Mocking Culture

Mocking is possibly the most powerful way to divide people into groups of “us” and “them”. At its core, mocking is about status and establishing who is more, and who is less; who is better, and who is worse.

Mocking is heavy, and it’s common. It’s apparent in the world of couple relationships as demonstrated in the work of John Gottman and is a go-to tactic used to win at politics. Mockery is a prolific part of discrimination.

One increasingly potent application is the tension between generations. It’s not just showing up on the internet behind the protective barrier of a social media profile or in private personal conversations. It’s showing up in plain sight in real places where people work.

If we can name a group of people something catchy and easy to remember, it becomes much easier to diminish their status. It becomes easier to paint with broad strokes and craft sticky messages that say, “You are not like us, and that’s not good.” That’s why generational grouping can be so divisive when weaponized.

You probably already know what much of the generational mocking looks like. You don’t have to look far to find phrases commonly used with a mocking tone to delegitimize young people, like “snowflake” and “participation trophy.” Somehow, even something as simple as “avocado toast” has become a staple of mocking the younger generation. “OK Boomer” has more recently taken off as a retaliatory mock toward more tenured generations.

If we want to live in an adversarial world, then we can by all means continue the mocking. We can ignore the perpetual and inevitable truth that the young will inherit the earth and do what they want with it. Time will make sure of it. We can broadcast judgement on the unchangeable past. We can be us, and they can be them, and we can do the hard work of trying to claw our way to the top of the status dogpile using dirty tactics.

Or we can cut the mocking. It’s an individual choice each of us can make. But the real difference happens when leaders take responsibility to change the culture. Mocking will always be a weapon we possess, but things get better if it becomes one we refuse to use.

It’s not magic, and it’s not utopia. Disagreement and conflict will exist. But we can decide to do better in our handling of our differences.