Tuesday, December 31, 2024

I’ve been thinking that there’s something magical about stumbling across an old home video, isn’t there? The grainy footage, the muted colors, and the shaky, unscripted moments can instantly shuttle you back to a different time, a different version of the world. It seems I’m not the only one who feels this way; I read recently that Gen Z has recently embraced a fascinating trend of watching hours of camcorder footage from the 1980s and 1990s.

What’s striking about this phenomenon is that it’s not rooted in personal memory; these viewers weren’t alive during the eras they’re exploring. Instead, they’re immersing themselves in footage that captures an authentic, unpolished window into the past.  To a time before digital filters, high-definition perfection, and the constant buzz of social media.

This trend likely started with TikTok and YouTube, where creators began sharing vintage family videos of birthday parties, vacations, lazy Saturday afternoons. From those snippets, it has grown into a full-fledged exploration of simpler, slower-paced times.

What’s Gen Z looking for in these tapes? Authenticity. The imperfections we might find distracting, the shaky hands, muffled audio, grainy visuals – are a far cry from the standard highly produced and hyper-curated content of today. There’s something deeply human in the unscripted moments that resonate with a generation constantly navigating the blurred lines between digital selves and real ones.

Interestingly, this search for authenticity doesn’t stop at old footage. I recently heard a conversation linking this trend to the popularity of podcasts. At first glance, they might seem unrelated, but podcasts are another medium that embraces imperfection. Long-form, unscripted, and conversational, podcasts allow for deeper exploration of ideas, much like those grainy home videos that offer a deeper glimpse into everyday life.

This connection made me think about our Keys to Real Estate podcast and the value it brings. While our publications provide essential news, insights, and data, the podcast allows us to expand further into those topics. Through long-form conversations, we can explore the nuances, share stories, and provide context that might not fit into a traditional article.

But here’s the thing: you need both. The publications ground you in the facts, the data, and the key developments shaping our industry. The podcast builds on that foundation, offering a conversational approach that deepens your understanding. Together, they provide the complete picture – one that’s as vital as it is authentic.

Perhaps that’s the real lesson behind these trends: in a world inundated with information, we’re all looking for ways to slow down and connect with what feels real. Whether it’s a grainy camcorder clip, a thoughtful podcast conversation, or the pages of a trusted publication, these moments of authenticity remind us why we do what we do – and why it matters.

Until Next Time,

Mary Schuster
Chief Knowledge Officer
October Research, LLC