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How to Understand Corecore in Gen Z Culture

Ever stumbled upon a bizarre, emotionally charged video montage online and wondered what it all meant? You might have just encountered **corecore**, a unique form of expression gaining traction within Gen Z culture. But what is **corecore slang**, and why is it resonating with so many young people? This article dives deep into the world of **corecore**, exploring its origins, meaning, examples, and the deeper cultural context it reflects. Get ready to decipher the seemingly nonsensical and understand a powerful form of Gen Z communication.

What Exactly is Corecore? Decoding the Term

**Corecore** is a genre of online video that aims to capture the feeling of modern life. It’s often described as an “I feel this” response to the perceived absurdity, alienation, and existential dread of contemporary society. Think of it as a visual representation of Gen Z’s collective anxieties and frustrations, packaged in short, often unsettling, video clips.

Unlike traditional memes that rely on humor or relatability, **corecore** aims for a more visceral, emotional impact. It’s not necessarily about being funny; it’s about evoking a feeling, a mood, a sense of unease or recognition. This makes it a challenging but also fascinating form of online expression.

The Key Characteristics of Corecore Videos

To truly understand **corecore slang**, it’s helpful to identify its key characteristics:

• Montage Style: **Corecore** videos are almost always montages, stringing together disparate clips from various sources.
• Emotional Juxtaposition: These clips are often juxtaposed in ways that create emotional dissonance or highlight the contradictions of modern life. A clip of a smiling family might be followed by a scene of urban decay, for example.
• Found Footage: A significant portion of **corecore** content relies on found footage – clips from movies, TV shows, commercials, news reports, and even personal home videos.
• Surreal and Absurd: The overall effect is often surreal and absurd, reflecting the perceived meaninglessness of everyday experiences.
• Focus on Feeling: The primary goal isn’t narrative storytelling but the creation of a specific feeling or emotional atmosphere.
• Critique of Consumerism: Many **corecore** videos contain elements that critique consumerism, capitalism, and the superficiality of modern culture.

The Origins of Corecore: Where Did It Come From?

The origins of **corecore** are somewhat murky, but it’s generally believed to have emerged from the depths of platforms like TikTok and YouTube around 2020-2021. It can be seen as an evolution of earlier internet aesthetics like vaporwave and surreal memes, which also explored themes of alienation and consumer culture.

Some trace its roots to the broader trend of “sadposting” and “doomer” culture online, where individuals express feelings of despair and hopelessness. However, **corecore** goes beyond simple sadness; it’s a more complex and nuanced exploration of the human condition in the digital age. It builds on the previous internet subcultures, adding layers of societal critique and emotional depth.

The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly played a role in the rise of **corecore**. The isolation, uncertainty, and anxieties of that period likely fueled the desire to express these feelings in a creative and unconventional way. The accessibility of video editing software and online platforms also made it easier for individuals to create and share **corecore** content.

Examples of Corecore: Seeing is Believing

The best way to understand **corecore slang** is to see it in action. Here are a few hypothetical examples of what a **corecore** video might look like:

• A montage of fast-food commercials interspersed with clips of overcrowded landfills and climate change protests. The audio might consist of distorted pop music and news reports about environmental disasters.
• A series of clips showing people glued to their smartphones, juxtaposed with images of natural landscapes and human connection. The audio might be a mix of social media notifications and melancholic instrumental music.
• A compilation of scenes from dystopian movies like *Blade Runner* and *Brazil*, combined with footage of modern cities and everyday routines. The audio could be a blend of electronic music and spoken word poetry about alienation.
• A video juxtaposing clips of luxury items and advertisements with images of poverty and social inequality. The audio could include snippets of political speeches, sound effects, and ambient noise.

These examples highlight the key elements of **corecore**: the jarring juxtapositions, the found footage, the emotional intensity, and the underlying critique of modern society. The purpose is to provoke thought, evoke feelings, and challenge the viewer’s perception of the world.

Why is Corecore Popular Among Gen Z?

Several factors contribute to the popularity of **corecore slang** among Gen Z:

• Shared Experiences: Gen Z has grown up in a world marked by economic instability, political polarization, and environmental concerns. **Corecore** provides a platform for expressing these shared anxieties and frustrations.
• Authenticity: In a world saturated with carefully curated online personas, **corecore** offers a raw and unfiltered expression of emotions. It’s a rejection of superficiality and a search for authenticity.
• Emotional Resonance: **Corecore** taps into the emotional landscape of Gen Z, reflecting their feelings of alienation, disillusionment, and uncertainty. It’s a way of saying, “I’m not alone in feeling this way.”
• Creative Expression: **Corecore** provides a creative outlet for Gen Z to express themselves in a unique and unconventional way. It’s a form of artistic expression that doesn’t require technical expertise or formal training.
• Critique of Consumer Culture: Gen Z is increasingly critical of consumerism and capitalism. **Corecore** provides a platform for expressing this critique and questioning the values of modern society.

**Corecore** resonates with Gen Z because it reflects their lived experiences and provides a space for them to express their feelings in a meaningful way. It’s a form of resistance against the perceived pressures and expectations of modern society.

Corecore vs. Other Internet Aesthetics: Understanding the Nuances

While **corecore** shares some similarities with other internet aesthetics, it’s important to understand the nuances that set it apart. Here’s a brief comparison:

• Vaporwave: Vaporwave is characterized by its nostalgic and often ironic embrace of 1980s and 1990s consumer culture. While it shares a critique of consumerism with **corecore**, it’s generally more focused on aesthetic appeal than emotional impact.
• Surreal Memes: Surreal memes are known for their absurd and nonsensical humor. While they often incorporate elements of surrealism and absurdity, they’re primarily intended to be funny rather than emotionally evocative. **Corecore** prioritizes feeling over humor.
• Sadposting/Doomer Culture: Sadposting and doomer culture are characterized by expressions of sadness, hopelessness, and despair. While **corecore** can incorporate these emotions, it’s a more nuanced and complex exploration of the human condition. It moves beyond simple sadness to offer a deeper critique.
• Weirdcore: Weirdcore aims to evoke feelings of nostalgia, unease, and disorientation through images reminiscent of early internet aesthetics and liminal spaces. While it shares a similar visual language to **corecore**, weirdcore is primarily focused on creating a specific atmosphere rather than conveying a broader message or critique.

**Corecore** distinguishes itself through its specific combination of emotional intensity, societal critique, and montage-style video format. It’s not simply about being sad or surreal; it’s about expressing a complex and nuanced understanding of the world.

How to Create Your Own Corecore Video: A Step-by-Step Guide

Interested in creating your own **corecore** video? Here’s a simple guide:

1. Identify Your Core Feeling: What emotion or experience do you want to convey? Is it anxiety, alienation, hope, or something else?
2. Gather Your Footage: Collect video clips from various sources – movies, TV shows, commercials, news reports, personal videos, etc. Focus on clips that evoke the feeling you’re trying to capture.
3. Experiment with Juxtaposition: Combine clips in unexpected ways to create emotional dissonance or highlight contradictions.
4. Add Audio: Choose music, sound effects, or spoken word that enhances the emotional impact of your video.
5. Keep it Short and Sweet: **Corecore** videos are typically short, often under a minute in length.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to **corecore**. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you.

The most important thing is to be authentic and express your own unique perspective. **Corecore** is about sharing your feelings and connecting with others who feel the same way.

The Future of Corecore: Where Will It Go Next?

The future of **corecore slang** is uncertain, but it’s likely to continue evolving and adapting to the changing online landscape. As new platforms emerge and internet culture shifts, **corecore** will undoubtedly find new ways to express itself.

It’s possible that **corecore** will become more mainstream, as its themes and ideas resonate with a wider audience. Alternatively, it could remain a niche subculture, a hidden corner of the internet where individuals can connect and share their raw emotions.

One thing is certain: **corecore** has already made a significant impact on Gen Z culture, providing a powerful platform for expressing anxieties, critiquing consumerism, and searching for meaning in a chaotic world. As long as these themes remain relevant, **corecore** will continue to be a voice for a generation.

Conclusion: Corecore Slang as a Reflection of Gen Z

**Corecore slang** is more than just a trend; it’s a reflection of the unique challenges and experiences facing Gen Z. It’s a visual language that speaks to their anxieties, frustrations, and hopes for the future. By understanding **corecore**, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the perspectives and values of this generation. So, the next time you encounter a bizarre, emotionally charged video montage online, remember that it might just be **corecore** – a powerful expression of the Gen Z experience.

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