If you have gone your whole life disliking coconuts, expressing your hatred of coconuts, and teasing people who like coconuts, it doesn’t make sense that you now, all of a sudden, think coconuts are the greatest fruit in the world simply because they have become popular.

I have been on the receiving end of this phenomenon recently, in tandem with the release of “Stranger Things” season 5. As I’m writing this, I am listening to my greatest pride and joy: my nearly four-hour long Oldies playlist (give it a listen, I dare you). 

I pride myself for not being one to succumb to peer pressure. Although I still get the occasional “divorced dad music” comment, It doesn’t affect me too much. I just put on my Billy Joel and ignore it. 

Throughout “Stranger Things” (although particularly in season 5), there have been some amazing 80’s needle drops. As much as I love how people are finally appreciating the greatness of this time period musically, I feel that it is unfair. Why should they get to enjoy something they had previously bashed?

All of a sudden, listening to “Purple Rain,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Fernando,” “Heroes,” etc. has become cool. Let’s be honest for a minute, it was only a few months ago that it was “so funny” that my Spotify Wrapped age was 78. I can guarantee that given a few months, the “Stranger Things” craze will die down and “divorced dad music” will go back to being uncool. 

It’s not just with television either. In 2022 when Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” came out, it was not widely popular outside of her fanbase. But lo and behold, when an opportunity arises to attend a three-hour long concert with your friends, suddenly everyone loves Taylor Swift. 

In no way am I saying that people’s opinions can’t change. I’m also not trying to say that people plot to go against their previous beliefs when something new enters the spotlight. 

Humans are pack animals. We, by nature, are attracted to others and other’s actions. And in a time where we are exposed to more people’s opinions than ever before, it is close to impossible to not at all be influenced by them at all. 

Everything around us — social media, classmates, teachers, friends, family — has influenced our opinions and beliefs. So it makes sense that if something is popular within your circle, you, as a pack animal, would instinctively pick up on it.

Think about the clothes you wear and even how you speak. I can almost guarantee you use different words than your grandparents. Seriously, when was the last time you heard them say ‘lowkirkenuinely.’ 

Everyone has their own unique style that is true to who they are. By switching up and going back and forth on your opinion of someone else’s style, you are degrading something that makes them, them. A good way to avoid this: don’t hate in the first place. 

Your opinion isn’t right. Neither is mine. No one’s is. So why waste effort trying to prove something that there is no way of proving?

Each opinion represented in The Panther Press is the view and voice of the writer. Opinions, as the selection and curation of content by the editors, do not represent the views of the entire Panther Press staff, the adviser, the school, or the administration.