The Four Vibes are in Place... Now What?
A personal look at the evolution of the Vibes Project and where it's going next. 3 minute read.
When I started writing this newsletter a year ago, it wasn’t clear to me where it would go. I’d always been fascinated with the notions of “coolness” and “nerdiness” and wanted to know: Is there more to coolness and nerdiness than meets the eye?
Over about ten posts, I wrote about them directly and learned that people have a lot of feelings about the cool/nerd dynamic. It’s emotionally charged and very well established in people’s minds. It felt like I hit a wall.
New Directions, New Vibes
I needed to think bigger.
My research became more focused on psychology and brain science. I started to consider that we’re born with a set of vibes that are like default settings, influencing how others perceive us. We feel vibes intuitively, like social vibrations.
I asked myself: What are the vibes that make up our social lives?
Soon enough, I started to see vibes as a way to relate to other humans. If you understand your own vibe, you can optimize it. If you can sense someone’s vibe, you can find openings for conversation and connection.
The project needed a new direction and an original naming convention. Coolness was folded into a bigger idea: The Natural Vibe. Nerdiness became part of the Analyst Vibe. Here’s a snapshot:
The Natural Vibe - effortlessly cool and composed, can be aloof
The Analyst Vibe - curious and rational, can be awkward
This direction felt good. Descriptive, neutral, easy to grasp. The picture was forming, but felt incomplete. There must be other vibes that complete the picture.
The initial research was easy; all I had to do was pay attention. If you know where to look, vibes are present in TV shows and movies. Every social situation is vibes interacting. Once you notice vibes, you can’t unsee them.
Two vibes stood out and felt like worthy additions to the genre.
The Feeler - sensitive and empathetic, can be overwhelmed
The Performer - trendy and dramatic, can be intense
I know these vibes, and you do too. We are these vibes.
The Four Vibes
Four vibes became the focus of the project and they needed constraints. Individually, they must be recognizable and distinct from one another. In combination, they needed to feel cohesive and comprehensive. Ideally they should be greater than the sum of the parts. To me, they seem to fit the bill.
These are the four vibes of the Vibes Project:
The Natural Vibe – effortlessly cool and composed, can be aloof
The Analyst Vibe – curious and rational, can be awkward
The Feeler Vibe – sensitive and empathetic, can be overwhelmed
The Performer Vibe – trendy and dramatic, can be intense
The foundation for the next phase of the project is now set.
Let’s Dream for a Minute
This idea may not stand the test of time. But let’s dream. Let’s consider a post-vibes world, where it’s in the water.
Here, you are well-acquainted with your vibe. You now see yourself from a new perspective that feels real. You’ve been able to adapt and improve thanks to this information.
Maybe you’re an executive who need to hire a team at work. Vibes can be a guide to optimizing it with a specific mix of talents.
Dating sites use vibes as a way to connect customers. You know the vibes that work for you.
Imagine people saying, “The Analyst over here saved the day” or “The Performer vibe is strong in you.” Or, “I’m a feeler. It’s just how I am.”
A probable future? No. A possible future? Probably also no, but there’s a chance I’m willing to take.
This is About You
Everyone has a mix of vibes. I think of them being on a spectrum that blends on the edges. No one is purely a Natural or a Feeler. Our unique mix of the four vibes is what makes us individuals.
I know what you’re thinking: what’s my vibe? I am working on that. For now, I want to focus on vibes as a framework and test what’s possible.
I Need You
I’m energized and find myself wanting conversation and debate. It’s an idea that needs to stand up to scrutiny and survive in the wild. I can’t do that alone.
I’m looking for help. I will soon invite you to join me on a group chat, where we can dive deeper and experiment. I’ll make it fun and interesting.
Think about it. I’ll be in touch.