Does it not feel like, lately, there’s an inordinate amount of pressure to do things that you don’t want to do?
Take the infamous ‘Neknominations’ for example; an online drinking game where someone is filmed doing something daring while drinking at the same time, and then tags two friends to one-up them in the next 24 hours. People recognize the ridiculously juvenile and potentially dangerous nature of such a game, but there are still thousands of new YouTube and Facebook videos being posted daily as more and more people are caving to the social pressure of participating in this drinking game.
And as a quick aside, since when did binge drinking and doing ridiculous things whilst inebriated become a phenomenon? As if the photo evidence and embarrassingly candid drunk-texts that happened prior to Neknominations weren’t enough, now there’s online video evidence of your general haphazardness for all prospective employers to take note of.
Valentine’s Day is another prime example of people fearing the social stigmas they may face if they don’t participate in the Hallmark manufactured holiday. I’m sure many of us have scoffed at the absurdity of spending money on our significant other just because it’s Feb. 14. Despite this, the restaurants will be full, the prices of roses will climb, and people will struggle to find meaning on this day of forced lavish love.
Humanity enjoys being a participant in the lowest common denominators, as proven by binge drinking and needless spending on heart-shape chocolate and jewellery. Anybody anywhere can chug (neck) a beer whilst trudging through snowbanks. Anybody can go to a jeweler and pick the first infinity necklace they see. It takes no thought, no ingenuity, and no creativity – just the pack-mentality of a zombie horde and a will to get out of bed in the morning.
Yes, we all scoff, but we all participate in some manner.
There are the detractors though. There are people out there who have made right of being Neknominated and saw it as an opportunity to help someone in need, donate to a charity, or put a smile on the face of someone who is down on their luck.
Likewise, there are the detractors that take the stigma Valentine’s Day forces upon us, and they do something unordinary and thoughtful: A hand-in-hand walk through the snowy woods, preparing their partner’s favourite meal, a handmade card expressing one’s endearment, the watching of someone’s favourite movie, perhaps – anything but the ordinary, expensive, and downright cheesy.
The lowest common denominators will always persist, and segments of society will continually express their discontent with the fad’s fifteen minutes of fame. It’s futile, though. If you are bothered by the stigmas society provides, then make lemonade!
Does anybody remember the Harlem Shake phenomenon that happened in Guelph last year? I do, but no one is making those damn videos any longer – good riddance!
Does anyone care that you can’t Dougie?
Is anybody still looking for Kony?
Granted, there is a degree of righteousness, however mislead and ineffective, that makes political movements different than the aforementioned necking of beers – but they’re fads nevertheless.
Yes, popular society will continue to generate a lot of retweets, favourites, Thumbs up, and likes, and to the detractors, this can be frustrating. But rest assured that as quickly as a phenomenon blows up one day, it’ll be gone the next.
As for holidays like Valentine’s Day (which will still be making young couples across the world cringe with disdain until the end of time), think of it as an opportunity to get creative and think outside the box. Use the opportunity to start something new, like a yearly tradition, so while the rest of the world panics to find a last minute trinket to express their boxed and bowtied love, you and your significant other can happily accompany one another in a yearly intimacy, unique to just yourselves, on Feb. 14.
And if this plea for ingenious lemonade making falls on deaf ears, at least ask for a sober second opinion on the merits of stomaching a 26 oz of vodka in one gulp like some hell-bent frat boy at an initiation ceremony.
Have a heartwarming Valentine’s Day, and if you receive one, try using your Neknomination to make the world a slightly better place this reading week.