Definition of

YOLO

You Only Live Once

YOLO is the acronym for “You Only Live Once.”

YOLO is an acronym that comes from the phrase “You Only Live Once” . It is an expression that is used to summarize an ideal or a precept and that acts as motivational elements.

This expression , which in our language can be translated as “You Only Live Once” , is linked to the need to take advantage of opportunities to enjoy existence , since each human being has only one life to live. It is important to keep in mind that the idea contained in the concept of YOLO has several centuries of history: there are similar expressions spread by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang von Goethe , for example.

Popularity of the YOLO expression

The Canadian rapper Drake and the American bands The Strokes and Suicide Silence are some of the artists who have used the expression YOLO in songs and who, in this way, contributed to its dissemination.

YOLO is also mentioned very frequently on social networks , often accompanied by a photograph or video where the user wants to show that they enjoy life as much as they can.

Relaxation

The idea of ​​YOLO is associated with living fully.

The risks of the concept

It is necessary to highlight that several psychologists, sociologists and philosophers have warned the population about the risks that the notion of YOLO entails. Under the justification that “you only live once” , many young people carry out reckless and reckless actions that put their lives at risk. That is why intellectuals draw a difference between taking a risk after having reflected on the possible consequences of the action and carrying out an irrational act for fun or even with the sole objective of displaying it on social networks.

The level of irresponsibility that certain people display when they propose to leave problems behind and enjoy life to the fullest is very worrying, not only because they put their own physical integrity at risk but because they generally lead others to sink with them. they. Lack of self -confidence is perhaps the most dangerous weapon we can use against ourselves, and it comes into play, for example, when we do what our friends ask us simply to not seem "weird" or "boring."

Teenagers and the YOLO motto

Under the motto of YOLO, many adolescents begin to smoke tobacco or marijuana, drink alcohol excessively, have sexual relations without any precautions, and drive before having a legal permit or do so irresponsibly, at high speeds in illegal competitions. which usually end in unfortunate accidents .

From the point of view of some adults, these attitudes can be reduced to simple nonsense typical of a stage in which human beings are expected to challenge authority to understand what the limits are; However, the background is very different. If we take this reasoning into account, then we should also accept as valid the accusations received by those who do not dare to embark on the activities described in the previous paragraph: that they are cowards, boring, that they do not know how to enjoy life, etc. And, needless to say, this is not correct either.

Live fully

Having said all this, we must understand that YOLO does not mean "let's risk our lives in an absurd way" , but rather "let's learn to live it to the fullest" . We don't all need to jump from the top of a mountain to experience intense feelings: there are those who achieve this by reading their favorite book, by playing a piano piece that has taken them several years to study, or by seeing a smile on someone's face. of his students.

We only live once, and that is why we must do everything possible to make a difference, to fight against injustice and to make every day count ; Going after extreme situations in which we can die every second would make more sense if the acronym meant "we live many times."