Latest news with #CurtisMorton
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
What is 'barebacking'? A new Gen Z trend is quietly resisting the hustle culture
In a world where digital distraction is the default, Gen Z is now flipping the script with a baffling new commuting trend that's sparking curiosity — and discomfort — across public transport. It's called barebacking , and no, it's not what you think. The term has been coined to describe the practice of commuting without any technological distractions. That means no phones, no AirPods, no Kindle, not even a paperback novel. Just you, your thoughts, and the glaring awkwardness of direct eye contact with strangers. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Code of war: India and Pakistan take their battle to the (web)front Forex reserves show a pauperised Pakistan, a prospering India Pakistan conducts training launch of surface-to surface ballistic missile From 'Rawdogging' Flights to 'Barebacking' Buses The trend finds its roots in the internet's obsession with raw, undistracted living — similar to the previously viral 'rawdogging' flights trend, where travelers forego any inflight entertainment to endure the journey as-is. Now, the Gen Z workforce is taking it a step further by baring their commute in the most literal way: without a single screen to shield themselves from their surroundings. Podcaster Curtis Morton brought the term into the spotlight during a recent episode where he ranked annoying travel habits. Topping his list were these 'barebackers' who simply sit — doing nothing. 'You've done this commute a hundred times. Why are you around? Looking at me? Do something!' he exclaimed. A Digital Detox or a Distress Call? According to a report from Daily Mail , experts suggest the phenomenon is less about rebellion and more about reclaiming mental space. Career coach Amanda Augustine explains that the return to office culture has blurred the lines between work and personal time. By ditching their devices, some commuters are pushing back against the pressure to be 'on' before even clocking in. It's a quiet form of resistance — a screen detox to bookend their screen-heavy workdays. Augustine adds, 'They're using their commutes to mentally prepare for the day or decompress after it, rather than mindlessly scroll through emails or social media.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Lagos: Ju nuk do t'i besoni çmimeve të divanëve në shitje speciale të mobiljeve! Sofas | Search Ads Undo iStock By ditching their devices, some commuters are pushing back against the pressure to be 'on' before even clocking in. Awkward Silence or Empowering Stillness? Yet not everyone is comfortable with this raw engagement with reality. Fellow passengers report increased discomfort from those just... existing. With no screens or books to hide behind, the unfiltered environment can stir up social anxiety, especially in packed spaces like trains and buses. While some find the practice calming or even admirable, others, like Morton, find it unsettling — the feeling of being watched, or judged, in silence. Gen Z and the Quiet Quitting of Hustle Culture This trend also fits neatly within the larger Gen Z narrative of resisting hustle culture. Recent data from Randstad Australia shows that 42% of Gen Z workers would rather be unemployed than stuck in an unhappy job, and over half would quit if work interfered with personal joy. In that light, barebacking the commute may be less about discomfort and more about intentional disconnection — a brief rebellion against the constant noise of the modern workplace. You Might Also Like: 'Floodlighting' is the new dating trend Gen Z can't stop talking about. But why is it a red flag experts are warning against? As this peculiar habit catches on, it's stirring debate: is it an evolution toward mindfulness, or a sign of increasing alienation? Whatever side you fall on, it's clear that Gen Z isn't afraid to challenge convention — even if it means riding the bus in absolute silence, no screens, no distractions... just the raw, awkward, human experience of being present. You Might Also Like: Young MBBS professor's viral Reddit rant about Gen Z students sparks debate on classroom discipline: 'I feel annoyed, but…'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New trend where workers are ‘barebacking' their commute is leaving people baffled
Move over 'raw-dogging' and welcome 'barebacking' - although, social media users are divided over whether it's really that bad. If you type the term 'bare backers' into Twitter...? Well, take it from someone who just did and now feels like they're going to have to double check the IT department don't get the wrong idea - just don't do it. While the older meaning of the word is apparently slang for a person who engages in bare-backing - i.e. physical sexual activity without the use of a condom - another more PG meaning has since been appointed to the term. Another day, another internet trend is doing the rounds - so forget 'raw-dogging' and prepare to test yourself with a bit of PG barebacking when you next hop on a train or tube and make your way into work. On an episode of Behind The Screens Podcast - which aired last month - host Curtis Morton sat down to discuss some of his biggest icks when it comes to commuters and dubbed people who commit one particular act the 'bare backers'. When asked what on earth a so-called bare backer is, Morton said: "You've commuted enough times, why are you sitting there without a phone? Without a book? "Just looking at me, looking at what's going on." Essentially, barebacking your commute is raw-dogging your commute. And Morton's response to these dratted bare backers? "Keep yourself to yourself, read a book, listen... Just do something." However, the pet peeve has left social media users divided. One TikToker wrote: "People used to do nothing on trains all the time before cellphones were invented. let's celebrate people taking a step away from the dopamine-fueled, paranoid inducing devices in their pockets." "I agree with all except the last #1. I can't look at my phone or a book because I suffer from awful vertigo and travel sickness. I have to look ahead, but I make sure to never stare at anyone," another added. And a third wrote: "Agree with them all except the last one. Anyone who doesn't need constant stimulation from a book/phone/ipad, and can just exist in peace for 5 mins, is awesome." But what other habits made the cut in the podcast episode's 'top five worst commuter habits' and are you guilty of them? Well, others included commuters who let rip with their loudspeaker rather than respectfully plugging in headphones, people who don't let people off the carriage before trying to get on and those who get themselves in a bit of a state when approaching their stop. Relate to any?
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Gen Z now 'barebacking' their commutes in the latest bizarre social media trend for young workers
A new Gen Z commuting trend has been turning heads, and making some passengers deeply uncomfortable, as young workers go tech gadget-free on public transport. The trend in question? Doing absolutely nothing. The practice involves commuting on trains, buses and ferries without any digital distractions and is bizarrely nicknamed 'barebacking', a nod to the social media trend of going distraction free on flights, dubbed 'rawdogging'. That means no phones, no earbuds and no e-books. Even plain old books are out of the question, leaving nothing to hide behind to make make that morning commute for less awkward for all those involved . Podcaster Curtis Morton coined the term in a recent video where he and co-host James Hacking were ranking their most hated travel habits. 'Barebackers, number one,' Morton declared. A baffled Hacking asked for clarification, prompting Morton to elaborate. 'You've done this commute a hundred times. Why are you sitting there without a phone, without a book? Just looking around? Looking at me? Do something!' Experts say the post-pandemic commute has paved the way for 'barebacking', defined by the complete absence of scrolling, swiping, or digital distractions, leaving commuters alone with nothing but their thoughts and unfiltered reality ... gasp. Amanda Augustine, a certified career coach at says the rise in the strange behaviour has been driven by the rise of return to work at the office. 'Employees are expected to 'clock in' once they arrive at the office, not when they board the train,' she told Fortune. By not looking at their phones, it allows workers to forgo work done outside of hours, allowing them to reclaim their time. She also argues that it's allowing workers a screen detox, a much needed break before and after hours of looking at screens at their jobs. 'The transition back to the office is a challenging period for many commuters,' she said. 'So it's not surprising they are opting to use their commutes to mentally prepare for the day ahead or decompress after work, rather than mindlessly scroll through emails or social media.' A number of comments were left by users on the video, which echoed the sentiments of Augustine, saying they couldn't look at their screens during their commutes. 'I agree with all except number one. I can't look at my phone or a book because I suffer from awful vertigo and travel sickness,' wrote one person. 'Agree with them all except the last one. Anyone who doesn't need constant stimulation from a book/phone/ipad, and can just exist in peace for 5 mins, is awesome.' someone else commented. A recent survey revealed Gen Z workers had diffent attidues to work than older generations. Data from talent agency Randstad Australia shows that 42 per cent of Gen Z workers declared they'd rather be unemployed than stay in an unhappy job. Meanwhile, just over half, 51 per cent, would quit if work stopped them from enjoying life, and 62 per cent would walk if they didn't feel they belonged.
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Gen Z now ‘barebacking' their work commutes in bizarre new trend
Is doing absolutely nothing the hot new trend among Gen Z workers? The 'rawdogging' phenomenon has apparently gone underground, with young train-riding professionals raising eyebrows over bizarre new behaviour where they stare at their fellow commuters instead of perusing their phones — an alleged form of rebellion against return-to-office policies, the New York Post reports. Curiously dubbed 'barebacking', the NSFW-sounding practice involves forgoing all tech and either gazing into space or — even worse — making repeated, awkward eye contact with other passengers like some kind of subterranean serial killer, Fortune reported. Podcaster Curtis Morton, who coined the term, recently slammed commuters who engage in the questionable practice in a TikTok video with 100,000 views. 'You've commuted enough times,' the Brit, who co-hosts the Behind The Screens podcast, ranted in the clip. 'Why are you sitting there without a phone, without a book, just looking at me, looking at what's going on? Just do something!' Barebacking, which experts feel has been on the rise with commuters returning to public transport post-pandemic, is essentially the terrestrial equivalent of rawdogging — another baffling Gen Z behaviour. That popular pastime involves abstaining from in-flight entertainment, including movies and movies, as well as avoiding necessities such as food, water and sleep — like an ascetic in the sky. Much like 'masterdating' or 'girl dinners:, this performative-sounding practice might seem like another case of zoomers 'inventing' fads that already existed — in this case, riding the subway before the rise of smartphones. However, experts believe that the uptick in 'barebacking' could be, among other things, a way of hitting back at demanding bosses in wake of the pandemic as working from home once again becomes something of a luxury. 'Employees are expected to 'clock in' once they arrive at the office, not when they board the train,' Amanda Augustine, a certified career coach at told Fortune, adding that spacing out on the subway allows them to reclaim valuable me time. This subway-cation allows them to forgo checking emails until the moment they clock in. 'Employees may feel they are able to retain a sense of autonomy and control over their working schedule, especially since the commute forms a specific time around which to draw this boundary,' seconded psychotherapist Eloise Skinner. However, she also feels making a show about doing nothing could be a form of psychological pushback against an increased emphasis on productivity — in the wake of post-Covid return-to-office mandates and mass lay-offs. But Ms Augustine argued that barebacking could simply be a way to detox ahead of a busy day at the office, where employees will likely be glued to screens for hours on end. 'The transition back to the office is a challenging period for many commuters,' she said. 'So it's not surprising they are opting to use their commutes to mentally prepare for the day ahead or decompress after work, rather than mindlessly scroll through emails or social media.' And, unlike with rawdogging — which has been associated with dehydration, blood clots and even death due to sustained periods of sitting motionless without water — remaining still for the 40-minute subway ride can conversely benefit people's health. 'Although it's a strange sight to simply stare out of a window while travelling these days, it's certainly a great favour to your mental health,' said Tamás Bokor, an associate professor at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. He deemed 'wakeful idleness' the 'best defence against information overload' because it provides 'time to reorganise and organise thoughts rather than receive new input.' Indeed, barebacking offers a welcome respite from social media, which has been proven detrimental to people's mental health.
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
The new rawdogging? Workers are ‘barebacking' on their way to the office — and fellow commuters are furious
Is doing absolutely nothing the hot new trend among Gen Z? The 'rawdogging' phenomenon has apparently gone underground. Subway riders are raising eyebrows over an eerie new practice where they stare at their fellow commuters instead of perusing their phones — an alleged form of rebellion against return to office policies. Curiously dubbed 'barebacking,' the NSFW-sounding practice involves forgoing all tech and either gazing into space or — even worse — making awkward eye contact with other passengers like a subterranean serial killer, Fortune reported. Podcaster Curtis Morton, who coined the term, recently ripped into commuters who ride bareback in TikTok video with 100,000 views. 3 'Although it's a strange sight to simply stare out of a window while traveling these days, it's certainly a great favor to your mental health,' said Tamás Bokor, an associate professor at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. Getty Images/iStockphoto 'You've commuted enough times,' the Brit, who cohosts the 'Behind The Screens' podcast, ranted in the clip. 'Why are you sitting there without a phone, without a book, just looking at me, looking at what's going on? Just do something!' Barebacking, which experts feel has been on the rise with commuters returning to the subway post-pandemic, is essentially the terrestrial equivalent of the similarly NSFW-sounding rawdogging. The popular Gen Z pastime involves abstaining from in-flight entertainment, including movies and movies, as well as avoiding necessities such as food, water and sleep — like an ascetic in the sky. Much like 'masterdating' or 'girl dinners,' this performative-sounding practice might seem like another case of zoomers 'inventing' fads that already existed — in this case, riding the subway before 2010. 3 A barebacker stares into space on the subway. Getty Images However, experts believe that the uptick in 'barebacking' could be, among other things, a form of rebellion against demanding bosses and return-to-office mandates in wake of the pandemic. 'Employees are expected to 'clock in' once they arrive at the office, not when they board the train,' Amanda Augustine, a certified career coach at told Fortune, adding that spacing out on the subway allows them to reclaim valuable me time. This subway-cation allows them to forgo checking emails until the moment they clock in. 'Employees may feel they are able to retain a sense of autonomy and control over their working schedule, especially since the commute forms a specific time around which to draw this boundary,' seconded psychotherapist Eloise Skinner. However, she also feels this could be a form of pushback against the increased emphasis on productivity following the post-COVID return-to-office mandates and mass layoffs. 3 Riding bareback has increased as commuters flock back to the subway post-pandemic. Maria Sbytova – But Augustine argued that barebacking could simply be a way to detox ahead of a busy day at the office, where employees will likely be glued to screens for hours on end. 'The transition back to the office is a challenging period for many commuters,' she said. 'So it's not surprising they are opting to use their commutes to mentally prepare for the day ahead or decompress after work, rather than mindlessly scroll through emails or social media.' And, unlike with rawdogging — which has been associated with dehydration, blood clots and even death due to sustained periods of sitting motionless without water — remaining still for the 40-minute subway ride can conversely benefit people's health. 'Although it's a strange sight to simply stare out of a window while traveling these days, it's certainly a great favor to your mental health,' said Tamás Bokor, an associate professor at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. He deemed 'wakeful idleness' the 'best defense against information overload' because it provides 'time to reorganize and organize thoughts rather than receive new input.' Indeed, barebacking offers a welcome respite from social media, which has been proven detrimental to people's mental health. An August poll of 2,000 Gen Z social media users found that nearly half of Zoomers suffer from either anxiety or depression — and that these bad feelings begin within 38 minutes of scrolling. Respondents attributed these negative emotions to consuming upsetting content, feeling unproductive with how they spent their time and/or experiencing FOMO. Of course, barebackers should practice moderation even when doing absolutely nothing. 'If someone always checks out during their commute and never uses that time to plot out their day or connect with others, they could feel more scattered or fall behind at the office,' cautioned Augustine. Other experts advised to make sure that their barebacking skews more towards a mental reset rather than simply trying to block out pressing issues. 'The question is, Am I connected to the present moment, helping my mind recharge?' said Kussai El-Chichakli, a coach at the business university WU Executive Academy in Vienna, Austria.'Or am I avoiding thoughts about work, which may actually cost me energy and hint to deeper, unresolved dynamics?
