Just when you think the red cup debacle is over, something equally as perturbing pops up. The big issue that has the Internet abuzz this week involves everyone’s favorite candy company, Reese’s. Eyes are scrutinizing Reese’s over their annual Christmas tree shaped peanut butter cups.

What people don’t realize is that they’re falling victim to great marketing. When you talk about a product, you’re giving the company free advertising. It doesn’t matter if you’re saying good things or bad things, because bad publicity is better than no publicity. You’re essentially saving a multimillion-dollar company thousands of dollars in ads.

So, what could possibly be wrong with this rudimentary edible tree? Why is everyone getting so worked up all over again?

After reading through many posts and comments, it’s obvious that people feel personally victimized when they unwrap their unhealthy dessert, and discover it’s less than treelike shape. They see this un-festive blob, and proceed to blow up the Internet about its injustice. Soon, enough people are posting about the absurdity of others’ complaints… creating a cycle of meaninglessness dialogue, one we can’t seem to escape.

If people aren’t upset with the candy’s demented shape, they’re angry with those that are upset. Naturally, people are offended that the world’s attention is focused on poorly made candy, rather than the hate crimes, terrorist attacks, and various political battles that are occurring. In their eyes, we’re not talking about the issues that matter.

Yes, there are bigger things happening across the world, as there always will be. We live in a world that consists of terrifying events, with issues involving politics, hunger, death, potential disasters, and threats upon humanity. Everyday horrible things occur, people are always dying, and we’re endlessly waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Despite these catastrophes, the majority continues to live happy lives. If we were to focus our full attention on this constant mayhem, our lives would be quite different. Instead, we argue about lame, minuscule, mediocre topics, which give us some reprieve from everyday horrors. It’s hard to live a happy life when you’re constantly bombarded with tragedy.

The Internet jumps on these bandwagon issues, giving some comic relief to an otherwise scary world. It allows us some time away from the heavy topics, to collect our thoughts, and act with fresh minds.

For those of you who aren’t convinced, bottom line; we live in a world where everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if their opinion is wrong. We’re allowed to debate stupid, inconsequential issues because we embrace freedom of speech. Society is allowed to get upset over their unsatisfying dessert, because it’s our right as humans.

Ultimately, Reese’s should put in a little more effort to deliver the product they promised. That’s what any good company would do, but going past the superficial shape that dominates this issue, we need to stop getting riled by the simple exertion of our freedom of speech.

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