Josephine Badoy explores and evaluates the factors behind the rise in second-hand markets. Jo additionally comments on the response of the luxury market and the future of the fashion industry.
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Insight Spring 26 - Gen Z: Hard Reset
Raised by algorithms
The Literacy Trap
Mark Florov argues that declining reading habits and the spread of digital misinformation are weakening the rational foundations of democracy and threatening the long-term stability of the liberal economic order. Our species is losing its ability to think rationally. Long-run socioeconomic prosperity can only be achieved by reversing this decline.
Democratisation and Social Design: Finance Across Algorithms
Francesca Beaumont discusses how short-form content is changing Gen Z’s approach towards managing personal finances.
Consumption Reset
A Crisis of Courage. How Gen Z Can Learn From Jimmy Carter’s Presidency, and How to Fight Consumerism
Sam Mackenzie examines an alarming rise in energy-intensive consumerism among Generation Z. Arguing that the next generation of global leaders must confront the culture of excess with meaningful policy and moral clarity, he draws parallels with the rhetoric of Jimmy Carter’s presidency in the late 1970s.
Dopamine Taxation: How to Regulate a Compulsive Industry
Winner of the Spring 2026 Insight Prize
William Duff explores how a tax could reduce social media addiction and its harmful side effects.
The Post-Hustle Generation
Burnout at 25: The Economic Roots of Gen Z's Quarter-life Crisis
Parthivee Mukherji examines the structural economic forces driving anxiety and burnout among young adults, arguing that what is often dismissed as generational fragility is, in fact, a measurable consequence of housing costs, shrinking graduate returns, and eroded institutional support.
From Hustle to Hesitation: Why Has Additional Effort Stopped Producing Security for Gen Z?
Arzygul Yarjanova explores the changing labour market trends that are radically shifting the attitudes away from work, education and "hustle culture" amongst Generation Z. In particular, growing financial instability, from the erosion of the graduate premium, has resulted in a shift towards a healthier work-life balance.
Inequality of Oportunity
Meritocracy – An Inherently Flawed System?
Athena Hezi examines the increasing inequality experienced by Gen-Z, arguing that rising inequality demonstrates deviation from the meritocratic ideal and that redistributive efforts may be necessary to give Gen-Z their fair share.
Debt Relief or Fiscal Folly? This House believes that student debt cancellation is economically unjustified.
Navya and Jaidev, members of the Edinburgh University Debates Union, each explore an argument regarding the economic consequences of student debt. Weighing the pros and cons while analysing multiple facets of this contentious topic.
Motivations and Consequences of Gen Z Career Choices - Brazilian Case Study
Júlia Marques explores the surge in medical enrolment in Brazil and what Gen Z's preference for medicine may mean for the country's future workforce and economic development.
Sustainable Wellbeing
When Wellness Becomes Work: The Darker Side of Gym Culture
Josie Bryan explores the commodification of the wellness industry, discussing the darker side of the wellness industry and how this impacts Gen Z connection to wellbeing and each other. Presenting us with arguments on how to improve younger generations’ relationship with exercise.
Gen Z: A Generation Beyond Growth
Taylor Cameron highlights the growing appeal of post-growth economic thought amongst Gen-Z, arguing that a paradigm shift towards this school of thought will be something necessary for people and planet.
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