Buzz
Listening to today's youth feels like deciphering an alien dialect! What on earth is 'locktober'? And why are they mentioning 'mind goblins'? Whatever happened to plain English, like we spoke in the golden days? It seems the world is spiraling downward, with youngsters wearing drooping pants and abandoning traditional values.
To assist the older generation and those who feel out of touch, I’m here to demystify some of today’s confusing youth slang. Additionally, I’ll explore the resurgence of '90s nostalgia (yet again) and delve into the buzz surrounding a polarizing content creator whose videos are taking the internet by storm.
What exactly is 'locktober'?
(Note: This is targeted at young adults, not children.)
Locktober serves as a celebratory month for those who choose celibacy voluntarily, contrasting sharply with incels. This BDSM tradition involves men securing their genitals in a cage and entrusting the key to a partner for the duration of October. It's a unique twist on what many consider the season of festive gourds!
While Locktober appears to be more prevalent or openly talked about within the gay community, it also attracts straight participants. The motivations vary: some seek a deeper sense of submission, others aim to recalibrate their sexual desires, and undoubtedly, a few are eagerly anticipating the excitement of November 1st.
Exploring the Concept of 'Mind Goblin'
To understand what a 'mind goblin' is, consider this hypothetical dialogue:
Me: I’ve been dealing with this issue involving a mind goblin.
You: Can you explain what a mind goblin is?
Me: Mind gobblin’ deez nutz?
(At this moment, you’d find yourself completely outplayed.)
Essentially, the mind goblin is just a modern twist on classics like up dog or ligma. Test it on someone younger in the next few minutes, and you might just catch them off guard.
AI-Created ‘90s Yearbook Photos Dominate Social Media Feeds
This week’s viral sensation involves using artificial intelligence to create images of yourself as if you were featured in a 1990s yearbook. Epik, a photo-editing app leading the charts on the Apple App Store, is the primary source of these nostalgic visuals.
Here’s how it works: Upload 8 to 12 photos, pay $5.99, and within hours, you’ll receive 60 enhanced images portraying you as a 1990s archetype—be it a jock, a fashion enthusiast, a cheerleader, or a nerd. In essence, it’s a lighthearted trend that’s proving to be highly profitable.
Heads up: If you already have real yearbook photos from the 1990s, this trend might not appeal to you and could even evoke a sense of melancholy.
This Week’s Viral Video: John Romano’s TikTok Page—A School Shooter Speaks
Jon Romano’s videos have recently gained massive traction. With hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok, his content has amassed millions of views. Operating under the handle “Jonseekingpeace,” Romano primarily shares his experience of the 2004 school shooting he carried out at 16, occasionally touching on incidents like the sword attack he endured at a homeless shelter months ago. For those curious, here’s a video where he recounts his story.
Unsurprisingly, this has sparked debate. Some applaud his bravery, while others criticize him for profiting from an attempted murder, highlight his racist remarks, and argue he should stay silent.
The teacher he shot survived, and Romano served 17 years of a 20-year prison sentence. He claims to be reformed, dedicating his life to mental health advocacy and preventing school shootings. I remain unconvinced.
While I find his videos intriguing and appreciate their existence, I’m hesitant about my child becoming a follower. I approach Romano’s words with the skepticism of a middle-aged man. Many of his young, idealistic followers, however, seem to trust him. Whether it’s problematic for kids to hear a convicted school shooter discuss shame or assure them “it’s never too late” hinges on your belief in redemption. He could be an attention-seeking individual capitalizing on his past, or perhaps he’s genuinely reformed and striving to make a positive impact—anything’s possible, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
