Zyn, Gore, and Wills
Just in time for Spooky Season
Is GenZ Addicted to Zyn?
Empowering or Problematic? For some, Zyn represents rebellion. For others, it serves as a coping mechanism. Zyn is the latest nicotine craze in the world of cigarette substitutes. It’s a pouch that contains nicotine powder and flavorings like mint, coffee, and citrus. With mental health challenges increasingly prevalent among young people, many are turning to alternative substances like Zyn to manage stress, anxiety, and the pressures of modern life. This complex relationship raises important questions about identity, community, and self-expression.
A closer look at Zyn's creators and consumers reveals a striking image of its users: while cigarettes are often viewed as accessories of the cool, sexy, and intellectual, Zyn users embody capitalism’s powerful poster boys. The obsession with Zyn highlights a peak in consumerism—an addictive product that keeps customers buying and reflects how people’s identities are increasingly shaped by their purchases.
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Where There’s a Will, There’s No Way I’m Drafting One
Here’s a word young people would rather avoid: wills. Recently on X, young people came together to express a shared sentiment: How am I supposed to have a will when I don’t even have a way? It’s true that they’re more focused on TikTok trends, other forms of escapism, and joy rather than asset management. And honestly, can you blame them? Beyond a general lack of know-how, many Gen Zers find the idea of drafting a will unnecessary, especially when the future feels so uncertain. “Why plan ahead when life feels like a dumpster fire?”
That said, they’re not completely unconcerned. 90% of Youthtellers aged 13-27 believe having a will is important, thinking it could prevent family conflicts over asset distribution. However, many worry they won’t have assets worth fighting over. This attitude reflects a broader trend among Gen Z, who are navigating a world filled with uncertainty.
The Substance is for Cool Girls. Let Us Explain:
The Substance is the new comfort movie for cool girls. Drenched in gore, director Coralie Flemming’s second film weaponizes its gaze against the audience from the first moment, exploring themes of female self-hatred, aging, and body image with a refreshing lack of subtlety. So, what is it about this film that has the baddest girls you know leaving Letterboxd reviews like “I feel so seen!”?
Credit:Letterboxd
Body horror, a genre largely dominated by male directors, explores horror through the graphic transformation, degeneration, or destruction of the body. Classics like The Fly, Eraserhead, and An American Werewolf in London masterfully capture these themes, but often from a male-centric perspective. The Substance shifts the focus, revealing an unsettling truth: in 2024, there is no horror quite like existing in a feminine body—and no fear as profound as feminine self-loathing.
Young People Used the Internet to Influence the L.A. County DA
Young people across America have kind of always used social media to advocate for the Menendez brothers. In recent years (2021) TikTok users brought their case back into the spotlight. A lot of today’s youth are troubled by how society in the '90s failed to recognize the abuse the brothers endured.
Enter Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s Monster: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. If you haven't watched, think about checking out. The social media whirlwind following its release shows us what truly captures Gen Z's elusive attention and makes them to take action. From videos inspired by the Menendez brothers’ style to outpouring admiration for lawyer, Leslie Abramson and a surge of Milli Vanilli streams. One user even shared her mom’s yearbook featuring the brothers.
Monster added to people’s ability to see the brothers as people. It’s a popular cause, @menendezsupporterrr now boasts 271.7k TikTok followers, and Kim Kardashian has even written a personal essay calling for the brothers’ freedom. One thing's for sure: Gen Z knows how to use social media as a powerful tool for advocacy. The L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón announced that the case will be re-reviewed.
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