We've all heard it. We've all hated it (well, mostly). Now that it's comfortably behind us (that was so 2012), we can take a closer look at why so many people embraced the YOLO philosophy - and why maybe it's not so stupid after all.
YOLO itself first gained popularity after the 2011 song "The Motto" by Drake, but the concept has been around for centuries. Songs, stories, and poems have been inspired by the idea. "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" the poet Mary Oliver asks. From the Romans (carpe diem) to Nike (Just Do It), we have been obsessed with the idea of plunging in and living life to the fullest.
YOLO seems to embody the "teenage spirit" - this is your one chance, it seems to say, to do the things you always dreamed of doing. It's a way to justify taking risks and going crazy, all wrapped up with a neat little hashtag on top. Always dreamed of getting a tattoo? YOLO. Wanted to do graffiti? YOLO. Partying, drinking, whatever you want, YOLO is your excuse. Aspiring rapper Ervin McKinness took this to heart, tweeting "Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #F-kIt YOLO" just minutes before the car crashed, killing the five men inside.
Understandably, YOLO has earned its fair share of criticism. This study suggests that, since teenagers are more likely to make poor decisions when others are present,"[using social media and the YOLO hashtag] almost artificially creates the presence of an audience because you sort of assume your actions are on display."
But is this YOLO's fault, or it just along for the ride? People have always done irresponsible things - YOLO is just a convenient hashtag. Maybe it provides an easier way for them to justify their actions, but it's not responsible for them.
To me, YOLO is a way of encouraging people to put themselves out there, to spend less time worrying and more time living. You do only live once, so you should make your life a good one.
At first glance, YOLO appears to be going the way of totes adorbz and the XD face - that is to say, an unforgivable offense. But the concept behind the acronym, the idea of living freely with no regrets? That's timeless.
~Maya
Touché, Maya.
ReplyDeleteIn my youthier days, Carpe Diem was THE tattoo to get. I must say, it has way more clout than YOLO! Latin wins over acronyms, any day! Thanks for the reminder to embrace life, but to do so with some awareness and discernment, so that you can continue to embrace life for many more years to come!
ReplyDeleteGreat post - you've got me thinking! Live as if YOLO, but remember that though you can choose your actions, you cannot choose the consequences of those actions. Natural law controls that.
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