Perks And Drawbacks Of Popularity

Popularity is sought out by many around the world, from certain high schoolers to celebrities and social media influencers. Some people prefer to stay out of the limelight. These are not those people.

It’s not impossible to see why someone would want to gain popularity. You’re loved by plenty of people and gain opportunities if you’re popular. Here are some advantages and disadvantages.

Perk: Self-Esteem Boost

As a popular person, you have many fans by nature. They fawn over your existence and enjoy your creations.

This external validation boosts the self-esteem of several popular people worldwide. If some leave to perhaps enjoy a competitor, others will come and become loyal fans. That’s just the nature of a famous person.

Plus, you might gain access to more connections than you would if you weren’t well known. Connections are powerful. They allow one access to support and resources. If these resources are financial - it’s often even better for your ego!

Drawback: Increased Pressure

There is a flip side to the effect on self-esteem: increased social pressure.

You’ve got to follow the right set of hidden guidelines. Wear the perfect clothes when out and about. Work hard to stay in the spotlight. Be in-the-know about everything relevant, because God forbid you be out of the loop.

If you mess up one bit in front of the wrong people? Your reputation could go crashing down in flames. Key word: the wrong people. Fans don’t tend to take nobodies with sketchy evidence seriously.

Nonetheless, it’s not all sunshine and roses.

Perk: Speaking Of Resources…

Practical resources gained from popularity may include job opportunities, money, and knowledge. These aren’t just good for one’s happiness. They also have tangible uses.

Take money, for example. We live in societies where money makes them go round. Capitalist or communist, it doesn’t matter. The rich elites are always in charge and favour other wealthy elites.

As a result, quite a few necessities are expensive. These include things like good housing [1]. In addition, health add-ons like therapy are not free [2]. When you have money, though? There’s less of a problem for you.

Depending on how you become popular, you could have a good portfolio to show to a prospective employer. Or you might become a well known freelancer. These are also great opportunities to earn money.

Finally, knowledge is power. Insider knowledge can be traded, sold, and/or even just shared to help people. Heard of data brokers? Exposé makers? Certain types of journalists? There’s a whole host of humans who rely on new and/or obscure knowledge to do their jobs.

Drawback: Being Overwhelmed

Even ignoring all these other factors, sometimes popularity can be just a lot to take in.

Once upon a time, most popular people outside of previously famous families were nobodies. They lived quiet lives. Perhaps rather boring ones, but there’s a sense of stability often absent in more well-known lives. Some wish every once in a while to regain that.

Even if it’s positive, having a ton of attention placed on you may very well be overwhelming. And while high school popularity fades once school is done, celebrity status never truly goes away. There’s hardly any turning back for the latter.

You can delete your accounts from the Internet. Change your identity by going into witness protection.

But as long as you become famous at one point in your life, people’s collective memories as a whole about you will never completely fade away. Your past self may always follow you in your heart.

…

What other perks or drawbacks can you think of?

Let me know in the comments!

Sources

1: Berry, Craig. “Why Is Housing So Expensive? Becoming a Homeowner in This Market.” The Mortgage Reports, 19 February 2024, https://themortgagereports.com/110512/why-is-housing-so-expensive. Accessed 24 May 2024.

2: Lauretta, Ashley, and Alena Hall. “How Much Does Therapy Cost In 2024? – Forbes Health.” Forbes, 15 May 2024, https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/how-much-does-therapy-cost/. Accessed 24 May 2024.

Medium version: https://medium.com/@SnarkyLisa/perks-and-drawbacks-of-popularity-27479e70c126

Other Socials

Twitter/X: https://x.com/snarkylisa

Main Tumblr: https://snarkylisa.tumblr.com/