I love that Gen Z always finds a way to make things fun.
Your DNA could soon be up for sale
You spit in a tube, and now 23andMe is thinking of selling your data after a massive hack tanked their value. So much for learning your ancestry. Meanwhile, Gen Z is going #desperate on LinkedIn, and Mazda’s charging $10 just to use remote start.
🚢 Google = The Titanic: That’s how The Wall Street Journal now describes the search engine, which is on the verge of sinking. Here’s why: AI tools like ChatGPT, Gen Z searches on TikTok and, of course, Google’s increasingly worse search results. I called this two years ago. It’s nice to see the WSJ catching up.
One of these Gen Z terms essentially means “I agree with you.” Is it … A.) “Based,” B.) “Bet,” C.) “Bussin’” or D.) “Brain rot”?
Gen Z is paying the price: Around 47% plan to use buy now, pay later services for their holiday shopping, and about 65% like using credit card installment plans — higher than any other generation. But many Gen Zers are spending on things like meals at fancy restaurants, designer goods and first-class plane tickets. This isn’t going to end well.
🗞️ We’re in trouble: Nearly 40% of Gen Zers get their news from social media influencers. X is the go-to news source, with Instagram close behind. Male influencers outnumber women 2-to-1, and news influencers lean a bit more right than left (27% to 21%). Wonder how long it’ll take for TikTokkers to be moderating debates.
Future of hiring: Gen Z is ditching traditional resumes and recording videos on TikTok to land jobs. Take Nicole, who applied for a Barstool Sports internship with a video resume and racked up over 657,000 views. No word on how many recruiters saw it, but it sure beats having a resume get buried in an inbox or automatically trashed by an AI bot.
“Facebook is so lit,” said no Gen Zer ever: Zuckerburg knows this, so they’re going all in to capture those younger eyes for more billions in ad revenues. They’re showing nearby events, groups and activity recs. Short video clips now look like TikTok, and friends can find profiles of people you can date. Just wait till Grandma sends you a DM like, “You have such a pretty face. Pull your hair back so it shows.”
Six in 10 companies are firing Gen Z workers — often, just months after hiring them fresh out of college. They claim Gen Zers are struggling with communication, professionalism and motivation. Their ex-bosses also say they constantly need direction and have trouble showing up to work.
Bosses are firing Gen Z workers fast
Gen Z grads are getting the axe — 6 in 10 employers have already let them go. Plus, a massive security breach exposed the private info of millions. Find out how one guy spent $1K on Facebook Ads to find love and about a new law that could change your car radio.
How I avoided a $40K scam
Paul emailed me about a $39,500 invoice, demanding I pay up ASAP. The problem? I didn’t owe him a cent. Plus, AI is eyeing 60 million jobs, Gen Z is trauma dumping on TikTok, and a woman was rescued after falling 60 feet off a mountain thanks to her navigation app.
Is Google dying?
Eighteen years ago, “Google” became an official verb, but now Gen Z and Gen Alpha are moving away from it.
Are scammers using infidelity to manipulate you?
“Your spouse is cheating on you.” That’s the shocking line behind a new sextortion scam. The message includes a link claiming to offer “proof,” but it’s a trap to get you to click. Plus, Gen Z is moving away from Google, and strange science wins big at the Ig Nobel awards.
Gen Z & millennials discover the flip phone
Flip phones are making a surprising comeback, with online searches skyrocketing over 15,000% as a new generation embraces their simplicity.
🫶 Don’t play heart to get: I make a “hand heart” sign by touching my thumbs and curving the rest of my fingers into a “C” shape. Gen Z says nope, that’s the old way. The new way? Touch your middle and index fingers together. Having trouble picturing? Here it is in action.
Guess who's coming to the Gen Z job interview?
About a quarter of Gen Z job candidates bring a parent to their job interviews. I cover the full story in this short podcast.
Ticketmaster hack exposes data of 560M customers
Got concert tickets? Your personal info might be on the market. Plus, why Gen Z is ditching driving, the latest malicious apps on Google Play, and how an international burglary ring is using Wi-Fi jammers.
What really happens when you hit ‘I'm not a robot’
You’re not just proving you’re human — you’re revealing your browser’s dirty secrets. We also talk to Jeff Johnson from The Trek Planner about using Google Earth to find ancient ruins. Plus, Gen Z brings parents to job interviews and human skills bots can’t replicate.