Pop Culture Hot Takes
Pop culture hot takes are controversial opinions that cause heated debates. They go against mainstream views on popular topics to get attention and buzz.
These take on food, entertainment, celebrities and more make for lively conversations and debates. Plus, they’re often about things everyone can relate to. Whether you think nickelback is great or think that James Harden’s dunk celebration is a terrible thing.
What is a hot take?
A hot take is an opinion that is controversial by nature and designed to spark debate. They are often about things people can all relate to – entertainment, sports, food – but they often throw an unconventional twist on those topics to get people thinking.
They usually start with a statement that is sure to spark some controversy, like “Pineapple belongs on pizza.” Then people can share their own hot takes about the topic or offer a counterexample. It’s fun to see how many different perspectives and opinions can be sparked in one game!
The phrase “hot take” probably started as a derogatory description of certain types of sports commentary, but then it spread to describe all the instant analysis that forms the choking ambient data exhaust of major news stories on the Internet. Now everyone has a take, which makes it harder than ever to distinguish careful, reasoned argument from off-the-top-of-your-head ranting. But that’s also part of what makes it so much fun!
Why are they so popular?
In the age of instant news, there’s more demand for commentary than any established publication can keep up with. This frantic generative mode has birthed what critics have dubbed “hot takes.” The term likely started as a negative description of sports reporting, but it soon spread to cover all the hot-off-the-press instant analysis that makes up the choking ambient data exhaust of any major news story online.
Popular hot takes tend to revolve around entertainment, food, and hobbies. Opinions like whether pineapple belongs on pizza or if the 1970s were the greatest decade are often controversial and spark heated debate.
They’re also quick to write, which leaves writers with little time to research, interview people, revise, and other tasks usually associated with thoughtful cultural criticism. But despite their shallowness, hot takes can still generate buzz and attention by appealing to readers’ desire for controversial opinions they’re not used to hearing. In a way, they’re like a meme: short-lived but memorable.
How do they work?
Hot takes are so popular because they offer an easy way to instantly generate attention and discussion. They also give people a way to express their contrarian views. Whether it’s a deep-fried take on James Harden or a take that says self-care culture devolves into narcissism or that Henry Cavill has pretty privilege, hot takes are the instant analysis that adds to the choking ambient data exhaust of news events.
During team building meetings, hot takes can help break up the monotony of a meeting and lead to interesting conversations that inspire innovation and new ideas. They can also help bring different viewpoints together into one group, allowing for more thoughtful and in-depth discussions.
To play, simply place a Hot Take on the screen and have each player share their opinion for no more than a minute. Other players can pause the timer for a few seconds if they think a person is taking too long to answer or if they disagree with their view.
How do you play?
Gather a group of friends and get ready to have some fun with this engaging party game. It’s a great way to spark conversations and debates about a wide range of topics. Just be sure to keep the atmosphere lighthearted and respectful.
Each player shares one hot take each round. They have one minute to present their opinion on a topic and argue why it’s right. Then, players vote on whether they agree or disagree with the hot take. The player with the highest vote earns a point.
The best hot takes are those that are widely relatable and appeal to people’s personal opinions and experiences. It’s also a good idea to keep your audience in mind and tailor your hot takes to their interests, sense of humor, and political leanings.