Description
Welcome back to Malestrum. In this episode, Barry and Griffin tackle the evolving phenomenon of cringe culture—how Gen Z uses memes, slang, and online ridicule as both a form of entertainment and a coded social language. From YouTube cringe compilations of the 2010s to TikTok’s obsession with “lolcows,” they unpack how embarrassment, once spread by whispers and rumor, is now global, instantaneous, and often weaponized. Along the way, they trace how these cultural codes even surfaced in the conspiracies around the Charlie Kirk assassination.
Summary
The conversation opens with Barry reflecting on how embarrassment worked in his Boomer years—nicknames, jokes, and labels shared in person—before Griffin explains how social media amplified and transformed those same dynamics. Together, they dive into the mechanics of cringe: voyeuristic secondhand embarrassment, the rise and fall of cringe compilations, and the darker side of ridicule that targets entire online identities. Griffin explains terms like “NPC energy,” “Ohio memes,” “Skibidi Toilet,” and “Sigma Grindset,” while Barry draws parallels to past generational fads and shares his own “dad joke” brand of cringe. The dialogue also explores how memes become political and cultural signals, with even violent events layered in coded references that outsiders struggle to interpret. Despite the absurdity, both emphasize the underlying issues—echo chambers, mob mentality, and the pressure to perform coolness or nonchalance online—that make authenticity difficult for young men today.
Why It’s Important for Malestrum
Cringe culture is more than silly memes—it’s a window into how Gen Z communicates identity, belonging, and difference. For young men, it highlights both the risks of online ridicule and the resilience required to “own your cringe” and stay authentic. By breaking down the slang, tracing the history, and connecting it to larger cultural forces, this episode helps bridge the generational gap. Malestrum’s mission—to foster open conversations between fathers, sons, mentors, and peers—means looking at the humor, the harm, and the hidden codes shaping Gen Z’s world.
