Opinion/Entertainment
Editor: Matt Milsop
'BookTok' and the influence of reading through social media
Living in a world consumed by social media, everyone around us and ourselves included is in a constant state of being influenced. Every post we see on our feed affects us in some way; whether it be in terms of entertainment or education, we are always looking towards media for a way of knowing the "next big thing." One of the most popular social media apps, TikTok, is an apparent source of media for many people to use in today’s tech era. It’s a source of comical entertainment, cooking videos, and even controversial topic discussion, but the most recent endeavor with the app has been navigating the world of reading.
Recently the term "BookTok" seems to have taken the world by storm, but for some, the simple play on words might be an unfamiliar term so what exactly is “BookTok”? According to an article done by NBC News, "BookTok" is a community of users on TikTok who post videos reviewing and recommending books, which has boomed in popularity over the past year." Through TikTok’s 1-3 minute videos, a collective group of people have seemed to build a safe space for book lovers everywhere. The simple “BookTok” hashtag is a one-way ticket into a sort of digitally formed book club.
This idea of online community groups collectively talking about a topic isn't a new idea, but this aspect of reading gaining more popularity among the Gen Z age group is a concept that is important in today’s time. With Gen Z, there has been and continues to be a constant stigma of social media leading to a degraded intelligence, but it’s important to realize the knowledge that can be spread through the influence of social media. With "BookTok" the concept of genuinely reading and enjoying literature is having a growing impact on some people that might have slipped away from enjoying the world of books.
TikTok isn't the only social media influencing reading. Influencers also have a huge impact on the hobbies that their followers become attracted to. For example, popular YouTube vlogger and fashion influencer Emma Chamberlain has encouraged the idea of reading to her millions of followers multiple times. In one of her podcast episodes titled "We Need to Read Books", Emma goes through her developing love of reading and the way it has helped her with her mental health.
Overall social media continues to be a huge and impactful source of influence in today’s era. "BookTok" is simply another part of this world, but with the influence of reading, it is more important than ever. Influencers being able to encourage harmless hobbies and create a desired "aesthetic" for fans to aspire to relate to is also developing a larger interest in the world of reading. Next time you log on to TikTok you might just find yourself being on the same side as “BookTok” or you might even unknowingly be reading the same book as your favorite influencer. Ultimately reading is making a comeback with the Gen Z era and is currently more popular than ever.
How does fear affect our daily lives?
By Izzy Rutherford
It’s easy to forget that fear is a constant in everyday life. Whether those fears are triggered by an actual threat or something that the mind perceives as one, the body typically responds to evade whatever danger it has sensed. That being said, living in constant fear of everyday activities makes living life a lot more difficult than it should be.
The physical effects of fear work to sharpen specific instincts while cutting off others in order to increase the body’s chances of survival. It’s common to notice an increase in one’s heart rate and blood flow, sweating, and rapid breathing. All of these symptoms work to keep the body alert and ready to respond in a moment's notice.
That being said, it’s been noted that these are not the only symptoms that come from experiencing fear. Students have mentioned other, more physical symptoms, like chills, nausea, clammy palms, trembling, and lightheadedness.
Senior Grace Dennis knows what this is like. Having worked to conquer her own fears, she understands how daunting such a task can seem: “My advice would be to seek out help from others. You can try to fight that battle yourself, but sometimes, that is too much to take on.”
By purposefully tackling common fears, the mind is able to process the actual outcome compared to what it would believe would happen. Dennis says, “Some people have so much untapped potential, and it goes to waste because they are too afraid of failure.” People spend their lives hiding because it seems easier than the alternative, but sometimes, taking that chance is more than worth it.
The first step to facing a fear is acknowledging that it’s okay to be afraid. Just doing this makes it easier to accept that you know you're having trouble. It’s easier to look at the possibility of overcoming a fear if it seems more manageable. By taking the time to realize that it’s okay to have fears allows one to take the time to reflect on what they could do to better face them.
In some cases, it may be best to get professional help. Having someone there to help every step of the way makes it easier to conquer sites of these problems. To have someone there who can identify the root of the issue and walk you through it is a good start. Several students, when asked, have more or less noted that just being around others makes it easier to work through these troubling times. There’s nothing wrong with needing help or wanting to work through a fear before it becomes too much to handle. Just because fear is normal doesn’t mean that it has to be a permanent fixture in life.