By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The recent election results reveal a concerning trend: Gen Z men, particularly, are increasingly right-leaning, defying the assumption that young voters are inherently progressive. While some attribute this to a susceptibility to online disinformation, it’s more likely a response to feeling marginalized and overlooked by a society they perceive as hostile towards them. The Democratic party, particularly the Harris campaign, failed to address these concerns, offering a platform that lacked concrete policies and a compelling vision for the future, ultimately failing to engage with the anxieties and aspirations of young voters. However, this doesn’t mean that Gen Z is inherently conservative; it underscores the importance of engaging with young voters on their own terms, offering solutions and a path forward that resonates with their hopes and anxieties.
Read the original article here
Gen Z won’t save us. It’s a harsh truth, but one that many people are starting to realize. The generation that grew up with the internet at their fingertips, bombarded with misinformation and manipulated by algorithms, is not the savior we hoped for. They’re too busy posting TikTok videos to give a shit about anything important in their country.
We shouldn’t be surprised. The culture wars have warped their worldview. Their parents, Gen X, are one of the most radically conservative generations around, and they voted for Trump in higher numbers than Baby Boomers. They raised their kids on a steady diet of social media and influencer culture, where quick gratification and “being cool” are paramount. The result is a generation with little critical thinking skills, easily manipulated by empty slogans and simplistic solutions.
Sure, many Gen Zers are intelligent and well-intentioned. But the internet has created an echo chamber of misinformation, where people only hear what they want to hear. This leads to a lack of nuanced understanding of complex issues, and a susceptibility to radicalization.
The truth is, we’ve failed this generation. We’ve handed them a world riddled with problems, from climate change to economic inequality, and then expected them to fix it. We’ve allowed social media to become a dominant force in their lives, shaping their beliefs and values.
The blame lies not just on Gen Z but on all of us. We, the older generations, have created a society where our youth are overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. We’ve fostered a culture of division and polarization, where political discourse has devolved into shouting matches and misinformation campaigns.
Gen Z won’t save us because they are not the problem. They are the product of a broken system. We, the older generations, are the ones who need to change.
It’s not about blaming Gen Z. It’s about understanding how we got here and what we need to do to fix it. We need to engage with them, to listen to their concerns, and to help them navigate the complex world they’ve inherited. We need to teach them critical thinking skills, to help them understand the power of media, and to empower them to make informed decisions.
It’s not too late to change course. We can still create a better future for everyone. But it will take a collective effort. We need to start by accepting that we are not the saviors of Gen Z. We are their partners, and we need to work together to build a better world.