The Internet Is Turning Us Into Self-Entitled Brats

Before, they were cool. Now, I groan at petulant listicles and personal essays I come across online. Everything is all about self- entitlement: Conquering the world anytime one wants to, leaving everything behind when something doesn't seem to work, foolish materialism, emasculation, fantasy- based love advice and standards, complaints and opinions with an unbelievable spectrum ranging from Mega Manila traffic to what went into Tom Hiddleston's head when he decided to date Elizabeth Olsen, Bloggers and people complaining pretty much about sh*tty stuff, and so much know-it-all sh*t. The Internet's reeking of so much sh*t, I think I can smell it already. The Pabebe generation is another story.

For the record, I don't mean to glorify myself. When I talk about my travels, purchases, and food adventures, I make it a point to say that I WORKED FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE. The free trips, press gifts, and the glitzy stuff, they cost me sheets and sheets of Paracetamol tabs, God-knows-how-much amount of money, X amount of wasted time, probably half a billion brain cells at this point, a thousand cups of coffee, unfathomable amounts of consumed electricity and wifi, tons of trial-and-error situations, and 7,000 hours. On certain occasions when I rant, I don't only empty- rant; I do something about it like writing to the concerned party to solve the issue privately and ranting is my last, last resort. As an Online Influencer, I know I have the power to somehow influence your life and it will be a crime if I romanticize and oversimplify it. Life isn't as easy as deemed by the writer who tells you to just drop everything and travel or blatantly asking access to a VIP event, as deemed by a Blogger. I also want you to be more proactive.

Let's inject a bit of reality into these self- entitlements that we commonly read on the Internet:

Photo Credit: Tumblr

On Traveling: I've been reading a lot of articles on encouraging people to just drop whatever they're doing and just travel or leave everything behind at whim because, you know, traveling is soooo in nowadays. I know some people who did it so it's doable in real life, but it's NOT for everyone. 

If you have traveled at least once in your life, you will know that this sh*t requires a lot of money (also, time and preparation), therefore you need a job to earn money to save for that next #Wanderlust. Dropping whatever you're doing for the sake of travel could cost you your job or business, plus a few relationships. This is the universal truth: You need money to travel and honey, I hate to break it to you, but courage is not currency.

Leaving everything behind is another story. There's no problem in moving to a new city, but the biggest challenge is starting anew; It requires a sh*tload of mental, physical, financial, and social preparation to start a new life in a completely new city. That's enough to make a lot of people say "SH*T."

So can you handle all the challenges that leaving and traveling at whim entail? Are you ready to be a grown up in a snap? Are you ready to leave your comfort zone?

Photo Credit: Polyvore

On Love: I've had it with whiny articles by women who are daydreaming about Prince Charming and lamenting over the death of chivalry. Times have changed. Stop emasculating men. I would join the fight with you if evil witches, fire- breathing dragons, and poisoned apples were still a thing today.

I also find such articles anti-feminist; we did say we're Modern Women already, right? So what's up with articles like these? And besides, that's the point of loving, right? Finding the good in the bad and loving the person for who they really are.

Photo Credit: Photobucket.com

On Non-Stop Online Whining and Too Opinionated People: Social Media has been a great avenue for voicing complaints and opinions. It saved a lot of lives and improved a lot of services, that I can't deny. The problem is, everyone began to think that they can complain about anything just because they disapprove of it. Online Complaining began a hobby and all of a sudden everybody must have an opinion on something even if it's stupid.

Cai Cortez, one of my friends, mentioned #GlobalWhining in one of our conversations-it's a line in her latest play with Sandbox Collective entitled "No Filter" (Go, watch it!). I think #GlobalWhining is the apt term for this Digital epidemic that we're experiencing nowadays. Everyone is just whining online and it's turning social media into a putrid, toxic place.

There are many hidden dangers to #GlobalWhining. One, it breeds negativity. Two, it twists our mind into thinking that saying something counts as being proactive. Three, you give people reasons to hate you. Four, whining makes you look unprofessional, especially when you whine about paychecks, your clients, cancelled projects, and blind items. Think before you whine. Or maybe, just go for wine. :D

Next time you come across similar articles and stuff online, read with a critical mind. Things are not always what they seem online so be careful of the material you consume. No one's taking away your right to dream, to aspire, and to want, but just be aware that all things come at a cost. Always have a healthy sense of fantasy and practicality. To win in life, start by believing that you are not entitled to anything.

To my fellow influencers and writers, there's no such thing as personal space for you and I now online. The landscape of Digital has changed significantly and a blog or feed aren't purely for expression purposes only-they're now main sources of daily information, information that can influence and mold decisions.  Everything you say can affect a follower because they look up to us so use your voice properly.