Surrogate Living Invokes Potential

OLIVIA CHEUNG
Editor in Chief

While the first few months of each year promises excitement from various awards ceremonies—namely the Oscars, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild—the awards are, oddly enough, not always the center of attention. What’s highlighted just as, if not more, often are the red carpet appearances.

Dior. Gucci. Armani. Naturally, the aforementioned brands aren’t affordable for the typical consumer, so why do we care?
Though some believe that the attention placed on apparel is unnecessary and excessive, perhaps it’s our need to live vicariously that drives such actions.

Living vicariously has long existed, even since the first Olympics that gathered thousands of spectators. We enjoy seeing others live life in ways we cannot, whether they’re strutting down runways in thousand-dollar gowns or running 100 meters in under 10 seconds.

Collectively, as a society, we’re supposed to better each other’s lives.

While setting seemingly inhuman records and adorning lavish dresses cannot compare to a cure for cancer, it’s the lessons such events teach that’s important. Through athletics, we’re reminded of how valuable devotion and endurance are and the vast potential we all have. Through celebrities, we’re reminded of the lifestyles that we, too, are capable of achieving if we take risks and pursue our passions.

There’s nothing wrong with living through others if we’re reminded of our potential and inspired to work harder for our ideal lives.

Too often do we forget about the innumerable possibilities of life once we naturally nestle into comfortable routines. We need to be reminded of the seemingly impossible, but surprisingly feasible once we dedicate ourselves to a meaningful pursuit.