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Generation Z is not and will never be acknowledged as serious<\/a>. As the youngest members of our generation encroach upon their upper teens, Gen Z is recognized as the world\u2019s new \u201cadults\u201d \u2014 a frightening realization. The Louvre robbers<\/a>, Gerald the dolphin<\/a> and other week-long, obsessive bits spark public conversation and online activity by way of viral TikTok hashtags and parody videos. One recent online practice, staging look-alike contests, acts as ways to turn online inside jokes into opportunities to connect with others who indulge in niche corners of the internet \u2014 and possibly walk away with a shiny cash prize. Past themes have included Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet<\/a>, John F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> (as a response to director Ryan Murphy\u2019s \u201cLove Story\u201d)<\/em> and Shane and Ilya<\/a> from Crave\u2019s \u201cHeated Rivalry.\u201d Though unserious in nature, the intention of these events signifies a larger demonstration of exercising free will in a modern, unserious fashion.<\/p>\n The spontaneous and unprofessional nature of these look-alike contests is what has led to their boom in popularity among our generation. One does not have to attend the contest in person to experience the collective enthusiasm created by the crowds of people gathering to find joy in one common interest \u2014 videos of the contestants and proceedings are swiftly posted online by the crowds they attract. In a world where teenagers are loaded with scholastic pressure, internships and hard deadlines, events such as these are a breath of fresh air. That feeling of adding a silly and non school-related event onto one\u2019s Google Calendar is truly a special one.\u00a0<\/p>\n News of look-alike contests are spread by posters<\/a> in public spaces or word of mouth, encouraging anyone interested to take part in the communal festivities. Entry is free, the venue is typically a public space and anyone is eligible to be a contestant if they please. In a society where exchanges are primarily driven by payment, this practice is refreshing and one of the most inclusive opportunities for our generation to foster connections in an accessible fashion.\u00a0<\/p>\n Phones and media have a much bigger impact on our socialization than meets the eye \u2014 spending crucial developmental years in a state of quarantine<\/a> led to the development of intense codependencies with online media due to a lack of face-to-face connection. Physical isolation disabled us from sharing what we found comfort in, but I believe these get-togethers indicate a sign of healing as a generation.\u00a0<\/p>\n