Gen Z men have regressive views on gender roles…but why?
New survey data has found that almost one-third of Gen Z men believe a wife should ‘always obey her husband,’ among other traditional gender norms. Why are young men seemingly so regressive when it comes to equality? Are Gen Z men’s opinions on gender roles and women’s rights regressing? New data...
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why the obsession with gen z + viral auramax just dropped
lady, hear me tonight! 🎶 ‘Why you so obsessed with me?’ asked Gen Z. ‘How long you got?’ the Guardian replied. The news outlet recently wrote a comprehensive story outlining why people, particularly from the commercial world, are so obsessed with Gen Z. ‘Is there something different about people born between 1997...
How McDonald’s marketing misfired
McDonald’s CEO, Chris Zempczinski, was mocked last week for ‘eating’ a new Big Arch burger weirdly and referring to it as a ‘product.’ His behaviour and the ensuing backlash demonstrated a fundamental, widening disconnect between corporate types and the average consumer. So…we’re guessing you’ve probably seen McDonald’s CEO, Chris Zempczinski,...
war again + what’s with jim carrey’s face
well, that escalated quickly. That ceasefire the US apparently brokered in Gaza never materialised, and now both the US and Israel are escalating their military operations elsewhere. This week, Trump ordered pre-emptive attacks on Iran upon hearing that Israel was preparing an imminent attack on the nation. The president feared...
social media’s landmark addiction case + first major arrest for sexual deepfakes
can they prove what we all know? The sun rises and falls, the rivers flow, and every other month Zuckerberg enters the defendant’s dock to commence lengthy court proceedings. The Meta owner has had several major run-ins with the law since Cambridge Analytica, mostly over a lax company attitude towards user...
where ICE agents gossip online + the creeps who set beauty standards
sorry, no good vibes today Welcome back, or hello and welcome if this is your first time with us at the common thred 💌 At first, this week’s edition might seem a bit all over the place: thirst traps on LinkedIn, therapy-inspired dating approaches, beauty standards shaped by the world’s biggest creeps, ICE...
Why brands are struggling to keep Gen Z spending
Economic uncertainty and permanent stress have young people reluctant to fork out cash on purchases they don’t need, at least according to the latest research. What’s causing this hesitation to spend? Are brands and marketers facing a potential crisis in 2026? New research by The Robin Report has described Gen Z as ‘checked out,’ claiming that they’re ‘spending less and expecting more from retailers.’ The data suggests that young consumers...
Selling love to Gen Z in the ‘sex recession’ era
Sexual activity across generations is on the decline for the first time in modern history. As Gen Z avoid intimacy and love, how do marketers sell romance in an era that seems keen to do anything but? Love. Dating. Swiping. Apps. Anxiety. Does any of that sound familiar? For many Gen Zers, the yearning for connection and love is apparently on the decline. A survey last year by a prominent...
brands capitalise on 2016 nostalgia + can we even make babies in space?
i don't think we got the facilities for that Well hello there! Welcome (back) to your fave Tuesday stack… the common thred newsletter 🥞 Whether you’re interested in finance, politics, or culture, you should know one very important thing: young people are officially done waiting for these global systems to catch up with their needs. As a result, they’re learning to play by their own rules. Let me tell you what I mean...
Living offline has become Gen Z’s quiet luxury
Tech companies and AI slop have taken over the internet. As social media becomes increasingly homogenised, invasive, and polarising, there is now status in actively choosing to avoid the digital world entirely and rejecting the pursuit of a personal brand. Zuckerbergs of the world, beware: offline living is on the rise with Gen Z. Young people are increasingly turning off their phones, keeping their screens dark, and seeking out internet-free spaces...
