About this Video

• Video Title: How Labubu Took Over America
• Channel: Levi Hildebrand
• Speakers: Levi Hildebrand
• Duration: 00:16:27

Introduction

This video explores the recent surge in popularity of Labubu dolls, examining it within the broader context of rapidly evolving collector trends. The speaker, an "anti-collector," analyzes the reasons behind this phenomenon, contrasting it with traditional collecting practices and highlighting the role of the internet and influencer culture in its rapid growth.

Key Takeaways

• The rapid evolution of collecting: The video contrasts the slower, more organic collecting of past generations (e.g., baseball cards) with the frantic, internet-fueled trends of today (e.g., Labubu dolls, Stanley water bottles).
• Three reasons for collecting (from an academic source): The video cites an academic article identifying three motivations for collecting: institutional collecting (preserving culture), wealth accumulation, and individual psychological needs.
• The internet's impact on collecting: The internet has accelerated the collecting process and significantly altered the resale market, transforming collectors into investors and traders. The "blind box" marketing strategy further intensifies this trend.
• The psychological aspects of collecting: The video suggests that the appeal of Labubu dolls, and similar collectibles, lies in their ability to provide a fleeting sense of excitement and connection in an increasingly lonely and online world. This is linked to anxiety and the "chronically online" generation's search for emotional relief.
• The role of influencers: The video argues that influencers heavily influence the popularity of certain collectibles, manipulating consumer behavior and creating artificial scarcity.

The video cites an academic article that identifies three reasons why people collect things:

1. Institutional collecting and the associated appropriation of culture: This refers to the preservation of history and culture, typically at an institutional level like a museum.
2. The particularities of the wealthy collector market: This involves using collecting as a wealth tool, buying and trading items for profit (like art).
3. The individual collector as a psychological oddity: This acknowledges that some people collect things simply because they are drawn to unusual or quirky items.