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    Trendysomething in SoMo

    Giga Pets and Tea Party caps: Houston's hipster future Part II

    Steven Devadanam
    Jan 31, 2011 | 4:20 pm
    • The hermit crab: the future hipster's best friend.
    • Gotta get a Giga Pet!
    • Cheers to blue collar culture!

    Hipsters are a fickle lot, making it difficult to foresee just where their tastes will shift from moment to moment. To close out CultureMap's January editorial series, Imagine Houston's Future, I would like to proffer additional examples (or heady advice) for trends that will take root in the decades to come.

    Tajik Yogurt

    Greek yogurt has had its moment (as a general rule, if an ingredient appears on an episode of Sandra Lee or on the menu at Panera, it's over). And while Bulgarian yogurt may be currently enjoying a renaissance, it's shelf life is limited. Up next: Tajik yogurt.

    It's more obscure, and we'll probably get a good deal on Tajik exports assuming it's acquired as part of an Inner Asia imperialist campaign.

    Hipsters Icing Hipsters

    The bro trend that spread like wildfire during the summer of 2010 will eventually be picked up (ironically) by the cool kids. The sickening sweetness of Smirnoff Ice will be overlooked as a concession to a quick buzz and easy route to shunning demode bro culture.

    Bud Light

    Hipsters may sip Pabst Blue Ribbon with a straw today, but the blue collar appeal of Bud Light is hard to resist. Also, it ranks higher on "drinkability" than Smirnoff Ice.

    Tea Party Paraphernalia

    In the future, Tea Party bandanas will trump the trucker hat of yore. What will (hopefully) be an obsolete political movement will now be fodder for fashion. Relatedly, Sarah Palin-style glasses may also appear on hipster mugs.

    Hermit Crabs

    You may recall that obscure, small, city-dwelling mammals are currently all the rage, but in the future, decapod crustaceans will win the hearts of hipsters. Chalk it up to their childhood nostalgic appeal and cheap dietary needs.

    UH Downtown

    The University of Houston branch is slated for a rebranding, so expect scenesters to suddenly flock to this most urbane of local universities. The hipster freshman class will brag about their proximity to vaguely authentic falafel and the exciting buzz of downtown in comparison to the sleepy, leafy campus of the Third Ward.

    Graffiti Mobiles

    The baby boomers had VW buses, and Generation Z will have Graffiti Mobiles. Assumedly, at that point the vehicles will have wiped out all of the city's evil graffiti, leaving the cars up for grabs.

    Giga pets

    I personally tried revitalizing interest in Tamagotchis in 2004 and 2009, to no avail. Perhaps it's best to pursue the black sheep of the digital animal kingdom.

    Bonus points if you can score a vintage Komputer Koala or Floppy Frog.

    Mechanical Engineering

    It may be hard to envision now, but we'll see mechanical engineering classes at UH Downtown packed with hipsters looking for respectable degrees. Gaining the skills to maintain a vintage Graffiti Mobile is just another perk.

    Analog Books

    If subculture legitimacy is currently defined by the ability to collect a cadre of vinyl records, then in the future, paper books will become the must-have collector's item. Start stocking up now on copies of books by Kurt Vonegut and musings by Michel Foucault.

    Editor's note: Don't miss the first installment of Steven Thomson's hipster future predictions.

    unspecified
    news/city-life

    sustainability news

    Airbnb pledges over $1 million to improve Houston before World Cup

    Jef Rouner
    Dec 5, 2025 | 4:15 pm
    Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday., December 2, 2025.
    Photo courtesy of Airbnb
    From left to right, Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday.

    According to a Deloitte study commissioned by short-term rental company Airbnb, roughly 30,000 people are expected to stay in Airbnb properties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that in mind, the company has pledged over $1 million to various improvement projects in Houston as part of their Host City Impact Program.

    “Hosting a global event like the FIFA World Cup in Houston is a generational opportunity for our city," said Chris Canetti, president, FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee at a press conference on Tuesday, December 2. "It’s so much more than a game — it’s about honoring our city and the people that make it great. In Houston, we’re proud to be working together with Airbnb to ensure these benefits are felt far beyond the games, investing in projects that will leave our city better off for generations to come.”

    The $5 million Host City Impact Program is a partnership between Airbnb and FIFA to foster community spaces in places that host events like the World Cup. In Houston, their contribution will go toward two major projects.

    First, the Green Corridor, an ambitious 14-mile sustainable transit loop that will connect the FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown (EaDo) and NRG Stadium where the game will be held, as well as meandering through various neighborhoods. Not to be confused with the Green Loop project, this pedestrian path will feature interactive maps, water refilling stations, and shaded walkways that will hopefully reduce traffic congestion around the World Cup by promoting walking spaces.

    The second project is Grow the Game, an initiative to renovate soccer fields and increase access to play across the city, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. It will also fund youth tournaments and clinics.

    "Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a historic milestone for Houston, and as leaders from the private and public sectors, we have a unique opportunity to partner and ensure its benefits reach every corner of our city," added Houston City Councilmember At-Large Julian Ramirez. "Projects like the Green Corridor will make Houston more accessible and inviting, connecting neighborhoods and expanding green spaces for all. At the same time, initiatives like Grow the Game will give local kids the chance to get on the field, build skills, and be part of something special. With Airbnb’s investment, we can create a legacy that makes Houston more desirable, equitable, and vibrant for all.”

    As the World Cup nears, the Greater Houston Area is undergoing several different transformations. In addition to the Green Corridor, Sugar Land opened a Social District last month to make it easier for visitors to party in the city's Town Square district.

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