With the wide expanse of the web, a sport known as Smash or Pass has surged in popularity, specifically among younger people. The game is a simple one that involves participants viewing images or videos of other people, and then declaring what they think would make them want to have an intimate relationship with the person featured (“smash”) as well as in the opposite case (“pass”). The game was created from the internet and social media, Smash or Pass has been a fixture of the digital media, bringing amusement, controversy as well as a fascinating lens through which to view societal standards regarding beauty as well as the morality of online conduct.
The idea behind Smash, or even Pass is quite simple, often played among players from online groups or with friends. The players are presented with pictures or descriptions of individuals that range from famous people to fictional characters, and sometimes even acquaintances. The decision to “smash” or “pass” is made in accordance with whatever parameters they consider relevant such as physical beauty, which is usually the most important. Though it could be said that the game may be digitally extending natural human tendencies to judge fitness, its restrictive nature poses questions about the effect on society’s standards for beauty and on the perception of individual.
The acclaim of Smash and Pass could be attributable to various factors. In the digital age, characterized by the speedy consumption of content and the fleeting nature of web-based interaction, it provides a form of entertainment that’s both rapid and entertaining. It taps into our instinct to judge others in the first moment, a habit that, while oft criticized, is clearly established in our psychological system. Furthermore, the game’s binary character is reminiscent of the mechanism of swiping that is used in the most famous dating apps, in which you make quick decisions on how attractive someone appears enough to warrant further contact.
But, there are those who defend this game as a means of enjoyment that, when not played with a sense of seriousness it can provide a chance to explore personal preferences and build social bonds. When played by adults who understand its limitations and know their boundaries and boundaries, smash or pass could be an activity with a lighter tone that promotes open discussions about attraction. This can be a great way to highlight the importance of a context and the purpose behind the game, suggesting that the degree of danger or non-harm mostly depends on how it’s viewed and understood by those who play it.
The age of digital has accelerated the power and consequences in Smash as well as Pass changing it from a casual discussion between friends to a global phenomenon on the internet where people can be subjected to the judgments of strangers on a global scale. Forums and social media sites are now venues for players to play games, usually in anonymity in a way that could exacerbate negative effects, including the bullying of cyber bullies and the objectification. The anonymity afforded by the internet can embolden users to express harsher judgments more than in person creating a toxic online environment in which empathy and respect are frequently omitted.
Although it has been criticized, the persistence of Smash or Pass, and other similar games in the online space demonstrates a vital part of human social interactions: the desire to connect to understand and appreciate the many aspects of attraction. The games serve as a an example of the need to discuss how we view and appreciate each other in an ever digitally connected world. As society continues to grapple over the effects of electronic interactions on our personal relationships, the discussion around games like Smash or Pass reveals the delicate balance between expression freedom as well as the creation of an inclusive, respectful community.