11 Gimmicky Trends That Aren't Aging Gracefully: 'Touchscreens in cars'

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jan 4, 2026 7:00 AM EST

CEO's are obsessed with gimmicks. Whether it's the shininess in their suits or the undeniable sparkle of every elevator pitch, it seems like the silliest ideas come to fruition at the C-level conference table. Unbeknownst to the folks who make decisions about things being produced, average consumers don't need half of the goofy "innovations" we see on the store's shelves. We don't need "Smart" technology in every single product. The long and short of it is quite simple. When people start to realize that a toaster doesn't need to have a touchscreen, society will be freed of the shackles of the latest CEO-coded tech gimmicks. 

Like the uncomfortable and stinky jelly sandals of yore, there are a few trends in the 2020s that plague our consumer shelves. Not just online, but at the dealership, in Target, and taking over our phones, these are the top gimmicky trends that are aging like the finest 2% milk: Bad. 

Bad ideas don't need to be molded into a pitch; they need to be thrown into the trash where they belong. Right next to the trends that we've already grown out of. 

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  • What's popular right now that won't age well?
    via MiraTangent
  • Ahstia Putting touchscreens and smart technology into everything, even if it doesn't need smart technology. Looking at those smart fridges and smart ovens and smart toasters Subscriptions for everything and anything under the sun. Not just streaming
    via Ahstia
  • Woman using smart fridge
    via metamorworks

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
     

  • Imagine having dirty, chicken-hands and having to operate your touchscreen smart fridge. Is that smart? No, it's juicy, gross, and unsanitary. This is the ideation of a tech idea from someone who's never used their kitchen, or an alien who just touched down to Earth and doesn't realize that the kitchen is a messy place. 

  • Classic-Chemistry-34 Buccal fat surgery, removal of fat on the jawline. As you age, you will look older. Dont do it.
    via Classic-Chemistry-34
  • Buccal fat removal woman
    via MarinaDemeshcko

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Secret_Fudge4468 everything having an app. I shouldn't need to download an app on my phone so I can open my garage door, or turn on my lights, or whatever.
    via Secret_Fudge4468
  • Kids looking at a phone app together.
    via Zynkevnich

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Stop it with the apps! I don't have space on my phone and I don't want to have to download something in order to use my living room lamps. That's just terrible UI.

  • Total-Table-8227 putting Al into every single product
    via Total-Table-8227
  • WorkoutShredder Being shitty on camera for social media views
    via WorkoutShredder
  • highest-voltage I have a feeling that social media is going to be the "we didn't realize cigarettes cause cancer" of our generation
    via highest-voltage
  • Guy using his laptop for social media.
    via Rolas Creative
  • FormerStuff My selfie doesn't need touching up with Al. I know I'm ugly.
    via FormerStuff
  • No_Excitement_6513 Lip filler
    via No_Excitement_6513
  • Woman getting lip filler injections.
    via Osanka

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
     

  • Shifting with every word, bite, and smile, lip filler is a strange plastic surgery trend that was never meant to last. I have many friends who have dabbled with a fill who almost immediately need to get it fixed. Not only are big lips heavy and cumbersome, but they're not a long-lasting beauty option. Just embrace your natural lip or get stung by a bee; you're better off rolling the dice with the bee venom. 

  • Apprehensive-Use-981 Laminated brows. Brow trends NEVER age well.
    via Apprehensive-Use-981
  • islandsimian This is probably wishful thinking but Private Equity firms
    via islandsimian

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opinion gracefully interesting aging trending trends
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