Generation Z fascinates me.

I used to think they were mostly snowflakes. Coming-of-age, brilliantly tech-savvy adults, easily offended by anything ulterior to their identity and internal monologue. I used to think they were cool as long as you didn’t question their pronouns, politics, climate change, group think, diversity, their nihilist outlook, feminism, and so on.

What bugged me was their misguided hypocrisy. They’d point out someone else’s flaws and virtue signal, but scream like toddlers as the tables turned. And, yes, I used to watch a lot of Ben Shapiro Thug Life videos. But that was a long time ago, back when I thought politics was real and not Zionist theater.

As of late, I’ve changed my tune. Another side to Gen Z has revealed itself. One that not only counteracts the whiny, victim-seeking, super annoying group, but is actively balancing the generational tide and keeping the culture from exploding into absolute chaos.

---

HEADS (or the first sect): The Narcissist Snowflake.

Now, to be fair, every generation displays a form of Narcissism.

• Boomers

The Boomers made it known after the first check cleared. Put it all on display. The cars, the homes, the ski trips, the drugs, the cheap college tuition (easy, Millennials), their clothing-optional music festivals, all of it. They were showered with money and opportunity paid for by the previous war-torn generations, praised themselves for building the modern world with un-callused fingers, and accused the kids of lacking boot-strapping grit.

That said, I’d argue most of that stemmed from the issues of the previous generations, who were, on some level, absent. The Baby Boomers in my life (parents, aunts, uncles, etc…) are humble and rational, but came from single parent households. My dad’s father was still in the picture, but not really. After witnessing the horrors of World War 2 in real time, he came home, but checked out. Spent most nights in the basement, alone, nursing booze.

The point is…absent and/or emotionally unavailable parents leave behind validation-seeking children, which would explain the Boomer’s indulgent “you only live one, can’t take the cash with you,” lifestyle.

• Gen X

Gen X didn’t have the luxury to be youthful narcissists, no one noticed them, no one cared. However, in their later years, they’ve started to puff out their chests and collectively remind everyone how they were ignored, which can be pretty annoying.

“Hey, guys, have I reminded you guys lately how feral we were? We were all latchkey kids who raised ourselves, remember?”

Yes, we remember, you tell us all the time. It made you independent, critical thinkers, which are awesome traits, but enough. We get it. You drank from the hose, questioned the moon landing and the JFK assassination, and mourned Kurt Cobain. Respect, but cool it.

Gen X, to me, is like those beanie-headed YouTubers who say they don’t care what people think of them, then spend a good 30 minutes explaining why.

That said, I am looking forward to seeing how things change when the Boomers are forced (due to old age) to relinquish control of the government and the economy to Generation X. Will it be awesome? Perhaps. Will they be the ones who ultimately forgive Student Debt? Don’t know, but I’d like to think so.

• Millennials

Millennials were dealt a weird hand, which plays into our narcissism. We were smothered as kids. The media’s “satanic panic” of the early 90s and their depiction of the now-vindicated West Memphis Three really did a number on our parents, scared the every-living sh*t out of them and us. That and the missing-kids pictures on the milk cartons, which from what I’ve gathered did more damage than good, having rescued only one child.

At the same time we were led to believe that we were the absolute most special generation that ever existed in all of history, we were praised a lot and validated for the little things. It is healthy in small doses, but destructive in large ones.

We weren’t ignored like Gen X, but we were prepped for a world that never really came, and then collectively told to “get out of the way so that the grownups could fix it” (2008 market crash, anyone?) We were also coddled, a lot, as a generation. The younger Millennials were more affected by the participation trophies than those of us born during the 80s, but it was the university system got us in the end. Prolonged our adolescence while pulling in massive profits. All of that turned a massive chunk of us into sensitive, entitled quasi-adults, looking for external validation, security, purpose, and leadership.

I’m not delusional. Millennials can be very narcissist, but awareness is essential to growth, and we are slowly getting our act together.

• Gen Z

The narcissism of Gen Z, I think, derives from the apathy of their parents. Generation X grew up fast, they had to. And yes, for the most part, they raised themselves. Their childhood was cut short, nihilism and cynicism followed, and it was all ultimately passed down. That and, I hate to admit this, they had to grow up with Millennials, who oddly still act like kids, despite being in our late 30s-early 40s. It’s hard to explain, but it’s true. I’m 37, but a part of me feels like I will always be 25 in a world surrounded by grown-ups.

I think, one way Gen Z is trying to counteract the generational nihilism is by seeking fame. The television has successfully made the life of a celebrity mean something. (Thanks, Robin Leach). So why not start a TikTok and YouTube channel and engage in random activities for attention? Especially if doing so could potentially result in an ocean-deep bank account and never-ending validation. I get it, I was in the entertainment industry for close to 13 years, the idea of being the next Jason Statham or Chris Pratt is super enticing.

But it’s also really, really artificial. But that’s a story for another time.

Gen Z was also the first generation to be raised by the “magic mirror in our pocket.” Just like the Boomers and the TV. Gen X and the Millennials adapted to the tech age, but Gen Z was born into it. And sometimes we forget how much and often their worlds are being molded by the always-changing headlines of the mainstream media. Tragedy, inflation, nuclear war, terrorism, corrupt politicians avoiding jail time, broken families, homelessness, Covid, rising interest rates, suicide, food prices, and so on and so forth.

They were given a world of never-ending, emotionally-driven propaganda. Constantly told how to feel by the mainstream media and out-of-touch celebrities, are traumatized weekly by exaggerated current events, and brainwashed into thinking their skin color defines them.

They’re recommended YouTube channels run by emotionally/spiritually broken influencers owned by corporate entities. They are sold fake gurus pushing wealth-crippling scams built on empty promises of financial security. They’re given wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing pastors who preach broken scripture and impending doom. They’re given podcasts hosted by depressed and drug-addled pornstars telling them happiness comes from having a bigger dick, a high body count, or an open marriage. We’ve got arrogant anarcho-capitalist predators begging for a destabilized government who are too evil or too stupid to realize that if the government fell, so would they.

And the only solution these wannabe idols give…is to ‘like, subscribe, and give me money.’

We got young girls (with absent dads) dressed as sexy cartoon characters exposing the last sacred thing left to strangers giving themselves arthritis behind a keyboard. We’ve got kids dressed as canines walking around with a leash on the neck, speaking baby-jibberish, and “sexually-aggressive” teachers engaging inappropriately with underage students. And then we mock the youth for being so promiscuous.

I’d argue it is because we, the generations before, chose earthly accolades like money, gold stars and popularity points over morality and virtue. We can fix it, absolutely. I’m not one of those guys who believes all is lost. There is always a way out, a way back home, but it will require some hard truths and behavorial sacrifice.

---

TAILS (of the second sect): The Self-Aware Jester

And now for the good news.

This second group, my favorite sect of Gen Z, is super aware about everything. Like, for real, they are insanely aware. Almost like superhero aware. They’re the first to call out members of their own for slinging bullshit which, I’d argue, is healthy for a moral and just community. Mock the bad behavior, acknowledge the good. You have fifty kids in a public school saying they identify as the opposite gender, a certain breed of canine, or Oscar the Grouch, I can promise you there are just as many kids mocking them.

And here’s the kicker, they don’t do it in a way that’s mean. A 90’s school yard bully would leave a physical bruise, these Gen Zers go for the emotional jugular but in like a funny way. They comically diagnosis the internal issue.

“Trevor thinks he’s a dog, yeah, but his parents are getting a divorce, and don’t pay attention to him.” Or “Maggie does Onlyfans dressed as a skanky Lois from Family Guy, yeah, but her dad left when she was six and wants other men to validate her existence.”

They are insanely smart. They don’t just see through the façade, they mock it relentlessly. Boomers couldn’t call out their own, because more than likely they were involved in similar antics. Same with the Millennials. We didn’t organically start calling out the odd balls in our generation until we realized there was a positive purpose to bullying (Whoa, whoa, unclench your buttholes, it’ll make sense soon). Bullying isn’t evil, men do it all the time to each other. Sure, some bullies are destructive, but coddling the youth and giving them safe spaces will only make men weaker. “Oh he hurt your feelings? You do realize the world is full of conflict, right? Men have been going overseas with rifles to shoot nameless men dressed in different clothing all the time, you think they require safe spaces? Obviously not.”

Conflict is necessary for growth….and I think this sect of Gen Z sees that.

The Jesters don’t fall for the binary shit either. “You a democrat or a republican? Progressive or Conservative? Pepsi or Coke? God or Science? Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter?”

They will be like “what is a label?” and then throw in a third option just to f*ck with you.

Boomer/Gen X/Millennial: “Hey, kid, you see that Democrat/Republican debate. Who won?”

Gen Z: “Politics is just kabuki theater for ego-centric ugly people without skills.”

B/X/M: “God or Science?”

Z: “God is the ultimate scientist.”

B/X/M: “Right Wing or Left Wing?”

Z; “I like gun rights and student debt forgiveness, so…”

B/X/M: “Public School or Private?”

Z: “Home school.”

B/X/M: “Pepsi or Coke?”

Z: “Fucking Water.”

This was not the rebellion we wanted, but it may be the rebellion we needed.

---

THE EDGE (of the third sect): The Silent Innovator

Since I started this blog post, I’ve been informed of a third Gen Z sect. One just as powerful as the jesters, and just as crucial. Similar to The Jesters, this group is very aware, they just don’t care enough to bring it up. And instead do their own thing, build sh*t and confidently follow their instinct.

(I’ll add more to this, but the point is…the world will be just fine. Relax)