Contemporary Conformist [Part 1] [Part 2] [Coffee]

Contemporary Conformists are always eager to ‘be in on the ground floor’ of Contemporary Conformist business developments because they believe their tastes are the next phase of scalable mainstream interests. This means that they must connect to local news sources that ‘keep them on the ground floor’ of what is opening in their city / microcommunity. Nothing in terms of education, healthcare, disease, or poverty. Instead, Contemporary Conformists want to know ‘what’s opening up in our neighborhood, yall?!?’

Yum! Can’t wait to go by, snap an Instagram, and help the local business to organically scale to my Contemporary Conformist friends.

Habits of this local ContempConformBiz news gathering mindset:
-Following the local repurposed candy factory that will post about new tenants
-Following a ‘local tastemaker’ / ‘foodie blog’ style Instagram that will ‘keep them up to date’
-Follow a local media outlet that is trying to ‘appeal to the Contemporary Conformist citizens of the city’
-Find out where the food truck will be parked
-Find out what will be tocked at this weekend morning’s Farmer’s Market
-Find out if the food truck will be parked at the Farmer’s Market
-Finding out about the pop-up dinner club small plate tasting collab

Contemporary Conformists create ‘local business news’ that is actually a very irrelevant, niche segment of ‘what people should care about in cities.’

What’s the difference between ‘local news’ that old people watch, and ‘new local news’ that Contemporary Conformists create [via Instagram/local content farms, usually in the form of weeklies]?

The Contemporary Conformist is an evangelist–they think that Contemporary Conformist ideals can ‘save’ a city/community. Every building, room, space, and structure has a chance to conform contemporarily. They want to be the ones that repurpose vacant buildings. They do not want to gentrify–contemporary conformists don’t mind venturing into ethnic territory in search of cuisine & cultural experience authentico.

How can we create a new biz in that space with more exposed brick and succulents?

Supporting local business is a way to ‘rebel’ against national brands/chains.
You must populate your media stream with LOCAL if you are going to help new Contemporary Conformist businesses stay alive.

Yes, this is ‘a good thing.’ It is just funnie that Contemporary Conformists don’t support the new Little Caesar’s that is up against the same business challenges.

The Contemporary Conformist just wants to use Instagram to see deliberate advertorial content where the news is ‘beautified’ with a photo using the Contemporary Conformist filter, and a caption that is a ‘support small biz’ vibed caption.

We're thrilled to be joining forces with @tartinebakery. We'll be working with some of the most esteemed bakers in the world, and we can't wait to get started. For more information, check out the link in our profile.

A photo posted by Blue Bottle Coffee (@bluebottle) on Apr 20, 2015 at 10:49am PDT

The Contemporary Conformist has created the perfectly rationalized media space, where there is no divide between editorial & sponsored content.

‘Thank you for supporting us. You were here first! You are part of our authentic tribe! Please tag your friend for a chance to win a free pastry with the purchase of a post-venti cold brew.’

The Contemporary Conformist uses their Instagram feed as a ‘news gathering source’ from local businesses. They want to be the first to try seasonal cocktails/small plates/microbrews. The Contemporary Conformist has a fear of not Contemporarily Conforming before the other Contemporary Conformists conform. This is not a fear of missing out. This is a fear of not being in the ‘early adopter’ segment of the local population for the ‘new, nuanced, tasteful establishment.’

After the merger of popular Contemporary Conformist brand Blue Bottle with Tartine Bakery, it is clear that Contemporary Conformist values are scalable. The ‘backlash’ against the modern chain aesthetic that is ‘sterile’ is coming to an end [via the Chipotlefication of interior restaurant design]. Even if it is a big piece of plywood nailed to the wall, it’s what the people want to feel like they are in a safe, sterile Contemporary Conformist environment.

As La Boulange bakery proves [via Starbucks acquisition], all people want to be fatties, stuffing their faces with pastries that ‘perfectly complement’ their coffee. An Instagram photo is not complete without a ‘beautiful pastry’ next to the coffee.

Contemporary Conformists think that saving the world is no longer having pastries in glass cases, but instead, having them on a beautiful array of cake stands, baskets, and other tasteful Contemporary Conformist serving options.

Contemporary Conformists don’t have a Fear of Missing Out. They will not miss out.

They have a Fear of Not Being the First of Their Friends To Try The New Place and Form An Opinion About It Based on Experiences At Similar Establishments In The Same Area.

ContConf1: Have you tried ____________?
ContConf2: Yeah we went to the soft launch, but only had apps [via tapas {via small pl8s}].

Eventually, the Contemporary Conformist Instagram feed/Facebook feed is a series of check-ins, food photos, and architectural angles that are all in the aesthetic of sameness. You are surrounded by people who are the same as you, experiencing the same ‘unique’ viewpoint of the world.

This is Contemporary Conformity.

Contemporary Conformists want to ‘rationalize’ why where they live is ‘pretty cool’ and ‘has a lot of things that appeal to their age demographic in a pure/natural way.
This is particularly true in Third Tier American cities
(Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Richmond VA, San Antonio TX, etc)

The influx of ‘new businesses’ validates the Contemporary Conformist mindset. ‘Finally, people who know what I want to ingest are moving to my city, flooding it with new ideas. Disrupting the way things were. You know what? Screw first tier American cities. We’ve got the right slice of life at the right price in our Contemporary Conformist haven.’

Why do Contemporary Conformists create a media stream 4 local ConfConf business?

While the Contemporary Conformist DOES craft their opinion on the world from cultural content farms that publish thinkpieces, they also want to feel connected to their local news stream in order to stay on top of events/restaurants.

Contemporary Conformists are in search of the next indulgence. They are not interested in following community news, although they would quickly give some sort of ‘tolerant’/’empathetic’ take on serious community issues if you brought it up. Contemporary conformists are most interested in ‘new urbanism’ and ‘themes of gentrification’ in the areas where they hang. The Contemporary Conformist believes it is ‘good for the culture of a city’ to have Contemporary Conformist businesses spread as far and as wide as possible.

If everyone had Contemporary Conformist tastes, the world would be a better place.

In theory, there is ‘nothing wrong’ with connecting to the local media. People want to know what is happening in their community. This is fun.

However, Contemporary Conformists think that they are doing it in a purer way than every other consumer.

Wedding Announcement Photos are meant to fit in seamlessly with the Contemporary Conformist news stream aesthetic.

There is no difference between a bakery advertorial and life news from your Contemporary Conformist friends.

So are baby announcements?

Don’t u want 2 create an [EXTREMELY LIMITED BATCH] microbrew with another human?


“I want to take you out on our first date to a Modern American Cuisine restaurant
Then Get some craft cocktails
Then spend the night 2gether
Wake up and get premium coffee
hit the farmer’s market
I want to Contemporarily Conform with U
I wanna microbrew with u
and move into the walkable section of town”
-the Contemporary Conformist Love Story

//////////////

Some might say I just explained natural consumerism / how an economy works. If you think that, you are more than likely a contemporary conformist.

There is nothing bad about this, I am just saying it is Contemporary Conformist behavior when you only care about places that cater to Contemporary Conformists as a way of ‘feeling deeply embedded in culture.’

How do you use social media/instagram?
Do you create a version of the world that validates your Contemporary Conformist interests / fear_of_not_being_first in your town?
Are there ‘cool places’ opening around you?
Do you feel like your city is being overrun by Contemporary Conformists?
Do u feel better abt where u live when ‘something kewl’ opens up?
Is it ContempConformie to support it? Or are you just being a good citizen?
How do you partake in the fruits of the Contemporary Conformist establishment without actually Contemporarily Conforming?
Is it auth to just drink soylent and listen to drone music only?

• ← Contemporary Conformism Posts Are ‘Going Netstream Viral’
• Checking in with Carles.Buzz Goals & My Eternal Artistic Crisis →