Pop culture is always changing, with trends and fads appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye. From planking and Silly Bandz to fidget spinners and Ombre hair, many pop culture trends were quick to capture our attention but soon faded away. Gangnam Style became a global hit in 2012, while Pokemon Go had people wandering the streets looking for virtual Pokemon characters. Hoverboards gained popularity in 2015 until reports of explosions caused sales to plummet, while the Harlem Shake dance craze burned out almost as quickly as it started. These ten pop culture trends remind us that nothing is meant to last forever in the ever-changing world of pop culture.
10 Pop Culture Trends and Fads That Disappeared As Fast As They Appeared
The world of pop culture is constantly evolving, with trends and fads popping up and disappearing just as quickly. These trends capture our attention, spark conversations, and inspire us to try new things. However, not all trends are meant to last, and some disappear as quickly as they appeared. Here are ten pop culture trends and fads that disappeared as fast as they arrived.
1. Planking
Planking was the ultimate viral craze of 2011. It involved people lying face down with their arms by their side, like a plank, in unusual and sometimes risky locations. Despite being condemned by authorities due to the risky nature of some of the planking locations, it quickly caught on and soon became a worldwide phenomenon. However, it quickly fizzled out and became nothing more than a passing fad.
2. Silly Bandz
Silly Bandz were rubber bands molded into various shapes and designs. They were a hit with kids and teenagers, allowing them to collect and trade different designs. They even sparked a craze where some kids would wear dozens of different Silly Bandz on their wrists at once. However, the fad was relatively short-lived, and Silly Bandz are now barely even remembered.
3. Gangnam Style
Gangnam Style was a song by South Korean artist Psy that was an unexpected smash hit in 2012. It was accompanied by a music video that featured Psy’s signature dance moves and soon became the most-watched video in YouTube history. However, despite the immense popularity of the song and its associated dance craze, it quickly disappeared from the public consciousness and is now considered a one-hit-wonder.
4. Fidget Spinners
Fidget spinners were a simple toy consisting of a central bearing with three prongs that spin around it. They were marketed as a stress-relieving tool and became a massive trend in 2017. However, they quickly became associated with a negative connotation of being distracting in schools and offices, leading to their swift downfall.
5. Harlem Shake
In 2013, the Harlem Shake was a dance craze that involved a group of people dancing to the song “Harlem Shake” by Baauer. It quickly became viral, with hundreds of thousands of people creating their own versions of the dance and uploading them to the internet. However, the craze burned out almost as quickly as it started, and now the Harlem Shake is nothing more than a distant memory.
6. Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO is an augmented reality game that was released in 2016 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. It had people of all ages wandering the streets, phone in hand, in search of virtual Pokémon characters. However, its popularity quickly died down after a few months, and it is now largely forgotten.
7. Hoverboards
Hoverboards were self-balancing electric scooters that were briefly popular in 2015. They quickly gained a reputation for being dangerous due to several incidents of the boards exploding or catching fire. This led to many retailers ceasing sales of the product, causing their popularity to plummet.
8. Ombre Hair
Ombre hair was a hair coloring technique that involved gradually blending one hair color into another. It was a popular trend in the early 2010s and was embraced by celebrities and everyday people alike. However, the popularity of the trend quickly waned, and it is now a thing of the past.
9. YOLO
YOLO, short for “you only live once,” was a phrase that became popular in 2012. It was used as a justification for making impulsive decisions and living life to the fullest. However, many people quickly grew tired of the phrase and its overuse, and it became associated with a negative connotation of recklessness.
10. Snuggies
Snuggies were a type of blanket with sleeves that were marketed as a way to stay warm and cozy while still remaining mobile. They quickly became a cultural sensation and were featured in countless memes and parodies. However, their popularity was short-lived, and the Snuggie is now little more than a joke.
In conclusion, pop culture trends and fads come and go. While some become iconic and define a generation, others disappear as fast as they appeared. These ten trends capture the fleeting nature of these phenomena, reminding us that nothing in pop culture is meant to last forever.