Aura you kidding? The concept of an aura, traditionally associated with spiritual and mystical beliefs, has evolved into a modern social currency among Generation Z. The aura points trend involves involves a point system used to gauge someone’s “cool factor”. The term “aura” represents a quantifiable metric of social value.
What are ‘Aura’ points?
In this new context, the aura is no longer just a luminous radiation indicative of one’s spiritual state. It is a measure of social interactions and achievements. For example, Philip Lindsay, a middle school math teacher in Arizona, noted how his students started using terms like “max aura” or “max APs” to describe positive social interactions and accomplishments in mundane tasks. The idea is that one’s aura can be increased or decreased based on their actions, making it a dynamic and influential social currency.
The concept has also been linguistically adapted. Instead of saying someone “has an aura,” it’s common to say someone “has aura” or is “giving aura.” This subtle linguistic shift reflects how deeply the concept has been ingrained in Gen Z’s social interactions.
It’s all over social media
The trend gained significant traction on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. Influencer Hina Sabatine highlighted that having a “really good aura” can translate into online popularity and influence. This was evidenced by the 378% increase in TikTok posts with the hashtag #aurapoints from May to June. Major brands like Crocs and Netflix have also embraced the trend. They use it it to engage with younger audiences and market their products. For instance, Crocs posted a video promoting their jibbitz charms as a way to earn “infinite positive aura points.”
TikTok users have also utilized the trend to share personal and sometimes traumatic experiences, framing them in terms of aura points gained or lost. This reflects the trend’s dual nature. While it can be a lighthearted way to assess social interactions, it also serves as a platform for deeper personal expression.
In summary, the aura points system has become a significant part of Gen Z culture, blending traditional concepts with modern social dynamics to create a unique and engaging way to measure social value.
