The article discusses several trends and developments expected in 2023. Here are the key points:
The Great Green Real Estate Crunch: In the UK, 75% of office real estate does not meet the minimum energy efficiency standards set for 2030. Upgrading buildings to meet these requirements is estimated to cost around £40 per square foot. Stricter regulations will be enforced, and buildings falling below efficiency standards may not be permitted for letting.
Challenges in Real-World Implementation: While long-term visions and digital products are important, solving major challenges such as health, carbon reduction, and logistics requires more than just technology. Dealing with the complexities of the real world, such as building factories and navigating regulations, requires skills to handle the messiness of reality.
Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin: The hype surrounding cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, has been deflated due to the spectacular demise of crypto exchange FTX. Crypto activities have concentrated wealth and power in the hands of a few, contradicting the promised decentralization and deregulation.
Privacy Strictness and Fitness Industry: Stricter privacy regulations, such as Apple’s new privacy protections and potential bans on platforms like TikTok, can benefit the fitness industry. Fitness practitioners are more likely to trust their clubs and wearable devices for data tracking, creating a transparent trade-off between privacy and relevant data collection.
Return of the Real World: NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and pandemic-driven digital services like Zoom and home food deliveries have lost their appeal, as people prioritize real-world experiences and social interactions. The fitness industry’s success is attributed to its focus on socialization and the human touch, as human nature reasserts itself.
In summary, the article highlights the need for green real estate upgrades, emphasizes the challenges of implementing digital solutions in the real world, discusses the deflation of cryptocurrency hype, suggests stricter privacy regulations may benefit the fitness industry, and observes a return to real-world experiences and social interactions.
