Slate Daily Feed How “Millennial Cringe” Became “Millennial Optimism”
Dec 13, 2025
In this discussion, Casey Lewis, a Gen Z culture expert and writer for After School, dives into the surprising shift from 'millennial cringe' to 'millennial optimism' among TikTok users. She reflects on her early internet memories and how millennials are viewed as dated by Gen Z. The duo explores nostalgic visuals, the carefree nature of the 2010s, and the contrast between polished millennial personas and Gen Z's candidness. They also tackle what Gen Z longs for in that era, revealing a mix of nihilism and small joys in today's landscape.
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First Internet Obsession
- Casey Lewis's first internet memory was discovering Hanson via AOL at her uncle's house in rural Missouri.
- That childhood moment sparked a lasting obsession with the internet and fandom culture.
Aesthetic As Nostalgia
- Millennial optimism is a curated visual aesthetic of 2010s indie-folk slideshows and heavy Instagram filters.
- The trend packages perceived innocence and playfulness into a nostalgic montage for younger viewers.
Less Surveillance Feels Carefree
- Many millennials remember the 2010s as optimistic partly because technology felt new and less intrusive.
- That reduced sense of surveillance makes the era feel carefree to younger viewers now.