A strange new lexicon is emerging online, fueled by Gen Z and Gen A, and it’s reshaping how we understand internet culture. Terms like “goonbait,” “RegencyCore,” and the enigmatic “Shape Store” are gaining traction, and if you’re unfamiliar, you’re not alone – but understanding them offers a glimpse into a rapidly evolving digital world.
The term “gooning” itself refers to a prolonged state of stimulation without resolution, sometimes pursued for its altered mental state. “Goonbait” is the content designed to elicit this response. Recently, Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu became an unexpected focal point in this conversation.
A photograph of Liu, gazing intently at her gold medal, was quickly labeled “goonbait” by some online. This sparked outrage, highlighting a disturbing pattern of objectification directed towards women achieving success. The image, however, was likely a playful nod to a long-standing Olympic tradition.
For decades, athletes have playfully bitten their gold medals for photographs, testing the metal’s softness – a practice dating back to at least 1992. Liu’s expression appears to be a continuation of this lighthearted custom, not an invitation for unwanted attention. Sadly, this didn’t stop the online harassment and even real-world stalking, as Liu herself revealed on social media, describing a frightening encounter at an airport.
Shifting gears, “RegencyCore” represents a full-blown aesthetic movement. Inspired by the lavish world of the Netflix series *Bridgerton*, it’s a romanticized take on the British Regency era, infused with pastel colors and gold accents. It’s more than just fashion, though.
RegencyCore is blossoming into a lifestyle, with TikTok tutorials on period-inspired decorating, a resurgence in tea parties, and a renewed interest in antiquated hobbies like calligraphy and elaborate tablescaping. It’s a deliberate embrace of elegance and a rejection of modern minimalism for some.
Then there’s The Shape Store, a TikTok series by @a.i.solation that defies easy explanation. Presented as a 1990s-era store, it simply sells…shapes. Hexagons, pentagons, and more, displayed in a strangely compelling, unsettling manner.
The videos are entirely AI-generated, and their power lies in their ambiguity. They’ve ignited a firestorm of interpretations, ranging from commentary on consumerism and status to reflections on the Black urban experience. Some even compare it to the unsettling, liminal spaces of “The Backrooms.”
The Shape Store’s impact is remarkable precisely because it *doesn’t* offer answers. It’s a digital Rorschach test, prompting viewers to project their own anxieties and interpretations onto its surreal imagery. It’s a testament to the power of AI to create art that resonates, even without a clear meaning.
These three phenomena – goonbait, RegencyCore, and The Shape Store – represent a fascinating snapshot of the current internet landscape. They demonstrate the speed at which trends emerge, the power of online communities to shape meaning, and the increasingly blurred lines between reality and digital creation.
