The famed Greek physician Hippocrates once uttered the immortal words: “For extreme diseases, extreme methods of cure are most suitable.” This insightful motto has withstood the test of time and has now evolved into the modern-day phrase: “desperate times call for desperate measures.”
From explaining why I’ve fully cut out Michael Jackson from all playlists post-“Leaving Neverland” to trying to justify downing an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia after watching the disastrous “Bachelor” final episode (yes, I am still reeling), more often than not, I find myself using this phrase because of how universally applicable it is.
Despite this, recent events have proven the antithesis of Hippocrates’ famed phrase to also be true.
Ever since Santa Clara County decided to close down schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic
During the weeks of March 16 and March 23, my Instagram feed was flooded by a sudden onslaught of different games and challenges.
Among these challenges are wholesome empowerment posts, where people post images of themselves and tag inspiring friends or acquaintances, extracurricular-related challenges such as activity bingos, activity tags and, of course, more obscure trends such as the “Until Tomorrow” challenge, where social media users are challenged to post embarrassing pictures of themselves on their feed for 24 hours, and the vegetable drawing challenges, where users are challenged to post drawings of specific vegetables, using only Instagram art tools.
Although many think these challenges are unnecessary responses to quarantine-induced boredom, in reality, they accurately reflect the needs of the quarantined life. Social isolation is a big product of the quarantine, making social media the best substitute for real-life social interaction.
In early March, when word spread that the last, and arguably most important, third of the National Speech and Debate season would be halted due to the pandemic, it felt like my tiny world, largely constructed upon the activity, had completely collapsed.
Despite knowing that it was a privilege that my biggest worry was about an abbreviated speech and debate season in the midst of a pandemic, I still wasn’t able to shake off the twinge of sadness.
A few days after the season’s cancellation was announced, the #BestSuit challenge started circulating around the online speech and debate community. Competitors were challenged to post a picture of themselves in their favorite suit and tag other fellow competitors to do the same.
Although the challenge might have seemed like just another irrelevant posting chain to an outsider, it became something that strengthened our small community. Through being tagged and tagging others in posts, I was able to reconnect with speech and debate friends and discuss the impacts of the terminated season and the pandemic.
In the end, the Instagram challenge helped me feel more connected and less alone in mourning the loss of the season. The Instagram challenge was cathartic enough to help alleviate my anxiety.
In a time of lockdown and self-isolation, these challenges created a feeling of online interconnectedness. They served an undeniable role in helping participants feel less alone.
Despite Hippocrates’ famed expression, the large amount of comfort stemming from a simple Instagram challenge proves that even elementary means of relief can be comforting in complex times.
Of course, my experience isn’t a promise that drawing an orange blob with some green sticks and calling it a carrot is going to solve anyone’s problems or immediately foster a feeling of interconnectedness with other online vegetable drawers. Still, partaking these challenges can serve as simple and valid outlets for emotional release.
For extreme times of pandemic-induced loneliness and anxiety, simple cures like Instagram challenges and drawing fruit are most suitable.