Refinement Culture

There has been a subtle shift in the last 20 years in many aspects of life around us. It has to do with refinement of design, architecture, accents, the environment and overall aesthetics. Refinement culture can be summarized as a general streamlining and removal of any unique characteristics. Refinement Culture is one dimensional and removes variety from the environment. It's optimized.

It’s easier for me to show you some of these changes you may or may not have noticed. And through the examples, a definition will be fleshed out. You see it already everywhere.

Corporate Logos

Let’s discuss contemporary logos. The current aesthetic is supposed to be “clean” and frictionless. They are de-aging skin, smoothing hair, and brightening his eyes. They could be trying to make him look “healthy”.

Cars 

I remember growing up and driving and being in the passenger seat of cars. Every car would be a different world. It’d be a totally different experience, both riding in it, driving it, the aesthetics, the interior and if it would even last. They were distinct!

If it’s a newish car made in the past 5-10 years, it’s all the same. What make? What model? It doesn’t matter. It’s all pretty good. They all run smooth. They all have electronics on the dashboard.

Four car brands, four models, all basically the same.

It's not even about car design, but colors as well.

Or look at interiors. It's just a big ipad in the middle. There are not buttons or knobs.

Architecture

Perhaps the most visible aspect of refinement culture is architecture. New buildings generally all just look alike.

Even the inside of homes generally have this look. 

Accents

There's even a merger of language happening. Strong regional accents are slowly dying off. The more interconnected we are, the more we talk the same.

In the 1980s, some 80 percent of Texans they interviewed had an accent. By 2013, that figure was only about one third

Appearances