Can I offer a somewhat different take on this? (or maybe it is not so different...) That the nature of protest itself is changing, becoming performative and it is almost as if the protesters are using the cause as a vehicle to "build their personal brand". The difference in scale between eco protests and the Gaza protests (more traditional in terms of cutting across class boundaries) is notable.
I've been wondering whether the rise of performative eco protests is really another manifestation of the attention economy, namely that parents are so absorbed in THEIR tech that kids don't get enough attention at home. Or maybe it is another way to climb the greasy pole that leads to recognition in elite society. This kind of political trend-following was much more noticeable in sprog A's grammar school than sprog B's comprehensive where anything performative is much more likely to make a young person the object of ridicule.
Social media has certainly resulted in an atomization of youth culture, though male and female "uniform" fashion trends continue. The sprogs (now 18 & 19 yo) do go to nightclubs; it's not an essential part of their lives but they have friends for whom it is. Their musical tastes are still "pop", but cover a much wider range of styles & eras - both of them enjoy young artists that are stylistic throwbacks (Laufey (sprog A), The Hornets (sprog B)) and seek out their live performances. I tend to see that as an advantage of youth-culture atomization - a musician or group doesn't need to be massively popular to make a living; and if true that is good for music, at least!
But... this is a sample of 2 & now that they have left school I don't know what it's like for youngsters outside their immediate circles.
From what I hear they still frequently go to youth-centered clubs, shows and raves. They take pics for Instagram once there...and then spend the rest of their time as wallflowers. They don't want to risk going viral as a meme or as Twatter's "main character of the day".
They'd much rather "risk" going viral as part of the "bold" protest they'll be at the following day. I don't think I'd mind as much as I do if most of them didn't appear to be either paying lip complete lip service or completely absorbed in an emotionally hysterical performance.🙄
As a mid 30s millennial I can empathise with the zoomers/younger millennials to a point, but yea gods does it all sound so DULL.
Is this so new? There has always been performance protest. A suffragette attacked a Valesquez in the National Gallery. Greenham Common Embrace the Base and local die ins.. Abseiling lesbians against Section 28. Swampy up a tree protesting roads building. I have long said non binary is this generations goth. And a a teen in late 1970s punks were a tiny number and my peer group were quite conformist. What about Taylor Swift fandom as an outlet for girls. I am not quite so pessimistic
Hard to follow the logic here but am going to give it a second try. Yes there have long been protest theatrics. Alongside them were various youth cadres and cults that enable teens in search of somewhere to land a harbour of some sort. As they worked through the complexities of growing up they had temporary teen options from which to choose. Mod or Rocker? Geek or Goth , and so on. These were not entirely industry generated , manufactured options.
You are correct that most teens are conformists. What does that mean now? For those who are not conformist what options are currently on offer?
Thank you for a thought provoking post!
Can I offer a somewhat different take on this? (or maybe it is not so different...) That the nature of protest itself is changing, becoming performative and it is almost as if the protesters are using the cause as a vehicle to "build their personal brand". The difference in scale between eco protests and the Gaza protests (more traditional in terms of cutting across class boundaries) is notable.
I've been wondering whether the rise of performative eco protests is really another manifestation of the attention economy, namely that parents are so absorbed in THEIR tech that kids don't get enough attention at home. Or maybe it is another way to climb the greasy pole that leads to recognition in elite society. This kind of political trend-following was much more noticeable in sprog A's grammar school than sprog B's comprehensive where anything performative is much more likely to make a young person the object of ridicule.
Social media has certainly resulted in an atomization of youth culture, though male and female "uniform" fashion trends continue. The sprogs (now 18 & 19 yo) do go to nightclubs; it's not an essential part of their lives but they have friends for whom it is. Their musical tastes are still "pop", but cover a much wider range of styles & eras - both of them enjoy young artists that are stylistic throwbacks (Laufey (sprog A), The Hornets (sprog B)) and seek out their live performances. I tend to see that as an advantage of youth-culture atomization - a musician or group doesn't need to be massively popular to make a living; and if true that is good for music, at least!
But... this is a sample of 2 & now that they have left school I don't know what it's like for youngsters outside their immediate circles.
All they have is the house of cards of protest and "gender". https://www.josieholford.com/the-house-of-cards/ No wonder they are miserable. You have to feel for these kids.
From what I hear they still frequently go to youth-centered clubs, shows and raves. They take pics for Instagram once there...and then spend the rest of their time as wallflowers. They don't want to risk going viral as a meme or as Twatter's "main character of the day".
They'd much rather "risk" going viral as part of the "bold" protest they'll be at the following day. I don't think I'd mind as much as I do if most of them didn't appear to be either paying lip complete lip service or completely absorbed in an emotionally hysterical performance.🙄
As a mid 30s millennial I can empathise with the zoomers/younger millennials to a point, but yea gods does it all sound so DULL.
Is this so new? There has always been performance protest. A suffragette attacked a Valesquez in the National Gallery. Greenham Common Embrace the Base and local die ins.. Abseiling lesbians against Section 28. Swampy up a tree protesting roads building. I have long said non binary is this generations goth. And a a teen in late 1970s punks were a tiny number and my peer group were quite conformist. What about Taylor Swift fandom as an outlet for girls. I am not quite so pessimistic
Hard to follow the logic here but am going to give it a second try. Yes there have long been protest theatrics. Alongside them were various youth cadres and cults that enable teens in search of somewhere to land a harbour of some sort. As they worked through the complexities of growing up they had temporary teen options from which to choose. Mod or Rocker? Geek or Goth , and so on. These were not entirely industry generated , manufactured options.
You are correct that most teens are conformists. What does that mean now? For those who are not conformist what options are currently on offer?
Haha was that joke intentional? What options are on offer for the teenage nonconformist...?