By Cole Fuller
Pine Whispers
Throughout our lives, we encounter countless acronyms to help us speak. They are not always necessary, but they help by adding a little something extra to whatever conversation we may be having. ASAP, FYI, LOL and TTYL are some of the classics.
Now taking America by storm – as if you couldn’t say, “It seemed like a good idea at the time…” – is a new acronym: YOLO.
What does YOLO mean? You Only Live Once?
Some say yes. Others look for a metaphorical meaning behind the madness that is YOLO. Still others disagree with YOLO, saying it is not very accurate.
Whatever the interpretation, YOLO has no doubt affected your life in one way or another. Whether it caused you to perform tasks that were not particularly bright, say inappropriate things, or simply be annoyed by the person saying it next to you, YOLO has a special way of reaching out to all people in America and especially those at Reynolds.
Students at Reynolds seem to enjoy the various implementations of YOLO. It makes life more enjoyable now that they are positive they only live once.
“YOLO has really allowed me to make the most of my senior year,” Anna Spencer Erickson said. “I’ve been able to do things I never dreamed of. One of my favorite things is to take my bike through the drive-through…YOLO. I’ve also taken to going into places through exit doors…YOLO. It’s really just been a crazy ride.”
Some students, like senior Justin Morris, feel that YOLO is not enough.
“I am a strong believer in reincarnation, so YOLO doesn’t make much sense to me,” Morris said. “I prefer YOLOOT – You Only Live Once Or Twice – or YOLOOTOTT: You Only Live Once Or Twice Or Three Times.”
Morris said these variations of YOLO have helped him live his life in a YOLO manner, but allowed him to conform to his beliefs: “I like to live on the edge,” he explained. “I make bad decisions all the time, really mundane stuff, incredibly simple decisions go terribly wrong but, knowing YOL∞ (pronounced YO LOO) has helped me to enjoy these decisions no matter the consequences.”
Morris, who said credit for the YOLO-infinity acronym goes to Maya Newlin of East Forsyth, is one of the few who can enjoy the life YOLO provides again and again.
“I’m not sure how many times I have died, but it doesn’t really matter, does it? I mean, YOL∞.”
Clearly, YOLO has had a profound effect on the everyday lives of students. They enjoy new freedoms and find that previously frowned-upon activities are OK – if you say YOLO. Some may say this is a disturbing mindset to have; however, living life and really living life are two very different things, and when one chooses to live, well – you might as well only do it once.