*from the view of an old man (Millennial)
[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]
Title: The Unfiltered Lens: Observing the Authenticity of Gen Z
In my journey as an educator and observer of life, I've always aimed to see reality as it is - an objective observer. Over the past seven or eight years, my focus has been on teenagers, ranging from ages 13 to 18. Since I began working with this demographic in 2015, I've followed the transition of my oldest students, then 18 and now 24, and my youngest, then 14 and now 16. This wide spectrum of young minds, encompassing the entirety of Generation Z, has offered me a unique vantage point to observe and analyze.
Lately, society is intrigued by Gen Z, attempting to dissect their trends, their sense of humor, their style, their divergence from millennials and baby boomers. From the recurring cycle of fashion trends to the apparent openness of their personal lives, a lot is being discussed. However, amid this curiosity and analysis, I've noted a pervasive theme, a defining trait that encapsulates Gen Z in its entirety - Authenticity.
Let's begin by acknowledging that, indeed, Gen Z is significantly more open about their personal lives. They document everything, making their everyday lives an open book. For instance, I've observed that many have taken to the new Apple journal app on iOS 17, an AI-fueled reflective journal built right into their phones. This propensity to record their thoughts, to self-reflect, reflects a fundamental shift in their relationship with their inner selves. This generation isn't just capturing moments, they're capturing thoughts and emotions - a profound testimony to their authenticity.
But what about their trends, their styles? There's a common perception that Gen Z seems to be hopping on every new trend, mimicking dance routines, and appropriating fashion styles from past generations. Yet, there's more to this than meets the eye. What may appear as blind trend-following is, in essence, a form of personal expression. They're adding their unique twists to existing trends, amalgamating styles from various eras to create something truly their own. The apparent replication is, in reality, a form of reinvention, underscoring their authentic selves.
The authenticity of Gen Z extends into the realm of social media too. It's a widely accepted notion that social media tends to cultivate a culture of pretense. However, I believe that Gen Z is challenging this norm. Despite the inevitable tendency to project an idealized self-image, I've observed that Gen Z manages to maintain a level of genuineness in their online interactions. They're presenting more of their true selves in the digital world, reminiscent of Kevin Kelly's assertion that one should strive to become their true self.
I am not suggesting that Gen Z is immune to the lure of projection or pretense, but rather, they've begun their journey towards self-expression and authenticity from a higher starting point compared to previous generations. Their natural disposition towards authenticity, their desire to maintain a genuine self-image, reflects a significant cultural shift in our society.
So, where does this leave us, the observers, the educators, the parents, and the well-wishers of Gen Z? It's simple. We need to embrace authenticity. We don't have to imitate their trends or mirror their styles, but merely present our genuine selves. Gen Z, in my experience, values and respects authenticity more than anything else. Trying to 'fit in' with them is futile; what matters is being genuine, being ourselves.
In a world where authenticity often takes a backseat to projection, Gen Z is defying norms, steering the narrative towards individuality and genuineness. Their pursuit of authenticity, their commitment to self-expression, offers us a profound lesson - to cherish our individuality and celebrate authenticity in all its forms. They remind us to remain true to ourselves, regardless of prevailing trends or societal pressures.
Take a step back from the intricacies of their trends, their humor, or their online persona, and one will notice a collective drive towards authenticity that defines Gen Z. They reject the homogenization of thought and expression, embracing individuality with open arms. This is apparent not only in their consumption of culture but also in the content they create - from TikTok videos to Instagram stories. Everything carries a touch of their authentic selves.
Authenticity, for Gen Z, isn't a strategic choice; it's an integral part of their identity. They're not afraid to express their authentic selves, be it through their digital footprint or their real-world interactions. Unlike previous generations who were often pressured into conforming to societal norms, Gen Z is more comfortable stepping outside the conformity box, laying their uniqueness bare for all to see. This is a generation that doesn't shy away from wearing their hearts on their sleeves.
Their inclination towards authenticity is also evident in their approach to problem-solving and decision-making. They reject superficial solutions and tend to look deeper, seeking authentic understanding over shallow knowledge. They don't just want to know 'what,' they want to understand 'why.' Their quest for authenticity extends beyond mere personal expression to the way they interact with the world around them.
To wrap up my observation of this compelling generation, it's worth noting that the authenticity they embody is not merely about 'being different.' Instead, it's about 'being oneself' - free from pretense, unapologetically original. This is the cornerstone of their identity, the foundation upon which they're building their futures.
As we watch, learn, and occasionally marvel at Gen Z, we would do well to remember that authenticity isn't just their characteristic; it's their clarion call. They're imploring us to embrace our authentic selves, to celebrate our unique identities, and above all, to cherish the unvarnished truth of who we are. In the end, our greatest homage to this intriguing generation might not be to understand them fully but to learn from their journey towards authenticity and walk our paths with the same unyielding commitment to being true to ourselves. As we do so, we'll undoubtedly find that authenticity isn't just a trend, but a timeless virtue that transcends generations and redefines society.
So, the next time you find yourself perplexed by a Gen Z trend, remember that it's less about the trend itself and more about what it represents - a commitment to authenticity. They're not just 'Generation Z,' they're 'Generation Authenticity,' and that's a characteristic we can all aspire to emulate. After all, in the grand theater of life, it's authenticity that makes the performance memorable, genuine, and truly human.