I get it. Everyone wants to be unique, everyone wants to feel special, everyone wants to stand out from the crowd in some way. No one wants to be labeled a “sheep”, no one wants to be considered ordinary. I do understand this.
What I don’t understand is the aversion to things that are popular or mainstream. I don’t understand the need to proclaim “I have never watched the Tiger King!” (After “I have never”, just insert anything that is currently trending or was considered highly popular at one time) The tone and context of such statements often implies “I am special. The rest of you are followers and should be mocked.” When in fact, people are mostly just doing, watching, enjoying something that brings them happiness or satisfaction, fulfillment. And what the hell is wrong with that?
Could we psychoanalyze and come up with a reason why certain fads or types of entertainment are consequentially detrimental to our society? Of course we could! But that’s usually not the objection held by people who boast proclamations of never having done something that so many people have. Usually they make the statement as a way to feel they are superior in a way to others, and when it’s a fashion statement or a source of entertainment or a food or drink, I just don’t understand the arrogant pride that some feel they need to flaunt.
Calm the fuck down. You’re still special, even if you haven’t watched an episode of Keeping Up With Kardashians, or donned an Affliction t-shirt, or bought a $10 coffee from Starbucks. You CAN and WILL still be unique in some way or another even if you decide to enjoy something that is a favorite of the masses.
So just let people be. Let them be happy and focus on what makes YOU happy without trying to demean the sources of others’ pleasures.
THE DAILY COUG 