Gen Z's dating angst and the science of tsunamis
When it comes to dating, Gen Z is asking: "Why bother?"
Many factors are driving this. Young adults born after 1996 are more risk averse than other generations. They're drinking less and having less sex. Many Gen Z-ers also lack confidence in their "in-real-life" social skills, a toll of pandemic quarantines and life lived online. Some wonder if dating is even worth the effort. Why risk rejection and emotional rollercoasters?
In a terrific series of stories, Paste BN Wellness reporters Rachel Hale, Nicole Fallert and Charles Trepany explored the many dimensions of Gen Z's dating angst. Is it here to stay? Maybe. But you might be interested hear what Ellie Williams, a 26-year-old TikToker, has to say about it. As Rachel Hale writes, Williams is on a quest to get Gen Z to embrace "in-real-life" relationships.
👋 Paste BN Editor-in-Chief Caren Bohan here. Welcome to The Backstory, our newsletter exclusively for subscribers (that’s you!). I’ll be taking you behind the scenes of our breaking news coverage, scoops and unique storytelling. I also love to hear from our subscribers, so drop me a line at cbohan@usatoday.com if you have something on your mind.
Today, I'm highlighting our newsroom's great reporting on Gen Z's relationship qualms, the mysteries of tsunamis, Ghislaine Maxwell's push for a pardon, a not-so-Kentucky bourbon and a travel tip.
One woman's quest to make Gen Z fall in love
Anxiety around dating is evident in data from companies like Hinge. More than half of Gen Z daters on Hinge's dating app say concerns about rejection have soured them on relationships.
Some young people have gravitated toward "situationships," which offer closeness without commitment. Those can bring problems of their own. What if one partner in a situationship develops strong feelings that aren't reciprocated? Do you really want to deal with the guilt and heartache? Others are saying no to sex altogether.
The downsides aren't lost on Ellie Williams, but she wants Gen Z to give dating a second look anyway, one candid polaroid at a time. Williams' videos, "Where men on the street go out in NYC,” are sparking online conversation. She told Paste BN she hopes the series will help young people get out and meet in real life — and maybe find romance.
A tsunami threat stirred fear. Surfers had other ideas
On July 29, a massive earthquake that hit Russia’s Far East stirred fears of a catastrophic tsunami hitting Hawaii, Alaska and the West Coast. Coastal residents worried the waves could bring death and destruction on the scale of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Some surfers ignored the warnings and headed out into the ocean anyway.
Paste BN reporter Will Carless, a Californian and lifelong surfer, admits that he was tempted though ultimately decided to remain on dry land.
The tsunami turned out to be modest. But Carless used the opportunity to enlighten the non-surfers among us about the science of waves.
"Think of laying in a bathtub," Carless writes. "If you blow across the surface of the water, you’ll create little ripples that will lap against the rim of the tub like tiny surfing waves. But if you sit up suddenly, you’ll likely send water splashing across the bathroom floor. That’s your own personal tsunami."
Read more here from Carless about surfing, tsunamis and why some ocean swells can turn violent quickly.
A few of my favorite Paste BN reads this week:
- "They control everything": How the Dallas Stars monopolized Texas youth hockey.
- Trump appears to misunderstand the fundamental driver of homelessness: People can't afford housing.
- Kamala Harris is leaving the door open for a 2028 White House race. She'll have plenty of company.
- One fight. Then another. And another. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer had seen enough.
- Watch out for "hordes" of tarantulas coming soon to these states.
How Ghislaine Maxwell's life of privilege went wrong
She grew up in a 51-room Italianate mansion in the United Kingdom. Ghislaine Maxwell was a prominent socialite and close confidant of Jeffrey Epstein. She wore the uniform of old money: button-ups, crewneck sweaters and minimal makeup. As Paste BN's Laura Trujillo writes, Maxwell hobnobbed with Prince Andrew, a former and future president. Now, she's serving a prison sentence for conspiring with Epstein to recruit, groom and sexually abuse underage girls. And she's at the center of a controversy dogging President Donald Trump as her lawyers seek to secure a pardon from him.
Canadians are making Old-Fashioneds without Kentucky bourbon?
Amid a raging trade war with Canada, Paste BN reporter Michael Collins traveled to Quebec to see how it's playing out. Collins, who speaks conversational French, writes that while Canadians are known for their easy-going attitude and friendliness, Trump is testing the limits of their cordiality. Here's how Collins, a mild-mannered Kentuckian with good southern manners, reacted to the tariff-driven changes in one of his favorite cocktails.
Parting note: A flying habit you should avoid
What do flight attendants say is the nastiest thing fliers do? Find out more about airplane shoe etiquette in this story by Paste BN travel reporter Zach Wichter. His selfie here says it all about his reaction to another traveler's foot on his torso.
Thank you
What a week. Paste BN was here to cover every minute of it, thanks to the support of readers like you. See you back here next week.
Best wishes,
Caren