Copying, by definition, means making a similar or identical version of or imitating the style or behavior of someone or something. But to most, it is known as that infuriating moment when you see your sister walk out of her room wearing the same shirt you bought yesterday, or that moment when you turn in an important assignment only to find out that a friend used nearly the same idea as you. Gen Z — at least from what I have observed — is facing an identity crisis. There is no doubt that every generation borrows from the previous, but the rate at which trends and ideas are spreading today is inescapable.
The increased popularity of social media takes — if not all — the majority of the blame for this, and it is not hard to fall victim to. The second I see a niche Halloween costume, a cute necklace or even a dog toy I think my dog would like on my TikTok’s For You Page, I will probably make multiple Amazon purchases a few hours later. This is only one example of the various ways social media serves as a gateway to inspiration. Yet, it also makes it difficult to differentiate imitation and individuality. Gen Z is not afraid to blatantly follow trends, even when it comes to an unfortunate event. For example, when a tragedy like a shooting occurs in a small town, it often goes unnoticed on social media. It may circulate briefly in well-known publications such as The New York Times or The Washington Post. Yet eventually — probably only a couple of days later — these news outlets will soon forget about it and move on to the latest topic.
On the other hand, when a tragedy involves a well-known person or place, the news swarms all social media platforms and news outlets. All at once, everyone seems to care. This time, it takes a few weeks for the endless posts to disappear, and the cycle begins again. This raises questions about whether these posts, which often call for action or support, are genuine or performative. Empathy should not be reserved for certain groups, but rather it should be an unconditional human feeling. When empathy becomes performative, it loses its value and can even cause harm by appearing as caring and revealing negative intentions. Similarly, while copy culture is not inherently bad, people should still aim for maintaining their own identities and authenticity.
I have been told my whole life that copying is the largest form of flattery. I take pride in the fact that I am not bothered when someone copies me, but for many others, that may not be the case. The act of copying will never fully vanish, and will likely only grow alongside social media. It shapes the way society handles situations and allows people to believe that becoming inspired or influenced by others is not a problem. However, forgetting who you are in the process is.
