This is a compilation of TikTok videos put together by user @kamrynmarie in 2023 which features several members of Gen Z and Millennials discussing their relationships with work and capitalism. In each clip, we hear people talking about why they struggle to find motivation in the American workforce, many to a point where they feel numb and do not want to work at all. The video is overlaid with article headlines about work and mental health, and a sped-up version of “when the party’s over” by Billie Eilish plays in the background. In the post, @kamrynmarie states, “life isn’t supposed to be like this” and uses hashtags including #mentalhealthawareness, #latestagecapitalism, and #burnout.
discussion
How do some of the TikTok creators feel about work?
How do age, class, and race play a role in the way people feel about working?
What role does the sound, text, and video editing play in the video’s message about work?
Why do you think so many people went online and openly shared their negative experiences with capitalism and work? What are some of the benefits and risks of being critical of social institutions online?
