Is society becoming more stupid?

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of just assuming that kiwi kids born between 1995 and 2010 are part of the most entitled and molly-coddled generation which has ever existed. But is it true?

Well yes …. and no. I don’t think previous generations felt any less entitled – and, in my experience, these kids are just as concerned about the world as those generations were – but I think two things HAVE changed:

1. We’re teaching these kids that anyone who challenges their worldview is ‘bullying’ them – thus rendering them incapable (in some cases) of critically considering other viewpoints
2. Social media has elevated silly ideas to a level of importance that they don’t deserve

Whereas a view held by previous generations mostly stayed within a peer group and only rarely achieved broader coverage – these kids are sharing their thoughts globally and stupid and inane ideas can quickly go viral and be seen by millions – making it very easy to confuse momentary popularity with intellectual value. This is further compounded by a media which breathlessly repeats tweets and Instagram posts and gives them the same weight as well considered policy and thoughtful addresses.

If you elevate stupidity – you get a stupid society – but that’s true of all of us, not just Generation Z…

Sensitive souls: Are Gen Z really a bunch of snowflakes?

They feel unsafe if you disagree with them, call police if they find a mouse in the house.

NZ Herald