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The latest sensationalized video celebrity amongst my generation is not a human being. No, it is a baby hippo named Moo Deng.
Moo Deng is a pygmy hippo that inhabits Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand. She is now 7 months old and a menace to society. Society being the zookeepers and all of her followers on social media.
Her name, Moo Deng, translates to "bouncy pork" in English. Her siblings are named Moo Wan, meaning "sweet pork" and Moo Toon meaning "stewed pork." Moo Deng became the sensationalized one after a few videos of her fighting the zookeepers went viral. In one she refused to take a bath, fighting the zookeeper by bucking and kicking with all her might. In another she bit the zookeeper's knee.
Why is this relevant to my generation? I have no idea. Frankly, we have hippos at our own zoo in Albuquerque. I am of the mind that I would rather see animals in person. While the videos of Moo Deng have gone viral, her popularity just reminds me that this is an animal we are talking about.
It has no idea of its celebrity pedestal. It doesn't care that millions of people think it is the cutest thing ever.
It is humbling to say the least. It got me thinking about why we place so much value on a follower or a like on any social media platform. Why are we not like Moo Deng, unknowing of her popularity but still content with her life? (Well mostly.)
The point is, when did we as a civilization prioritize this trivial, materialistic thing? I see it everywhere now. People filming TikTok or Instagram videos out and about, people constantly putting each other down on social media and just being on social media most of their day.
Consider Moo Deng's life. She has to worry about her next meal, having a home and apparently taking baths. These are the things that matter in life.
I think people need to get over the social media craze before everyone misses out on life itself. It's at the point where people are just zooming through the years and not really accomplishing anything substantial. Instead of going home and binging videos for hours, whether it be on social media, YouTube or otherwise, maybe people should try just sitting in silence. Read a book! Do the crossword. Something that doesn't involve a screen.
Also, Moo Deng just wants to live; leave her to her peace.
