Klaus Solko, staff writer
On Oct. 20 I went to Dead End Hayride in Wyoming, Minnesota. Of course, when going to an event that is well known there are a few things that can be expected. Parking trouble, people walking slowly, long lines — what should not be expected is people ruining the experience because they can’t shut their mouths. Most places where this happens, scary attractions, movies and performances, are places that everyone pays to go. It is absolutely ridiculous that everyone pays the same price, but only the jerks in the fourth row have a good time because they are heckling the scare actors and ruining it for everyone. Some would argue that if they paid for it that they get to “do whatever they want.” I agree, though when what they “want to do” affects everyone else’s experience that we also paid for, THAT is the problem.
I do wonder when this problem started. I feel like older people blame it on phones and honestly I can’t know if that is why, because I haven’t been alive before phones. I think the problem has gotten worse in recent years and that doesn’t make sense if phones are the only reason. I used to blame the pandemic. It took away many aspects of social decorum. This may still be the truth in some cases, especially in movie theaters where people got used to watching movies at home and being able to talk. However it would, once again, not explain everything. Why would people think heckling is more socially acceptable after a pandemic? Maybe it is not the pandemic or the phones but something that got a lot more popular due to both of them: main character syndrome.
During lockdown there was little to do outside of social media and so many people turned to content creation to fill their time. On your own social media, you are the main character and there is nothing wrong with that. Acting like a main character is what gets people famous. I would even argue doing things that the “main character” would do can make life more fun. However, when taken to the extreme or even taken offline, the bit gets tiring. Online it seems like everything is in a bubble but that doesn’t mean that real people aren’t affected. On top of that, even though only one person in a TikTok video is talking doesn’t mean all the people in the background don’t have thoughts. Just like in real life.
Funny enough, I don’t care to hear people trying out their new stand up comedy bits — and no one else wants to either. My point about this problem coming from people only thinking about themselves is their shock at getting called out. It is almost like they think outside of their little friend group everyone else is an NPC. While it is within anyone’s right to express being a clown, it is also within mine to tell them no one is laughing.
While it is within anyone’s right to express being a clown, it is also within mine to tell them no one is laughing.
klaus solko
So why do these people not get called out more? Another social media phenomenon: Karens. A name that came around from unreasonable people, usually women, demeaning retail workers. I find many people don’t want to speak out about actual problems in fear of getting called a Karen. Let me put these fears at rest, Karens don’t worry about being Karens and the only people who are going to judge you for telling inconsiderate people to shut up are said inconsiderate people.