“Find the herd.” One little buffalo (cow? moose?) has gathered Villanovans and thousands of universities worldwide into their collective circles. Envision massive bulletin boards stretching across Lancaster Avenue, littered in doodled discourse from Wildcats far and wide. Sounds harmless. In all seriousness, a shared soundboard seems useful: somewhere students can remind their roommates of dorm-corum, scold Conn’s undercooked chicken and debate whether “JJs is the move this weekend” with no shame of an attached name.
YikYak, in an ideal world, is the ultimate resource for ever-assimilating students. So, where does the issue lie?
Our buffalo boasts one critical feature other fashionable medias lack: a confidential interface. This shield of freedom– entwined with the exclusive five-mile radius of each herd–is YikYak’s prime distinction from similar forums. And, all too often, this freedom is abused.
As an underclassman, for instance, I never hesitate consulting older students. Whether I’m in need of directions to some obscure office or a consoling nod when asked if the printers “are just like this,” vetted Villanovans serve their successors well. But I’ve noticed our Communitas-core is abandoned online. Instead of rescuing wandering freshmen from the Hillside, it seems YikYak herdsmen have taken their hooked staffs and just started stabbing.
Look, I understand. As a runted little sister, I’ve been poked and prodded for errant behaviors before. And sure, I found being blacklisted quite amusing. Scolding audacious freshmen who resell their Hoops Mania tickets for $150? Fair. The trouble with YikYak is, unlike a stern but well-intentioned older sister, users will reprimand just about anyone with no remorse or alternative counsel. Whether aversions are directed toward certain fraternities, a bone-tired barista who gave them caramel instead of vanilla or some professor who scheduled their midterm the same date of another midterm (a serious blunder), Yakkers are ruthless. Even PubSafe was chastised for bidding “on [our] downfall.” No one is safe.
Like I said, I have never witnessed said behavior in-person. I feel comfortable interacting with the bulk of Villanovans in lectures, halls and clubs. So, is brutal slander the instinctive nature of Villanovans? Or, does YikYak somehow evoke these odiums?
Let me be clear here: I love YikYak. It can be so refreshing and reassuring. But it can also be so destructive.
“I don’t think the app itself is the issue,” freshman Jenniferr Alvarez said. “People just lose themselves in the jokes and fun. They forget they’re hurting real people.”
Before posting, ask yourself, if the world knew these words were mine, would I still stand behind them? Is this what it means to be a Villanovan?
Rant. Dramatize. Poke occasional fun. Just don’t become entranced in a world of unabashed hatred. And please, know when to stop following the herd.
