Have you ever heard someone’s opinion that is so random and out there that not a lot of people agree with it? Hot takes are a way to express an opinion that might be controversial or not typically agreed with.
Sixth grader Sadie Sparks shares her definition of a hot take: “I think a hot take is whenever you have a different opinion than a lot of people, and something that’s more usual or everybody knows what you’re talking about,” she says.
When it comes to hot takes, sophomore Chelsea Walden definitely has a few: “Oh, hot takes, starburst wrappers are edible. That’s a first. I think if it’s warm enough to not be wearing socks with your sandals, you shouldn’t be wearing socks with the sandals. Specifically Birkenstocks,” she says.
Junior Ka’Neisha Price also shares her hot takes: “One of my hot takes is sunsets are better than sunrises [and] meal smoothies are better than fruit smoothies,” she says.
One very popular and arguable hot take is if pineapple belongs on pizza. When asking multiple Seaburians, their opinions vary. Seventh grader Oliver Lang says, “I don’t think it’s the best topping, but I feel like it deserves a spot on pizza. I think you can, yeah.”
However, Walden’s opinion differs: “Absolutely not. Pizza is savory unless it’s a dessert pizza, but if it’s a normal pizza, pineapple has no place whatsoever even in a pizzeria,” she says.
Hot takes are fun conversation starters. When asked if hot takes bring people together or start arguments, faculty member Eric Nelson says, “They should bring people together, [but] people should know their audience.”
Lang shares that “they can spark an argument, but that kind of just sparks the conversation, which could lead to friendship.”
Sparks says, “I think they bring [people] together, because even if you don’t agree on the same thing, then you have a disagreement, but it’s not an argument.”
Walden ultimately disagrees, saying, “Oh, I’ve never seen a hot take bring people together, and I think it’s solely meant to make people argue and debate.” However, like Sparks, Walden also points out how “that’s like a good sort of thing because it’s not an actual argument.”
When asked about where he hears the most hot takes, Lang says, “Usually just friends talking to each other, and then I’m hearing their opinions, and I chip in with my own opinion.”
Along this line, Price shares her opinion on why people share their hot takes: “It’s interesting to learn about why people think their hot take is right, even though if it’s not what I agree with, it’s wrong,” she says.
Another important part about having a hot take is how much someone defends theirs. When asked how far she would take it, Walden says, “Probably pretty far if there’s no serious consequences or negatives for you in the process of defending your hot take. Then yeah, go all out. Hashtag stand up for what you believe in.”
However, Lang says he would “not [defend it] very far. I would not defend it with my life. I would give in pretty easily.”
When asked about what makes a hot take good versus annoying, Nelson says, “The judgment with which it’s delivered.”
Overall, hot takes can be good ways to connect with others, but when it comes to the actual difference between a regular opinion and a hot take, Walden shares her thoughts: “It depends on who you’re with, but I feel like opinions are more generalized and more accepted. [Hot takes are] either something people very strongly agree with or disagree with that’s out of the ordinary, because saying your favorite color is green or something that’s not out of the ordinary [isn’t a hot take], but saying hot dogs are good with Diet Pepsi, that’s weird. That’s not common,” she says.
If you are looking for an easy conversation starter to break the ice, hot takes are generally a good idea because of the constructive disagreements they can bring.
