Thirst Trap

Thirst+Trap

Tifany Chu, Opinion Editor

Ames High is full of terribly pretty people. Being in the middle of nowhere, clearly, that means a lot. However, recently, a lot of selfies have been appearing on my Instagram, Twitter and even Facebook timeline. I find myself conforming to social cues and liking those pictures. I scroll past about, 70 thousand selfies, once in awhile leaving a sweet comment. That’s it. I have fallen. I am stuck. I got caught in the THIRST TRAP.

Thirst Traps are when people, usually teen/tween girls, post a picture of just themselves, usually looking nothing like they did when you saw them at school that morning. Plastered on those pictures are a heavy filters, usually a black and white one. These pictures are often coupled with captions containing the lyrics from some obscure song from some band (that is going to or has played at the M Shop recently), or something that is trying to make light of the obvious trap they just laid. Common settings of these traps are: “the woods”, “the beach” or “the tapestry in my room”.

Once you adjust to the lowered expectations, you then see the comments. Oh the comments. The comments are always a bottomless pit, filled with those who have fallen. Only to be remembered by many, many heart and fire emojis.

“Honestly embarrassing, once one discoveries what a thirst trap is. They just discover how oversaturated Instagram is by narcissists. Don’t just post this to get the “I wish I could be you” comments. You’re not about to get the emojis and I am not going to comment” said junior, Jourdan-Ashle Barnes.

I am not hating on selfies or calling people ugly. I do still and will continue to like all the pictures on my timeline. I am merely commenting on the social trend that is the Thirst Trap. Thirst Traps are beaten and tired out, find a new trend please.