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  1. Economist Podcasts
  2. Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun
Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun

Economist Podcasts · Jun 16, 2026

The deglobalisation of fun: Global platforms are paradoxically fueling a surge in local music, TV, and gaming, weakening US cultural sway.

Global Platforms Like Spotify and Netflix Paradoxically Fuel Hyper-Local Entertainment

Worldwide platforms are not creating a global monoculture. Instead, they drive a surge in homegrown entertainment by commissioning local shows and making it easier for local artists to distribute their work, which helps them penetrate foreign markets more deeply.

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun thumbnail

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun

Economist Podcasts·12 hours ago

Improper DEET Use Can Train Mosquitoes to Find the Repellent Scent Attractive

Mosquitoes can be conditioned, like Pavlov's dogs, to associate the smell of DEET with a food source. This occurs when the repellent is weak (due to sweating or under-application), allowing a bite and creating a learned attraction to the scent that was meant to repel them.

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun thumbnail

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun

Economist Podcasts·12 hours ago

America's Soft Power Wanes in Content but Persists Through Platform Control

While America's cultural dominance in film, music, and gaming is declining, U.S.-owned platforms like YouTube and Apple Music control the distribution channels. America profits from distributing the very local content that is weakening its own cultural sway.

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun thumbnail

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun

Economist Podcasts·12 hours ago

Mobile Gaming's Rise Is Fracturing the Global Market into Distinct Regional Tastes

Unlike PC and console gaming's global mega-franchises, the mobile gaming market is highly diverse. The top five largest mobile markets have almost no overlap in their top 10 most-played games, as developers create titles specifically for distinct regional audiences.

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun thumbnail

Local, an aesthetic: the deglobalisation of fun

Economist Podcasts·12 hours ago