YOLO: Acronym For A Depressed Generation?

Just in case  you’ve been living under a rock for the past two years, I’ll give a bit of necessary context.

YOLO (Acronym for You Only Live Once) Was first presented in the lyrics of a 2012 song by Drake Feat. Lil’ Wane called “The Motto”.

Having not heard the song until writing this column I tried to pay close attention to the lyrics, see if there was any material worth mentioning.

To my own disappointment the lyrics talk about what most Drake Feat Lil’ Wane songs would talk about.

I apologise to any fans of the mentioned artists in advance, but personally I’ve never warmed up to any song that compulsively talks about an overflowed life of money and pussy. (The fact that I’m poor and gay might have something to do with this aversion…).

“Whatevs, it’s just a song, right?”

“You know we’re only messing around when we do use it, right?

There’s a great saying in spanish,  -Doesn’t translate as cool as it sounds-:

“In between jokes, the truth comes out”.

“Tell Uncle Luke I’m out in Miami tooClubbing hard,  fuckin’ women ain’t much to do”

“Now she want a photo,  

You already know though, 

 You only live once ‒ that’s the motto nigga YOLO”

Deep, right?

Apparently something in there, -in between the lines of having piles of cash and fucking a lot of bitches- Was something that rang… Not only to the fans of the artists during the fleeting lifespan of a hip -top ten- song, but to an entire generation.

Two years later, after the song is no longer played in clubs, bars, stores or radio, people who’ve never even heard the song or know anything about the proceedings of the famous acronym have been using this young word for any spontaneous action they now take.

Where could this phenomenon come from?

Could it be that the songwriters hit the jackpot with a simple word no one had ever used before? Or is there more to it?

The impulse to do irresponsible or illogical actions has always existed. Though now there’s a word to justify them.

Just look at the thousands of hashtags that come up daily in twitter using the word.

The meaning behind YOLO states that there is nothing after our lives. It states that life is fleeting, and therefor meaningless, to a certain extent.

For years the human race has educated itself by stating that for any good action there will be a reward, and for any crime or transgression there will be punishment. 

From being grounded a week because we didn’t do our homework, to spending an eternity in burning flames due to a sinful life, to re-incarnating as the lowest form of life, because of bad karma -depending which temple you pray in-.

If YOLO says that there’s only one life and there’s nothing at the end of the tunnel, no wonder an entire generation is seeking experiences that are as impulsive, spontaneous and self-pleasurable, but also irresponsible, unhealthy or even dangerous.

I’m no expert but I’m willing to bet there are very few 17 year olds out there who are saying “Today I’m vowing to myself that I’ll never have unprotected, anonymous sex, intoxicate myself with any illegal drug or drunk drive in my life! YOLO, man!”

It’s more of a: “Go home with that stranger!”  “Let’s have another shot!”  “Whatever, I’m OK to drive!”  “Sure I’ll try that pill with my drink!”… Why?

“YOLO, YOLO, YOLO!”

Jeez… I’m I the only one who’s a bit worried?

As if being that age isn’t scary and intense enough.

The YOLO is being taken to an extreme and being used as a philosophy of living.

Are we maybe ignoring how shitty this generation of 15 to 20 year olds has had it?

These are kids who grew up in the middle of a seemingly never ending war, constant terrorist attacks and threats and worrying economic crisis. They basically grew up hearing that having the jobs and opportunities their parents had is going to be tough, if not kind of impossible.

Is this maybe a way for demonstrating an inherent depression these kids have been dragging for years?

It’s not the first time the concept has been presented. 

In 1855 Johann Straus II composed one of his most famous waltzes, entitled: “Man Lebt Nur Einmal!” (You Only Live Once!).

One of the best Strokes tracks was entitled with the same name in 2006. (Below is the video, just cuz it's such a fucking great song...)

The fear of wasting one’s life, not seizing opportunities has always existed, however, what’s happening with this acronym is that reckless and irresponsible decisions are now not only being justified but applauded. 

While some people agree with me on all of this, others have told me I’m acting a bit like an over-protective parent of a generation I can have no claim of.

Whatever, the issue has been in my brain for a few weeks now… And I have a blog, so I’m gonna write about it… Because I can, OK? 

YOL… Oh, fuck it.