No, Gen Z, Millennials Are NOT Oppressing You By Telling You Not To Eat Tide Pods
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

No, Gen Z, Millennials Are NOT Oppressing You By Telling You Not To Eat Tide Pods

We're trying to help.

3506
No, Gen Z, Millennials Are NOT Oppressing You By Telling You Not To Eat Tide Pods
InformOverload / YouTube

The latest young-people trend that has made headlines, shocking and aweing baby boomers and Gen-Xers alike, is, of course, the consumption of Tide Pods. It’s portrayed in the media as some sort of mass psychosis, in which underage people collectively snapped and began ritually ingesting detergent. The real origin of the detergent-ingesting is much less lurid. As far as I can tell, it evolved from a Tumblr post about so-called forbidden snacks — things that look like they should be food, but most definitely aren’t. In any case, the Tide Pods have captured the real-adult imagination. I’ve had relatives ask me why the youths are eating laundry products.

I always have the same response: “That’s Generation Z. That’s not us.”

I’ve heard tell that Generation Z feels vilified by this, and all I can say to that is “tough luck.” Baby boomers and Gen-Xers have already pinned the downfall of the government, the economy, the diamond industry, and big-box department stores on millennials. I’m not about to let us take the fall for the detergent-eating, too.

Gen Z, however, has been largely exempt from the rampant millennial-hate on the internet, and they’re confused by millennials taking to cyberspace to order them to quit putting Tide Pods in their mouths. Some of the Gen Z kids are just savvy enough to take the irritation millennials have always blasted at baby boomers and repurpose it to launch at millennials instead. I’ve seen this phrased a couple ways, but the most common one is this. “You always complain about how Baby Boomers treat you, and now you’re treating us the same way!” (Only add a lot more gifs and emojis to the end of that sentence.)

Um, no.

We, the millennials, have not systematically wrecked the political climate and the environment and then demanded to know why you all, Generation Z, feel so hopeless.

We, the millennials, haven’t led the country into two unwinnable wars in our lifetime, Gen Z, and then wondered loudly and at length why you, Generation Z, aren’t all rabid, foam-at-the-mouth, bleed-red-white-and-blue patriots.

We didn’t destroy student aid programs and then bemoan the trend of college graduates moving back in with their parents.

We didn’t run the economy into the ground and then complain that you aren’t buying enough things. All of the stuff baby boomers and Gen-Xers have done to us?

We didn’t do any of that sh*t to you.

Instead, we the millennials have humbly asked that you quit filming yourselves eating Tide Pods and putting it on the internet. We have asked that you stop taking our peaceful, harmless memes about things that look like food but aren’t and ruining them by taking them too literally. We have, with all faith and good will, asked that you stop being so goddamn weird that the baby boomers and Gen-Xers start trying to pin your weirdness on us.

I can’t believe this has to be said, but no, telling you not to eat detergent is not ageism and generational cluelessness. It’s just common sense.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54001
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34768
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957154
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181997
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments