If you could imagine walking down a long dirt road, the same path your parents have traveled, you’d probably picture a journey filled with milestones that stretch out in front of you. These landmarks are considered rites of passage by your parents, but as you traverse this path, these milestones seem to get further and further away. Sometimes, you’re hindered by storms and muddy roads, and despite your efforts, it feels like you’ve barely made any progress. This metaphorical journey is an apt depiction of the struggles faced by Generation Z.

The Hand They’ve Been Dealt

Generation Z, often referred to as the most apathetic, cynical, and detached generation in living history, has been dealt a challenging hand. The traditional life progression—finding a meaningful relationship, buying a home, starting a family, securing a good job—has become increasingly difficult to achieve. Society once had set structures that guaranteed rewards for those who followed the rules, providing a sense of purpose and meaning. However, these structures have been systematically stripped away over the past few decades.

Growing up, they were told they could achieve anything, but the reality they grew into was far from this promised paradise. A few hundred years ago, people learned about the world from those around them and built their beliefs based on their community’s structure and traditions. The Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution expanded these worldviews, and as religion lost its dominant role, ideology came in to replace it.

The Internet and Hyperreality

But even as traditional structures were replaced by ideological ones, there was still a clear path and worldview shared among communities. Then came the internet, access to mass media from across the world, and a sea of ideas for young minds to navigate.

This has led to the phenomenon of hyperreality, described by philosopher and sociologist Jean Baudrillard as a world beyond worlds.

Hyperreality, a term coined by French sociologist and philosopher Jean Baudrillard, refers to the phenomenon where the distinction between reality and a simulation of reality becomes blurred. In Baudrillard’s view, our postmodern society is characterized by a proliferation of such simulations, or simulacra, which can often feel more real than reality itself.

According to Baudrillard, we live in a world where ‘maps’ of reality – such as those presented through television, film, and social media – are perceived as more real than our actual lives. This state of hyperreality arises when the representation of things takes precedence over the things themselves. It is a condition where people can no longer distinguish the real from the fabricated, leading to a state of perpetual cultural confusion.

This concept of hyperreality is particularly relevant to Generation Z, who are growing up in an era saturated with digital media. The omnipresence of social media platforms, virtual realities, and digitally manipulated images can blur the line between what is real and what is simulated for these young individuals.

For instance, the value of objects and experiences is often determined by shifting public opinion and trends on social media, rather than intrinsic worth.

The Supreme brick’