Opinions #1:

2019/12/15

I, as a human being, have an acute social nature. It feels natural to be with my fellow man. Having time to myself is also nice, however it is not a state that I would enjoy being perpetuated in. I firmly believe that many, if not all, of man all through history and through all of the unpredictable future seek companionship. I firmly believe that the effects of mutual trust between humans is an almost tangible asset, that many people in the world lack. That is where the point of this opinion piece will come in:

The human known as “me” is one of billions, however we all think that “I” am unique. That “I” am the one that stands out. Every single day, whether consciously or subconsciously, we seek affirmations of our uniqueness; like a faint gasp in a sea of ubiquitous pleas. It’s only natural: I find that I cannot morally condemn those who do more “gasping” than others, unless I ask to be seen as a hypocrite. I do have fears and prejudices for this growing population of attention-seekers, although I cannot put my finger on the stark reasoning that they possess in their minds to take such action. As such, I cannot simply point left or right. It is a subject worth talking about however, as anything in excess is morally bankrupt in it’s own right.

Seeking validation comes in many forms. Social media has lifted this want to new heights, allowing many to pursue a lifestyle around popularity. Some may say that this is a bad thing, that excessive publication of personal lives is immoral or virtuously brain dead. However, this post will not be agreeing with those vocal netizens. In fact I would argue that it is a good thing; I believe that having a voice in trying times is invaluable. Imagine a butterfly without wings, or a fish without fins. Humans, without social commentary on themselves specifically will be a kin to a moral noodle. I feel that having criticism from all perspectives is just as important as learning from all perspectives, because humans without cognitional judgement is simply a bag of flesh.

There are negatives to social media however, and it is in the complete opposite direction of my previous points. Being popular online means attributing your persona to the largest audience, hence the definition of popular. While right or wrong does not play a role, it is easy to see that playing to the basics of human cognition is the most simple method to building a following. An example is the term foodie: used as a personable tag, foodie as a term seems very lackluster in terms of depth. Humans must strive for the happiness and well-being of themselves and their circle, while food is a literal foundation of being alive. Being the mixing cauldron that the psyche is, it is no wonder that the two will form a connection in the precinct of the mind. Therefore, tagging oneself as such seems redundant, and cannot be seen as anything more than a ploy to grab attention. There are many such examples, so determine for yourself whether someone is of real note or just pandering to the masses.

Concluding this post is a self reflection in regards to the voice that anyone can do: Is what I am saying coherent? Is what I am saying interesting? Is what I am saying useful? Is what I am saying unique to me? Checking all these boxes will already put you at a higher standard than average. Dignity and reputation matter, after all: being seen as one of the agreeable masses is boring and leaves no discernible weaknesses. Weakness is just a step to strength, one should be careful not to be the meek and the lesser-willed.