Dupe It, Mute It, Sleep Through It
Partying is out. So is your AI content.
Gen Z Sees Your AI Slop, And They’re Tired of It
From April Fools pranks, to everyday marketing posts, your team might think they’re getting away with using AI, but trust us, Gen Z has already clocked it. And honestly? They’re disappointed. Sure, this generation lives and breathes the internet, but they also have a deep appreciation for human creativity. Arts, crafts, and authenticity matter to them. So when they see brands swapping out actual creativity for AI filler, it’s a hard pass.
Because let’s face it: AI can be wrong. Dead wrong. We’ve all seen the times it’s suggested pregnant women smoke or told people to eat glue. But even more frustrating for Gen Z? AI-generated content just isn’t that innovative. These are the same young adults who’ve spent hours scrolling through the most creative influencer campaigns and marketing stunts on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. They know what a human brain can create, and they can spot a lazy AI knockoff from a mile away.
So when brands roll out the same AI-generated campaigns as everyone else, Gen Z isn’t impressed. If anything, it’s more likely to make them run in the opposite direction.
Sleep Is the New Rager
Turns out your FYP wasn’t lying. Most young adults are skipping the club and clocking out by 10 p.m. either to chase their goals or just get some solid sleep.
Everyone’s got advice: “Stop acting 80 when you’re 20,” “party more,” “meet more people.” So we asked our Youthtellers (ages 15–27) what they think. The results? Nightlife is on life support.
30% said partying is just “not cool.” Period.
60% are down to go out once in a while, but only as a quarterly cameo.
Why the shift? A night out is expensive. Drinks, Ubers, cover charges—it adds up. And even with the money, most would rather rest, save, or work toward something more meaningful.
When they do step out, bars and clubs are still in rotation. But the real MVP? An intimate house party or ‘kick back.’ Think: chill vibes, familiar faces, and no next-day Venmo regrets.
The Dupe *Is* the Point
Intellectual property is one thing. But a silhouette? A style? That’s murkier, and young people aren’t interested in gatekeeping it.
Instead of dropping thousands on a single “statement piece,” they’re swapping links to high-quality dupes. Not the flimsy knockoffs you’re picturing, either. We're talking $300 takes on Cartier’s $250K Crash watch or 22k gold versions of that Van Cleef Alhambra bracelet every influencer seems to own.
These dupes remix the originals just enough to avoid being replicas (usually). But here’s the twist: it’s not just about the look. Many are diving into the history y the designs—and realizing a lot of “iconic” pieces weren’t that original to begin with.
Take Margiela Tabby's shoes. That split-toe shape? First worn by samurai in 15th century Japan. Cartier’s famous Crash watch? Inspired by one of Picasso’s warped time paintings.
The more they dig, the more obvious it becomes: luxury often just rebrands the past. So why pay full price for a “real” thing that’s already a remix?
As Gen Z digs deeper into the luxury alternatives and the fascinating history behind these designs, the idea of paying so much for a “real thing” that isn’t even that original starts to feel a little… well, ridiculous.
*This article was originally posted on Substack. Click HERE to subscribe