Us vs Them. Comparison Everywhere

You’re awesome but only if someone else isn’t

A compliment with a side of comparison pulls someone else into the conversation. Usually just to make the point louder or funnier.

Why do people compare

Insecurity disguised as praise — Sometimes people try to uplift someone. But instead of doing it directly, they drag someone else in. It gives a quick ego boost but it is a lazy way of showing appreciation. Kind of a lack of creativity to praise.

Social media reward system (Because originality is hard and comparison is trendy) Saying “I like forts” is neutral. But “forget that monument I want to see forts” grabs attention. Algorithms love extremes and comparisons. So people go with that.

Can’t just say nice things. Gotta rank them. It is easy. Comparison is a shortcut It makes opinions sound bolder It creates a fake sense of superiority It is everywhere. Songs. Memes. Reels. Random conversations

In everyday life this pattern shows up constantly. It is not always toxic but it trains us to rank everything. Looks. Places. Feelings. Even people.

Truth is we do not need to call one thing average to prove something else is great. Both can be good. Both can shine.

Gif from medium library — We are the same