From Memes to Memories: Gen-Z’s Quest for Shared Experiences

Many universities use my books as assigned texts, and I do my best to pop in for a Zoom Q&A with students when time allows. Recently, one instructor asked me if there was anything they could do in return to help me. I said that I’d like to know, “other than environmental issues, what are students worried about?”

The class gifted me with a set of essays, and the depth of the responses surprised me. Their answers were serious, well-thought-out, and beautifully written. They covered many of the topics you’d expect like getting a job, paying off bills, and the stress of a toxic world.

But one response stopped me in my tracks, and I’d like to share it with you today. It shared a unique perspective … but at the same time, his concern seems so obvious. I’ve edited the comment slightly for clarity. This will get you thinking …

“Compared to any other generation, Gen-Z creators have a much greater ability to publish their work, artists are freer to share and skip hassle-laden middlemen, and small businesses can start online with much ease. In essence, there is just much more of everything, which is always good. However, as a consequence, there are much fewer shared cultural experiences among my generation.