Curious Like a Kid — The September Issue

Welcome to the September edition of Curious Like a Kid, where we dive into 13 trends and insights capturing our attention around the globe. This month, we explore the quirky and viral behavior of China’s youth, reveal the surprising consumer habits of Generation Alpha, and uncover how cucumbers became a social media sensation.

We also highlight how brands waste millions on forgettable assets, as emphasized by a striking WARC report stressing the need for distinctiveness in marketing. And naturally, we’ve included plenty of AI-related links—what else would you expect?

1. Chinese youth pretending to be birds in viral trend. Young people in China are escaping the pressures of hustle culture by pretending to be birds on social media, creating a whimsical new online trend.
2. How Generation Alpha is redefining consumerism. A new study shows that Generation Alpha, aged 7-14, is already deeply engaged in consumerism, with early-developed shopping habits and a strong interest in gaming and animals [in Swedish].
3. Your video ads are probably flopping. Erik Modig discusses how most digital video ads fail to capture attention, with a majority of the viewers engaging for just one second. His insights reveal why marketers need to rethink their digital marketing strategies.
4. The shocking truth about forgettable brand assets. WARC's report reveals that brands invest heavily in assets that fail to make a lasting impact. Learn why these efforts are falling flat and what marketers can do to create memorable brand experiences.
5. How mastering the letter 'g' can transform your design. Jonas Bäckman, Kid ID’s design director, explores the importance of the letter 'g' in typography and how mastering its design can elevate your work. Discover why this small detail can make a big difference.
6. Discover how AI can revolutionize your design process. Follow brand designer Jad Kassis and watch his pedagogic and astonishing AI solutions using Adobe Illustrator and Firefly. His innovative approach is a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their design work.
7. Swedish candy is taking over social media—here’s how influencers got hooked. Read the full article on BNN Bloomberg to learn how Swedish candy became the latest obsession among influencers. Discover the story behind this viral trend and how it’s impacting the global market. Your product is your marketing.
8. Deutsche Telekom makes you think twice about posting pictures of your kids online. This Digital Craft Grand Prix winner from Deutsche Telekom delivers a powerful message about digital consent from our children and their future selves.
9. Watch AI turn Nicolas Cage into a rock star. Check out this video where Kid’s AI-creator Jörgen Jörälv transforms Nicolas Cage into a rock legend, singing Rage Against the Machine’s iconic hit "Killing in the Name of." Be sure to explore Jörgen’s YouTube channel for other amazing AI creations.
10. What Professor Dan Ariely learned at Ogilvy London. Dan Ariely, a leading behavioral economist, spent a week at Ogilvy London and shared his thoughts on the agency's creative process, collaboration, and the drawbacks of the billable hour model. Dive deeper into his insights on Substack.
11. Take back your freedom—Jack Dorsey’s vision for a permissionless future. The founder of Twitter explores how decentralized technologies like Nostr can help us reclaim control over our online identities and speech—reducing our dependence on traditional platforms.
12. These AI-generated memes are taking over the internet. Explore this viral Twitter thread to see some of the most bizarre and hilarious AI-generated memes. These surreal creations are taking the internet by storm—where will it end?
13. How cucumbers became the surprise star of social media. BBC News delves into the unexpected rise of cucumbers as a social media sensation, exploring how this unassuming vegetable has captured the attention of influencers and consumers alike.

That's all for now folks! And btw, take a look at the Kid Collective's newly released site.