21 st Century Trends Question and Answer to Review:  What is a Trend? A trend is a sequential pattern of change in recorded data – a change evidenced by a rise or fall of variables when measured between at least two points over time. It is a pattern of change, can be categorized according to its sources. The development of nations and communities in different aspects can propel by a trends.  How do we know that something is a trend? We can see that something is a trend when something has been recreating by a lot of people, if it is popular, if people over the large scale or even in all over the world are crazy about it, when people talk about it a lot, when some also seen in the news and when it is relevant within the community whether in a small population or in a larger community.  Differentiate megatrend from microtrend. A megatrend entails a major restructuring; they are larger pattern of broad trends that reshape and transform our lives. It is not only created by majority, but is typically followed by a majority of society. Megatrends also adhere to the economic principle of globalization as a primary force for change and growth in the world today while the microtrend is the emerging small forces behind tomorrow’s big changes. These are small forces that can be stir big changes in communities, institutions, and societies around the world. Usually, these forces are emergent and unexpected to shape before us.  How is a trend different from a fad? A trends overlap and interlock, reinforcing each other and can also run counter to each other as technology progresses. On the other hand, fads are transient in scope and affect only particular social groups without long-term implications. They typically spread quickly, but disappear equally quickly.  What are the elements and characteristics of a trend? Some of the elements of a trend:  A trend lasts much longer and has a greater impact on society.  Predicting a trend is a valued skill for the global citizen.  Trends either overlap, support, run parallel, or outgrow each other through time. While some of the characteristics of trends are:  Its capacity to make sudden surprises and reversals about the things that we can see around us.