PPPPinching Your Nose (Four Ps #247)
Stinky Teenage Boys, Social Commerce, The Planet Crisis, and Election Day
Whenever something good comes to an end, you have are two choices:
Be sad it's over...
or be glad that it happened.
I write this post on the Monday night that could have been Game 7 of the NLCS between the Mets and the Dodgers, but the Mets amazin', magical run ran out of steam.
So on to 2025.
Back in May, I was ready to give up on this season. I had very limited expectations for my favorite team this year, but then something happened. Credit Grimace, praise the #OMG, highlight the MVP year of shortstop Francisco Lindor... or maybe a combination of everything that turned this season into one of the most fun years to be a fan.
So I'm both glad it happened AND sad that it's over. What a run... but losing stinks.
But more than anything, I'm grateful that it gave me something with which I could bond with my kids and brought us closer together. Every night this postseason.
And forgive me for not dedicating all Four of these Ps to the power and of our magical Mets Unicorn, "Miracle." #IYKYK
Speaking of kids...
THE PERSONAL: Smells Like Teen Nostalgia
If you've been within 100 feet of a teenage boy lately, you know what I'm about to say.
They stink.
Not in a bad way, but also not really not in a good way.
My 13 year-old son and his friends are caught up in a resurgence of and return to cultural prominence and a classic comeback.
And they're not alone.
Ah yes, The Great Cologne Renaissance of Gen Alpha Boys. My son and his friends are at the forefront of what can only be described as a full-scale olfactory assault.
Those trips to the mall that once meant grabbing a pretzel and a quick browse are now tactical missions into Bloomingdale's and Sephora, where they’re busy huffing high-end colognes like they’re auditioning for the next Dior commercial. And when they come home, it’s a full-blown nasal warfare—the car windows rolled all the way down, hoping the fresh air can break through the wall of eau de teen spirit.
It’s not just my kid, though. A whole generation of boys has decided that smelling like a 1990s department store is their new personality. Forget video games and sports—today’s boys are more likely to be found at a fragrance counter, swiping $300 bottles of Paco Rabanne (which, let’s be real, they’re probably buying because it looks like a Transformer).
Why? Because smelling like they just walked out of a high-end fashion house is apparently the new status symbol. Teen girls have their fancy skincare routines, and boys? They’ve got cologne collections that rival a duty-free shop.
Both Vogue and The New York Times have also written stories about the rise of cologne among teen boys. But they didn't interview me about what it's like driving these kids to and from bar mitzvahs this year... or how it has triggered migraine headaches that I haven't experienced in decades.
Even 11-year-olds are getting in on the action, like my son's friend's younger brother, who begged his mom for a $125 Yves Saint Laurent atomizer—because, obviously, nothing says "sixth-grade swag" like designer fragrance.
Some of these kids are so deep into their fragrance obsession that dads are now raiding their sons' collections for date night. One dad proudly admits he spritzes his son’s stash of 15 colognes before heading out. Ah, bonding in the age of Gen Z, where the scent of father-son love is apparently Tom Ford’s Oud Wood.
I can make you a promise -- the Cool Water and Polo for Men I owned in the mid 1990s are long gone from my house.
But if you're not so lucky, brace yourself: You’re living through The Great Cologne Renaissance of 2024, where puberty stank is drowned in layers of high-end musk and citrus notes.
The good news? At least it’s not Axe anymore. Small victories.
THE PROFESSIONAL: How We Shop
Speaking of shopping, having jumped into the retail media world headfirst this year, it's been a lot of rapid learning, experimenting, and optimizing Genuin's video-powered communities for brands. Social and online commerce are big. But how big?
Turns out in-store and physical shopping is still much, much larger of a percentage of total commerce than I realized. Online shopping might be booming, but 80% of sales still happen in physical stores. Yet, there is a lot of interesting data and takeaways from my recent trip to GroceryShop in Las Vegas that tells us how you can mix the best of both worlds for more sales.
And e-commerce and IRL shopping may seem like competitors, but they actually offer distinct experiences that cater to different consumer needs. Let’s break down the key differences, and why both still have their place in today’s retail landscape.
Convenience vs. Tactile Experience: Online shopping wins for convenience, allowing 24/7 access to products, easy price comparisons, and free shipping. Nearly 48% of online shoppers value this flexibility. In contrast, in-store shopping offers a hands-on experience, with 52% preferring it when they need something immediately or want to feel the product, especially for items like clothing or groceries.
Generational Preferences: Millennials and Gen Z prefer online shopping for its efficiency, while Boomers favor in-person shopping for its familiarity. Gen X sits in the middle, balancing both methods.
Speed vs. Instant Gratification: While e-commerce offers faster shipping, in-store shopping provides immediate gratification—perfect for last-minute needs.
Product Discovery vs. Familiarity: Online stores excel in product discovery, offering access to niche items and user reviews. Physical stores, however, provide personalized advice and a hands-on experience, especially for complex purchases like electronics or luxury goods.
Costs and Returns: While online shopping often includes discounts, hidden shipping and return fees can be a downside. In-store shopping avoids these costs, though some retailers are improving return processes.
Customer Service: Human Touch vs. Automation: Physical stores still lead in customer service, offering immediate help, especially for big purchases. Online retailers are catching up with live chat and FAQs, but the human element remains key.
Balancing Both Worlds: The future of retail lies in omnichannel strategies, combining online convenience with in-store experiences. Brands can offer options like buying online and picking up in-store, merging the strengths of both worlds.
While e-commerce is rapidly gaining ground, especially post-pandemic, physical stores still play a massive role in retail. Instead of viewing these two shopping options as competing forces, retailers should recognize the growing need for a synergistic approach.
THE POLITICAL: Pressure's On.
Another stink? American politics.
We're two weeks to go until Election Day, emotions are running high for everyone.
Harris supporters are anxiously watching the polling data, haunted by the painful memories of 2016.
Trump supporters are nervously eyeing a multi-racial woman leading in most national polls, with memories of a time before Democrats allegedly "controlled the weather."
For swing voters, the burden of finally making a decision — and no longer remaining undecided — seems so overwhelming that many of them may not vote at all.
These swing voters, who could decide this election, tell us they are still not paying attention. According to polls, they can't explain what either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris stands for. For real.
Even more concerning, the percentage of swing voters who say they could explain what Harris stands for to a friend is 12 points lower than for Trump.
It remains to be seen who will capture this last group of crucial swing voters. Among them, 28% say they would vote for Harris, 28% for Trump, and nearly half (44%) are still undecided. Overall, however, the survey shows Harris leading Trump 50% to 45% among all likely voters in a two-way race.
Most reliable data also indicates that swing voters feel less like their lives are on the right track and less proud of the U.S. political system than likely voters overall.
The latest Data for Progress survey offers crucial insight into these perplexing swing voters ahead of the 2024 election.
While Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump among all likely voters in a two-way race (50% to 45%), swing voters are much more divided. In this key group, 28% plan to vote for Harris, 28% lean toward Trump, and a striking 44% remain undecided.
Remember: Kamala Harris is the best bet to protect women's right to decide what is best for her body.
The biggest concern for Democrats is that swing voters struggle to explain what either candidate stands for — but it’s worse for Harris. Only 36% of swing voters say they could explain her positions to a friend, compared to 48% who feel they understand Trump’s platform (whether they agree with it or not is beside the point).
Despite what people know and fear about Project 2025, this lack of clarity around Harris could be a stumbling block in reaching undecided voters. It’s why she’s been doing those friendly interviews with Howard Stern, Stephen Colbert, The View, and others.
Ultimately, there’s an education problem. Shocking, I know. But swing voters are less engaged with politics overall. Only 28% are paying close attention to national political news, compared to 48% of likely voters overall. This lack of engagement makes it critical for campaigns to capture their attention in the final stretch.
Swing voters also tend to feel more disillusioned with the state of the country, which is bad news for Harris. Trump and his allies continue to tie her to Biden’s unpopularity. Fewer swing voters feel their lives are on the right track (58% vs. 67% of likely voters overall), and fewer take pride in the U.S. political system (51% vs. 67%).
Swing voters also tend to occupy a "moderate" stance on sensitive issues like sexism and racial resentment. Fewer fall into the extreme ends of these scales, with a plurality landing in the "medium" category. This middle-ground approach makes them difficult to predict — and all the more valuable.
With the election now just a fortnight away, the Harris campaign has a real opportunity to reach these voters by clarifying her platform and appealing to those who feel disillusioned. As swing voters continue to grapple with their options, they remain the crucial group that could tip the scales on Election Day.
So, to my fellow anxious Dems — we have to get the word out. Things like: "Two-Thirds Of Economists Think Inflation Would Be Worse Under Trump Than Harris, Poll Finds" must be shared! There’s still time! About 345 hours, depending on where you live. Let’s make sure the undecided voters in our lives get informed, whether through gentle nudging, well-shared newsletters (oh, hi!), or casual mentions of "Project 2025 is horrific" or "who Taylor Swift endorsed."
THE PODCAST: The Big Signs Keep on Delivering
On the latest Snarketing Podcast, we were joined by Anna Bager, CEO and President of the OAAA,(the Out of Home Advertising Association of America). Anna brought her wealth of expertise to the mic, sharing why Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising is not only alive and well—but thriving! 🚀
THE PRACTICAL: The Great Planet Killer? It's Us.
The BIGGEST stink? That may just be our planet. It's failing.
Or more accurately, we are failing it.
And it's time to stop ignoring the environmental catastrophe unfolding before us, and Big Tech’s thirst for AI power is adding fuel to the fire. With AI's rapid rise, energy consumption is skyrocketing, forcing coal plants back online and destabilizing the already fragile power grid.
Right now, AI alone is responsible for a jaw-dropping increase in electricity demand, with some estimates suggesting that training just one large AI model can consume as much energy as 100 U.S. households use in an entire year. We’re at a critical juncture when the world needs to cut back on energy use, carbon emissions, and water consumption, but we’re heading in the opposite direction.
In a scramble to keep up with AI's massive energy needs, tech giants like Microsoft and Google are taking drastic measures. Both companies are working on building their own nuclear reactors to power AI development.
Yes, nuclear reactors.
This move highlights the extreme energy requirements of AI technologies and how traditional energy sources aren’t enough to support this explosive growth. While nuclear energy is cleaner than fossil fuels, the reality is that this massive expansion still comes at a cost, especially in terms of infrastructure and risk management.
At the same time, the planet's natural defenses are faltering. The land, forests, and oceans — Earth's crucial carbon sinks that absorb nearly half of our emissions — are breaking down. The Amazon rainforest, once a carbon-absorbing hero, is on the verge of becoming a carbon emitter due to deforestation and rising temperatures. Meanwhile, oceans are warming and losing their ability to store carbon, exacerbating the climate crisis.
In 2023, our planet's capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere collapsed. Wildfires, droughts, and extreme weather battered ecosystems that usually soak up CO2. The repercussions? Atmospheric carbon levels spiked, and the fragile balance that’s held our climate together for millennia began to crack.
The brutal truth is, technology alone can’t save us from this. AI and other innovations are contributing to the problem, not solving it. Until we cut emissions drastically and protect the natural systems we've relied on for so long, we’re not just accelerating global warming — we’re heading straight for a point of no return.
As nature’s ability to regulate the climate falters, so must our overreliance on it to clean up our mess. Tech isn’t the answer if it keeps pumping carbon into the atmosphere. It's time to reconsider our priorities before it's too late.
THE PROVOCATIONS: Other Things I Read And Like:
For Prophets:
Bye bye, Google. SearchGPT will integrate into ChatGPT -- SearchEngineLand
NotebookLM really is something special -- Google
New pet collar can allegedly interpret your dog or cat’s needs -- Wired
For Profits:
TikTok to pay creators with 1000+ followers to promote Shop -- RestOfWorld
Venmo and MoonPay bring crypto to 60M users with new integration -- Decrypt
Manifest turns thoughts into meditations -- TechCrunch
For Pioneers
Women in tech are sounding the alarm -- The Information
The C-suite is on LinkedIn: a 35% increase in C-suite pros -- SocialMediaToday
FTC implements a new rule that canceling subscriptions should be easier -- NPR
For Parents:
College students elite universities are struggling with reading books --The Atlantic
Kids looking for a winter job? Amazon to hire 250k seasonal workers -- Amazon
For Pessimists
Influencers speak up about unfair disparities in the industry on pay -- Bloomberg
Trees and land absorbed almost no CO2 last year. Nature is failing. --The Guardian!
And with that, looking forward to seeing everyone headed to Orlando this week for ANA Masters.
