Let’s admit that calling someone “basic” is an insult. But why? When you say someone is basic, you’re essentially saying they like things that lots of other people like — and what’s wrong with that?

Being different from everybody doesn’t mean being any better. While I applaud the spirit of not being afraid to stand out, there is no intrinsic good in it. Likewise, there is no intrinsic virtue in going with the crowd. These two lifestyles are totally morally unattached.

It’s easy for people to think that if they are different from others, they are better. They’re all doing it one way, and I’m doing it another, so since I am so bold and original enough to do it differently, I must be doing it better! In reality, the only significant difference is that thinking you’re better than someone because you don’t like "Stranger Things," in fact, makes you worse. "Stranger Things" is a great show and you're missing out. It’s won 5 Emmys and has been nominated for 13 more, no small feat. If it’s massively popular with fans and with TV critics who are probably much smarter than us then why would liking it be bad? The same goes for "Grey’s Anatomy," "Friends," and just about every other popular show.

This brings up a larger point, that popular things are usually popular for a reason. L.L.Bean boots became so popular because they’re very high quality and are built to last a lifetime. Starbucks has been so enduring because they offer a delicious variety of handsome-looking drinks. Also, those semicolon tattoos may be overused at this point but you can't deny the reason behind them is pretty cool.

So what’s wrong with liking the likable?

When being basic is considered bad, usually, the only logical reason given to justify that is that basic people can’t form their own opinions. They just go along with everything and let the mainstream dictate everything they like and don’t like.

Essentially, they are told what to think and accept it readily. However, of course, no one is really like this. That would be some impossible extreme; Plato’s theoretical form of a basic girl.

It’s easy to see a girl wearing an oversized sweater or a guy in a golf polo and immediately judge them, placing them into a category beneath you. In reality, every person is a person and has their own opinions, and sometimes most of those opinions are shared by many others. But in a country so divided, is it so bad for us all to agree on things as innocuous as taste in music and fashion? It’s a cliche but we need to treat people as human beings with dignity and not as some mindless stereotype.

To be honest, I feel bad for those people who think they’re better than others because they’re not basic. These people are just unhappy and unhappy people always seem to think that the key to being happy is to make happy people unhappy. Let so-called basic people enjoy what makes them happy. Just because you can’t get any joy out of what they like doesn’t make you special. The more things you like, the happier you will be.

So, instead of bringing others down to feel good about yourself, how about you make yourself feel better, let go of all pretense and admit that Camila Cabello’s songs are really really catchy.