Everybody Wants To Be Famous, No One Wants To Get A Job
Why social media followers, clout and likes are more attractive to young people than just getting a job.
At the end of 2024, I’ll turn 30.
And I’ve realised that by writing this particular blog post, I might officially be entering my disgruntled old man phase, but I have been having a lot of thoughts about the current state of ‘work’ and the new generation entering the workforce.
At risk of being the guy who says “this new generation just doesn’t bloody want to do anything, bla bla bla,” I want to say something similar to exactly that. Awkward.
I like to write about popular culture, social media trends and nerdy stuff mostly, and I genuinely believe that the current state of social media is effecting our society, particularly millennials and Gen Z’s, more than ever.
Mainly, I think that social media (particularly platforms like TikTok) is creating a generation of people that want to be overnight superstars and do pretty much no work… ever.
I was speaking to my partner last night when she told me about the US government wiping the student debt for certain jobs like teachers and nurses - essentially allowing people to take on these careers for free. There are similar discussions happening in Australia.
It got us thinking. Why is there such a shortage of frontline workers? Why are so few people wanting to enter careers in nursing and teaching? Why does the government essentially need to add incentive for people to do these jobs? These roles are essential for our society to continue to operate, yet they are constantly understaffed, leading to healthcare workers being overworked and burning out.
I know there are various socio-cultural factors involved here, but I think TikTok is a big part.
I’ve seen a lot of reports on the news recently about “youth crime spikes” in which young people commit some pretty shocking crimes and post them to TikTok for clout, likes and bragging rights.
For example, the high school student who poured a gallon of milk over several women enjoying a boat ride picnic on the Yarra River.
I also think TikTok creates a platform in which anyone can, theoretically, become ‘famous’ (though I am very sceptical of the ‘fame’ TikTok influencers have). Everybody has a phone, or some device with a camera, and TikTok can randomly give someone a million or more views for some dumb video they’ve filmed in their bedroom with their selfie cam.
I’ve gone viral several times on TikTok and it can be a strangely addictive feeling. I’ve had videos reach 2, 3 or even 4 million views. I was part of a comedy sketch with my friends Jack & Sam that ended up reaching 10 million people on TikTok alone.
Nothing really changes in my life, and I made precisely 0 dollars and 0 cents from those TikTok views. Yet, today’s generation seems to value followers, likes and online validation more than they value… well, ya know… money… to pay for things like food and rent.
Because of this, it feels like kids are less inclined to jump into the workforce, try and prove themselves, and take on hard, “boring” jobs like nursing or teaching. Even here in Melbourne we’re facing a shortage of baristas - endangering our coffee culture - which is highly regarded worldwide. Essentially, with TikTok, everyone has a lottery ticket to suddenly become “famous,” and every kid is willing to take that bet.
Of course this is a generalisation, and I know many young go-getters who are extremely talented, skilled and wanting to burst into their own industries. But I do think our society’s obsession with TikTok clout and fame - by any means possible - is problematic to say the least, and is leading to an extreme shortage in important jobs.
At the end of the day, not everyone can be famous. And not everyone should be famous. And to be honest, I feel like we genuinely don’t really need any more influencers.
When I’m sick and in hospital, it’ll be a hard-working nurse looking after me, not a TikTok influencer who films videos in their bedroom. If that means that my taxes pay for a young person to learn to be a nurse, then I’m okay with that.
- Mike Liberale
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