The Peanut Gallery

           I think we all like being recognized in a certain way, whether it's a popularity thing or looking for some sort of respect. The most obvious forms are those seeking to be in the limelight within big social circles such as school or working environments. Not many are like that. The majority don't want to deal with the continuous onslaught of public attention. Personally the thought of being a celebrity and living infront of a camera lens is revolting. However that doesn't mean that I don't want to be known. We want to be noticed to a certain extent and within that extent we are comfortable. When it is less than that we feel underappreciated and unfulfilled. The best way to garner said attention but not be engulfed by it is to be a part of a group. When we aren't known as "that guy" but "those guys". Clicks bring us a strange security that keeps those levels of popularity in check and at the same time offer flexability in regards to how we want to be known. They are exclusive enough to create an overall theme for what the world expects of them. We create our purpose and at the same time it is created for us in a cycle of give and take.
            These groups can create structure in our communities. I was involved with several of these groups throughout school, one in particular. We were called the peanut gallery by our art teacher because collectively we always had something to say in her class. Mostly sarcastic comments or quick witted remarks about concepts we were studying. The term didn't mean much to me then but has new meaning now that I understand it better. Long ago when people went to the theater to seek entertainment there was a section known as the 'peanut gallery'. They were the cheapest seats in the house and often harbored a rowdy crowd. These people often came to make fun of those who were performing. They would heckle and poke fun causing a ruckous for those they didn't like and because peanuts were a cheap snack they would throw them at those on stage from which the name was coined. They were the trouble makers who kept people humble and if they had a problem with an idea they would pummle it with peanuts. Etiquette has its place but when there is something offensive on society's stage eyes turn to the peanut gallery to fix the problem, to voice the thoughts that everyone else is thinking but are too afraid to say. Fear of their ridicule keeps hypocrates and idiots in check and without them the ignorant occupy the spotlight. It was a group I was glad to be a part of and it needs to be kept alive.                  This world will always need a peanut gallery.