The objectives of this report are framed in the research on the pre-teen segment, with the intention of detecting three aesthetic micro trends that we consider to be possible scenarios of future consumption. In this Macro trend, in particular, we were able to find three micro that as discussed, will be governed by contemplation as the basic practice of this pre-adolescent being, and also by the search for solemnity in the different areas in which it is possible to develop, both in specific areas and in specific objects.
Through these conceptions, we want to show that a new sector has emerged, which has as its main characteristic a more reflective look at life.
Analysis
According to our investigation, and the relevant segment to consider, we have defined it as the guiding axis of our gaze, contemplation. We understand that while in a very subjective topic, it is also something constantly raised, and its definition has been varying over the years. Not to mention, that its conception may also vary depending on the person or group that practices it.
In our current context many factors have caused the contemplative gaze to change, one of them, and in our opinion, the greatest effect, has been the development of technologies, because it has immersed all generations in a new world. In a news story made by NZ Herald, children and adolescents of this generation have been described as "zombie children", because they have stuck to the screen and do not plan to release it. They live constantly out of themselves, in another reality that is not theirs. And the segment we've been able to relieve seems to put that aside, they want to go back to old habits. They will want to go away to contemplate this particular situation that the world is going through, no matter how long it takes, they will desolate them selves from social networks and technological development.
We also found another note made by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt (from the December 2018 issue) in which they mention a very interesting term that is "antifragile", raised by Professor Taleb. That he tells us about how children in particular are protected by their parents, to such an extent that what could never harm them ends up doing so. To make this concept clearer, we could mention the clear example he gives us: he explains that the anti-fragile objects of our lives over time (and their repeated use) become rigid, weak and inefficient. It is for reasons how you are that this sector of pre-teens that we have found will be continually looking for places to feel protected, or covered by a protective cloak, know that the one who has gradually crumbles and must find one of their own.
It is not a minor issue, to mention that in the last 5 years there has been an increase in the percentage of children and adolescents who perform meditation and yoga practices.
In 2012, the percentage was 3.1%, and compared to 2017 it has been detected that 8.4% carry out this type of activity. It is remarkable that this segment of children is in search of stillness both mentally and with its context that they have so far been unable to achieve.
This question about timelessness, and not knowing well when we are or when we belong is something that Agamben has already raised to us, in its text What is the contemporary? He explains that what defines contemporaneity is distance and at the same time closeness with time itself or origin itself. We could then say that this segment that we describe in this report is contemporary because it itself is moving away from its time, in this case, so that we can reflect on what is going on around it. It is important for the compression of this work that we understand that being contemporary comes from a disconnection or out of step with the present time.
Still dealing with the theme of time and its conception, we find Byung-Chul Han's text "The Scent of Time". In this text we can understand that time, although always a course of line has been progressive, it will be defeated by illustration, it will be denatured, it will no longer dominate over man but man will be able to design and shape it to his liking. Time makes sense through actions, an example he gives us to understand this concept is that time will only make sense as soon as progress is made towards a goal. The so-called de-temporalization is generated, which implies the disappearance of the temporary courts and conclusions, which end up constituting a meaning. However, this causes a sense of gravitation, that things do not cut us, are not decisive, they do not impose the property, and this will be something that the pre-teens of this relieved segment will seek.
It is through this planting that we have managed to generate, that we end up systematising the trends as follows, guiding us from the constantly seeking a reflection and contemplative look of what is happening around him, feeling away from his time but getting closer to himself.
And it is within this context that we have analysed, where this new type of pre-adolescent will be developed, which leaves aside all kinds of coexistence or collective feeling, and develops its own individuation. Through contemplation, they will begin the search for the stabilisation of the world, one in which they can feel protected, resuming rituals and conventions typical of history. It will generate a connection with time different from the one seen so far, the idea of finitude will disperse and allow these children to endure in it. They will see as their objective to be able to achieve the stillness of the world that the development of humanity, technologies and machine have taken away.
