How often do you hear an incredibly sensationalized opinion? Was it real life or on social media? Any time a new movie, book, TV show, etc. comes out, you hear how there is apparently not a single redeeming quality about it. Personally I am utterly over the trend of negativity for negativity’s sake. It’s always “Kendrick sucks” this and “Drake sucks” that.
While I am sure this has probably been an issue for a while, the invention of social media brought about a wave of negativity with it about quite literally any possible topic. Sometimes it’s targeted towards a person who expresses that they enjoy things. Other times it is an attempt to “rage bait,” or bait someone into a heated response.
Especially since COVID it seems like more people forgo activities they enjoy. Rather, they put all their energy into what they don’t enjoy. Obviously, this is ridiculous to do. Why would anyone dedicate time towards going out of their way to beat others with their displeasure of something rather than just finding what it is that they do enjoy?
Even when someone isn’t attempting to anger anyone else with a sensationalized opinion, there is still the problem of people treating their opinion, an inherently subjective thing, as objective. Of course, there are times and places that objectivity can happen. If a work of art utterly goes against what that medium or style stands for, such as A.I. “art,” then it would not be crazy to deem such a thing worthless. Another example would be if something was made entirely for the point of being exclusionary or hateful.
But what I am largely referring to here, works of art, cannot so easily be deemed “good” or “bad.” For example, a song that might seem like pure noise or “mumbling” to one person can entirely be to another person’s taste. Everyone has their proclivities and it is entirely pointless to try to force yours on another person. A better use of your time will always be to discuss what you do enjoy with others who similarly enjoy it.
Of course, you’re entitled to express a negative opinion if it is topically relevant or you are launching the conversation. But it is important to (A) avoid seeking out negativity and (B) avoid pretending your one opinion is the be-all and end-all of a work’s worth. Honestly, everyone would probably be happier if they just vibed out to what they enjoyed instead of feeling the need to tell everyone their unprompted, sensationalized opinion of everything they don’t enjoy.
