malleable Future: Liquid trends

Solid trends, while stable and predictable, can sometimes transform into liquid trends when certain conditions are right.

Liquid trends, in contrast to solid trends, are less certain and more dynamic, often driven by human behaviour, societal changes, or external forces. These trends are not as fixed or reliable, making them more susceptible to shifts in direction based on evolving circumstances.

A liquid trend is similar to throwing a pebble into water, where you can influence the current and create a ripple effect. Just as the pebble causes waves to spread outward and alter the water’s surface, liquid trends can be shaped by small actions or changes, leading to broader impacts over time. These trends are sensitive to external inputs, allowing individuals or organisations to influence their direction and effect.

One prime example of this shift is the traditional Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 workweek.

For decades, this was a solid trend, deeply ingrained in workplace culture across the globe. The structure of office-based work was predictable and followed a steady, linear trajectory, with most employees working in physical offices.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the solid trend of office-based work began to melt into a more fluid state, and remote work emerged as a strong alternative. What was once a fixed, predictable trend of commuting and working in person became a liquid trend driven by the need for flexibility, technology, and public health concerns.

At first glance, remote work might seem like it is becoming a foreseeable future - new solid trend. However, it is still in a liquid phase because its future trajectory depends on multiple external factors, such as technological infrastructure, corporate policies, and societal acceptance.

Remote work is not yet fully solidified, as companies are still experimenting with hybrid models, and it is uncertain whether this trend will become permanent or revert to more traditional structures as external conditions change.

This illustrates how a once-solid trend can transform into a liquid trend. Although liquid trends are malleable, they still exhibit some degree of consistency that can be anticipated and acted upon, though with less certainty. This require constant attention and adjustment, as they can be influenced by choices, innovations, or sudden changes in the environment.