Why Romanticizing Self-Destruction Isn't "Cool" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Why Romanticizing Self-Destruction Isn't "Cool"

It's Not Better To Burn Out

448
Why Romanticizing Self-Destruction Isn't "Cool"
Pinterest

Every once in a while during the rare times when I have a break from school, I find myself scrolling through social media like Tumblr and Twitter. Most of the posts I see on social media are harmless, and tend to lean on the lighter and more playful side of life. However, occasionally I stumble upon what I'm about to talk about, especially scattered all over Tumblr. And I want to explain why it shouldn't be.

These posts I come across that get under my skin are pictures and gifs of people like Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. For a little background, Sid Vicious was a fairly average bass player for an iconic band called the Sex Pistols. He was hired mostly because he had the right look for a punk band. His girlfriend was Nancy Spungen, a young woman expelled from college who turned Vicious on to heavy drugs. Their relationship came to a screeching halt when Vicious stabbed her to death in a drug-induced outburst, and then died himself by overdosing not long after.

Anyway, these posts I see way too often will have users making comments such as, "Love me like Sid loved Nancy." Lots of these posts also mention other musicians who died due to things like drug overdose and suicide, such as Jim Morrison, John Bonham, and Kurt Cobain. People sometimes romanticize their deaths, even if they were painful and harrowing.

The thing is, self-destruction is not romantic. Speaking from experience, I know that this should never be viewed as "cool" and "edgy." When I see young girls online who firmly believe that self-destruction is something that can be glamorous, it makes me feel discouraged. It seems like common sense to most people that, for example, Sid Vicious couldn't have loved Nancy Spungen if he was capable of killing her. Still, I can understand why these girls want these artists' demises to be romanticized. It makes the tragedies seem less somber and more exciting.

John Lennon once said in an interview with Playboy, "Sid Vicious died for what? So that we might rock?" Of course musicians like Amy Winehouse and Bon Scott made fantastic music, but they also died in depressing, reckless, and lonely ways. Nobody should look at those stories and think, "That's what I want to be. I want to live a life just like they did." I also believe their deaths should not be in vain, and instead of romanticizing their downfalls, people should use them as inspiration to make the world a more positive place with less destruction. It's better to take advantage of opportunities and create new ones, as opposed to letting your life fall apart.

Neil Young once sang, "It's better to burn out than to fade away." I disagree, and so should you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

1654
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2285
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

7074
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments