A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of 2025 · A People Best Book of November 2025 · An
NPR Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2025 A revealing exploration of a quarter century of
cultural stagnation examining the commercial and technological forces that have come to
dominate contemporary culture—from music and fashion to art film TV and beyond Over the
past twenty-five years pop culture has suffered from a perplexing lack of reinvention. We’ve
entered a cultural “blank space”—an era when reboots rehashes and fads flourish while bold
artistic experimentation struggles to gain recognition. Why is risk no longer rewarded and how
did playing it safe become the formula for success? Acclaimed cultural historian W. David Marx
sets out to uncover the answers. In this ambitious cultural history Marx guides us through
the blur of the twenty-first century so far from the Obama era to the rise of K-pop from
Paris Hilton to the Marvel cinematic universe from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to . . . Beyoncé
and Taylor Swift whose enduring influence highlights both their adaptability and the broader
shifts in pop culture. Combining sociological economic and political insights with a deep
dive into art street culture fashion and technology Blank Space dissects the rise of
profit-driven formulaic trends and the shifting cultural norms that often prioritize going
viral over innovation. He reveals how backlash against indie snobbery and nineties
counterculture gave rise to a “counter-counterculture”—one marked by antiliberal sentiment the
celebration of business heroes and the increasing influence of industry plants and the elite
class. In a world of crypto bros nepo babies and AI-driven art Marx offers readers a
much-needed dose of clarity and context. Vibrantly narrated and sharply argued Blank Space is
an essential guide for anyone looking to understand the chaos of the twenty-first century the
trends tastemakers and icons who shaped it and how we might push our culture forward over
the next quarter century—through renewed emphasis on creativity community and the values that
transcend mere profit.
