Pigeons have become Gen Z’s newest anti-algorithm symbol. The birds, once dismissed as “street rats,” are getting a surprising rebrand, as young people are finding plenty of reasons to defend, appreciate, and even obsess over the city dwellers. Across social media, pigeon content is everywhere, from memes and poems to wedding cakes, ASMR videos, and even TikToks using the birds as a litmus test for empathy. There’s even a new app, Carrier Pidge, that lets users send messages to friends at “pigeon speed”—110 mph. With AI running rampant (seeing a theme here in YDU?), much of pigeons’ appeal to Gen Z lies in the fact that these birds represent almost the complete opposite: slower communication, real-world connection, and a reminder of the natural world. But, of course, there’s some irony in the fact that tech is helping fuel Gen Z’s newfound obsession. (Dazed)
