Th e E l o c u t i o n i s t
er, many things that come with popularity can ruin someone’s life and be incredibly self destructive. For example, the YouTuber Nikocado Avocado, who has become popular due to his muckbang videos where people eat food and talk to the camera, making him gain an incredible amount of weight in a short amount of time. His detrimental weight gain and subsequent gain in popularity has caused his mental and physical health to plument. Nikocado Avocado is quoted by Insider in saying that he would “always want attention” and that he “wanted the spotlight”. Nikocado Avocado continued to make videos for attention even though he broke three ribs due to overeating. Nikocado Avocado’s internet fame has also caused marital stress with his husband and Nikocado Avocado is often seen breaking down into tears and having meltdowns on camera for attention. Nikocado Avocado planned on taking a break from YouTube but was unable to cut off his addiction to internet fame. Nikocado Avocado’s story is incredibly sad and illustrates how popularity can ruin someone’s entire life (Nikocado Avocado is only 28 by the way). Instagram, Tik Tok, and other social media platforms will cause many to do incredibly stupid things in persuit of popularity, often ruining thier own and others lives. Eating disorders are only one example of many of the self destructive tendencies that social media propagates. Internet fame and popularity may be an incredibly fun and profitable venture but many of the risks and effects make it “overrated.” Overall, popularity can be harmful and is ‘overrated’ by demonstrating a certain “way” people should live, halting personal growth and discovery. There aren’t benefits to devoting your life to fitting into a mold of expectations that society sets with popularity. Popularity develops phycological issues towards mental health. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the realm of popularity or out of it. It is ‘overrated’ and degrading, making it meaningless to society. 294
