Doomer Optimism: Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Embracing Hope in a World of Doom
Sunday, October 6, 2024.
The internet is buzzing with a new mindset that blends dark humor with an unexpected dash of hope: Doomer Optimism.
This philosophy captures the spirit of younger generations grappling with a world filled with existential threats, from climate change to financial instability.
But unlike the “Boomers” who once dominated the digital space with nostalgic memes about the "good old days," Doomer Optimists are embracing small, meaningful changes to confront the chaos head-on.
And somehow, they're doing it with sourdough starters and compost heaps.
Boomers vs. Doomers: A History of Generational Memes
Let’s be real—Boomers paved the way for internet humor. They were the OG meme makers with their Minion posts and political rants on Facebook.
But while Boomers celebrated nostalgia and a simpler time, today’s young adults—Millennials and Gen Z—are dealing with a harsher reality.
Cue Doomer Optimism, a meme-turned-philosophy that blends the existential dread of a crumbling world with an oddly practical twist: why not start a vegetable garden and compost your food scraps while the world burns?
What Is Doomer Optimism?
In a nutshell, Doomer Optimism is the belief that, yes, the world is heading toward collapse, but you can still take small actions to make a difference. Whether it’s learning to sew, mastering permaculture, or figuring out how to make kombucha, Doomer Optimists embrace sustainable living practices as a way to regain control in a chaotic world.
The Psychology Behind Doomer Optimism
Psychologists explain Doomer Optimism as a mix of cognitive dissonance and generativity. According to Erik Erikson’s theory, young adults seek to create something lasting, even in the face of doom.
The Doomer Optimist copes with anxiety by taking action, creating a sense of purpose. Research from Clayton et al. (2015) even shows that engaging in small-scale sustainable practices can reduce feelings of helplessness tied to overwhelming global crises like climate change.
Doomer Optimism in Action: From Reddit to Real Life
Reddit is full of threads dedicated to living off-grid and other sustainable practices, with communities offering tips on everything from urban gardening to solar power. It’s all part of the Doomer Optimist’s plan—preparing for the worst while cultivating resilience. As one Redditor wisely put it: “If the world collapses, at least I’ll have my homemade pickles.”
Boomers and Doomers: More Alike Than You Think
Surprisingly, today’s Doomer Optimists aren’t so different from the Boomers who embraced the back-to-the-land movement in the 60s and 70s.
Back then, it was all about rejecting modernity in favor of a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle.
Sounds familiar, right? The only difference is that today’s Doomer Optimists are armed with memes and the internet.
Why Doomer Optimism Is Here to Stay
Whether you’re a Boomer reminiscing about the past or a Doomer Optimist planting seeds for the future, one thing is clear: the future is uncertain, but there’s power in small, hopeful actions.
In the words of the Doomer Optimist: “Be prepared for the worst, but plant a garden anyway.”
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Clayton, S., Manning, C. M., & Hodge, C. (2015). Beyond storms & droughts: The psychological impacts of climate change. Nature Climate Change, 5(3), 209-210. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2538
Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and Society. W.W. Norton & Company.