How will good taste change?
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The understanding and valorization of good taste is never static. It evolves alongside societal structures, collective emotions, and intellectual currents. As we move into a period potentially shaped by declining solar activity, shifting societal priorities, and broader cosmic and environmental cycles, good taste across domains—from art to politics, from aesthetics to ethics—is poised to transform. This transformation will be subtle yet profound, reflecting an underlying reconfiguration of cultural values, emotional organization, and intellectual priorities.
To understand how "good taste" might evolve, we must consider the mechanisms that underpin its historical fluctuations, the contemporary forces reshaping it, and the likely trajectory of its transformation in the decades ahead.
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Good Taste as a Cultural Compass
Good taste has always been a barometer of cultural ethos, reflecting the values, anxieties, and aspirations of its time. It serves as a shorthand for the moral, aesthetic, and intellectual sensibilities a society deems worthy of emulation. During periods of expansion and exuberance, good taste often aligns with novelty, sophistication, and the celebration of human achievement. Conversely, in times of introspection or retrenchment, it tends to valorize restraint, tradition, and authenticity.
This duality can be observed across epochs. The Renaissance, born of confidence in human potential, elevated grandiosity and intellectual daring as the hallmarks of good taste. In contrast, the interwar period of the 20th century—scarred by existential crises—found beauty in simplicity, nostalgia, and the rawness of human experience. As societies oscillate between these poles, so too does the definition of what constitutes taste, with its transformation driven not only by external circumstances but also by the emotional and cognitive structures that dominate each era.
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The Coming Shift: Decline of Dopaminergic Taste
In the current era, dominated by the lingering effects of modernist individualism, good taste has often been synonymous with boundary-pushing innovation, consumption, and the valorization of the novel. This taste aligns with a dopaminergic, high-energy mindset: pleasure derived from stimulation, shock, and constant reinvention. However, as we move toward a possible Grand Solar Minimum, characterized by dopaminergic suppression, retrenchment, and a behavioral immune response that prioritizes stability and cohesion, the foundations of this aesthetic framework are likely to erode.
The valorization of restraint, humility, and emotional authenticity will come to replace the dopamine-fueled search for the avant-garde. The ethos of "less is more," deeply tied to periods of cultural retrenchment, will regain its centrality. Good taste will no longer be defined by external markers of innovation or excess but by the ability to evoke timeless emotional truths through simplicity and sincerity.
In architecture, this might manifest as a return to forms that prioritize functionality, sustainability, and harmony with the environment, displacing the brashness of modernist skyscrapers. In visual art, the shift may favor the meditative stillness of minimalism over the conceptual provocations of postmodernism. Across domains, ornamentation for ornamentation's sake will lose favor, replaced by works that feel grounded and enduring.
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Tradition and the Reconciliation of the Past
Periods of introspection tend to provoke a re-evaluation of the past, and good taste often becomes a way of adjudicating which aspects of tradition are worth preserving. During a Grand Solar Minimum, when societal focus is likely to shift toward survival, community cohesion, and existential meaning, tradition will no longer be seen merely as something to rebel against but as a reservoir of collective wisdom and aesthetic refinement.
The understanding of good taste will increasingly emphasize continuity rather than rupture. Art movements and philosophies once deemed passé may be re-evaluated and celebrated for their emotional depth or craftsmanship. For instance, Romanticism—so often dismissed as overly sentimental—may regain prominence as audiences seek works that resonate with existential anxiety and the beauty of fleeting human experience. Similarly, in music, the elegance of tonality and melody could supplant the angular experimentation of atonality, as the latter comes to feel too alienating for an age yearning for connection.
This shift will likely extend into ethical domains as well. The valorization of good taste in behavior—long tethered to notions of authenticity and spontaneity—may evolve toward a more formalized sense of propriety, humility, and care for others. Far from rigid moralism, this taste for decorum will represent a collective attempt to restore trust and cohesion in fractured societies.
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Localism and the Fragmentation of Universal Taste
Another significant factor in the redefinition of good taste will be the decline of cultural universality. The modernist project sought to establish good taste as something transcendent, rooted in universal principles of reason, harmony, and order. However, as societies become more localized and introspective, the idea of a singular standard of taste will dissolve.
Local traditions, regional aesthetics, and idiosyncratic forms of expression will experience a resurgence. This fragmentation will not represent a failure of taste but a pluralization of what taste means. In food, for example, the relentless globalization of culinary trends will give way to a renewed appreciation for local, seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques. In fashion, the homogenization of global brands may be supplanted by regional craftsmanship and cultural specificity.
The fragmentation of good taste will also be intellectual. While Enlightenment universalism sought to establish a shared framework for understanding the good, the true, and the beautiful, the coming decades may embrace plural epistemologies, allowing diverse cultures to articulate their values without recourse to a singular canon.
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The Return of the Sublime
Perhaps the most profound evolution in the understanding of good taste will lie in the revival of the sublime. In recent decades, the dominance of the beautiful, the ironic, and the trivial has marginalized the sublime—the sense of awe, terror, and transcendence that arises when confronting forces beyond human control. Yet, in an age of environmental instability, cosmic uncertainty, and existential reckoning, the sublime will reassert its place at the heart of aesthetic and ethical judgment.
Good taste will valorize works that provoke humility in the face of the infinite, whether through the grandeur of nature, the immensity of space, or the depths of human vulnerability. In literature, the novels of the future may channel the spiritual vastness of Dostoevsky rather than the ironic detachment of postmodern fiction. In philosophy, the question of how humans fit within larger systems—natural, cosmic, and spiritual—will replace the individualism of 20th-century thought.
This reorientation toward the sublime will not reject beauty outright but will redefine it as something capable of gesturing toward truths larger than the self. Good taste will come to mean recognizing one's smallness in the vastness of existence, a value deeply attuned to the psychological tenor of solar minima.
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The Ethics of Good Taste in a Fragmented World
As the very notion of good taste evolves, its ethical implications will also transform. In an age of retrenchment, the exercise of good taste will come to signify not merely a cultivated sensibility but a moral responsibility. The pursuit of taste will reflect a commitment to sustainability, care, and the preservation of what matters most.
The ostentatious consumption that marked the early 21st century—designer brands, extravagant lifestyles, and the valorization of excess—will come to feel vulgar and out of step with the times. Instead, good taste will emphasize restraint, intentionality, and the quiet satisfaction of living well within one's means. A well-crafted handmade object, a restored family heirloom, or a carefully chosen meal will hold more aesthetic and moral weight than mass-produced luxury goods.
Good taste will also demand empathy and cultural humility. In a world increasingly aware of its interconnected fragility, the tastemaker will be one who navigates differences with respect, appreciating the distinct values of diverse traditions without reducing them to mere novelty or appropriation.
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Conclusion
As we move into a period shaped by declining solar activity, societal introspection, and the reorganization of emotional life, the understanding and valorization of good taste will undergo a profound transformation. It will shift from a celebration of innovation and excess to an appreciation of depth, restraint, and authenticity. Local traditions will flourish, universality will fragment, and the sublime will regain its place as the ultimate arbiter of aesthetic and ethical value. In this new era, good taste will be less about what dazzles and more about what endures—an anchor in a world rediscovering its need for stability, connection, and meaning.
As societies evolve under the influences of shifting cultural, environmental, and cosmic cycles, the concept of good taste will infuse every domain of life, reshaping what people value in leaders, work, leisure, aesthetics, and even the subtleties of interpersonal conduct. The coming decades, marked by possible retrenchment and introspection, will bring about a recalibration of priorities, deeply influencing human behavior and the frameworks within which individuals and communities organize their lives. Taste, as a reflection of deeper societal undercurrents, will come to mean something far removed from the high-energy, novelty-seeking ideals of recent decades. It will favor qualities aligned with endurance, meaning, and authenticity.
Leaders in this redefined context will no longer be celebrated solely for charisma or disruptive innovation. Instead, they will be valued for their ability to steward continuity while embodying stability, foresight, and humility. In politics, the bombastic and grandiose leader will give way to the prudent statesman or stateswoman, capable of uniting disparate factions and protecting communal values. Visionaries like Churchill, who were appreciated for their moral fortitude during crises, may serve as models of this archetype. Corporate leaders, too, will face demands for a kind of ethical responsibility that transcends mere profitability. They will be judged by their ability to harmonize long-term stability with economic viability, cultivating a legacy of care for both employees and the environment. Vision without recklessness, and confidence tempered by compassion, will define good taste in leadership.
In the realm of work, the qualities sought in jobs and employees will reflect these broader societal trends. Employers will prioritize resilience, adaptability, and the capacity for meaningful collaboration over raw ambition or competitive edge. The frenetic pursuit of efficiency at all costs, often celebrated in high-energy economic eras, will be replaced by a deeper appreciation for work that builds enduring value. Employees will be judged not merely by their output but by their ability to contribute to a collective ethos of stability and thoughtful progress. Skills such as emotional intelligence, ethical discernment, and a talent for creating harmony in the workplace will rise in importance. Workplaces themselves will shift from environments that incentivize relentless optimization to ones that foster calm, measured productivity and deeper emotional engagement.
Advertising and marketing will similarly be reshaped by this cultural realignment. In an era of introspection, the flashy and overindulgent appeals of mass-market consumerism will lose their hold. The visual language of advertising will likely shift toward sincerity, simplicity, and a sense of timeless quality. Brands will no longer be celebrated for their trend-setting capabilities but for their ability to create products that resonate emotionally and endure materially. The ethical dimension of marketing will gain prominence, as consumers increasingly scrutinize the values underpinning the goods and services they buy. A quietly confident authenticity will hold more appeal than bold slogans or exaggerated claims. Companies that emphasize craftsmanship, sustainability, and emotional connection will set the standard for good taste in commerce.
In household design and decoration, the retreat from extravagance will be stark. Over the past few decades, interior aesthetics have often been characterized by their attempts to impress: expansive open-plan layouts, stark minimalism devoid of personality, or a proliferation of high-end finishes designed to convey wealth and status. In the decades ahead, good taste will privilege homes that feel intimate, warm, and reflective of their occupants’ personal histories. A turn toward natural materials—stone, wood, textiles that age gracefully—will reflect a desire to reconnect with the tangible and the timeless. Spaces will be designed for comfort and community rather than ostentation, with an emphasis on durability and craftsmanship. Family heirlooms and artisanal pieces will take precedence over mass-produced decor, signaling a renewed appreciation for the enduring over the disposable.
Clothing will undergo a parallel transformation, shedding the obsession with fast fashion and seasonal trends in favor of garments that convey care, quality, and individuality. Simplicity and subtle elegance will be the hallmarks of good taste, with fabrics and designs chosen not for their immediate impact but for their ability to age beautifully and remain functional. Traditional tailoring and heritage techniques will likely see a resurgence, as will clothing that reflects regional or cultural identities. In a retrenched society, people will be less inclined to use fashion as a vehicle for shock or spectacle and more likely to express themselves through understated, meaningful choices. Practicality will also play a significant role, as economic constraints and environmental awareness further curtail frivolity.
Hobbies, games, and leisure pursuits will align with the broader values of introspection and emotional connection. In an age where authenticity and depth are prized, hobbies that foster mindfulness and skill development—gardening, woodworking, knitting—will gain prominence. Virtual and video-based hobbies may decline, or at least adapt, to emphasize more thoughtful and communal experiences. Games that explore themes of cooperation, narrative richness, or existential challenge will replace those focused on flashy visuals or high-stakes competition. Social activities will be valued for their ability to create shared memories and strengthen bonds, with local festivals, small gatherings, and traditional crafts enjoying a revival.
Books and magazines will experience a renaissance of depth and thoughtfulness. The fast-paced, disposable content that dominated the digital era will increasingly give way to carefully crafted works that address timeless human questions. In literature, the appetite for ironic detachment or postmodern fragmentation will wane, replaced by works that offer earnest exploration of human frailty, resilience, and the search for meaning. Nonfiction will focus on subjects that nurture the spirit and intellect—philosophy, history, and spirituality will see renewed interest, while ephemeral self-help books may decline in favor of enduring wisdom. Magazines, if they survive at all, will shift toward curation, emphasizing quality over quantity and serving as tastemakers for thoughtful living.
The shifts in mores will follow a similar trajectory. The relentless individualism of recent decades will likely soften into a collective re-engagement with shared responsibility and decorum. In interpersonal relationships, there will be a renewed emphasis on manners, gratitude, and a measured way of interacting that fosters trust and continuity. Social rituals, from dining to celebrations, will focus on creating meaningful experiences rather than maximizing spectacle or efficiency. Communities will reclaim practices that emphasize connection—seasonal festivals, public feasts, and other shared traditions will regain their place at the center of social life.
Every facet of life will reflect this recalibration of good taste. The overarching trend will be a movement away from the excesses of individualism and novelty-seeking, which characterized the high-energy years of technological and cultural acceleration, toward an ethos of restraint, care, and meaning. Whether in leadership, household aesthetics, or the smallest details of daily living, taste will prioritize the enduring over the ephemeral, the subtle over the sensational, and the authentic over the artificial. In doing so, it will guide societies toward a more grounded, harmonious relationship with themselves and the world.