Disliking popular things just because they’re popular doesn’t mean you’re morally or intellectually superior, it just earns you the reputation of being a frustrating contrarian
Whenever something becomes popular, there are a few naysayers prepared to criticize it. From larger complaints to minor nitpicks, certain individuals always seem to be ready to bash the latest trend.
This is nothing new. Take Entertainment Weekly’s list describing 10 reasons why “you” hate Twilight, including such critiques as “vampires shouldn’t sparkle” and “Robert Pattinson’s just not that cute.”
If it seems like these writers are grasping at straws, that’s because they are. The truth is, there’s something intrinsically enjoyable about opposing the majority. It might provide the satisfaction of freedom or release, while in some cases, it allows the contrarian a feeling of ideological superiority. If the majority seems to be enjoying something yet one individual stands against it, that person may feel that they are more knowledgeable on the subject than those who they believe are too easily influenced. This mentality meant the birth of the word “sheeple,” a term meant to describe those who engage in herd mentality rather than thinking for themselves.
In reality, consistent defiance doesn’t make the contrarian appear more intelligent, it just displays their arrogance and inherent unwillingness to partake in social norms.
This isn’t to say that it’s always wrong to oppose popular opinion. Sharing different thoughts is important, and every voice is ultimately valuable. Unique perspectives can help foster conversation and share new thoughts worth consideration. The difference lies in people who feel an air of superiority through their refusal to enjoy anything popular.
There is science behind this mentality. The Guardian lists several reasons that might cause someone to stand against a majority, such as group polarization or a desire for rebellion.
Part of the issue lies in those who desire to take enjoyment away from others. Feeling superior in an opinion might bring about the will to inform others why they are wrong to enjoy a certain subject, or how they are too easily influenced by what’s societally popular at a given time.
The phrase “let people enjoy things” may have started as a meme derived from a webcomic, but there is truth within the sentiment. Some have twisted the phrase in an attempt to negate legitimate criticism; but when applied in the appropriate context, it becomes a message that contrarians could stand to learn from.
Enjoying popular things doesn’t make you basic, boring or unintelligent. Thinking for yourself is certainly important, but if your own thinking leads you to enjoyment of a societal trend, there is nothing to be ashamed of.
Unsurprisingly, the internet is a fantastic place to find those who enjoy complaining since there are plenty of contrarians able to fuel their collective fire. Observe this Quora thread originally posted by a web-surfer wanting to know why TikTok is “so cringy”. Chances are that this person already knows why they dislike TikTok, but they hope to see opinions from others who share their annoyance – and they’d become quite satisfied in this regard.
“It’s full of dumb dances, stupid trends [and] dangerous challenges,” responds one user. “The people on there have nothing to do besides post good for nothing content.” Take note of this comment’s insulting tone. This is not a genuine critique on TikTok, it is an attack on the platform’s creators simply because they are fun to hate.
What the contrarian doesn’t realize is that they are only harming their own experience. Attacking something just because it’s popular doesn’t mean that public perception will be successfully swayed, but it does mean that the complainer will not experience the joy and togetherness of sharing a common interest with a group. Rather, through their insistent self-isolation, the contrarian puts themselves at the ironic risk of garnering a negative reputation for themselves.
Standing against a public opinion is certainly valid when a personal conclusion is drawn from critical thinking. When a person complains about a popular trend due to an insistence on defiance, however, they only open themselves up to criticism in the process.