“It’s not that deep.” What counts as “not that deep?” While not everything needs to be taken seriously, Generation Z’s widespread reluctance to engage beyond the surface level is prevalent and exhibited in popular phrases and memes that belittle critical thought, presenting serious topics as unworthy of attention. This mindset serves as a shield to avoid uncomfortable conversations that ask us to reflect, critique or analyze our status quo.
In a society dominated by short attention spans and quick soundbites, it’s all too easy to view pop culture solely as entertainment. This tendency restricts Gen Z’s ability to engage with current events and advocate against harmful real-world issues, as their craving for entertainment value creates a cycle in which artists are disincentivized to create art centered around activism, which has historically been vital for the foundations of activist movements.
“Artists today, understandably, want their art to have commercial appeal,” DeAnza College art history professor Catie Cadge-Moore said. “But the appeal often isn’t in line with getting people to think differently about things or fighting for change.”
A hostility toward an intellectual or philosophical viewpoint is generally defined as anti-intellectualism, where messages embedded in art are dismissed as “not that deep” or irrelevant.
“Our minds are going so fast,” Cadge-Moore said. “You need something that kind of forces you to stop and be more reflective. Our current technological age has unfolded in a way that unfortunately tends to trivialize things, and when you trivialize things, there’s this tendency to be flippant or nonchalant.”
In order to change the current culture, there is a shared responsibility between both artists and consumers. Artists should use their platforms to spur meaningful discussions, and consumers need to be willing to engage.
“Are we thinking about it as something deeper, as the artist probably intended it to be, and is the artist doing anything about the way that it’s being consumed?” senior Hiranmayi Srinivasa said. “It goes both ways. How are we as consumers interpreting art, and how are artists pushing it to be interpreted as?”
Yet even when artists attempt to send messages that force this reflection, disengagement remains an issue. A stark example of this discrepancy is the reactions to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, where Lamar’s visual choices and lyrics unapologetically highlight critiques of the American Dream and a history of white supremacy. Some recognized the bold political commentary, seeing it as a challenge to confront uncomfortable truths rather than offering mindless entertainment. Still, many dismissed the performance as dull and lacking the expected flashy spectacle, ignoring or not engaging with the depth of its message.
“I don’t really listen to Kendrick for social and political issues, I just really love his music,” Srinivasa said. “I watched the halftime show purely for entertainment.”
When the majority of today’s audience, accustomed to rapid consumption and soundbites, fails to recognize or refuses to interact with obvious artistic protests, especially on a scale as large as that of a Super Bowl performance, we face the danger of a lack of participation in political discussion and protestation, which has historically been the younger generation of America’s most efficient venue for change.
Historically, art, both visual and performance, has been used as a vital tool for social commentary and resistance, calling for political change. Novels from the Civil War era like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” sparked discussions and catalyzed social movements. These forms of art were not only accepted to be multifaceted but were actively engaged as a means of challenging the status quo. The audience’s willingness to engage in social critique allowed this art to spur social change and political action.
To engage with pop culture more critically, we need to learn to peel back the layers of these cultural moments. Instead of passively consuming media for entertainment, we need to recognize that it can be a powerful catalyst for change, as media is first and foremost entertainment but it allows us to think critically. Pop culture is not just about what’s trending; it’s about our world, what is being said between the lines and the messages that reflect the broader world around us.
“In the arts in general, there is always a lesson to be learned if we are open enough to receive, have compassion and build an understanding,” Ene said.
Whether through music, visual art, literature or performance, art has the power to engage the audience in meaningful reflection. If we ignore the deeper meaning embedded within these creative works, we risk understanding our evolving world in a more nuanced way. To truly understand and connect with art, we must engage with it critically and allow it to challenge our perspectives and spark necessary conversations.
