From Luigi Mangione to Eric Schmidt: how Gen Z’s dark and nonsensical humor shows a ‘suspension of seriousness’
New research linking meme culture to political cynicism suggests young adults aren't indifferent — they're alienated.
Gen Z's dark and nonsensical humor following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione is not indicative of a lack of moral values, but rather a desire for more authentic conversations about their economic and political frustrations. The generation, born between 1997 and 2012, has grown up with smartphones and social media, leading to deep levels of alienation and psychological distress.
This alienation is evident in their skepticism towards institutions and traditional narratives about values. Instead of engaging with serious discussions about the value of human life, Gen Z opts for humor as a coping mechanism, creating memes and absurd scenarios in a shared suspension of seriousness. This behavior is not unique to Mangione's case but is seen throughout online meme culture, such as reactions to the OceanGate implosion and Charlie Kirk's assassination.
The humor offers an escape from seemingly inauthentic and alienating demands for condemnation, addressing the generation's frustrations with a corrupt and unjust American health insurance system.
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