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In our daily lives, we sometimes commit actions that we are not proud of. While these actions may not necessarily define who we are, they could, according to a recent trend, make us lose “aura points.” So, be careful with your every move, because they could affect your “coolness” according to TikTok.
Texted your ex in the middle of the night? That’s 1,000 aura points gone. Helped someone carry their groceries? Congratulations, you’ve earned 1,000 aura points. As you can see, it’s now possible to measure your charisma using an aura point system. According to this theory, every good deed earns you points, while every misstep loses them. The higher your score, the more charismatic you are perceived as. This concept, popularized by TikTok users, has recently exploded on social media. According to a report from Wall Street Journal, Posts with the hashtag #aurapoints increased by 378% between May and June.
Originally, the aura is a concept that comes from spiritual practices. It represents an invisible emanation or atmosphere that emanates from a person, often perceived as a halo of different colors, reflecting their emotional, mental and spiritual state. This notion has recently been diverted by Internet users to become a playful indicator of “coolness”.
It all started with an article from the New York Times which evoked a Liverpool football player. Despite his repeated mistakes, his “aura” seemed to protect him from criticism. On the networks, this concept was quickly taken up and diverted with humor.
On TikTok, Gen Z shares countless stories about earning and losing aura points. These points are usually awarded for casual or confident behavior. Of course, this counting system is far from serious. For example, you lose 1,000 points if you fail to open a restaurant dooror if you trip in public. On the other hand, score a strike in bowling from an armchair earns you 10,000 points, as it demonstrates your confidence and charisma.
Sometimes users invite others to guess how many aura points they lost for specific actions. internet user for example, asked how many points she lost by dying her hair blonde to please her ex. The comments quickly turned into a heated debate about concessions made for love.
Feeling good in your body, feeling good in your head!
A love for astrology
According to Julian Baggini, philosopher and co-founder of Philosophers’ Magazine, this trend reflects Generation Z’s interest in astrology and other cosmic belief systems.There’s a kind of zeitgeist around karma and energy right now, which is why they express it in terms of aura.,” he says in an article in Guardian. “It’s ironic, but it’s also become a kind of contemporary code of honor..”
Indeed, trends related to astrological signs and love compatibility have multiplied in recent years on social networks. Paul Blaschko, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, also quoted by The Guardian, compares aura points to a form of moral recognition. According to him, each good action could potentially compensate for future bad decisions.These concepts allow to judge a person’s status using a game-like system and to invite others to comment and criticize these actions.,” he adds.
At an age when self-confidence is still developing, teens and young adults are constantly looking for ways to measure their worth, whether it’s in terms of intelligence, charisma, or attractiveness. But how many aura points would Gen Z gain if they stopped caring about what others think?
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