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From the time immemorial and colossal demographic tales of the world, a generation comes after another generation and this trend of demography will continue to the unknown future. The deepest concept of generation is unique with its norms and values. Now, there is a buzzing roar of Generation Zoomer abbreviated as Gen Z (some linguists have named the Gen Z as iGen) all over the world and Bangladesh is not exceptional of its touch. This generational shifting sound of Gen Z is now more pronounced than ever in our history and culture. Gen Z is rapidly emerging as a transformative force across the globe. But there is a legacy of Gen Z in the history of the world demographic landscape. We may have a glimpse on the other terms on the generational conceptions which are termed distinctively different.
As per the available information obtained from sources, the notion of the generations’ upheaval goes back to the inception of the previous century. Though there lacks concrete evidence of the different time spans of generations, the followings are found in prevailing historical approaches. The types of the generations connected with years of birth are: Greatest Generation (1901-1927), Silent Generation (1928-1945), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1980), Gen Y/Millennial (1981-1996), Generation Zoomer/Gen Z (1997-2012), Gen Alpha (2013-2024), Gen Beta (2025--). The names of the future generations beginning with the year of 2025 have not been known yet but expected to know with the flies of time. From this description and the years of origination, the readers may have an opportunity to explore them in the generations belonging now. As the main focus of this writing is on Gen Z, the discussion won’t surpass the ambit of it.
Through demographic perspectives, it has been taken into account that Gen Zs are boomed in the deepest depth of social media or digital tech equipment. A common notion prevails that something new and different innovations can’t be thought by GEN Zs. But Gen Zs have fantastically and smartly proven their worth and slay on the misconception. Gen Zs actively engage in the issues through social media platforms to raise awareness, organise movements and challenge outdated norms or limitations where positive reformations are a must. Gen Zs never stuck themselves in a fixed boundary of thinking. They always love and consider everything with the glasses of social and equitable justifications. Gen Zs also have unique entrepreneurial mindset, courage, commitment to diversity with inclusion and heightened awareness. Gen Zs like to take the vehement position against discriminations and welcome pragmatic reformations. They are determined to root out the malpractices and injustices.
Gen Z’s activism can be characterised with the rightful demands for systemic change rather than surface-level reformations. Gen Zs have own values of authenticity, personalisation, accountability, diversity and religious liberty. Gen Zs are catalysed with vigour, reformation and change in the contemporary world. In the present context of Bangladesh (after the 5th of August 2024), mass people are raising storms in the tea cups with new hope and dreams that the Gen Zs will impartially play their role in shaping Bangladesh’s cultural norms, reform the politics, influence the economy with global shape, enable them to face upcoming challenges and create a more equitable and inclusive Bangladesh irrespective of castes, creeds and religions.
Gen Zs are blessed with much different thinking quality than Gen Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y. There are profound thinking gaps among the Gen Zs and the other prevailing generations. Gen Zs are more advanced in thoughts and activities. An instance can be taken from the recent past event of ‘Anti-discrimination Students’ Movement’ of Bangladesh. Gen Zs are thinking that they have achieved victory on 36 July 2024 in lieu of 5 August 2024 and now Bangladesh is getting a new shape of pride and glory to raise its head in the place of world affairs, which is happening by dint of the valiant heroes of Gen Z and mass people of Bangladesh.
Gen Zs have developed their own set of glossaries, which is widely used during their communications. Some of their own terminologies are : IYKYK – If you know, you know, Sus- Sort of suspicious, OK Boomer – Denial to an unwise decision, Cook- Better to give chance, SKIBIDI – Laughable for any good or bad, Lit- Any exciting or excellent thing, Flex – Showing off the moods or brag, GOAT—Greatest of all times, Red Flag—Falling into a greater problem, Green Flag—Remaining safe, Flying High – Happy, Ghosting–Sudden disappearance, Cushy–Easy, Simp-fondling without any return, Rizz—attractive personality, Aura Gain–Positive personality (1-100000=this arithmetic figure indicates Aura gain), Aura Loss – Negative personality, Faff-Time wastage, Bruh-expression of frustration, Glow up–Development, Glow down–Destruction, Pookie-Love bug (adorable)/liked person, Vibe-Atmosphere of any situation, No Cap–Emphasis not to exaggerate, Drip–Someone’s style, Stan–Follower or fan, FOMO—Fear of missing out, Tea-Gossiping in a pleasant way, Salty–Being upset, Woke-Awareness to social issues, Slay—Doing exceptionally well, Karen – Woman to demand beyond the scope of appropriateness, Cancelled—boycotting or ostracising problematic behavior, Thirsty-Desperate for attention in a romantic issue or context, Main Character Energy – Feeling protagonist in the self-story or self-confident. Hopefully, these terms are very dynamic and more Gen Z terminologies will take safe places in the language dictionary very soon. All the world eyes are now on Bangladesh to have positive and pragmatic reformations as well as to look forward that the Bengali nation never bows down but indomitable and unabrasive to the prosperity with development by ensuring the justice.
The writer works as a Senior Assistant Secretary at University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh. He can be reached through this Email: [email protected].
Messenger/Fameema
