Gen Z Humour: What’s so funny about something so unfunny?
Gen Z, the generation born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, has grown up in a world heavily influenced by technology and social media. With the rise of platforms like TikTok, Gen Z has embraced a unique style of humour that often baffles older generations. In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of Gen Z humour, exploring its evolution, psychology, and impact on social interactions.
1. Introduction to Gen Z Humour
What is Gen Z?
If you have been living under a rock for the past few years (or what Gen Zers like to call boomers), Generation Z, also known as Gen Z, refers to the demographic cohort born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s. They are the successors of Millennials and are known for being digital natives who have grown up in the era of rapid technological advancements.
Defining Gen Z Humour
Gen Z humour is the distinct comedic style that has emerged among this generation. It is characterised by its heavy reliance on internet culture, social media, and a quick-witted, often self-deprecating sense of humour. Gen Zers excel at creating and sharing memes, viral videos, and inside jokes that resonate with their peers. Their humour is known for its relatability and its ability to capture the absurdities of everyday life.
Gen Z is considered the first generation of digital natives, having grown up in an era where smartphones, social media platforms, and online communities are an integral part of daily life. Their exposure to a constant stream of information and diverse online subcultures has given rise to a shared set of references and inside jokes that might be less familiar or amusing to those outside their generational cohort.
2. The Evolution of Humour: From Memes to TikTok
The Rise of Internet Memes
Internet memes have played a significant role in shaping Gen Z humour. Memes are humorous images, videos, or text that spread rapidly across the internet and become a shared cultural phenomenon. They often incorporate recognizable characters, catchphrases, or situations that are exaggerated or satirised for comedic effect. Memes have become a universal language of sorts, allowing Gen Zers to connect and relate to one another through shared experiences and references.
The Emergence of TikTok as a Humour Platform
TikTok, a video-sharing social networking service, has rapidly gained popularity among Gen Zers and has become a breeding ground for Gen Z humour. With its short-form videos and creative editing tools, TikTok has given rise to a new wave of comedic content. Gen Zers use TikTok to showcase their comedic talents, participate in viral challenges, and engage with trends that evolve at lightning speed. The platform’s algorithmic content recommendation system also plays a role in shaping Gen Z humour by exposing users to a wide variety of comedic content.
3. The Psychology Behind Gen Z Humour
Cognitive Processes and Perception of Humour
Gen Z humour is influenced by cognitive processes involved in the perception of humour. Studies have shown that Gen Zers tend to have a higher preference for incongruity-based humour, which involves unexpected or contradictory elements. They enjoy the element of surprise and appreciate clever wordplay and irony. This preference may stem from their exposure to a wide range of internet humour, which often relies on subverting expectations, explaining why something that seems unfunny to others may seem so funny to those borin in Generation Z. Admittedly, I am also guilty of having such a nonsensical and sometimes confusing sense of humour, as I often find myself laughing at things that are not even funny.
The Role of Identity and Belonging in Gen Z Humour
Gen Z humour serves as a form of identity expression and a means of fostering a sense of belonging. Gen Zers use humour to form connections with others who share similar experiences, interests, or cultural references. It allows them to communicate their values, opinions, and emotions in a way that is relatable and entertaining. Through shared jokes and memes, they build a sense of community and find comfort in knowing that others understand and appreciate their unique brand of humour.
4. The Role of Technology in Shaping Gen Z Humour
Social Media Platforms and Gen Z Humour
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, have become integral to the development and dissemination of Gen Z humour. These platforms provide Gen Zers with the means to create, share, and interact with comedic content on a massive scale. They allow for the rapid spread of memes, challenges, and comedic trends, enabling Gen Zers to engage with humour in real-time and participate in a global comedic conversation.
Influences of Technology on Humour Styles
Technology has influenced the style and format of Gen Z humour. The brevity and immediacy of platforms like Twitter have fostered the rise of succinct and punchy jokes, while the visual nature of platforms like Instagram and TikTok has given rise to more visual and performative comedic content. Additionally, technology has made it easier for Gen Zers to access a vast array of comedic content from around the world, exposing them to diverse styles of humour and allowing them to remix and reinterpret comedic trends in their own unique ways.
Websites like reddit, which have pages like r/okbuddyretard. If you are unaware of this website, according to reddit, OkBR (short-form for okbuddyretard) is a “satirical meme subreddit where we pretend to be 8 year olds who just gained internet access and made clueless memes in the early 2010s’’. They are one of the main culprits for the broken and “messed up” sense of humour Gen Zers possess, something which is characteristic of Gen Z Humour.
5. Impact of Gen Z Humour
Gen Z Humour and Peer Relationships
Gen Z humour has a powerful influence on peer relationships. With their quick wit and relatable jokes, Gen Zers have found humour to be a great icebreaker and a way to forge connections with their peers. Memes, in particular, have become a universal language for this generation, allowing them to bond over shared experiences, references, and inside jokes. Whether it’s sending a funny meme in a group chat or retweeting a hilarious tweet, humour plays a significant role in strengthening the social fabric of Gen Z.
Gen Z Humour’s Influence on Language and Communication
Gen Z humour is not only shaping their relationships but also reshaping language and communication. This generation has embraced the art of abbreviations, acronyms, and neologisms to convey humour in a concise and efficient way. Phrases like “LOL,” “on fleek,” and “slay” have all become part of the Gen Z lexicon. Additionally, emojis and reaction gifs are used to add humour and emotion to digital conversations. Gen Z’s comedic language not only helps them connect with others but also demonstrates their ability to adapt and innovate in the digital age.
Humour as a Coping Mechanism for Gen Z
Humour serves as a coping mechanism for Gen Z, providing a break from the challenges and stresses of everyday life. Whether it’s creating relatable memes about school, work, or relationships, humour allows Gen Zers to find solace and laugh at the absurdity of their experiences. Memes and funny videos also serve as a distraction from negative emotions, offering a temporary escape and a chance to lighten their mental load. Through laughter, Gen Z finds relief and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Dark Side of Gen Z Humour: Cyberbullying and Harmful Effects
While Gen Z humour can be a source of joy and connection, it’s important to acknowledge the darker side. Cyberbullying has become a concern, as jokes and teasing can easily cross the line into harmful territory. The anonymity of the internet can embolden individuals to engage in mean-spirited humour that can deeply impact someone’s mental well-being. It is crucial for Gen Zers to remember the importance of empathy and kindness, and to use their humour in a responsible and compassionate way.
6. Gen Z Humour as a Form of Social Commentary
Examining Satire and Political Commentary in Gen Z Humour
Gen Z humour goes beyond just laughs — it has become a powerful tool of social commentary. Satire and political commentary often find their way into memes, TikToks, and other comedic formats created by this generation. Gen Zers are keen on using humour to point out societal issues, challenge the status quo, and prompt critical thinking. By blending comedy with clever insights, they are able to engage their peers and provoke conversations about important topics.
Gen Z Humour and Social Justice Movements
Gen Z’s humour extends to social justice movements, with many memes and jokes serving as a way to shed light on systemic issues and advocate for change. Humour can help educate and raise awareness in a more approachable and digestible manner. From addressing gender inequality to racial justice, Gen Z humour has become an ally in these movements, offering a fresh perspective and rallying support for positive social change.
7. Afterword
From memes to TikTok trends, this form of humour has permeated social interactions, language, and even mental well-being. While it may sometimes be misunderstood or dismissed by older generations, Gen Z humour holds significant cultural and social implications. As we look to the future, it will be fascinating to witness how Gen Z humour continues to shape and influence mainstream culture, offering new avenues for self-expression and social commentary.
As time passes, Gen Z humour will inevitably be a thing of the past, just like the generations before it. Gradually, there will be a shift towards Generation Alpha humour as the majority of internet users become those born in later generations. However, this will not stop me from looking back at Gen Z humour with an unexplained sense of nostalgia. Just like other generations’ sense of humour, in time to come, Gen Z humour will soon be outcasted and deemed as obsolete, with the last memories of Gen Z humour lying in the rotting archives of reddit or twitter. Let’s just enjoy it while it lasts. After all, there is still a long day ahead. (Haha, a long day sounds like Lebron James).
