Dear people everywhere,

WAKE UP.

About a week ago, beachgoers in Argentina enraged the web when they caused the death of a baby dolphin for selfies. Yes, you read that correctly. According to the Huffington Post, the crazed mob took two baby dolphins from the water to take selfies with them. At least one baby was killed in the name of selfies. The baby died rather quickly because without water, they dehydrate and overheat. Huffington Post also states that "Being out of the water -- whether stranded on land or being held up by human beings – can cause the animals’ rib cage to collapse, causing serious organ damage."

WAKE UP.

Why has something as petty and common as a selfie made people go mad? Instagramers will do almost anything for a selfie. From climbing to the peak of a mountain to a teenage girl taking a selfie at Auschwitz. Yes, some of the things are stupid and amusing, others right out questionable. But to harm a living creature for a mere picture of oneself?

WAKE UP.

John Tsilimparis of Huffington Post said that "selfies give us the luxury of depicting ourselves in the way that we desire." It's almost a psychological trend; we lust so much for the approval of others that we will stop at no end.

LOOK UP.

Look up from your phones, tablets, and computers. There is an entire world around you and you are just missing it. A few months ago while I was on a breakfast date, my boyfriend and I noticed that the family next to us was all on their phones and tablet. The mom was completely ignoring her three kids. The oldest, appearing to be in middle school, tried making conversation, but soon gave up and went back to her phone. They even ignored their poor waitress. My eighth-grade sister wrote a sonnet about the technology distractions. She is not the only one who has taken notice; award-winning winter guard Pride of Cincinnati enticed their audience with their 2014 show "Look Up."

WAKE UP.

Spend time with your family and friends. No one deserves to be replaced by a glowing screen. Instead of taking selfies, just enjoy the moment. You are not the number of likes on your picture, nor the number of followers. You are more than a fire selfie.

WAKE UP.

When will this stop? Where will it stop? How has our society become so self-absorbed that it is okay to hurt an animal for a picture? We cannot let this happen again. Something needs to change; we need to change.

So please, wake up and look up.

Yours truly,

A worried writer