Part 1/13:

The Culture War Over Gen Z: Self-Optimization, Socialization, and Stereotypes

Gen Z's Perceived Failings and the Online Narrative

The conversation begins with a tongue-in-cheek commentary on how Generation Z cannot seem to win in the eyes of older generations. No matter what they do—or fail to do—they are relentlessly criticized and bullied online. Recently, a new target emerged: the timing of their dinner habits. According to older folks, Gen Z eats dinner too early in the evening, with some even describing them dismissively as "losers." This critique is linked to data from OpenTable, which shows only modest increases in 6 p.m. reservations—11% in London and 6% across the UK—interpreted as evidence of changing social values.