What Happened to the American Vacation?

A rant about corporate blandness, screen fatigue, and the death of enchantment. Plus: latest wellness news & trends!

I’m back from my much-needed break! Below are some thoughts on the increasing loss of enchantment (and why it matters), along with new wellness fads, Blue Zone skepticism, and more.

News:

• I shared my thoughts about some of the ridiculous "longevity" clinics with Bloomberg Businessweek: "So much of this just an exercise in psychology, making people feel better about what they’re doing.”

These Membership Clubs for the Rich Say They Can Actually Slow Aging

Appearances:

• I’ll be speaking at QEDcon, the UKʼs largest skepticism and pop-science conference, Oct 19-20! I’ll be doing a talk on the wellness industry, as well as a panel on investigative journalism. INFO

• I’ll also be speaking at CSICon in Vegas! Join me, along with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Timothy Caulfield, and more. INFO

What Happened to the American Vacation?

This summer, I found myself thinking about Disneyland. It's been almost ten years since my last visit, and I have always cherished the memories I made at the park. I remember going when Captain EO was Tomorrowland's most futuristic attraction, and audiences hardly blinked at the “wench auction” at Pirates of the Caribbean. It was always a fun way to burn a few hundred dollars and down several churros.

But everyone in my circle quickly warned me. It’s not what it used to be, they warned. Highway robbery, scoffed a family member. It’s more stressful than it is fun now, bemoaned a friend.

Aubrey Odom/Unsplash

I soon learned that the park had implemented an app to use before and during one’s visit. Need to figure out where to go? Use the app. Want to order food? Use the app. Want to use a “fast pass” (or whatever it's called now)? The app, the app, the app.

Of course, such a system does provide some benefits, like reducing wait times for food and informing visitors about closed attractions. However, let's consider the feature for finding characters. While it makes it easier to locate the elusive Daisy Duck, it might kill the spontaneity of her unexpectedly appearing in New Orleans Square, no?

Folks have told me the app-ification of Disney overcomplicates what should be a fun, simple exploration of the parks. They certainly all parrot the same complaint: we hate being on screens, and here we are, on our day off, on a screen.