Cool or Clueless
It amuses me to see how people allow themselves to fall prey to trends, ads and gimiks that flood our city. Most spend at least a month's salary just to get the latest cellphone unit even if they can't figure out how to use all of its features. Some thinks it's cool to be seen in private parties or the popular bars in town. There are those who find it chic to pay at least P100 just for a cup of coffee at trendy cafes. People flock to the malls for a weekend sale.. ever noticed how stores go on sale every payday weekend? And don't forget the fashion victims!Maybe it's because they don't want to feel left out. Or they're not confident enough that they allow trends and fads to define themselves. Or are they really that clueless?
All this superficiality, brand-consciousness and labeling.. is really just a big LIE! I pity those who allow themselves to be brainwashed by advertisements. However, I'd give a big thumbs up sign to those people behind the 'trend-making' business coz that means they're doing a great job. But for people who take these ads, trends as gospel truth..??
I've done Marketing and Advertising work for at least four years and that has stripped away the influence of ads and trends on me. I can still recall how we created the need for our products. We made a lot of 'conditioning' for our market which eventually, grew. And that's good business for us.
I don't see anything wrong with wearing the latest in fashion, having the 'cool' gadgets or partying in trendy places. I just think it's stupid to be, do or have something just because it's cool. To be cool is to be confident of who you are. It's not allowing trends and advertisements to tell you who you ought to be.
posted by kquill @ 10:56 AM
4 Comments:
Cool or Clueless...
Hmmm... People are just so mixed up!
Can't blame those who are clueless on people who are as clueless as they are...
Maybe I'm just being defensive for being stereotyped as one of those clueless people...
But come to think of it,
Two sides of the story? Not always!
In fact there are more than two sides!
Each one of us, misunderstood...
There maybe those clueless people who just go with the flow,
those people who just follow the trend...
But there are those filthy rich people who can't find an outlet for their enormous amount of money...
And that doesn't stop there...
Some of those clueless people are just so in love with technology...
Those people who just want the latest gadgets right at the palm of their hands...
Can't blame them, it is their passion...
And don't just think that they buy all those tech gadgets!
They also know how to choose and stick to the best gadget they can handle and can afford...
Besides, they won't be able to buy that tech toy if they can't afford it...
Somehow, people (in general) find interesting ways to be able to get what they want...
How about those shopaholics? Those brand conscious people whom you see at every sale... trying to get what used to be so expensive outfits?
Well here we go again, its not just two sides!
There are those who are addicted to the brand...
There are those who just buy their clothing every sale... thinking that atleast they get what they want at a minimal cost...
There are those who really trust a certain brand because of its durability, or design, or because it fits well as compared to other brands...
There are those who needs to dress well to pay a living...
There are those with a different perspective towards clothing...
So many reasons why people choose a much expensive brand...
As for me... its a sign of success... success that attracts more successes...
If you're into business... you'll understand...
Well of course that's just one reason...
I won't be able to finish this if I state more reasons...
But to top it all off, if you think these people are clueless, I'd say EVERYONE is CLUELESS...
Its just a matter of which passion each one of us have...
Why do you think some people love buying books...
That they atleast need to buy one in a week, or in a month?
Why do you think some people just love buying original CDs, or DVDs... even if they can easily download mp3s or they already watched it in theaters?
Why do you think some people just love eating, pigging out at different restaurants... trying to taste everything... wanting to taste the specialty of each resto... needing to taste what the latest resto serves?
Why do you think some people are so into buying toys? Even adults are so enthralled with kid stuff...
Some say it keeps their mind active... or maybe its another outlet... or maybe it reminds them of childhood... and somehow that childhood experience inspires how they are today...
How about those drag racers who buy expensive car upgrades just to make their cars run faster?
And those who setup their car audio worth thousands?
Well you'll never really understand why people have that certain passion...
All i can say is that if you have that certain passion, then you must be normal...
People need an outlet...
an outlet where they can stop thinking of their worries, where work and stress are invisible, where they can be self-centered... and think only for themselves...
where the only thing that exist is their passion...
surrounding them
And we'll never really understand...
I see your point but I think you got a bit off the track with mine. I do however agree how people can get so 'mixed up'. And as for those who have the passion to indulge themselves..may they be as happy as they make their vendors.
Hi Kaye! Hmmn, interesting post here. I agree with you that being cool is being confident of one's self. Most people are image conscious rather than a man of character. Most people thought that their image defines their character but image is only an attitude; character, a virtue!
hmmmm, as if you don't spend a P100 for a cup of coffee.
i remember a lot of starbucks days with you since aiti days... hmmm, let me count the times... i think i ran out of fingers and toes for that! just kidding!
i agree with you, i think people use these objects to feel good about themselves. but i don't agree with the gospel-truth bit. i think people just get carried away because everybody else is doing it. they don't have any idea why or the real reason for riding along with the wave.
which i think is sadder.
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