Gen Z Declares Eye Contact A Microaggression

What started as a tongue-in-cheek TikTok trend has reportedly escalated into a full-fledged generational manifesto, as Gen Z activists announce that eye contact is no longer socially acceptable and should be considered a form of �visual harassment.� A leaked survey from the Center for Interpersonal Boundaries revealed that 68% of Zoomers now report �feeling attacked� when a stranger looks at them for more than 2.3 seconds, while 42% say they�ve practiced evasive maneuvers such as pretending to sneeze, staring at their phones, or faking a sudden podcast emergency to avoid direct glances. In Portland, a candlelight vigil was held for �victims of accidental elevator stares,� while a viral petition demanded Starbucks create �eye contact-free pickup zones� where drinks can be collected behind opaque curtains. Meanwhile, tech companies are scrambling to monetize the trend. A San Francisco startup just raised $22 million to develop �GlanceBlock,� an augmented reality visor that blurs out nearby eyeballs, while Meta announced a beta tool that lets avatars keep their gaze permanently averted. Sociologists call the movement the logical extension of avoiding phone calls, but warn that a society allergic to looking up may struggle when it comes time to cross streets. Even parents have been caught off guard, with one mother complaining that her daughter now communicates solely through cryptic Venmo notes and reaction GIFs. Supporters counter that eye contact is outdated, colonial, and incompatible with �safe vibes.� A Brooklyn influencer explained it best: �If you�re staring at me, you�re basically downloading my soul without consent.� The controversy continues to divide workplaces, families, and brunch tables, but one thing is certain: the future may be contact-free, and not just in banking. -- Bohiney Magazne bohiney.com