What：the observation/gap you have identified

“Tuwei” culture is a trend on the internet where people enjoy and share content that might be considered cheesy, nostalgic, or not aligned with mainstream tastes.

“Crazy literature” is a form of expression where intense anger is conveyed through lengthy, illogical, and exaggerated text, allowing individuals to vent their strongest emotions in a satirical manner.

I first noticed recent internet cultural phenomena in China: “Tuwei” culture and “Fafeng” literature. Essentially, they belong to the same kind of culture, subculture. Because my question is about xxx, I feel that here, cultural populism is a form of subculture. So, I conducted a survey, and the results showed that most people are addicted to online media, struggling to balance online and offline life. Also, many believe that while digital media expands social circles and reduces physical distance, it also lowers the depth of interaction. Conversations stay superficial, making it hard to get inside their emotions, much like digital-era containers. Thus, they turn to online subculture groups for emotional fulfillment. So there are subcultures.

about online subcultures, most people say they’re part of it, and they engage due to boring, passing time, seeking emotional comfort, fulfilling emotional needs, and finding joy. Online subcultures like social tools, Reducing communication distance and showing unique personalities.

So I summarised five of their characteristics:

1.Getting lost in electronic entertainment, relying on social media.

2.Enjoying online interactions, avoiding face-to-face conversations.

3.Venting emotions online, actively joining public discussions.

4.Easily influenced by consumerism, excessive spending.

5.Liking to use internet slang and symbols.

Question: An overview of your question and why this is linked to the observation/gap

My research question: “How does digital media affect personality and contribute to cultural Populism？”

Generation Z grew up in the era of mobile internet, where their entertainment, leisure, shopping, and social interactions mostly happen on online platforms. While mobile internet seems to shrink the physical space for work, communication, and learning, it can also isolate individuals into digital islands, even when physically together. People often gather but remain absorbed in their phones, experiencing a sense of collective loneliness. Generation Z is heavily influenced by strict upbringing, lacks autonomy due to family-imposed social pressures and educational demands. Therefore, they seek emotional connections and believe that true self-expression comes when they have control over their time.

Research Methodology: A brief explanation of why particular research tools were deployed.

I used three methods for my research: surveys, reviewing literature, and analyzing case contents.

I did surveys to figure out where to focus my research. Then, I looked closely at real cases of online subculture spread to understand how they behave, what makes them unique, and how they affect things. I wanted to uncover the reasons behind different online subculture cases. And I used existing research to back up my case analyses.

Research: A critical overview of primary and secondary research to date. It is good practice to include theory (papers, books, articles) that support the area of your enquiry.

“Carnival Theory”: This theory divides into two completely opposite lifestyles. One is a strict, official, and rule-bound life of the “First World,” while the other is an equal, free, and shared life of the “Second World.”In the First World, people live in the real world and must follow many rules and regulations.

The Second World is the online world, where the anonymity and virtual nature of the internet create a more liberated space for self-expression.。

Intervention: A description of the intervention(s) to date and why you have chosen this method/path.

i organized an offline event where i bought meme cards and played together, letting loose and relieving stress. i invited five friends, three already working, two still in school， all users of crazy literature.

They talked about how real-world stressors like school, jobs, and looks bring out negative vibes that are tough to talk about openly. Going crazy lets them vent. Their crazy content? complaining about early classes, work overload – these things are, common stuff Gen Z deals with. Others in the crew get where they’re coming from

I think this is sort of like a “hey, I get you” . Even if ages and stuff aren’t clear, seeing crazy posts lets them kinda guess it’s another Gen Z person dealing with the same everyday pressures and worries.

The whole crazy literature? It’s young folks pushing back against the fancy, mainstream stuff. They mix regular culture with jokes to show they’re not just following the crowd.

Audience: Who has the intervention been tested on, and why.

I’m targeting Gen Z: Gen Z refers to the generation born between 1995 and 2009. As a generation growing up in an internet society, Gen Z seeks unique tastes and styles, craving more excitement and experiences. They have higher expectations for personal growth. The high pressures and lack of autonomy in their lives create a need for their own space. Internet content provides them with fantasies, letting them escape reality for a while. The internet fulfills their social needs, while various subcultures cater to their emotional needs, allowing them to connect with people who share similar interests.

I interviewed a fashion photographer and discussed the blurring boundaries between online and offline. We talked about expressing oneself digitally, how technology shapes our interactions with the world. He thinks the internet is a major influence, shaping personalities, relationships, and self-awareness. He explores digital self-expression and the role of online communities. The internet boosts self-awareness, but also brings pressure to express oneself. Technology shrinks the gap between digital and real selves, as people seek authentic experiences online.