial program in the summer of 2024 with funding of $12 million from the state of New York and $4 million from the city of New York. If the +POOL project operates successfully, New York City will not only gain another famous tourist attraction but also demonstrate that previously polluted river waters can be utilized by citizens as swimming facilities through environmental projects. Additionally, the city anticipates economic benefits due to the potential for various swimming-related events and competitions.
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[Jenna's Insight]
According to +POOL's research, 79% of children in households with incomes below $50,000 in New York City have never learned to swim. This stems from the reality that there is only one swimming pool for every 126,868 residents in the city, highlighting the need for more than just safety and health considerations. From the perspective that blue spaces play a crucial role in reducing psychological distress and promoting well-being, this situation is understandable.
Swimming under the vast sky, overlooking the expansive river, not only evokes a sense of awe but also provides an opportunity to break away from individual thoughts and increase intimacy with the surroundings. This, in turn, brings various mental and social benefits. In this context, it is essential to explore how we can create new opportunities to connect urban residents with nature through city infrastructure and mobility tools.
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02 Vintage : Innovative drawer design of the 1963 GE refrigerator
The history of refrigerators is said to parallel human desires. The advent of refrigerators, allowing the enjoyment of diverse foods beyond seasons and regions, has a history of less than 80 years in the United States. Initially, the size of compressors posed a problem, and they were not warmly welcomed. However, General Electric's introduction of a top-mounted sealed compressor turned refrigerators into best sellers, incorporating both image and aesthetic features. Since 1950, refrigerators have become an indispensable home appliance, blending functionality with visual appeal. |
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Subsequently, refrigerators have undergone a complete transformation, influencing the internal structure and spatial utilization of homes. The refrigerator has become a crucial element in kitchen design, considering workflow and placement as a fundamental consideration. In the United States, it is often considered standard to have one refrigerator in the kitchen and another in the garage. |
Recently, while exploring vintage designs, I came across the dazzling features of the 1960s GE refrigerator. Manufactured in 1963, this product comes with an outer rotating metal shelf (capable of holding up to 20 lbs or 9 kg) and offers robust and easily adjustable height. Furthermore, it even includes a rotating shelf called Lady Susan at the bottom compartment. |
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[Jenna's Insight]
Comparing refrigerators from 2024, it's evident that the GM refrigerator, with its substantial use of metal, appears more durable than the S-brand refrigerator that recently broke down just after the warranty period expired. I can't forget what the technician said when he came to fix the two-year-old S-brand refrigerator. According to him, S-brand tends to choose cheaper, less durable products over those with a slightly higher cost but better durability.
In the United States, one sales pitch directed at consumers is the label 'American Made.' Even though it comes with a higher price tag, there seems to be something about the robustness and simplicity achieved through parts like brushed aluminum, as opposed to plastic, that appeals to American consumers. When faced with the choice between a stylish design and durability, what would Americans choose? And what about Koreans? |
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03 Automotive Weekly : Separable EV auto-rickshaw for flexible use in the Indian market
Surge EV, a startup in India, has designed an innovative EV called S32 specifically for the Indian market. It resembles a traditional rickshaw commonly seen worldwide but has a unique structure that allows the opening of the vehicle's facade, enabling the insertion or removal of a separate scooter.
Considering scenarios for delivery drivers, this design offers significant flexibility as it can be adapted to the day's delivery volume and transportation requirements. The vehicle can be reconfigured on the spot every day according to traffic congestion and energy availability. Additionally, the batteries are independently rechargeable.
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The vehicle conversion takes only about 3 minutes and doesn't require any additional tools. The company aims to commercialize this concept by 2025, and if safety is ensured, it is expected to be widely used in the outskirts of the United States, small communities, universities, and similar settings. As mentioned earlier, 52% of Americans' driving activities are for distances of less than 3 miles. With guaranteed safety, the compact electric EV format that can handle various trips is likely to become highly accessible. The quick 3-minute conversion time adds an extra layer of convenience to this concept. |
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The Guardian article I read today featured an intriguing story about Caleb Williams, an American football player. Despite the typically masculine image associated with football players, Williams stands out as one who enjoys manicures. He is one of the special football players who appreciates manicures, attributing this interest to his upbringing in a household where his mother worked as a nail technician and emphasized the importance of well-maintained hands.
In a paper presented at the Rochester University Medical Center, it was noted that men have been coloring their nails since 3,500 BCE. In the past, many colored their nails to appear threatening during wars or conflicts. In the present, there is a growing trend of both men and women in the sports industry wearing nail polish. Manicures and nail care are no longer just about enhancing appearance but are recognized as a means of self-expression, irrespective of gender. This shift reflects an interesting trend in how personal grooming is evolving.
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Kia Design America
Written by Jenna Chwee
jchwee@hatci.com
101 Peters Canyon Rd.
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