Don't Let A Good Reputation Ruin Your Life.
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Don't Let A Good Reputation Ruin Your Life.

We are sacrificing what makes us unique so that we can join the worthless masses of selfies with non-inspiring inspirational quotes.

60
Don't Let A Good Reputation Ruin Your Life.
Wikimedia Commons

In my last article, I offhandedly burned an entire subset of the population--Instagram users--for caring too much about what other people think. I submitted that article feeling pretty good about myself because, let's face it, I'm pretty freaking hilarious.

On a now-unrelated-but-will-soon-be-revealed-to-be-related note, I just completed George Eliot's 1860 novel "The Mill on the Floss" for my English class (spoiler: they die), and I noticed something pretty troubling about it.

The classist undertones (shoutout to Cards Against Humanity for the expert terminology) relate very closely to what is happening today, and I'm not even talking about the obvious class system. I'm talking about social media.

Not to sound like a grandma or a bad journalism student, but social media has way too much power over our daily lives. I used the word "our" in the previous sentence because I am most definitely part of the problem--I'm constantly on Twitter checking out fresh memes. But that's beside the specific point I'm trying to make:

One's reputation is the most important thing they have, and that reputation is so easily changed by poor decisions that we all have to waste all our time building them up in preparation for the inevitable.

That's why Maggie, the rebellious, passionate protagonist in "Mill," constantly feels the need to be more feminine and to act more refined and, yes, boring. If there's one thing I learned from the novel and the seemingly endless class discussions, it's that status in society means more than happiness.

Fast forward to 2K17, and the fundamentals of the world haven't changed much. The world still values social placement over family, stability, and whatever else is actually solidly good. If there's one thing I learned from being a millennial, it's that status in society means more than happiness.

But why? Think about it: someone made a website called Facebook and the world turned upside-down. We are sacrificing what makes us unique so that we can join the worthless masses of selfies with non-inspiring inspirational quotes.

If I told you that your life would be infinitely better if you would just delete Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and whatever else the kids are using these days; if I told you that real life conversations are somehow better than iMessage games; if I told you that you were poisoning yourself every day, would you stop?

I urge all of you to do one simple thing: turn on your best streaming device and open up your friend's Netflix that you're leeching off of. Type in "Black Mirror" and go to season 3 episode 1: "Nosedive."

Yeah, I just gave you a rant about how terrible technology can be and then requested you watch a TV show. Trust me on this one--you'll really enjoy it, and I find that it will complete my argument sufficiently and excellently.

Don't let a good reputation ruin your life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45315
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28656
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953210
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

160111
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments