• Lest you think 2016 nostalgia has fully peaked: The Chainsmokers surprised Ohio State students by crashing a Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity party before the big Ohio State vs. Texas football game, turning the event into a massive, impromptu concert. The EDM duo performed hits like “Closer” and “Roses,” prompting the below reactions from Gen Zers:
  
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Millennials, in turn, are defending the acronym as a necessary tool for tone and nuance. TikToker Anna Gaddis sparked the debate by clarifying that “LOL” signals lightness, not laughter, prompting over 5.8 million views and comments like “If I don’t use ‘lol,’ I sound rude” and “It’s to soften delivery.”

“The Great Lock In” is Gen Z’s latest viral self-improvement trend, reframing the back-to-school and end-of-year stretch — between September 1 and December 31 — as a months-long “hyperfocus” period to reset. If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s very similar to last year’s “winter arc” trend. In October, I wrote:

TikTokers are suddenly obsessed

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Salish and her dad have taken the MrBeast playbook (eye-catching thumbnails, over-the-top challenges, click-driven storytelling) and tailored it to a Gen Alpha girl audience. Instead of million-dollar stunts and bro humor, their videos center on wholesome dares, tween friendship drama, and “shipping” sagas (“ARE THEY DATING?”).