Are we losing our ability to communicate with real substance and professionalism because we are trying too hard to speak in 5-second internet memes?

An Australian church recently went viral after giving its traditional outdoor billboard a massive Gen Z makeover, plastering phrases like "Let Jesus Cook" across the sign to catch the attention of younger passersby. While it started as a quirky way for a traditional institution to get noticed, it has ignited a massive global conversation about how older generations, corporate marketing departments, and legacy brands are aggressively adopting internet slang ("no cap," "rizz," "demure") to stay relevant.

  • Then: Authority figures and traditional institutions maintained a distinct, professional distance. Brands, corporate offices, and institutions spoke in formal, polished language to establish trust, respect, and credibility.
  • Now: The lines between corporate marketing and internet meme culture have completely dissolved. Major corporations, government entities, and traditional spaces are trying to "speak fluent internet" to get clicks and appeal to the younger demographic.
  • The Shift: We are shifting away from structured, formal communication toward hyper-casual, algorithm-driven internet speak. But it raises a massive question about where the line sits between being genuinely relatable and completely forced.