Ins and Outs for 2025

From superfandoms and prediction markets to positive masculinity and campus free speech clubs, here's what I'm betting is hot (and what's not) in the new year 🎊

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

From campus protests, a historic summer leading to an anything-but-ordinary election, and a Gen Z obsession with all things nostalgia, it’s been quite a year.Thanks for being a part of mine. Here's what I'm betting is hot (and what's not) in 2025.

OUTS

Political correctness

President-elect Donald Trump won. The majority of America is on the other side of being P.C.

Gerontocracy

After the Biden-Trump rematch that wasn’t, the spotlight’s on how to engage young people in politics. Groups like Run Gen Z and Run for Something (that support young people running for office) are seeing a surge in interest.

Constant scrolling and phone addictions

Brain rot is toxic and our generation recognizes the need to unplug. The youth-led Log Off Movement is gaining traction.

Seed oils

Regardless of the science, seed oil panic is all over Instagram, fueled by health-fluencers and the Make America Healthy Again crowd. Companies that use them are starting to pay attention.

Standing up for causes others say you’re supposed to believe in

Clicktivism and social media activism is slowly fading as young Americans realize its performative nature is net-negative for progress.

Sambas

This one may sting for some. Sorry.

Long nails

They get in the way.

Brat

It had its moment this summer. But that moment has passed.

The Manosphere

It may have boosted Trump, but a wave of young voices — including women — will change the podcast ecosystem.

Refusing to talk to people with a different (or controversial) opinion

Avoiding dialogue with acquaintances -and even friends! - who hold controversial views has deepened misunderstandings between groups. There’s growing recognition that open conversations are essential to bridging divides.

Putting the responsibility on Gen Z to save us all

Our generation has grown up amid crisis and is itching to tear down institutional norms. There’s more of an understanding that, as

Bruce Mehlman

wrote in his Six-Chart Sunday post this week, the ‘Kids Aren’t Alright,’ and may not save us after all.

Celebrity endorsements

At least when it comes to politics. Hollywood feels out of reach (and out of touch) for a generation that grew up on TikTok.

INS

Superfandoms

One place where celebrities *will* move the needle? Their own brands. While stars might not have power to sway votes or beliefs, superfandoms will continue to grow as celebrities realize their superpower — direct engagement — creates loyalty, relevance, and maybe even empires.

Digital cameras

Digital cameras are back, both nostalgic and modern. As

Casey Lewis

pointed out in her After School newsletter this week, digital cameras were one of Gen Z’s top Christmas gifts.

Positive masculinity

Positive masculinity is rising as talk of toxic masculinity fades, with new initiatives recognizing that alienating men isn’t the answer. Men are sick of being blamed and there are going to be more conversations that recognize that.

Prediction markets

From Polymarket to Kalshi, we’ll continue to see people putting their money where their mouth is.

Collabs with Twitch and gaming streamers

Collaborations with Twitch streamers are prime for brands and individuals to tap into loyal audiences. Watch this space for politicians who could capitalize on this, too. Think Rep. Alexandra Ocasio Cortez playing Among Us supercharged.

Crypto

Is surging and will likely continue to amid a friendly Trump-admin environment. Will NFTs rebound too?

Women’s sports and women’s athletes

Women’s basketball is already a hot commodity. In 2025, keep an eye on women’s tennis. As Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird said, recent investments in women’s sports are a response to calls from fans.

Debate club dinners

Debate club dinners will be the next iteration of last year’s dinner party trend, creating salons for political discourse in the Trump 2.0 era.

Campus free speech clubs

New spaces are emerging for students to express themselves after last school year’s controversial protests and debates.

Animal print

My 14-year-old cousin tells me cheetah print is all the rage with younger Gen Zers. Those on the older cusp of Gen Z say they’re looking out for cow fabrics.

The rise of Kai Trump

Expect Kai Trump, who ends the year with 1.3M TikTok followers, to become as much of a household name as Ivanka, Don Jr. or even Tiffany. She recently vlogged watching a rocket launch with Elon Musk.

Trade and skill-based learning in colleges and high schools

As the cost of higher education rises and the American Dream becomes further out of reach, people are learning skills directly applicable to the job market.

Barely-there make up

Simplicity and subtlety is key as people do more with less. Brands like Saie, Rhode, Merit, Rare Beauty, and Ilia are already capitalizing on the ‘no-makeup’ make up market.

AI disclaimers

In an year where artificial intelligence is certain to take an even stronger hold on of all our lives, watch for companies to label content that’s been created by bots.

Politically coding culture

Republicans did this well by embracing UFC and traversing the podcast ecosystem. Democrats will surely start to adopt similar tactics.

Book clubs IRL

Less BookTok and more face-to-face discussion about what everyone’s reading. Young people are craving community and this is a good way to forge it.

Pokémon cards

As part of Gen Z’s nostalgia, there’s been a resurgence in the hobby of trading cards. Pokémon TCG Pocket is a new app who’s recent success compliments the budding interest.

Religious customs

From Passover seders and Shabbat dinners to young men’s growing interest in church, there’s an appetite for in-person connection over religion even if a belief in God is lower amongst members of Gen Z than older generations.

What’s on your list?

These are just my predictions. What are yours?