Note: This week, we’re testing out a new, brief roundup of several additional cultural events that we didn’t have space to elaborate on in the main part of the newsletter. We hope it’s useful in giving you a wider view of the trends impacting your teen’s world. Let us know what you think!
Netflix’s “Forever” brought Judy Blume’s controversial novel about teen sexuality onto the small screen, wildly popular leftist streamer Hasan Piker was detained and questioned by government agents, the Marvel movie Thunderbolts* revealed the “New Avengers” of the MCU, a new social media trend of saying “I’m so hungry I could eat [a random person from your past]” took off, and the internet debated whether 100 men could beat a gorilla in a fight.
But here’s what we’re really paying attention to this week:
Slang of the Week: Aura Farming
Have you ever met someone who you’re convinced does certain things to try to look cool? There’s a new term for that: “aura farming.” For teens, “aura” is the charisma and coolness you exude. “Aura farming” is doing specific things to try to elevate that “aura.” Young people continue to value authenticity above almost anything else, so calling out aura farming is a way to call out people who are trying maybe a little too hard. Online, the term is often used to poke fun at certain storytelling clichés, like Batman overlooking Gotham City in the rain or Darth Vader doing… pretty much anything.
And now for our three conversations…
1. The American Pope
What it is: Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, is also the first pope to come with a legacy of social media posts.
Why the internet pounced: The new pope was born and raised in Chicago, which prompted some really hard questions, like “Does Pope Leo XIV prefer deep dish or thin crust?” The new leader of the Catholic Church has an X timeline—one that provides some insight into how his papacy might unfold. In his post history, we see a pro-life stance, an opposition to the death penalty, criticism of U.S. immigration policy, and support for racial reconciliation. Teens who care about these causes may already feel they have reasons to be a fan of him—or not to be a fan of him. As part of the papal tradition, the new pope also renamed himself Leo XIV, partially because of his desire to apply Pope Leo XIII’s legacy of social reform to the AI revolution. Leo XIV says AI poses “new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour.”
Continue the conversation: How do you think a new, American pope will affect the world?
2. Zynned Out
What it is: Thousands of young people are connecting on Reddit to get through their Zyn withdrawal—together.
Why it’s meeting a need: Last year, sales of the tobacco product Zyn increased by 50%, leading to a months-long shortage in the U.S. Now, some Gen Zers are growing concerned about the side effects of their nicotine addiction and are trying to kick the habit. But finding a community that empathizes with the desire to quit isn’t always easy. “In an age of looksmaxxing and beefier-than-ever influencers, throwing in a lip pillow can seem like a low-effort way to fit in with the guys. Leaving that club can be lonely,” writes Callie Holtermann in the New York Times. Reddit communities like r/quittingzyn function as a sort of addiction helpline for people who want to leave nicotine pouches behind, but are too embarrassed to talk about it.
Continue the conversation: Do you know anyone who uses Zyn? Why do you think it is so popular?
3. It’s a Star War After All
What it is: The second season of Andor wrapped this week, and the show’s grittier, more down-to-earth take on Star Wars continues to be applauded by critics and (mostly) by fans.
Why people are paying attention: Season 2 follows Cassian Andor as he continues to spy, lie, and connive against the Empire in the early days of the rebellion leading up to the events of Rogue One and A New Hope. The show weaves three different storylines together, showing different aspects of life in Palpatine’s Empire. It highlights fairly intense themes of political oppression, civil and uncivil disobedience, and the question of how low you will go in the pursuit of an ideal. Star Wars has featured these themes before, but the way Andor portrays them makes them feel more significant. How does that happen? Well…
Let’s translate this one further…
If you talk to any of my close friends, they’ll probably say that I’m a bit of a Star Wars hater. While I love the idea of a space opera with glow stick wizards, creative ships, and funny looking aliens, when I actually sit down and watch anything Star Wars, I often come away disappointed. It’s not that they aren’t fun to watch, they often just fall flat for me.
But Andor feels different. There are no Jedi, no Sith, and barely even a mention of “the Force.” The show chooses to focus on seemingly ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Some Star Wars fans have critiqued this approach, making the argument that it’s not Star Wars without a lightsaber or two. But the characters are much more relatable, and their decisions feel weightier when you know space magic won’t bail them out.
Another criticism of the show is how dark and, quote unquote, “mature” it is. The show features violence, drug use, political injustice, backstabbing, betrayal, and even depicts an attempted sexual assault. “Not in my Star Wars” one might say. Except all of those things are already in Star Wars. Leia’s time (and outfit) in Jabba’s palace in Return of the Jedi are far from consensual, Jedis chop off arms more than once, and while Obi-Wan refuses them, “death sticks” imply drug addiction has long existed in Star Wars.
What Andor does differently is that it gives these sorts of moments weight. It doesn’t backflip away with a lightsaber or cut to Jar-Jar Binks for comedic relief. Teens growing up right now are more aware of tragedy and injustice than ever before, and I believe it does them a disservice to handwave it away. That doesn’t mean that all teenagers should be encouraged to watch Andor to work through their angst about the cruel world—but it does explain why this generation resonates with a Star Wars that is concerned with human suffering.
It also reminds us that the best stories, real and imagined, encourage us to take an honest look at our own world. The Bible, too, is honest about the world we live in. We see tragedy and despair and injustice throughout God’s word. But, it’s also clear about where our hope should be: in Jesus and his kingdom coming. So let’s invite our teens into the tension of the already but not yet. Jesus has already come, and there is wonderful hope for us, but He has not yet returned to fully establish His kingdom.
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:
- What’s your favorite Star Wars show?
- Do you prefer shows that let you escape from the world or that remind you of it?
- Would you rather someone sugarcoat the truth or just tell you straight up?
PS: Know someone who could use our conversation starters with their teens? Share the CT with a friend!