The article simply (and, one might argue, rather effectively) shows data; the comments here have been far more interesting.
This seems to be a surprisingly polarizing (pun not intended) issue. Why are some people sanguine with the diminishing of color, yet others find it upsetting? Why is it a fashion trend to some, yet a crucial piece of identity to others? I don't know, but I'd love to find out.
So here's my addition to the brew: urbanization. What if the trend is not entirely fashion or economy, but also a function of population density? I've spent my fair share of time in both urban and rural areas, and the urban seem to be much more chromatically homogeneous in terms of surface area, punctuated with more vivid splashes. Rural areas tend to lack the sudden bright splashes, but have miles upon miles of subtle variation. Could increasing population densities be contributing to a loss of color?
I remember being in Tokyo station at rush hour and seeing a sea of beige/pastels and white shirts, with the odd pop of bright colour (usually another tourist) - exactly as you mentioned, but in the form of a microcosm.
I also remember noting that the effect of the homogeneity as being calming, generating serenity amidst what would otherwise be chaotic.
Perhaps the trend towards homogenous colours are communal hive-mind response to 21st Century overstimulation, noise pollution and ever increasing urban density - a desperate grasp for less stimulation in a world of endless beeping, flashing and ringing.
I don't not buy this, but seems kinda far fetched. but then again this explains why the trend is apparently increasing in speed. (but i feel like there's more photos from the later we go that there has to be some kind of normalisation for this date to actually make sense...)
I think you're onto something. I went to pick up my son at the Portland airport last winter. There must have been around 100 people waiting at the baggage claims, and almost all of them were wearing black. The rest were wearing other dark colors. No light or bright colors.
I thought it was weird, but as I stood there wearing my light blue shirt, it occurred to me that I might be the weird one.
This seems to be a surprisingly polarizing (pun not intended) issue. Why are some people sanguine with the diminishing of color, yet others find it upsetting? Why is it a fashion trend to some, yet a crucial piece of identity to others? I don't know, but I'd love to find out.
So here's my addition to the brew: urbanization. What if the trend is not entirely fashion or economy, but also a function of population density? I've spent my fair share of time in both urban and rural areas, and the urban seem to be much more chromatically homogeneous in terms of surface area, punctuated with more vivid splashes. Rural areas tend to lack the sudden bright splashes, but have miles upon miles of subtle variation. Could increasing population densities be contributing to a loss of color?