TOTEM Times:
Philosophy & Humanism
The impact of short videos on our brains is deeper and more concerning than many realize
According to an extensive meta-analysis*, excessive consumption of formats like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts negatively affects key cognitive functions such as sustained attention, self-control, and concentration. Simply put, the more we consume these short videos, the less capable we are of maintaining focus on tasks that require effort or extended time. From a […]
In our work, fun isn’t the opposite of serious; fun is the opposite of boring.
For years, we were led to believe that work should be a burden, a solemn responsibility, a perpetual sacrifice. But we now know that work isn’t just about producing: it’s about creating, connecting, and leaving a mark. And everything created with passion, commitment, and love deserves to be celebrated. Celebrating isn’t wasting time. It’s honoring […]
If you’re over 60, this post is for you. If you’re under 60, it’s for you too
The dominant narrative of the digital age was youth. We became obsessed with Millennials and Generation Z, the speed of their scrolling, and their appetite for instant gratification. The spotlight of marketing and investment in innovation shone almost exclusively on the youngest generation. But while we looked to the future, something monumental, silent, and transformative […]
The emerging crisis we’re not talking about enough. A silent crisis among the world’s youth.
While overall mortality is declining, death rates among teenagers and young adults are stagnating or even rising in many countries. The reasons? A complex combination of mental health struggles, substance abuse, suicide, and social disconnection. It’s a paradox of our time: in an era defined by connectivity, many young people feel more isolated than ever. […]
Designing a culture isn’t about writing a document. It’s about igniting a movement.
It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to (literally) write the soul of an organization. That’s what we did with the PEGASUS FOUNDATION’s Cultural Identity Book. But it would be unfair to call it a project. It was much more. It meant looking beyond the manuals to understand what truly unites a team: […]
Today is 8, 8 hugs. Why 8 hugs? And why every 8?
Because there are gestures that don’t need translation. Because before brands, strategies, or algorithms existed, there was this: a hug. Science confirms it. Hugs reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), release oxytocin (the bonding hormone), and strengthen the immune system. Hugging not only soothes the soul, it also protects the body. And there’s more: studies show […]
Not all cultures are visible. But they are all felt
Many companies love to talk about culture. They prepare presentations, define values, design internal campaigns. But at TOTEM, we know that culture isn’t designed with aesthetics. It’s forged with decisions. Culture is the silent conversation between what an organization says it values and what it truly prioritizes when there’s no focus, no cameras, no urgency. […]
The internet didn’t change who we are. It changed how we do it.
Before, we said “hook up.” Now, we match. Before, we searched. Now, we Google. Before, we texted. Now, we WhatsApped. Before, we said “I’ll see you at the bar.” Now, it’s “I’ll stalk you on Instagram.” Before, we knew what to think. Now, we’re unsure what to believe. Before, brands spoke. Now… if they don’t […]
8Hugs for the 8th
Today is the 8th. And like every 8th, at TOTEM Branding we remember the power of the hashtag #8hugs of 6 seconds. And it’s not just a number. It’s an act as simple as it is profound. A genuine hug reminds us that we belong, that someone is there, that we are not alone. And […]
The generational shift is already here.
It’s not just coming. It’s already here. The generational shift isn’t an abstract phenomenon or a dinner-table conversation among sociologists: it’s tangible, visible, and brutally real. It’s felt in schools, in companies, on social media, in the streets. And it’s not just that young people think differently; it’s that they’re rewriting the rules of the […]
