There’s something important I want to clarify about this column. While it’s about Gen-Z and the challenges we face today, it’s also about the problems we’ll inherit problems we’ll need to fix for future generations.
This brings us to the issue of ownership. It seems like we own our stuff, but do we really? Do we have full control over the things we think are ours?
Consider leases on cars, homes, and even entertainment subscriptions. When you pay a bill for something, whether it’s a car, a home, or a media service, you don’t actually own it. You can’t use your phone without paying a phone bill, so you don’t truly own your phone. Let’s not even start on banking fees. The truth is, we’re renting almost everything including our money.
So, what’s going on here? Is this just a side effect of late-stage capitalism? Are we dealing with planned obsolescence of things like fridges and computers now invading all areas of life?
It sounds extreme, but in my opinion, it’s about people. We keep choosing short-term, convenient fixes that contribute to a culture of disposability. Take Gen-Z’s tendency to delay gratification and our willingness to abandon what everyone else uses.
Streaming services are a perfect example. Think of one service you pay for. How many shows or programs on it are you really committed to? Probably not many.
When I first heard about the idea of “the end of ownership,” I immediately canceled three out of my six subscriptions. Now, I have just one I pay for, one my sister covers, and one that costs me almost nothing yearly—definitely not letting that one go.
But like an apartment with rent control, if you leave, the price goes up.
Think about how much you’ve spent on that streaming service. Now, imagine how much it would cost to buy a DVD player and physical media. Or, if you’re like many, you’ve probably pirated what you want to watch—just be sure to use a good ad blocker. The other option is to support a niche you care about, where you can see where your money goes.
The issue with not having physical media is even bigger because of why everything is being kept online. First, it allows entertainment companies to change content easily—like when a British reality TV show contestant’s shirt with a Palestine logo was edited out.
Second, it lets companies take down content entirely, denying artists, animators, musicians, and actors the residual income they rely on. When a show gets syndicated, every time someone watches it again, the people who worked on that episode get a share of the ad revenue. This was the same with physical media or watching live TV with commercials.
But what’s most concerning is how easily things can be changed records, history, and everything else. If something isn’t physical, it can be altered.
