Through mainstream media, high school has always been depicted as a contest of popularity, which sadly enough can be quite true. We create hierarchies based on people’s fashion, behavior, and personalities.
We often think of popular people highly, depicting them as loved by all, kind, and humorous. However I believe this is contradictory to the modern standards of popularity.
Words like “kind and compassionate” don’t exactly come to mind when we think of popular figures. Now in no way do I mean to generalize anyone, but our modern world’s class system consists of people who think they’re above others, and those who lack any sense of empathy (which I believe is an overall problem with modern society). Somehow, these disrespectful and unkind people claw their way to the top of our power systems, and develop some sort of god-complex among them and their friends. Across the internet, you can find numerous examples of this said “popular” group being a tormenting presence to anyone unlike them– further showing how those at the top of this pyramid lack consideration for others, and rather focus on themselves and their tyrannies.
It’s also common to hear many people talking of their dislike towards more popular people. Now why is this, if popularity is based on admiration? That’s because this social stratum has nothing to do with likeability of the person, but rather is based on whoever believes they are above others. It isn’t a position that is earned nor given, more like a monarchy in which this invisible crown is passed down to those who follow in their footsteps, causing this corrupt cycle to never end. I think we often wish for popularity, as it is painted as an ideal force by our peers, glamorizing a life that is the same as the one we already have. It is a useless sense of longing, for you aren’t left with many lifelong benefits.
Popularity nowadays seems to be earned through ill-sense of humor, insensitive thoughts, and disrespect towards others. Through this craving for popularity, we only further fuel the flames of egotistical thinking. However, this longing is futile, as it leads to people peaking in high school, and eventually experiencing the crushing fall as their pedestal disappears. This sort of popularity system becomes meaningless once we move on from social settings such as school. We evolve, grow, and come to the realization that this sort of power is fictitious.
Though one can get a rush of happiness from popularity, it eventually wears off, which can leave them trapped in a cycle for approval. That sort of position in power is a dwindling concept that is hard to come by. I believe that the search for popularity has harmed our sense of individuality, and forces us to conform with the crowd in the hopes that we may get a glimpse of the limelight.
In short, it’s important to remember that being on top of the school is a fruitless effort to control people and be liked, as it rarely turns out that way long-term. Be true to yourself, and keep in mind the disturbing realities of social hierarchy.
