Can Millennials Survive the Ruthless Cancel Culture of Gen Z?
Cancel culture is out of control, especially among the next generation ruling social media — Gen Z. The slightest perceived transgression can ignite fiery backlash and viral takedowns. But what happens when the target is a millennial instead?
As explored in a raw, thought-provoking episode of the Gen 2 Gen podcast, millennial influencer Nora found herself in the crosshairs of cancel culture over a TikTok video calling out a “gym creeper” that she felt was ogling young women.
When prominent fitness influencer Joey Swoll fires back publicly, Nora endures a vicious wave of real-world harassment, chilling threats, and the nightmare of being “doxxed” at the hands of Swoll's legions of Gen Z fans.
While the personal trauma nearly broke her, Nora emerges empowered by hard-won lessons about survival in today’s high-stakes, intensely judgmental internet culture.
Key insights from Nora’s experience include:
- For women, speaking out online still comes with disproportionate risks
- “Cancel culture” often veers into dehumanizing cyberbullying
- Influencers must recognize their power to incentivize real-world violence
- Surviving public shamings requires protecting your mental health
- Millennials face uphill battles fighting Gen Z mobs on their home turf
At its core, this episode explores the ruthless cancel culture dominated by Gen Z — where a single video can spark a viral firestorm. It asks whether millennials can ever win in the court of next-gen public opinion. And it challenges everyone to reflect on their roles in calling out versus canceling online targets.
What lessons does Nora's experience hold about free speech, consequences and modern internet culture? Share your take in the comments below!
