Percy Bartelt, opinions editor

Back on April 8, the Solar Eclipse phenomenon that could be seen all over North America, had a direct path across the United States where you could watch it no problem — with the help of glasses of course. The next one is predicted to be Aug. 12, 2045, and then Sept. 14, 2099, so we have a long time before we see the next one over the U.S. People all over the nation traveled along the “Path of Total Eclipse,” which was from around central México crossing up toward Toronto, Canada. And for some weird reason people online were… making fun of them? 

Along the “Path of Total Eclipse,” hotels, motels and Airbnb’s were completely packed and the travel forecast was full of people traveling to see the eclipse. Other people online were making fun of eclipse fans for simply traveling, using their own time and money to go see perhaps a once in a lifetime experience — but they can’t even do that in peace without some bully telling them that they’re weird. 

It’s especially funny coming from adults because, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize we were still in high school! And even then, making fun of someone for their harmless hobby is… pathetic? It’s unnecessarily rude and for what? What exactly is gained from tearing somebody down for doing something they enjoy that does not at all involve you?

This concept can be said for a multitude of things, but this occurrence with the Solar Eclipse sparked something in me, I must say. It feels so pointless to keep people from doing the things they love doing just because you don’t like that. You’re completely detached from the other person’s life, their hobby has no effect on you and yet here you are telling them that what they’re doing is pointless. Grow up. If someone’s hobby is completely harmless, why bother them? I thought we put that teenage angst in the trash and realized that bullying is childish, dumb and pointless? 

Now, I hope you know that whatever people are saying about the things you like, enjoy or engage in, don’t mean anything. They’re just insecure, passionless people that just don’t understand what it means to have fun. It’s sad, honestly. They have no effect, no result on your life, only you do. So if some rando on the internet comes at you or someone gives you “weird” looks in the hallway just for enjoying something, ignore it. 

You don’t need that or deserve that, and please, for the love of god, keep doing the things you enjoy. Keep creating what you love, playing the games or watching the shows you like. 

JUST LET PEOPLE LIVE AND ENJOY THE THINGS THEY ENJOY.