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Here is the first of the quarterly check-ins for 2026 on what the signals are saying regarding After Capitalism. This is getting really interesting people. Analog lifestyles, new models for keeping good companies good, and youth movements … movement you say?? What a juicy set! (See Q4 2025 here.) Drum roll please!
Tired of AI, people are committing to the analog lifestyle in 2026
Pitched as “analog lifestyles,” it’s different than a short-term digital detox. Instead, it’s an effort to slow down and find tangible ways to complete daily tasks and find entertainment, especially as generative AI platforms increasingly do the thinking and doing for us. It’s hard to quantify just how widespread the phenomenon is, but certain notably offline hobbies are exploding in popularity. Arts and crafts company Michael’s has seen the effects: Searches for “analog hobbies” on its site increased by 136% in the past six months,
AH Comment: This may be more of a “hopeful” hit than a true indicator. If we are hoping for a reaction against the march of technology and digitization, we look for something that signals a countertrend. I admit I am susceptible, so I am urging caution on this one. Need to look for more evidence here!’
How a ‘dirtbag’ billionaire retailer chose to do capitalism differently (Patagonia)
Patagonia founder Chouinard established a pioneering succession trust structure and nonprofit collective for the business. This would see it continue as an independent, environment-led activist company rather than be floated or sold and have its values and foundations diluted. The family gave away access to future profits from a $3 billion business. Planet Earth is their main stakeholder. Wow!
AH Comment: I don’t pretend to understand the intricacies of this arrangement by Patagonia’s founder. There was a lot of controversy when it was initially announced. Some called it a sell-out, which didn’t really make sense given the heritage. Let’ assume this is as good as it sounds. A model. A precedent. We don’t always sell out for the almighty buck at the end. Bravo!
The Youth Movement in a Post-Growth World
The Youth Movement is not a unified voice that shares the same vision of the future. Nor do youth-led organizations employ the same methods to actualize their visions. Some take a more radical approach than others. The Youth Movement has achieved a lot over the last few years. It has self-organized first at the local level, through volunteering, and grown into a global movement acting at the policy level. Throughout that time, youth activists have undergone a professionalization process, becoming highly trained. In many ways, this is a positive development. However, there are concerns about the Youth Movement joining the elite club of professional-class liberals.
AH Comment: Movements, yikes! What a knotty question as we think about the path to After Capitalism. Should it be a movement? Series of movements? As this piece suggests, is reaching movement status the kiss of co-option and death? Organized, but not a movement? Lots questions … not a lot of good answers yet.
— Andy Hines
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