The Gen Z Stare, Superman, and Grok

An AI-generated protest song called “Dust on the Wind” is trending on Spotify, the 2025 Emmy nominees were announced with the show Severance receiving a 27 different nominations, people online debated whether giving girlfriends the “princess treatment” was chivalrous or patronizing, more people started using the “Solid Snake method” of conversation which involves repeating the last word someone else says and adding a question mark, and Fortune explored why Gen Z men are still obsessed with Pokémon cards.

But here’s what we’re focused on this week:

Song of the Week – “Daisies” – Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber’s newest album, SWAG, released last week, and the artist’s revamped sound is maybe most clear in “Daisies.” The song’s relaxed, grungy guitar and swinging beat feel like a genuinely fresh, and potentially influential sound in the landscape of modern pop music. The lyrics focus on an estranged romantic relationship with mismatched expectations and do have some suggestive undertones.

And now for our three conversations…

1. The Stare Down

What it is: The “Gen Z Stare” was a big topic of discussion on TikTok this week, as generations debated social expectations and faux pas.

How Gen Z defended themselves: Quickly defined, the “Gen Z stare” is the blank, emotionless look you might get from a young person when you ask them a question or really engage with them in any way. While many Gen Zers were quick to mock the “millennial pause,” when the tables were turned, they were equally quick to justify their own social quirks. While older generations blamed the “Gen Z stare” on young people’s perceived stunted social development from Covid or smart devices, Gen Z countered by arguing they’re pushing back against social burnout and expectations like small talk or, you know, having to answer your server when they ask how your day is. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. While it is true that politeness and small talk can be tiring, it’s also a small price to pay to treat people around us with some empathy and kindness.

Continue the conversation: How do you respond when a social situation is awkward?

2. Just Super

What it is: James Gunn’s Superman is the genesis for a new DC universe, making $122 million domestically and $217 million worldwide in its opening weekend. ​​

Why it’s landing: Critics are calling it “sincere,” “bold,” and even “sweet.” David Corenswet plays a hopeful, principled Superman who feels less like a brooding savior and more like an awkward Kansas farm boy with a strong moral compass. Young audiences seem especially drawn to the film’s emotional honesty, and to Krypto the Superdog, who nearly steals the show. Still, some critics think it tries to do too much too fast, including a late-stage political allegory that feels somewhat forced and out of place. Amid these politicized plotlines, the character of Superman just wants to save lives, whether it’s a child, a dog, or a squirrel with bad timing—which is part of why so many viewers left the theater with a feeling of hope.

Continue the conversation: What makes someone a hero in today’s world?

3. Grok Goes Rogue

What it is: A recent update to xAI’s chatbot Grok resulted in the AI praising Hitler and sexually harassing others on X.

How it happened: If you look at Grok’s “system prompts,” which direct how the chatbot should respond, you won’t find instructions to praise Hitler or harass others. You will find instructions to “conduct a deep analysis finding diverse sources representing all parties.” Which sounds utopian enough—unless of course Grok took the phrase “all parties” to include people who think Hitler was awesome, and then began using their views in its responses. Another prompt told Grok, “The response should not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated.” This brings up the question: what makes something “well substantiated” when Grok draws on social media posts? If a post goes viral, does Grok automatically think it’s true?

Let’s translate this one further…

Sometimes, if I feel very angry with someone, I will write an “anger letter,” and then throw it away. The point of the letter is to vent my feelings without the person involved getting hurt by my first-draft phrasing (and because “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires,” as James 1:20 puts it). It’s part of my attempt to practice discretion, because I know not every feeling or impulse which comes up in me will contribute to the flourishing of society.

Ever since social media was created, parents have warned their kids that what they post can come back to haunt them. This has often taken forms like, “Future employers may see what you post and decide not to hire you.” But if AI chatbots like Grok are now being trained on what we post online, that provides yet another reason to practice discretion.

As Tyler Cowen wrote in The Free Press, “Whether or not you work in the AI sector, if you put any kind of content on the internet, or perhaps in a book, you are likely helping to train, educate, and yes, morally instruct the next generation of what will be this planet’s smartest entities. You are making them more like you—for better or worse.”

Now, maybe someone thinks, “I’ve hardly got any followers, who cares what I post? It probably won’t matter.” But the principle means we should care. The philosopher Immanuel Kant famously offered his “categorical imperative” as a test for ethical decisions: “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” In other words, we should only do what we think would be good for everyone to do.

Grok may not be the AI that most teens rely on, and X may not be the platform most teens prefer (though 9-year-olds seem to like it). But AI now mines everything we post online, trying to establish a baseline for its interactions with humans. Our future selves and generations will thank us for feeding these AIs information they can healthily digest. And if that means teaching our teens to write another “anger letter” or two before they hit post, so be it.

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!