#obsession over being a millennial or gen z

[mzannthropy]

People commenting under Barbie trailer on Instagram were complaining that Ryan Gosling was too old to play Ken. Is Ken supposed to be of certain age? Or is it true, and I'm not crazy, and these kids really do have a weird thing about age?

[trippingontheescalator]

Curious about the direction the HP fandom has gone

Okay, so as an old HP fan from way back when the books were first coming out, and then getting hit with the nostalgia and decided to return after years and years of not interacting with the fandom at all, the changes are truly mindboggling and I'd love to get to the bottom of some things.

Like, the disappearance of Blaise Zabini. Blaise was a fan favorite way back when we only knew his name but now I barely hear a whisper of his name. Now, the obvious answer is racism, which I think is the #1 reason why Blaise-pairings have dropped of significantly. Back then we all thought Blaise was a hot Italian girl, and then we found out he's a black man and suddenly people stop writing about him? Hm, yeah, seems the obvious answer (especially considering the popularity of other characters who are just a name on a page *cough*regulusblack*cough*).

Or the rise in Snape-hate. Like, Snape used to be the fan favorite. Everyone loved Snape. The meaner he was, the more we liked him. Being mean to children was a plus, not a negative lol. And this was back when we all thought he was a pureblood who came from a wealthy family like the Malfoys. Now by the time the 7th book came out I had pretty much moved on and so I didn't really see the fallout of readers discovering his actual background, so I don't know if his drop in popularity is classism and learning that he isn't a palette-swapped Lucius Malfoy or not, but honestly I would figure his impoverished background would be a plus in these times. Like Snape is obviously one of JKR's least favorite characters, and considering how she-who-must-not-be-named has destroyed her reputation with her increasing radicalization you'd figure the poor, abused, author-hating character would become more beloved instead of the rich, white, heteronormative bullies who barely even show up in the books. Like with our increasing knowledge of social injustice, I just don't understand why the fandom would want to latch onto the Marauders? And I just can't believe Snape's handful of snippets with Lily is the cause of his downfall (like what's there is barely enough to fill up a few pages, and there are certainly more toxic relationships in the series that are still beloved), or the fact that he was a Death Eater or that he inadvertently caused the deaths of the Potters (we already knew that in GoF and HPB respectively and he was still beloved, and this was when we assumed he didn't give a shit about the Potters or if they died when he went snitching). Draco is still popular. DRACO who doesn't give two shits about slinging around the word "mudblood," as opposed to Snape who actually changed for the better.

Am I just too old to understand? Is this like 90s fashion coming back in style (no, I won't do it again, I don't care if it's cringy I'm sticking with my millennial styles, I did the platforms and the slip dresses and the cargo pants in high school and I'm not putting myself through that again lol you gen z's can pry my comfortable mom jeans from my cold, dead fingers, I don't care if it makes me look old, that's the point, I AM old). Like, in addition to 90s fashion, has the 90s obsession with luxury athletic fashion like Lacoste come back in style? All those fashion ads of rich white people on yachts with popped collar polos? Are people starting to obsess over the Marauders because nouveau riche conspicuous consumption is coming back in style? It can't all just be young kids who have only read AtYD and have never actually opened one of the books, can it?

There also seems to be a trend of treating characters as if they're real people. I mean, we've always done it (Snape Wives, I'm looking at you), but now it almost feels as if the crimes characters commit are treated as if they're real crimes and that liking them is somehow a moral failing on the reader's fault. If you were to say "I don't like Snape, his douchy actions anger me, I'd rather skip all the parts he shows up in" I'd say, cool, I get that. That's normal. But "Snape is an abuser, a racist, and an incel and if you like him you're probably those things too" is fucking weird. Like, Harry and Hermione are not real children. Snape is not a real person. The things that happen in this book have as much influence on the real world as me imagining ninjas breaking into my workplace on a slow day. And that "media does not exist in a vacuum" pisses me off because it's blatantly misused. The pieces of media that have had serious consequences? Jaws, The Birth of a Nation. One resulted in the culling of sharks, the other helped restart the KKK. Do you know what those two pieces of media have in common? They're not about fucking wizards and magic schools. They instead paint a target on real groups. After twenty years nobody has ever tried to hurt a marginalized group of people because of a harry potter book (except for JKR herself).

Anyway, these are just some random thoughts, feel free to chime in with your own.

[notyouraryang0dd3ss]

That time period where Taylor was on tumblr "lurking" and following only the most dedicated fans was super weird. That and the invites to her house for listening parties definitely fueled the parasocial shit show. I do hope that it was some intern behind all the tumblr stuff, though. If it wasn't', that means an ego maniac was scrolling through her own tag giving out gold stars for loving her enough. Everything about that is creepy as hell.

honestly even though kpop groups (this is who i credit, if you know any other celebs who did it earlier please lmk!!!!!!!) started the trend of parasocial relationships (see BTS and their vlogs and how their fans feel like they know them + RPF) taylor swift really perfected it and made it into an art.

i think it was her ability to make her fans feel like they were her friends and having her invite them over to her house (very personal thing to do especially as a celebrity) that encouraged them to latch onto her. also genius move because she had fans that could testify to her being a good person if a swiftie showed skepticism or legit critical thinking skills when it came to her behavior.

it was definitely an intern tho because i doubt she’s actually a millennial and talks like *that* in her social media posts (its very gen z or someone just very well versed in the internet). have you seen a millennial online? they type like they��re HR 24/7.

BUT if she was a crazy enough weirdo to actually be the one to scroll through her tag…well…someone is deeply self obsessed and insecure

[numbwhileintertwined]

(ongoing) Youtube videos to watch (uncategorized)

(note: most things here have links attached, but the ones that failed will have the channel name)

Overconsumption is keeping you POOR

Let’s talk ‘Tiktok made me buy it’ culture.

Code Orange Hysteria: Is Halloween Consumerism Out of Control?

The Terrifying World of Temu

How Dropshipping Ruined Online Shopping

TikTok Shop is a Nightmare

fast fashion has ruined media consumption

tiktok's obsession with the it girl aesthetic & consuming in the...

designer brands are for broke girls

How Consumerism Ruins Our Planet and Finances

Your Perfume Obsession is Keeping You BROKE!

Shawna Ripari

TikTok’s Rage Bait Problem..

Gen Alpha is Absolutely COOKED

Millennial Parenting Videos Keep Getting Crazier...

performative cleanliness & the hygiene olympics

Gen Z Has a HUGE Problem With Commitment..

kids ACT like adults because they want to be TREATED like adults

Why Do We Hate Women After They've Cut Their Hair Off?

poor spoiled rich kids on tiktok

the scammers of manifestation tiktok

you’re 12, not 21

Let's talk social media's 'aesthetic' obsession.

Gen Z's Aesthetic Obsession & Search for an Identity is Tiring...

the cult of unschooling

How World War 2 Began

Exploring The Old Internet

How to Perform an Exorcism

why Brandy Melville can't be cancelled

The Conspiracy Theory Iceberg

CC Suarez

Disturbing Internet Anomalies

Is CRAB the final form?

Advice for time traveling to medieval Europe

The Weirdest and Most Obscure Side of the Internet

Government Cheese Tunnels & The "Got Milk?" Conspiracy

How to Eat a Human Being

Something Strange Happens When You Follow Einstein's Math- Veritasium

The Beautiful Horror of Deep Space- Curious Archive

The Complete Extraterrestrial Encounters Iceberg Explained-Zoanfly

Math's Fundamental Flaw- Veritasium

Midsommar - The Complete Guide (Everything Explained)

Entertainment Made By North Korea

BobbyBroccoli

Plagiarism and You(Tube)- hbomberguy

Disney's FastPass: A Complicated History- defunctland

Evermore: The Theme Park That Wasn't- jenny nicholson

The Amberlynn Reid Show! 8 HOURS STRAIGHT DELUSION!- lil cringe

ImAllexx's History of Controversy & The Current Allegations- Mike's Rhetoric

Reviewbrah: Food for Thought - Documentary- Mr. Snowflake

Anna Stubblefield & The Pygmalion Delusion- Andrew van der Vaart, MD, PhD

The Internet's Most Notorious Scammers- TheGamerFromMars

Who's Lila? - Story Explained- Flawed Peacock

The Religion & Cult Iceberg Explained- Wendigoon

The Mass Hysteria Iceberg Explained- Wendigoon

The Cult of Scientology- Philion

Sinking in Scandal: A Canadian Tragedy- BobbyBroccoli

The Monsters Beneath Us: The Monument Mythos- Wendigoon

The Entire History of Video Games

The Biggest Ideas in Philosophy

Life's Biggest Paradoxes

The 8 Greatest Philosophical Theories You Need to Know- Aperture

Here is Everything We Don't Know (Extended)- Arperture

The Lost Books of the Bible- Wendigoon

100 Strange Cases of Lost Media- ShaiiValley

Your Entire Human Existence from Birth to Death- Arperture

The Bizarre World of Fake Video Games- Super Eyepatch Wolf

10+ Hours of Backrooms Level Explanations... (400+ levels)

536 AD: The Year That The Sun Disappeared | Catastrophe | Real History

The Siege of Ruby Ridge - An American Standoff, Story, & Controversy

The Complete History of Rome, Summarized- Overly Sarcastic Productions

The Mass Extinction Debates: A Science Communication Odyssey- Oliver Lugg

These Paradoxes Keep Scientists Awake At Night!- Destiny

Foundation: Are We Predictable?

The Paleozoic Era (That We Know Of) Compilation | Lindsay

How capitalism destroyed community for profit || Motherhood In Progress

Let's talk Water Bottle Culture.

Money: Humanity's Biggest Illusion

End of the Road: How Money Became Worthless

why is everything so bland now?

Thrift Store Prices ARE RUINING Thrifting..

How Dollar Stores Quietly Consumed America

How Central Banks have Seized Power over our Societies

The Return of ElsaGate | It’s Worse Than I Thought

The MOST ADDICTIVE Snack: Flamin' Hot Cheetos

Toxic, Tasty, and Targeting You: Dark History of Fast Food

The Horrible Aftermath of the SHEIN-pocalypse

1984 Tried To Warn You- Moon

Disney World is a Dystopian Nightmare

Let's Talk About The Horrible State of The Internet- Tsunul

Inside China‘s T*rture Camps for Teens- fern (the title isn't censored)

Fear of Forgetting

Why Quantum Computers Will Break Reality

What Is The Biggest Thing In The Universe?- History of the Universe

The Star That Can't Exist

What Is Beyond The Edge?- History of the Universe

Beyond the Observable Universe [4K]

The Mystery of Spinors

Two robots debate the future of humanity

[aizenat]

I was watching this woman who does child free content on yt, and she was showing clips of a woman on tik tok who was complaining about some family vlogger influencers (because that’s somehow still a thing in 2024 apparently) on ig who went on a cruise and apparently went to have dinner after the kids went to sleep so they could have a romantic night alone. They had baby monitors and nothing actually happened, but the internet does what it always does and this girl is just moralizing about all the could be dangers that COULD have happened in a worst case scenario because god forbid people don’t live their lives with crippling anxiety constantly planning and expecting the worst thing to happen at all times (not defending the couple but girl nothing happened just shut the fuck up).

And I had this thought I’ve been having a lot where I’m thinking this woman who I’m watching react to this girl’s tik tok (a supposed journalist lol) is wasting her time watching a girl waste her time making tik tok after tik tok moralizing about a couple she doesn’t know doing something that wasn’t the smartest but led to no issues, bitching about this couple sharing their stupid lives online.

And like I just thought to myself “why does this girl on tik tok care so much about this couple to make all these videos faking concern about these kids that are fine? Why is this YouTuber wasting her time reacting to this girl making tik toks about a family neither of them know and how they raise their kids? Why is this couple able to get enough people watching them vlog their lives that they can afford a nice cruise (and apparently make enough to afford a hypothetical nanny for the kids so they wouldn’t have to leave them alone sleeping in the rooms just for a date night, according to critics), and enough attention to get major backlash for doing something I’m sure most of our own parents did at least once or twice.”

Like truly, what does ANY of this matter? I don’t know ANY of these ppl I’m engaging with. I don’t care about family vloggers: I find them all reprehensible. I don’t care about some random white woman’s moralizing on another couple not being perfect parents like she thinks all parents should be. I don’t even understand why the child free content creator was even commenting on the drama. Like what was the point? Don’t have children so you can have date nights without worrying about kids?

Like who cares? Why are we all so obsessed with other people’s lives? People we don’t know, will never know, who will get canceled in a few years for something (if they’re lucky enough to last that long) just to do it all over again with a new influencer. That south Asian ray guy was the most popular YouTuber and and then it was pewdiepie then one of the Paul brothers then dream then Mr beast and he’s getting canceled now so it’ll be someone new this time next year.

Again and again the cycle goes and what do any of us get out of it? Are we better people for it? Are we even entertained? Why does ANY of this shit matter? Truly?

Idk how corny or eye roll inducing it is to say this but the entire internet, and most of modern media, has become a literal virtual reality matrix that we’re all acting like we have to participate in. You don’t go online, you miss all the news. Everyone from boomers to gen x to millennials to gen z to gen alpha don’t know how to connect to people without it. At my last job, my coworkers would bond over memes they’d share on fb or send each other snapchats or tik toks and constantly reference them. And because I’m not on the sites, I was literally missing out. And when I’d ask them to send things to our group chat so I could enjoy the fun, they just ignored me.

In today’s world, if you’re not plugged into the matrix, you pretty much don’t exist. It’s a red flag if ppl can’t find social media on you. YouTube commentary videos don’t even introduce players in drama because they assume you already know who they’re talking about for some reason. I’m expected to know all the latest tik tok influencers and streamers and podcasters and all the other mundane morons taking up space online. Why? Why do I need to know any of them just to keep up? Truly? Why?

Meanwhile, no one knows how our government work to organize effectively (looking at the faux “pro Palestine” ppl protesting the dnc without any fucking real plan all while ignoring that three of the most progressive and pro Palestinian representatives were up for reelection and let two of them LOSE their reelection bid, pulling more pro Palestinian voices away from congress; as well as ANYONE telling people to not vote or vote third party in November), no one seems to care that we’re living through a major environmental catastrophe, NO ONE READS, art is literally dying thanks to corporate greed, men are gearing up for a major anti feminist backlash that I’m afraid no woman under 30 is quite prepared to fight against, and no one can afford to live a happy and comfortable life.

But I have to care about stupid influencers being stupid online for stupid amounts of money because everyone is chasing a bag instead of working to make the world a better place.

I’m genuinely hitting a limit. Not in the manosphere way, but I’m seriously taking the red pill and getting the fuck out. This online world is just so bleak and miserable. I can’t deal with this shit anymore. It’s burning me out and I’m exhausted by it all. I genuinely just need out. Completely and fully. I’m so completely done.

[tooningin]

Been seeing a lot of discourse around concern for Gen Alpha’s device usage and the tweens at Sephora, and those are both extremely valid concerns

But why are people so worried about the STANLEY CUPS?!

Now I completely understand if it’s related to the fact that people have been attacking each other, fighting and getting hurt over them. That deserves to be addressed and something must be done about it.

However, these hot new items becoming these huge trends and things that everyone and their mom wants isn’t anything new

I mean, Gen Z was obsessed with Fidget Spinners and Silly Bands. Millennials had Pogs. It’s the same cycle that happened in the past, only difference being the trending products

[purplesurveys]

1755

Millennial survey In which a Gen Z-er takes over a survey meant for millennials 😜

What year were you born in? 1998.

Do you remember a time before smartphones and social media? Yeah, of course. I'd talk to friends mostly through landline or text; memorizing the program schedules per channel was the norm because streaming and on-demand stuff were pretty much nonexistent then; and playing outside was the best way to have fun with friends. There was also still the element of surprise when watching...well, pretty much anything, because there was no concept of spoilers unless you had access to the (early days of the) internet, which had been damn near impossible to use anyway because of how expensive it used to be.

I remember when Friendster, Multiply, YouTube, and Facebook all started getting popular and it being very exciting because the concept of social media didn't exist til then and it was like discovering a new world that I thought I'd never get tired of, lol.

Were you part of the generation that experienced the transition from dial-up internet to broadband? Yes. We had dial-up up til the early 2000s and didn't get a taste of broadband until around 2008 - 15 years ago. That noisy dial-up sound is permanently etched in my brain.

Did you grow up watching Saturday morning cartoons? I absolutely did. For some reason they kept the actual entertaining shows in the early morning, so that's how I learned to want to wake up early even on the weekends to catch them. I hated the Nick Jr block they had on in the morning and always skipped over it unless Hi-5, my only favorite, was airing.

Do you have any memories of using floppy disks or cassette tapes? Not floppy disks, but I am very familiar with cassettes since our first family car had a cassette player. My first Beyoncé album is a cassette and I wasn't able to get the CD version til, like, well into the 2010s because it was the first time I saw the CD in the wild haha.

How did you communicate with your friends before the advent of text messaging? Landline.

Were you a fan of any particular boy band or girl group during your teenage years? Ok this is 100% where my Gen Z card would show because my answer to this would be One Direction hahaha.

Did you ever own a portable CD player or a Walkman? I had a CD player and my own radio.

What was your favorite video game console when you were growing up? PlayStation 1 and 2. I had always wanted to try playing on the GameCube but we never had one.

Did you ever use AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) or MSN Messenger to chat with friends? Not those, but I did have Yahoo! Messenger for a time.

Were you aware of the Y2K bug and the associated concerns leading up to the year 2000? No, I had been too young for that whole thing.

Did you ever rent movies from a physical video rental store like Blockbuster or Hollywood Video? I didn't.

Were you into MySpace or LiveJournal during the early days of social networking? I made a Myspace because I had heard of its popularity, but quickly realized that it was only popular in the west because what was big here instead were Friendster and Multiply. LiveJournal yes, I did do a few attempts to start blogs and stuff but I always ended up abandoning them after 1 or 2 posts.

What was your first experience with online shopping? I only started online shopping in like 2017 - the Philippines caught on pretty late. Before that I would either have to go to an actual store to get something, or ask my dad to buy something for me whenever he was in the US.

Did you ever participate in a flash mob or witness one in person? I've done neither.

How did you discover new music before the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify? It was mostly through either recommendations of my favorite celebrities or word of mouth in school.

Were you a fan of the "Harry Potter" book series or the "Twilight" saga? I was never into Harry Potter but I was obsessed with Twilight (still am, lol). I caught on to the hype in 2008 when the first movie came out – quickly breezed through all the books and got to watch New Moon up to Breaking Dawn Part 2 in the cinema.

Did you ever have a MySpace profile and customize it with HTML and CSS? I didn't do HTML on Myspace but I definitely did on Tumblr. This is where I learned all my website customization knowledge tbh.

What was your favorite TV show or cartoon during your childhood? In early childhood, my favorite was without a doubt Hi-5. I was hooked and I remember feeling so distraught when I graduated preschool and realized I was never gonna get to watch Hi-5 again once I'd start grade school and have full-day classes.

Growing up more I started to gravitate towards shows like Drake and Josh, The Suite Life, and That's So Raven. Apart from those, Spongebob also remains a favorite no matter what age I get.

How did you feel about the transition from traditional television to streaming services? It was hard to grasp at first. I remember in 2020 when my dad was asking us if we can get rid of cable and I felt genuinely scandalized lol like why would we ever get rid of cable when it's been part of our everyday lives since even before I was born??? Anyway, my siblings and I eventually gave in when we too realized that we never even went through the cable channels anymore.

Streaming services are definitely the 'new' way of consumption now and my family has fully eased into it - we're subscribed to Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. I don't have too many strong feelings about this topic, but if anything it does feel extremely bittersweet whenever we'd hear a channel permanently sign off for good – recently it had been NatGeo.

[cartoonscientist]

I feel like the subset of Gen Xers and elder millennials who constantly dunk on younger millennials and Gen Z for being so self conscious and obsessive over their interactions and presentation are neglecting to take into account how we were influenced by growing up in an era of increased surveillance + privacy invasion as entertainment (see: viral iphone videos, open webcam sites, reality TV, hate wikis, etc)

[trerti]

Honestly I kinda like how the collective narrative of the users of this site has calmed down a lot in the past 10+ years. I’ve been on this site since 2010 (not as a active user most of the time, I like to observe) as a wee Gen. Z kid and watched some Gen X and Millennials progressively change and morph from being very young and passionate to more chill and calm. And yeah it’s because the population here is aging blah blah blah but it’s an interesting shift now more than ever from what I’ve seen because you can literally see the exhaustion and maturity shift set in the user base of everyone here in the changes for discourse, fandom dynamics and political/societal from here so rapidly. It’s really fascinating to me. I grew up from the millennials progressing from posting poor quality gifs in long drawn out fandom posts and commenting “if you’re not angry at this (insert large scale societal issue) you’re not paying attention” on every other (insert bigoted whatever -ism/ist term here) critique post and obsessing over random white boys/men to becoming basically the primordial soup progenitors for fandom culture and progressive politics.

Now that I’m at the point of the beginning of my adulthood, I’m glad to have seen and experienced what I did. It’s still so weird to see the shift from 2014ish when everyone started to be emotionally exhausted with the way their all lives were heading collectively that is was literally tangible in the way that intersectionality is incorporated, and then started to be applied in social/political discourse became the foundations for online behavior today for a lot of ideas and humor concerning all online spaces, like YouTube comments to Pinterest posts reels. Like, it was a very VERY USA oriented white fandom men space focused space where there was young and fresh 20 year old something (usually, on the surface cis and straight oriented) millennials were just obsessing on the same 3-4 major fandom things at a time or so was into a very admittingly prominent site for gender and sexual orientation terminology and concepts development that are now being practiced and in use are implemented on a societal level. I feel like I’ve aged x2 fast too just being here lol.

Now I mostly just see millennials and a vast majority of the more older gens blogs chilling and just focusing a bit more on living in adulthood in the strides they wish they had earlier and (usually) cheer on and encourage Gen. Z youngsters and slowly raising and preparing Gen. Alpha as of now. Gen Z is just mostly geeking over the aesthetics, trends and terminology/concepts now, especially in identity politics laid down earlier from others in discourse in our identitys as adults. Aka; Cancel culture and policing is the same hurdle we have to face head on and navigate as a generation for the next one to come after to work, tweak and improve on a societal level.

Of course the echo chambers here and the discourse are still annoying here and there but I feel like now more than ever I see a lot of settling? happening now. It’s very chill; like the tones and way people talk changed, lowkey it’s kinda a nice even if there used to be and still is strife in certain spaces I guess.

I’d argue being on here is the most tolerable concerning the younger gens here being discreet (as in I don’t see younger people always focus on output here and more so relaxing and not engaging in large fandom wars or whatever like I’ve witnessed before, it’s only be very slight if not tedious buzzword identity policing and gatekeeping callouts but that’s as far as I’ve seen) and just focusing on creative content, and gaining inspiration in lieu with Tiktok and Instagram and Twitter as the main avenues for content content (ironically as there was a great migration in 2018 to Twitter due to policy update and back here on tumblr for the same reason Lmaooooo) being a whole thing… also to be fair the UX of this specific platform is actually nice because you have the ability to actually extend and spell out our own coherent ideas about things as need be compared to the other platforms where content creation forces the users to be hard pressed to not be able to flesh out and materialize their ideas and posts aside from Reddit or something.

Also? To see blogs that are like 10+ years old and scrolling though the older posts of like, idk a blog dedicated to providing insight into Wicca or a set interest etc. for a subject you are researching and have those same popular older posts (‘the president stole my shoe laces’ and ‘do you like the color of the sky?’) be in its ye olden archives when you search for something accidently is really entertaining to me. I can see why everyone here lowkey kinda remanences and cringes at those times, it’s truly iconic in every way possible before and after if you were there lol.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] New Delhi, Delhi, India Mars Petcare, a global leader in pet care and nutrition, has released insights from its Global Pet Parent Survey, which spanned over 20,000 pet parents (dog and cat owners) globally, including 1000 respondents in India, shows the significant influence of pets on our lives. This is one of the largest surveys ever conducted by Mars, and it found that two-thirds of pet parents surveyed see their dog or cat as the most important thing in their lives. . Mars Petcare released the India findings from its Global Pet Parent Survey   With pet ownership on the rise and people considering pets an important part of their lives, the survey results signal a new era of pet parent centricity in which emotional connections between pet parents and their pets are stronger than ever.   For Gen Z and Millennials pets are companions who provide unconditional love, alleviate stress, and make great companions to bond with. More than 64% of young dog owners and 60% of young cat owners in India reported that their pets helped reduce stress and anxiety. These numbers reveal that pets are an integral part of their life. Pet adoption starts at least 3 months or younger, with 67% puppies and 70% kittens.   The survey reveals that there’s still a journey ahead in raising awareness about adoption. Only 6% of puppies and 4% of kittens are adopted from shelters, with 17% of puppies and 10% of kittens being acquired through breeders and, maximum, through pet shops, with 23% of puppies and 19% of kittens. This indicates a significant opportunity to promote adoption and responsible pet ownership, potentially leading to a more compassionate pet care culture in India.   Salil Murthy, Managing Director of Mars Petcare India, commented on the findings: “This survey highlights a new generation of Indian pet parents who view their pets as essential to their well-being. Young Indians are not only adopting pets in record numbers but are also prioritizing the emotional and mental benefits these relationships bring. At Mars Petcare, we are obsessed with pet parents and are always listening and learning from them. The Mars Global Pet Parent Study reflects our commitment to learn and share awareness about how pet ownership is evolving worldwide. It’s no longer ownership; it’s become a lifelong relationship. India is no different. Just as they care about their own health, Gen Z is equally committed to the health and nutrition of their pets. As leaders in pet care, we ensure every product in our portfolio provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition wherever pets are. Beyond nutrition, we aim to ease pet parents’ challenges and build a better world for pets. Our initiatives like building Better Cities for Pets, organizing National Adoption Weekends, deploying mobile shelters across key metros, and partnering with animal welfare organizations in multiple cities are a testament to our commitment to this purpose.”   Globally, Mars Petcare’s survey reveals similar trends in pet ownership, with 56% of people worldwide identifying as pet parents, and nearly half of them being first-time owners. Around 37% of global pet parents view their pets as the most important thing in their life, showing that this deep bond between people and pets extends beyond borders. With insights like these, Mars Petcare continues to innovate and evolve its offerings to meet the needs of pet parents around the world.   Other Key Insights Key Insights from the Mars Global Pet Parent Study: Conducted over 30 days in early 2024, Mars Petcare’s study surveyed 20,000 pet parents across 21 countries, including Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey, South Africa, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and India. This groundbreaking study—the largest of its kind—reveals how pets profoundly impact lives worldwide and the evolving priorities of today’s pet parents.

  Pet Ownership is Expanding and Evolving Growing Pet Ownership Globally: Over half (56%) of respondents globally are pet parents -With 47% being first-time owners. In India, first-time pet parents rise to 69%. Pet Prioritization: Gen Z and Millennials lead a more emotional approach to pet ownership, with 47% of global Gen Z dog owners and 43% of cat owners saying their pets are “the most important part of their lives.” In India, this number is a remarkable 66% for dog and cat owners. Younger Pets for Younger Generations: Globally, 70% of puppy owners and 72% of kitten owners are Gen Z or Millennials, reflecting their desire to start early bonds. Pet Parents’ Satisfaction and Challenges High Satisfaction with Pets’ Impact: Globally, 37% of pet parents feel their pets are central to their lives, with India showing an even stronger bond at 68%. Dog owners value unconditional love (42% in India) and family completeness (40%), while cat owners highlight entertainment (43%) and stress relief (41%). Guilt Around Leaving Pets Alone: One-third of global dog owners (33%) and 32% of Indian dog owners feel guilty about leaving pets alone. For cat owners, this rises to 38% in India.   Barriers to Pet Ownership and Pet Friendliness Key Barriers: Globally, challenges include unsuitable living conditions and the commitment level. In India, emotional pain from pet loss (23%) is a top reason for not owning a dog, while living conditions and furniture concerns impact cat ownership. Pet-Friendliness of Neighborhoods: While 42% globally find their neighborhoods pet-friendly, India ranks higher, with 56% viewing it positively. However, 9% of Indian respondents still hold negative sentiments about having pets in their neighborhood.   Adoption and Mars Petcare’s Commitment Encouraging Pet Adoption: Most pets are acquired through friends, family, or breeders, with minimal adoption rates. In India, 23% of dogs and 19% of cats come from pet shops, while adoption rates remain low at 6% for dogs and 4% for cats. Building a Better World for Pets: Mars Petcare’s mission, exemplified by the 16th annual Global Adoption Weekend now going global, reaffirms their commitment to “A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.” This includes the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, promoting pet-friendly environments, and the WHISKA’s Meowzer campaign, supporting pet adoption and reducing pet homelessness.   Driving Innovation to Meet Pet Parents’ Needs Adapting to Pet Parents’ Changing Needs: As the world’s largest pet food provider, Mars Petcare serves over 400 million pet parents globally, embedding pet-centricity into their DNA. Advancing Pet Care with a Purpose: For nearly 90 years, Mars Petcare has led in quality pet food, products, and services to support their core purpose: creating a better world for pets. With each initiative, Mars Petcare works to evolve with pet parents and break down common barriers, ensuring a fulfilling experience for pets and families.   About the survey This survey was commissioned with Ipsos by Mars, Incorporation Online survey in 20 markets with more than 20,000 dog/cat owners and non-owners (with a minimum of 500 cat parents and 500 dog parents in each market). Markets included: Canada, U.S., Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Poland, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand Cat and dog parents are defined as people (aged 18-65) who are responsible for the decision making or care of their cat/ dog (including its feeding, health, and overall well-being). This involves the commitment to provide for the pet's needs throughout its life. The cat/ dog had to be domestic or tamed and kept in a household primarily for non-commercial purposes. The online sample includes some rural coverage but is likely to be over-representative of population for urban area:

Total surveyed n=57,756 Total interviewed about their cat/ dog n=21,106 Total dog owners n=10,551 Total cat owners n= 10,555 Total dog non-owners n=34,890 Total cat non-owners n= 37,687 Quota sampling tailored for each market was applied to ensure that the age, gender and regional profile of both cat and dog owners each reflected the national proportions of these demographics in that market. Gen-Z: 18-27 y.o.; Millennials 28-43 y.o.; Gen X: 44-59 y.o.; Boomers 60+ y.o Data reported at a global level reflects the mean result across all the countries where the survey was conducted. It has not been weighted to reflect the population size of each country. Fieldwork was conducted between 1st March – 4th April 2024 Ipsos contact: Victoria Edmonds ([email protected]) !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] New Delhi, Delhi, India Mars Petcare, a global leader in pet care and nutrition, has released insights from its Global Pet Parent Survey, which spanned over 20,000 pet parents (dog and cat owners) globally, including 1000 respondents in India, shows the significant influence of pets on our lives. This is one of the largest surveys ever conducted by Mars, and it found that two-thirds of pet parents surveyed see their dog or cat as the most important thing in their lives. . Mars Petcare released the India findings from its Global Pet Parent Survey   With pet ownership on the rise and people considering pets an important part of their lives, the survey results signal a new era of pet parent centricity in which emotional connections between pet parents and their pets are stronger than ever.   For Gen Z and Millennials pets are companions who provide unconditional love, alleviate stress, and make great companions to bond with. More than 64% of young dog owners and 60% of young cat owners in India reported that their pets helped reduce stress and anxiety. These numbers reveal that pets are an integral part of their life. Pet adoption starts at least 3 months or younger, with 67% puppies and 70% kittens.   The survey reveals that there’s still a journey ahead in raising awareness about adoption. Only 6% of puppies and 4% of kittens are adopted from shelters, with 17% of puppies and 10% of kittens being acquired through breeders and, maximum, through pet shops, with 23% of puppies and 19% of kittens. This indicates a significant opportunity to promote adoption and responsible pet ownership, potentially leading to a more compassionate pet care culture in India.   Salil Murthy, Managing Director of Mars Petcare India, commented on the findings: “This survey highlights a new generation of Indian pet parents who view their pets as essential to their well-being. Young Indians are not only adopting pets in record numbers but are also prioritizing the emotional and mental benefits these relationships bring. At Mars Petcare, we are obsessed with pet parents and are always listening and learning from them. The Mars Global Pet Parent Study reflects our commitment to learn and share awareness about how pet ownership is evolving worldwide. It’s no longer ownership; it’s become a lifelong relationship. India is no different. Just as they care about their own health, Gen Z is equally committed to the health and nutrition of their pets. As leaders in pet care, we ensure every product in our portfolio provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition wherever pets are. Beyond nutrition, we aim to ease pet parents’ challenges and build a better world for pets. Our initiatives like building Better Cities for Pets, organizing National Adoption Weekends, deploying mobile shelters across key metros, and partnering with animal welfare organizations in multiple cities are a testament to our commitment to this purpose.”   Globally, Mars Petcare’s survey reveals similar trends in pet ownership, with 56% of people worldwide identifying as pet parents, and nearly half of them being first-time owners. Around 37% of global pet parents view their pets as the most important thing in their life, showing that this deep bond between people and pets extends beyond borders. With insights like these, Mars Petcare continues to innovate and evolve its offerings to meet the needs of pet parents around the world.   Other Key Insights Key Insights from the Mars Global Pet Parent Study: Conducted over 30 days in early 2024, Mars Petcare’s study surveyed 20,000 pet parents across 21 countries, including Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey, South Africa, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and India. This groundbreaking study—the largest of its kind—reveals how pets profoundly impact lives worldwide and the evolving priorities of today’s pet parents.

  Pet Ownership is Expanding and Evolving Growing Pet Ownership Globally: Over half (56%) of respondents globally are pet parents -With 47% being first-time owners. In India, first-time pet parents rise to 69%. Pet Prioritization: Gen Z and Millennials lead a more emotional approach to pet ownership, with 47% of global Gen Z dog owners and 43% of cat owners saying their pets are “the most important part of their lives.” In India, this number is a remarkable 66% for dog and cat owners. Younger Pets for Younger Generations: Globally, 70% of puppy owners and 72% of kitten owners are Gen Z or Millennials, reflecting their desire to start early bonds. Pet Parents’ Satisfaction and Challenges High Satisfaction with Pets’ Impact: Globally, 37% of pet parents feel their pets are central to their lives, with India showing an even stronger bond at 68%. Dog owners value unconditional love (42% in India) and family completeness (40%), while cat owners highlight entertainment (43%) and stress relief (41%). Guilt Around Leaving Pets Alone: One-third of global dog owners (33%) and 32% of Indian dog owners feel guilty about leaving pets alone. For cat owners, this rises to 38% in India.   Barriers to Pet Ownership and Pet Friendliness Key Barriers: Globally, challenges include unsuitable living conditions and the commitment level. In India, emotional pain from pet loss (23%) is a top reason for not owning a dog, while living conditions and furniture concerns impact cat ownership. Pet-Friendliness of Neighborhoods: While 42% globally find their neighborhoods pet-friendly, India ranks higher, with 56% viewing it positively. However, 9% of Indian respondents still hold negative sentiments about having pets in their neighborhood.   Adoption and Mars Petcare’s Commitment Encouraging Pet Adoption: Most pets are acquired through friends, family, or breeders, with minimal adoption rates. In India, 23% of dogs and 19% of cats come from pet shops, while adoption rates remain low at 6% for dogs and 4% for cats. Building a Better World for Pets: Mars Petcare’s mission, exemplified by the 16th annual Global Adoption Weekend now going global, reaffirms their commitment to “A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.” This includes the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, promoting pet-friendly environments, and the WHISKA’s Meowzer campaign, supporting pet adoption and reducing pet homelessness.   Driving Innovation to Meet Pet Parents’ Needs Adapting to Pet Parents’ Changing Needs: As the world’s largest pet food provider, Mars Petcare serves over 400 million pet parents globally, embedding pet-centricity into their DNA. Advancing Pet Care with a Purpose: For nearly 90 years, Mars Petcare has led in quality pet food, products, and services to support their core purpose: creating a better world for pets. With each initiative, Mars Petcare works to evolve with pet parents and break down common barriers, ensuring a fulfilling experience for pets and families.   About the survey This survey was commissioned with Ipsos by Mars, Incorporation Online survey in 20 markets with more than 20,000 dog/cat owners and non-owners (with a minimum of 500 cat parents and 500 dog parents in each market). Markets included: Canada, U.S., Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Poland, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand Cat and dog parents are defined as people (aged 18-65) who are responsible for the decision making or care of their cat/ dog (including its feeding, health, and overall well-being). This involves the commitment to provide for the pet's needs throughout its life. The cat/ dog had to be domestic or tamed and kept in a household primarily for non-commercial purposes. The online sample includes some rural coverage but is likely to be over-representative of population for urban area:

Total surveyed n=57,756 Total interviewed about their cat/ dog n=21,106 Total dog owners n=10,551 Total cat owners n= 10,555 Total dog non-owners n=34,890 Total cat non-owners n= 37,687 Quota sampling tailored for each market was applied to ensure that the age, gender and regional profile of both cat and dog owners each reflected the national proportions of these demographics in that market. Gen-Z: 18-27 y.o.; Millennials 28-43 y.o.; Gen X: 44-59 y.o.; Boomers 60+ y.o Data reported at a global level reflects the mean result across all the countries where the survey was conducted. It has not been weighted to reflect the population size of each country. Fieldwork was conducted between 1st March – 4th April 2024 Ipsos contact: Victoria Edmonds ([email protected]) !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[nubeeeohno]

I'm not sorry that I get so ticked off whenever the topic of gen z and loneliness comes up because my millennial colleages have done nothing of substance to it and have in fact just worsened it via the endorsement of boomer and gen xer type brutality emotionally wise.

It comes from us and our generation and the massive joking off of pain followed by a half assed approach of disque emotional awareness, really just leaving the do to the epidemic of mental illness delirium and pharmacologicalization of things that don't exist. I'm not sorry I don't feel like sugarcoating or coaxing today. It should be obvious.

Yes, absolutely every single thing is going to get better by you not talking heart to heart to your peers because "boundaries". Every single thing is going to get better by burying, burying, burying, BURYING BURYING BURYING like a maniac instead of yanking things up to the surface, because why affront my pain, there is social media, there is cellphones, there is this super addicting game, there is pharma, there is fanfiction and there is every single thing ever, to simulate a plastic and temporal equivalent of the feeling of reward I would have felt by forging a long term relationship with my mother and my father - except they did not do that to me, and now I'm doomed, I'm doomed because I can't build with other people what they did not build with me and thus, in the absence of family, there is absence of friends.

Except I can, I could, speak genuinely and pour every thing out to a person and be vulnerable, but there is the catch - it is shamed. Shamed. Because they're not my "therapist" (despite "therapy" being a subconstruct of the professionalism construct, that aims to sanitize what is basically prostitution) and they should not "carry" my burden despite me expressing myself and seeking a bond with someone in no way equating me tasking them with solving my life or pain, and thus apparently if I don't PAY someone whom has studied - via reference and not experience, and reserves their ability to mask their own biases into their practice - to listen to me I am being entitled. And there is also the catch that I am afraid of bonding with them and depending on them the way I could not depend on my parents because they never wanted to, probably the absence of my parents is going to have that consequence, or just naturally from revealing things that are so personal and hurt so much… which is valid. And the reason so many resort to AI. But AI is merely a practice and a test of the waters for human relationships, not an end nor a replacement.

What IS the consequence of reducing psychotherapists to mere gateways to psychiatry? (The pseudoscience that claims endogenic origin of emotional repercussions by grabbing brain scans and labelling them normal vs depressive, gaslighting into a causation fallacy, because mind you, making direct and undoubted assumptions of connection between words and pictures is how we learned LANGUAGE, so that method is always going to work automatically) The consequence of obsessing over surfaces? The consequence of putting more, more, more, more and more obstacles and labels over people's emotional expression ("trauma dumping", don't fucking get me started on that)? People can be clumsy, and you CAN choose to be understanding instead of a shaming piece of shit. The consequence of giving emotions no importance if not over the academical hierarchy and construct that is psychology? The consequence of prioritizing the material over the intangible, the computer over the sentient ("rational" vs "emotional" as if dumping the very thing that makes your soul over the ability to be a computer could be your biggest achievement as a person)? To the point that there has to be external validation by academia for every single thing that we live every single second because of course our emotions hold no validity by themselves, no value by themselves - FEELINGS are LIES, just because you FEEL something it doesn't mean it IS - except yes it is, yes if you feel something is harming you it is because it is actually harmful. This is ridiculous - to feel like there has to be validation for your feelings by some authority by every single time and every single ocassion. That there has to be some doctor or psychologist telling your parents and peers and old fucking people that yes, yelling at you does nothing but harm you - because you don't hold value by yourself, your words, your feelings, your instincts mean nothing because someone else decided they don't - the parent that was told the same thing as a child because their parent saw emotions as a vile gateway for children to be forever dependent and bratty and leeching off every possible resource out of the parent because children are evil. Or humans are weak naturally and you have to TOUGHEN THEM UP as children by making a CHILD immediately prepared to live without YOU the PARENT… shaking my fucking head. No, a medic does not have to validate via academia what is fucking obvious to us as humans, just because some deny it out of the self-punishing practice sown by their parents to desperately seek a meaning or "reward" out of endurance and suffering (myth of merit)… that is fucking ridiculous.

The consequence of making the work force and have work be every thing in the life of a person, putting them under the permanent pressure of having to constantly pay just for living…

The consequence is we simulate relationships. Via social interactions that are not direct relationing of one human to another. Via games, fictional stories, roleplay, via parties and lunches and god knows what, via every single thing that temporarily provides just a second of the reward that is always there from true love. We are afraid of investing long term and real emotion because that interferes with work. It interferes my energy and time for the material. My resources to invest in buying the resources to keep a body alive and not a soul (and the resources to keep a body alive and happy are your very basic right, yet you are forced into having to "earn" them by the rich and the brainwashed myth-of-merit-sucking workers). My ability to also keep my pain and vulnerability buried. A bond takes nakedness - and having someone see you naked emotionally means seeing yourself naked emotionally which so many of you just can't do and resort to believing yourselves ill and taking medications to keep burying yourselves in heavier layers of things and concrete because you think being vulnerable is the end of the world. You think that letting yourselves feel your pain is the end of the world. That hurting and pain are the end of the world. You dread becoming aware of that pain because it is so big. You think that letting yourself hurt every injustice, cry for your mother and wish for her arms is the end of the world. Because you think in an absolutist way that says, if you can't possibly mend it, then don't let yourself feel it - but it is not pointless at all. You were made to look at a "point" and "functionality" for yourself when you are not a machine. To have "goals" and "dreams" to feed a productist system and pay a university to put you closer to fulfilling them and "go" somewhere when your biggest happiness is and should always be and always have been home where true love is - or had to be from the start.

You think that bringing up to the surface something so big will break you, but it won't.

[allylikethecat]

Omg??? What an amazing treat to end my Tuesday night!! First of all I can’t believe it’s already October like where has the time gone??!!

I was immediately hooked on the first chapter (like always tbh) this is sounding like an insanely angsty angst fest and I am here for it. I love that fictional!Ross is a werewolf and not a vampire my Twilight loving self is buzzing lmao.

I’ve personally never had two patients who’ve known each other and try to visit each other but can I just say if fictional!George was my pt and he was just wandering off after literally suffering a heroin overdose I’d be freaking the fuck out he’d have me STRESSED like I NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE??? IM RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU COME BACK!!!

Also I’m very much getting bagsy from this because George is NOT letting Matty die they are either living or George is dying with him

Anyway, a million hats off to you I feel incredibly lucky to be able to read your fics and praise you every Tuesday you’ve made my millennial (technically gen z by a year) heart happy with this fic and all other fics as well 🥺🥺🥺

🥤

HELLO MY DEAR SMOOTHIE ANON! It's always such a wonderful treat to see you in my inbox! I hope you are doing well and having a great start to the best time of the year - spooky season!

Hehehe I am a proud millennial twilight was my JAM in my youth omg I was obsessed with any kind of vampire situation if I'm being perfectly honest lol I'm SO EXCITED to put my own angsty spin on the situation - even though I hope that I'm able to include some moments of humor, Fictional!Matty is REALLY REALLY excited that he's a vampire now even though he's not very GOOD at being one 😂 Fictional!Werewolf Ross is a good boy 🥰

HAHA Fictional!Vampire!George is very much like I'M FINE even though he is very much not... he might have saved Fictional!Matty but all the drugs in Fictional!Matty's blood nearly killed him 😭 they are both struggling and in rather rough shape. Fictional!Matty is restrained to the bed but Fictional!George keeps getting up to watch him sleep through the window and the nursing staff is so over it. Like sir you almost died please sit down.

YESSS they are meant to be together! They're either living or dying together even though Fictional!Vampire!George feels guilty for not giving Fictional!Matty any input in that though 😬

Thank you SO MUCH for always being so wonderful and supportive and for reading! I hope you continue to enjoy the vampire fic and I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the next chapter! I hope you are having a wonderful night and a great rest of your week!

❤️Ally

[aizenat]

I’m 100% done trying to save ppl from the worst case scenarios. Both personally and socially/politically. Like, gen z never went through the fat phobic days of the 90s and 2000s. Yall came of age when we were touting body positivity and screaming against fatphobia, and so yall think we just love fat ppl. When that girl said she’s afraid of not being skinny, she’s not thinking about being as big as lizzo; she’s thinking about being a size 6, 8, or GOD FORBID, and double digit 10!!!! 😱

Aka: WHAT WE CALL AVERAGE FOR WOMEN.

She’s literally afraid to get as fat as YOU.

And so I’m just like fine. Let’s go back to the fatphobic days where we shame women and girls for being bigger than a size 2. If you have a slight pouch or the hint of a wrinkle of cellulite, you’re fat. Got a bit of a booty? Fat. Let’s normalize the grapefruit diet, the Ana bootcamp diets, let’s attempt all the extreme kpop diets, let’s run for miles and never lift weights because we wanna be skinny not muscular! Let’s repeat that nothing taste as good feels; hunger hurts but starving works! Keep putting off meals. Take body shots tracking your “progress.” Obsess over collar bones, hip bones, thigh gaps, and concave stomachs. Obsess over skinny models and celebs with super flat bodies in stylish clothes wishing you could be that skinny. And maybe you can if you go the next week only eating one apple a day and living off Diet Coke. “I didn’t eat for three days so I could be lovely.” Need any documentaries or movies about eating disorders to trigger you, hmu I know all the best ones from the 80s to about 2010ish.

If hating fat ppl is more important to you than just accepting your body and learning to live with it as is—and accepting others at the weight they are—then let’s fucking GO.

Eating disorders and starvation diets for all of y’all! Eugenia Cooney is based, right? Thinspiration goals, am I right? Let’s fucking go back to that. I’m not stopping yall, I won’t alert your parents for those of yall underage; hopefully your parents can afford treatment before you die from it. Black girls particularly tend to suffer more from bulimia than anorexia, so invest in some tums and use that to neutralize the acid so you don’t ruin your teeth. I mean, you still will but at least not as fast so you can get skinny first lol.

Let’s just do it. Let’s create a really hostile environment for anyone bigger than a size 2, (btw, this means every female rapper/black female artist is a fat cow now), and let yall see how bad it was. Let’s just do it. Seeing is believing and since you won’t listen to the science on weight, or millennial women who lived through it, then fine. Let’s fucking gooooooooo! Fat phobic society pt 2! Didn’t learn the first time so let’s do it again! Woot!

[thelesbianpoirot]

Yes exactly. I also think it’s interesting that rather than wanting to be the proactive complex character, they would rather be a passive simplified version of that character? I relate to characters like aziraphale who prefers calm and slow pace so if I want to see aspects of myself somewhat reflected I do go to these characters as I’m more similar to them, or the male writer self insert nerd characters too, but fiction is also for escapism and imagining yourself as something else and so why would I take the power fantasy characters and turn them into another type of character to be more similar to myself? I don’t always want to be me and I don’t need characters to have similar traits as me for me to relate to them and want to be them. Often I like to imagine myself as characters more cool, more confident, more competent etc than myself, then the power fantasy is also aspirational to me. I even like to imagine myself as cool and tragic villains, not because I agree with the villain but because it’s just, you know, it’s just escapism to imagine yourself as someone more powerful or interesting.

In the case of crowley, I am not sure why the fandom has “feminised” him so much. It might be because they want him to be more like a typical representation of a demon who’s more androgynous and seductive because they’re attracted to him? Or want to be that kind of character (especially considering the gender fandoms obsessions with making gay characters’ sexualities fluid, aziraphale being gay).

Anyway, I think in general the baby girlfication of male power fantasies and other heroic powerful and competent etc type of characters might also be a result of this generation using representation and diversity in fiction as a criteria for whether the story is good or “unproblematic”, and the seeming inability or unwillingness to read about people different than yourself (ironic when you want diversity. It’s almost like some just want diversity so every story has a character with a similar identity as themselves that they can then project on?). Like how similar a character is to yourself is used as a criteria for whether the story is good or worth reading.

YOU ARE SO SMART

And so right. The diversity they ask for is usually within a group they fit in so they can project on more easily. The inability to identify with people unlike themselves force them to conform every character to their demographic in their fanon - suddenly the white straight able man is a brown "queer" autistic fat anxious nb with vitiligo . I do not need a character to be like me to love them or recognize good writing. I enjoy knowing people unlike myself (AZ & Crowley & Dean & Poirot & Columbo& Chloe & Nadine (uncharted btw) & Ellie (last of us) & Xena & Gabs), and getting to see their experiences in a way only film/video games can do. While I don't want every character to be a straight white man, I don't want every character to be like me. I have read YA and New Adult books with anxiety ridden "queer" millennials/gen Z that never do anything worthwhile and waste their time obsessing over identity, I hate those characters. I don't want to change every character into that....it's not diversity it's a new homogeneity. Turn on the latest procedural, and 40 yr old characters are talking in woke speak like their 19 yr olds on twitter. It's exhausting. But I am talking about a series of problems right now. Thank you for taking time out to rant with me. You are way more eloquent.

[chappell-roans]

yeah im not technically a millennial but I never refer to myself as gen z. I just feel like the difference is best described as being a vine generation kid and not a tiktok one.

I agree with this fully. I think generational distinctions are necessary (especially from a research and demographic standpoint) but obsessing over the differences is lame, especially the way it's done on tiktok. I definitely fall into the vine camp though even though I'm firmly in gen z. I just don't really relate to most of the stereotypes and think it's silly to try to, but to each their own I guess.