What is a Hot Take?

A hot take is a bold opinion that’s meant to grab attention and spark conversation. They’re typically short and oftentimes a little bit snarky. The best hot takes are on topics that are commonly known and everyone has an opinion on. Instead of carefully explaining every detail, a hot take cuts right to the point, leaving room for people to react, debate, or even argue about it. They make for great icebreakers, or just a way for someone to publicly share their opinion which they think might be controversial or unpopular.

Using Hot Takes as Icebreakers

You can use hot takes as an icebreaker in a group setting. Everyone goes around giving one hot take, and then sees if others agree with it. Similarly to other ice breaker games about preferences such as would you rather questions or playing this or that, hot takes is a good way for people to learn more about each other.

Here are some controversial opinions that are likely to spark some discussion...

· Modern culture is shaped by algorithms not people.

· Most influencers are unqualified to give advice.

· Most people are liars.

· People don’t actually read Terms & Conditions.

· Social media doesn’t make people dumb, it just shows who was dumb already.

· Teen slang is the future of language.

· YouTubers work harder than movie stars.

· People care more about their WiFi than their water supply.

· Facebook is for parents.

· Online reviews are just people who are angry or got free stuff.

· Most opinions are not worth hearing.

· Tracking calories is toxic behaviour.

· Multivitamins are just expensive placebos.

· Algorithms are censorship.

· Cancel culture is modern mob justice.

· National borders are outdated.

· Long-distance relationships just die slower.

· Fashionably late, charming or rude?

· Mini poodles go against the laws of nature.

· “It’s all downhill from here” means the opposite of what it should.

· Bicyclists do not belong on roadways.

· Pajamas in public should be socially acceptable.

· High heels are a modern torture device.

· Are luxury handbags an investment?

· Neon is the best color.

· Jeans are uncomfortable and shouldn’t be worn daily.

· Denim on denim?

· Socks with sandals?

· Pineapple belongs on pizza.

· Cereal is a soup.

· Breakfast is better at night.

· Sparkling water is like drinking static.

· Pizza is better cold.

· Mayo is the best condiment.

· Gourmet burgers don't actually taste better than fast food ones.

· A coffee order more than four words is a milkshake.

· A salad is just a promiscuous sandwich.

· A hot dog is a type of taco.

· Ice cream cones are worse than cups.

· Popcorn is better sweet than salty.

· Lasagna is just spaghetti-flavored cake.

· Brunch is just overpriced breakfast.

· Paper straws are worse than plastic ones.

· Bubble tea is just a drink with obstacles.

· Plant-based meat should not be called meat.

· Taking photos of your food?

· Plain potato chips are superior.

· Eating pizza with a knife and fork?

· Spaghetti is the worst pasta shape.

· Coca-Cola is better boiled.

· Chicken wings are just chicken nuggets for adults.

· Ranch is overrated.

· Soda tastes better from a can than a bottle.

· Oat milk is better than regular milk.

· Guac should always be free.

· Camping is pretending to be homeless for fun.

· Small talk is a waste of time.

· Reading the book is better than watching the movie.

· Vacations are more stressful than relaxing.

· Being single is more fun than being in a relationship.

· Some movies are better than the book.

· E-books aren't real books.

· Audiobooks count as reading.

· High school reunions are depressing.

· Silence isn’t awkward, people just make it awkward.

· Bats are just creepy birds.

· Goldfish are the most useless pets.

· Weddings are just overpriced parties.

· Texting is better than calling.

· Video calls are awkward.

· Everyone secretly loves spoilers.

· Handwriting doesn’t need to be taught anymore.

· Naps should be mandatory.

· Kangaroos are just T-Rex deer.

· Why do we clean up before the cleaning lady comes?

· Minions would be fun to hunt for sport.

· Video games are better at storytelling than most movies.

· Subtitles or dubs?

· MySpace was the best social media.

· The MCU multiverse ruined the superhero movie genre.

· The Office isn’t very funny.

· Reality TV is better than scripted shows.

· Marvel movies are just superhero soap operas.

· DC movies are darker but not deeper.

· Old Disney is better than New Disney.

· Laugh tracks make every show worse.

· Horror movies are funnier than comedies.

· Podcasts are too long.

· YouTubers are the new celebrities.

· Oscars don’t matter anymore.

· The Joker movie was just Taxi Driver with face paint.

· Fifty Shades of Grey is like a sixth grader's idea of sex.

· Taylor Swift's songs all sound the same.

· Artists who lip-sync at concerts should refund tickets.

· Emo pop-punk isn’t good, we’re all just angsty and nostalgic now.

· The Beatles are overrated.

· Elvis stole everything.

· Taylor Swift is more of a business genius than a musician.

· Pop stars who don't write their own songs aren't real musicians.

· Music peaked in the 90s.

· EDM is just noise with glow sticks.

· Country music is better than rock.

· Traveling is just paying to be tired somewhere else.

· Tipping culture is out of control.

· Coffee doesn’t actually taste good, people just pretend it does.

· Showers at night are better than in the morning.

· A nap is just a short-term investment in the sleep market.

· Staying up late is better than waking up early.

· Road trips are better vacations.

· Street food is often better than fancy restaurants.

· The best ideas come from the shower.

· Are ice baths self-care or self-torture?

· Should couples merge finances?

· Being friends with an ex is a recipe for disaster.

· Love at first sight is just good lighting.

· Dating a friend’s sibling?

· Silence on elevators, polite or awkward?

· People-watching is creepy.

· Making an itinerary ruins the whole trip.

· Minimalist decor makes houses look like IKEA models.

· Does it matter which way toilet paper goes on the roll?

· Morning people are lying.

· Cold showers are superior to hot showers.

· Cats are better pets than dogs.

· Gym memberships are scams.

· New Year’s resolutions don’t help.

· The snooze button is the greatest lie.

· Treadmills are just hamster wheels for humans.

· Saying "no offense" means you're about to offend someone.

· Group projects ruin friendships.

· Homework doesn’t help learning.

· GPA doesn’t measure intelligence.

· Standardized tests are just endurance tests.

· College is more about networking than learning.

· Teachers don’t get paid enough.

· Schools care more about rules than learning.

· Teachers are just failed professionals.

· Autocorrect causes brainrot.

· Not everyone should go to college.

· Baseball games are too long.

· College sports are more exciting than pro sports.

· The Super Bowl halftime show is more important than the game.

· Formula 1 is just NASCAR with accents.

· Tennis is harder than football.

· The Olympics are overrated.

· Chess is a sport.

· Boxing peaked decades ago.

· Meetings should never be longer than 15 minutes.

· Being busy isn’t the same as being productive.

· Remote work is better than in office.

· Internships should always be paid.

· Most jobs can be done in 4 hours a day.

· Career fairs are useless.

· Most meetings should just be emails.