Nowadays, in any form of media, it seems like anything even semi-decent is bestowed with the title of “peak.”
Inserting the word “peak” into a description of a movie or song immediately gives the receiver the sense that it must be so good that it’s life changing. If the peak is the top of a mountain, then this better be the best thing I’ve ever seen. Right? Most of the time, it’s not.
“Peak” in the Oxford Dictionary is defined as the “greatest; maximum.” However, I don’t think I’ve watched anything anyone has ever told me to watch that is “peak” actually match this definition. It is not because the title I’m watching isn’t good, but because of how it was described to me prior to the viewing.
When I start a film with the expectation of it being the best thing I’ve ever seen, then I start to judge it critically. If something happens that I don’t like, the snowball effect starts to form. I get confused as to why this is described as “peak,” and my dislike for the piece of media actually starts to skyrocket. Inevitably, this thing that everyone else likes turns into a work of hatred for me because of the misuse of the word “peak” as a descriptor.
The over-saturation of the word has made it lose its value. I no longer look forward to watching anything described as “peak” because I know I’m about to watch the most mediocre piece of media I’ve ever seen.
This word should not be thrown around as it is today. Labeling something as “peak” is overdramatic. It can distract the viewer from being fully capable of determining whether they like it or not.
If a crowd of people say a certain title is “peak,” it may lead other people to gaslight themselves into liking it, just so they don’t feel out of place with their opinion. Let people form their own opinions and come to terms with the fact that some pieces of media are just plain good.
The next time you think of describing something as “peak,” just know there is only one maximum. Choose wisely.
The word Peak. Picture by YouTube.