trends – Page 2 – Topical Fruit

10 Trends That Disappeared Without Anyone Noticing

Some cultural fads go out with a bang— while others choose an Irish goodbye. An online thread asked: What things quietly went away? The answers? A nostalgic, weirdly satisfying list of things we collectively outgrew, forgot, or pretended never happened.

Here are 10 former staples of everyday life that faded into obscurity:

1. Waterbeds
Once considered the peak of bedroom luxury (and, somehow, sex appeal), waterbeds were bulky, hard to move, and prone to leaks. Eventually, we all collectively agreed: just… no.

2. Facebook Poke Wars
There was a time when poking someone on Facebook was flirty, funny, or just a weird way of saying “Hey.” Now it feels about as current as logging into MySpace from a flip phone.

3. That Old TV Screen Shrink Effect
Remember when turning off your TV made the picture collapse into a little white dot before fading to black? That tiny death spiral is now just a memory—thanks to flat screens and LED technology.

4. Flash Mobs
For a few years, strangers bursting into choreographed dance routines in public was a viral sensation. Now, not even your grandma on Facebook is watching those anymore.

5. Traveler’s Checks
Before credit cards worked internationally and apps made everything easy, people carried pieces of paper to “safely” convert cash. Now? Good luck even finding someone who knows what they are.

6. HQ Trivia
Millions tuned in to shout “Savage question!” in real time. Then it fizzled out just as fast, proving that trivia apps—like most startups—are fragile.

7. “ROFL”
Once an internet staple, “Rolling on the Floor Laughing” has gone the way of dial-up. These days, it’s LOL or LMAO—because nobody wants to imagine rolling around on a gross floor.

8. Planking
The viral trend of lying stiff like a board on random objects came and went so fast, we’re still unsure why it started. Or why we ever thought it was funny.

9. Ringtones
Remember when everyone had a custom ringtone and it was a huge deal? Now phones mostly stay on vibrate—because we’ve evolved into silent scrollers.

10. The Weird Plastic Soda Bottle Base
Those weird crinkly “feet” at the bottom of 2-liter bottles? Phased out in favor of simpler, more recyclable designs. You didn’t miss them, but now you’re thinking about them again.

So if you ever feel embarrassed by your old online habits, viral obsessions, or questionable taste in mattresses—don’t worry. Culture moves on. And apparently, so do we. Quietly.

Fine Water Is the New Fine Wine

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at someone spending five bucks on bottled water, brace yourself, because water snobbery has officially reached a new level.

A recent feature in The New York Times highlights a growing trend among the wealthy and wellness-minded: luxury water tastings. Yes, “fine water” is now a thing, complete with sommeliers, international competitions, and price tags that rival high-end wines.

“Fine water” can cost hundreds of dollars a bottle.

At this year’s Fine Waters Taste and Design Awards in Atlanta — the ninth time the event has been held — six water sommeliers blind-tasted 107 different types of natural water from around the world.

Among the winners? Socosani, made of melted snow filtered through Peruvian volcanic rock. And Pure Mist, made of mist collected from the pine forests of Tasmania. One brand out of Texas called Crazy Water even boasts a naturally occurring dose of lithium.

Much like wine, enthusiasts say fine water has “terroir.”

Terroir means the taste reflects its geographic origin and mineral content. And as interest grows, so does the infrastructure: there are now training programs for water sommeliers, and some people are even converting their wine cellars into “water cellars” stocked with rare finds.

Seriously? Water cellars?

It may sound like parody, but it’s part of a real cultural shift. The appeal isn’t just the taste, it’s the story, the purity, and the experience. In an era where alcohol consumption is on the decline, especially among Gen Z, fine water has stepped in to offer a sophisticated alternative.

Social media is getting in on it too.

Some hotels now feature water bars, and a handful of fine water influencers have amassed large followings by reviewing rare bottles and offering tasting tips.

Michael Mascha, founder of the Fine Waters organization, understands the skepticism but insists the movement is about more than overpriced hydration. “If you think water is just water,” he says, “you’re missing out.”

Whether you see it as an elevated culinary experience or just H2O with a marketing budget, one thing’s clear: fine water is having its moment, and it’s flowing into some very fancy glasses.

@beardedwatersommelier
#water #learnwithtiktok #fyp #mineral are #electrolytes
♬ original sound – Beardys Fine waters

Man’s Best Friend? Don’t Do the Ice Bucket Challenge to Your Dog

Another TikTok trend has crossed the line—at least according to animal advocates.

The so-called “Bark Your Mind Challenge” – a viral trend where you dump a bucket of water on your unsuspecting dog – is drawing criticism online for being more cruel than clever.

The setup is nearly always the same: a cutesy voiceover mimics a dog announcing its nominations for the challenge – think Snoopy and Bluey. Then without warning, the pet owner douses their dog in water, capturing the animal’s startled reaction for laughs and likes.

@lindss41
#uscmind #barkyourmindchallenge #zawg #doge #snoopdogg #dogsoftiktok 24 Hrs !
♬ original sound – lindsay

Not everyone’s amused.

The challenge, a riff on the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is being slammed by animal welfare organizations as harmful and irresponsible.

“This is a betrayal of trust that undoubtedly leaves your dog confused and terrified,” said a spokesperson for PETA.

The group likened the trend to emotional abuse, warning that stunts like these can damage a dog’s sense of safety and potentially cause long-term fear or anxiety. In short: your pet won’t understand viral fame, but it will remember being scared and soaked.

The criticism highlights an ongoing problem in the social media age – pets being used as props for clout. While videos of dogs doing tricks or reacting to funny sounds tend to be harmless, trends involving shock, surprise, or discomfort blur ethical lines. And as history has shown with similar fads, the internet’s thirst for novelty can easily override compassion.

Animal behaviorists also warn that such experiences can backfire. Dogs rely on consistency and positive reinforcement to bond with their humans. Dumping water on them for entertainment doesn’t just disrupt that bond, it can erode it entirely.

Some people think it’s just harmless fun.

Plenty disagree with the take that a little water in warm weather is tantamount to animal abuse. If it’s hot out, your dog likes water, and you’re not fully sneaking up on them, is it really that harmful to your pup?

Maybe it depends on the context – and the dog. But before you turn them into a viral stunt, just remember they’re a companion not a punchline.

Maybe they deserve better than a bucket of cold water in the name of internet points.