TikTok Trend Fatigue and House of David

Trend fatigue takes over, teens are taking a pass on dating, and House of David debuts on Amazon Prime. To hear Kate share why she personally relates to King Agag, be sure to tune in to our Culture Translator Roundtable podcast this week. But first:

Song of the Week – “Anxiety” by Doechii

The most recent song from Doechii is all about, as the title suggests, anxiety. At one point in the song, Doechii says that sometimes she feels “like an elephant is standing on [her] chest,” which anyone who has wrestled with anxiety can probably relate to. The song heavily features a sample of Gotye’s 2011 hit “Somebody That I Used to Know” (which itself prominently features the melody of “Baa Baa Black Sheep”). “Anxiety” has taken off on TikTok thanks to a trend inspired by this scene from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air where Will Smith secretly dances behind his (fictional) younger cousin. If you want to read all the lyrics of “Anxiety,” click here (language).

And now for our three conversations…

1. Core Today, Gone Tomorrow

What it is: Many Gen Zers describe feeling overwhelmed by the amount of trends that they’re supposed to keep up with.

Why it’s worth paying attention to: If you’ve struggled to keep up with whatever “[blank]-core” fashion trend is popular, whatever new water bottle is “in,” or whatever new video game you have to play, you’re not alone. In fact, your teens might even feel the same way. Modern social media platforms, particularly TikTok, put a lot of pressure on users to keep up with an impossibly fast culture. Callie Holtermann at The New York Times spoke with teens and found that this culture creates FOMO and anxiety, especially because many of these trends require buying stuff. The choices seem to be: have infinite spending money or get left behind. It’s exhausting to even think about and is especially alienating for those who don’t have as much purchasing power—or free-time—as their peers.

Continue the conversation: Do you feel pressured to keep up with too many trends? What are some trends that were over as soon as they began?

2. Falling Out of Love

What it is: Research suggests that Gen Z is less likely than previous generations to have romantic relationships.

Why it’s complicated: A study published in 2019 suggested that 10th graders who don’t date tend to have better social skills, higher leadership qualities, and lower levels of depression, as compared with 10th graders who do date. But many teens aren’t forgoing romance intentionally (or even entirely)—they’re just getting stuck in “situationships.” For many Gen Zers, a kind of “emotional anorexia” has become the default posture, with some describing “catching feelings” as akin to catching a sickness. And while scripture clearly dignifies singleness, finding the courage to push through our fears of vulnerability and commitment can also be a big part of growth and maturity.

Continue the conversation: Why do you think situationships have become so common?

3. Desert Stream

What it is: House of David, a show based on Israel’s King David, is now streaming on Amazon Prime. The series, which debuted on February 28, already occupies the #2 spot on the platform.

Why the show is starting conversations: House of David is an eight-episode epic that spans David’s early life and the decline of King Saul, his predecessor. Though the series wholly invents some characters and takes serious creative liberties with others, it is faithful to the central narrative found in the Old Testament. An undercurrent of tension, the threat of violence, and elements of mystery hang heavy in every scene, reminding viewers that the ancient world was a place where one’s survival often depended on the ability to make careful calculations against one’s enemies. (Or as teens might put it, to “read the vibes.”) Through the show’s Gandalf-esque version of the prophet, Samuel, tottering wild-haired through the desert with his walking stick, the series frames the God of Israel as a main character in all that transpires.

Let’s translate this one further…

(Mild spoilers ahead.) 

Whether you are well-versed in the details of David’s rise to power or are completely new to the story, House of David offers fresh insight into the tribal politics that marked Israel’s years as a fledgling nation.

After some acts of blatant disobedience, we see God’s blessing upon Saul’s reign revoked by Samuel, the kingmaker. Saul’s deep pain and distress turns into insomnia, paranoia, and a murderous rage that breaks his family apart. His younger son is exiled, his wife becomes vengeful, and his daughters are left heartbroken and lonely.

It is only the music of an illiterate shepherd that can soothe Saul’s raging heart. David’s songs of worship and adoration bring Saul a moment of solace where he can, for just a moment, quiet his mind and reconnect with God’s promises. What Saul can’t know is that by keeping that shepherd close at hand, he is giving safe harbor to his own replacement. These and other poetic ironies are well-served by the show’s long-form, expansive storytelling.

As The Gospel Coalition points out, fans of The Chosen will probably like House of David, while people who disliked The Chosen will probably dislike House of David. Regardless of how you feel about the show, David’s story reminds us that God sees things differently than we do. It is a recurring theme in the life of David, and uttered straightforwardly by Samuel, who says in 1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Saul’s insistence on being right in his own eyes leads to deeper betrayals of God’s will. His refusal to commit his heart fully to God’s instruction creates rebellion and discord within his own household and, in the end, destroys his legacy. As parents of the next generation, we can learn from this biblical warning, whether or not we feel like watching it on TV.

For more context and nuance, check out our Roundtable podcast on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. In the meantime, here are three questions to spark conversation with your teens:

PS: Know someone who could use our conversation starters with their teens? Share the CT with a friend!