RedNote, ChatGPT x Water, and Brands Respond to LA Fires
Gen Z weighs in
RedNote Opens Its Arms to a Wave of ‘TikTok Refugees’
Instagram Reels is the TikTok replacement that feels like being asked to come out of your room to greet your parent's company—something you'll do but with a sense of reluctance and discomfort. Then a new app ascends from the sky! Enter: RedNote, known as Xiaohongshu in China, which has just welcomed roughly half a million ‘TikTok refugees’.
RedNote is a blend of Pinterest and TikTok, but the real question is: What does the generation that brought TikTok to the mainstream think of its possible replacement?
“I literally just downloaded it. I think the overt rebellion and irony in downloading a Chinese app because of US censorship is hilarious. I guess I just want to be a part of it.”
“I downloaded it last night! Mostly to join in as a form of rebellion I suppose towards the US for trying to ban an overall harmless app because of the company that owns it, but also because – after making an account and checking everything out – it seems like a nice place!”
“Even if the TT ban doesn't go through, I plan on keeping it in hopes of learning a new language and joining a new community.”
Here’s what else young people across the internet are saying: (This is the part of the newsletter you screenshot and share in Slack)
People with larger follower counts are herding their followers to YouTube and, of course, will end up using YouTube Shorts—but it doesn’t feel primed for doomscrolling.
Everyone who didn’t make a YouTube channel in D.P. or B.P. (during the pandemic or before the pandemic) is feeling salty.
Creators are mass ordering from the TikTok Shop affiliate program, because "if TikTok disappears, then isn’t this just a bunch of free stuff I don’t have to promote?"
A return to Instagram Reels will begrudgingly happen, but at least the 'post this on Instagram Reels' trolls will die.
Instagram Stories are about to get a lot longer, and Close Friends will get spicier.
The case for sh*tposting on Instagram just got a lot stronger.
They gladly would sacrifice Instagram for TikTok.
But RedNote isn’t the only app vying for the Iron Throne. We’ve asked our Youthtellers to rank RedNote, Lemon8 (which is also ByteDance-owned—so, you know, possible heartbreak incoming), Pinterest, Instagram Reels and Stories, and YouTube and YouTube Shorts. Report back next week—we’ll see what they have to say. That is unless TikTok is saved in the final hour.
Brands Stepped In to Help the Victims of the LA Fires. What Does Gen Z Think About Their Efforts?
Airbnb teamed up with 211 to provide temporary housing for evacuees, Planet Fitness opened its doors for showers, Wi-Fi, and changing rooms, PacSun offered clothing to those who lost everything, and Guitar Center helped replace instruments destroyed in the flames. Meanwhile, Disney donated $15 million to the Red Cross and LA Fire Department, proving that even the most corporate giants can put their resources toward meaningful action. But strangely enough, this instance didn’t spark any chatter about performative gestures at all.
For Gen Z, who prioritize social responsibility, these efforts resonate—but there's a catch. They expect brands to align with their values, and anything that feels performative or disingenuous misses the mark. So, we asked our Youthtellers, ages 15-27, if their opinions on Airbnb, Planet Fitness, Guitar Center, and Disney had changed after seeing their efforts. Here’s what they had to say:
“I did not know Disney did that and I think it's amazing that they are. It definitely changes my perspective. I feel like they are always stingy with their money but I'm glad they donate to those in need.” – 24 Y/O PLANO, TEXAS
“I think support is great when it is transparent and actually helpful, pledges can be baseless so it’s important to be purposeful in advocacy! Especially during times like these!” – 23 Y/O BOSTON, MA
“I saw that these brands were helping those harmed by the wildfires in LA. It’s awesome to see them stepping up like that, especially in tough times. It definitely adds a layer of respect for me to see them using the money we give them to help others.”– 21 Y/O KISUMU, KENYA
Gen Z Loves ChatGPT – So Do They Really Care About the Environment?
Gen Z’s love for the planet is a little... complicated. They’re all about sustainability, but they also love AI, which comes with a high environmental cost due to its massive water consumption. And they’re not blind to the irony, they’re calling it out.
Turns out, every time you hit enter to ask something trivial like “What’s the capital of Sweden?” or “Are hot dogs sandwiches?” those servers heat up faster than your laptop with 87 tabs open. Suddenly, that instant answer feels less magical and more like an environmental buzzkill. So, with all their talk about saving the planet, will Gen Z change their ChatGPT habits, or is the allure of a quick answer just too romantic to resist?
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