Gen Z <3 Lip gloss and Falling in Pools

Hi!!! Welcome!! This is a newsletter that has taken the IRL weekly trends briefing, and transformed into the written word. All this information is a weekly digest of current news, trendy soundbites and sharp insights so that you can quit reading and still sound smart. Gathered from articles, newsletters, reports, and TikTok: It's like Blinkist for culture.

Algorithm References

Lots of algorithm references that were hand selected just for you

• Bestie/Sister/Boss etc Dictionary Trend - people are having so much fun having the people in their life guess the “what do we say when ____”! These trends are timeless, and are good examples of how inside jokes can be fun/funny to everyone if delivered in a relatable and funny way.

• Feeding your friend trend - No idea how to define this trend without coming across accidentally as NSFW but again, it’s a trend that is often done between two friends and I haven’t not laughed at each one I’ve seen!

• Everyone try this right now!!! All you have to do is blow all the air out of your lungs, and try to scream.

• People are ganging up on Mums again to make Dads look good :(- the video is self explanatory but I can’t help but think of this quote “Often father and daughter look down on mother (woman) together.”

• Skinny, white women are obsessed with falling in the pool in a fancy dress and make up! Can’t believe this ‘humour’ is still happening, and that people believed the original actually happened.

• TikTok is obsessed with catchy songs and this “Guy in Finance” song is no different! It’s been remixed so many times already. Finneas even did a version that is pretty catchy (and ironic) too.

• The Met Gala was this week, and it’s caused a lot of outrage towards how dystopian it is - given the genocide that is happening and a celebrity took it a step too obvious by quoting “let them eat cake” in her big gown. This has also further sparked a call out and movement to unfollow and block celebrities that have failed to speak about Palestine.

Articles

Lots of articles this week that are worth a skim at the very least!!

Apple’s Soul-Crushing New Ad: Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

I see where they were trying to go with this ad, but as the title suggests, it’s quite soul-crushing - for obvious reasons. It’s a video destroying art and entertainment all for a little piece of technology. One side of it feels like Apple just doesn’t realise this is exactly what people don’t want right now - a condensed experience of the things they enjoy, people want it spaced out as much as they possibly can as a way to bring joy back into their lives. Another side feels maybe like rage bait. Like they all spoke in a room about how some people will really love it and some will really hate it and I don’t think the divide is a smart move from Apple - especially when you consider that those art and entertainment roles are very pro Apple products.

How lip gloss became the answer to Gen Z’s problems

At first glance, this seems like it would be another ‘lipstick effect’ article, but it touches on deeper Gen Z problems that I hadn’t thought about. Mainly that full, plump lips are a sign of beauty and youth - something Gen Z is undeniably stressed about. Of course, this stress isn’t new, especially for women, but there’s never been such a mass collective source of information on how to achieve beauty and youth. This is why lip gloss and lip-skincare products are booming like never before, they are a status symbol - not necessarily that you own the most expensive version of it, but it’s enmeshed with IYKYK culture and signalling that you care about your (lip) ‘health’. Most of this isn’t groundbreaking, but it does offer us a good insight into how small consumer behaviours have deep meaning and long-term impact. Another status symbol article (lol) about plastic surgery 

Come on, Kids. Let’s Grab Drinks.

TL;DR - the article is asking people what they think about kids ordering mocktails and it’s of course mixed opinions. While it’s a complicated discussion, I don’t think it warrants an article because it’s like writing an article on how to raise children - there is no right or wrong answer. 

More of an article dump that I dare you to read ONE of!

• The Diminishing Returns of Having Good Taste

• How the Food Industry Pays Influencers to Shill Blueberries, Butter, and More

• Photo Dump Accounts Are The New Finstas (this is me)

• Tax haven: how jacket thefts swept the UK

• The Internet Is Like a City (But Not in the Way You'd Think)

• Nicotine’s Glow Up

• The teens making friends with AI chatbots

• How An Erewhon Celebrity Smoothie Is Born (And Who Makes Millions Off It) 

Weekly Question

Thank you for getting this far. I look forward to hanging out with you all next week!

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