Whew, it feels good to be back. The silence from this column was not a case of not having material; in fact, it's been quite the contrary. I've been so angry about so many things, and so focused on sorting them out, that I haven't had the time to write. It's been months since I've written anything on a regular schedule and if things keep up it may be the same kind of wait yet again before my next installment. However, there have been a few things recently that just had to be written about. Being busy is sometimes no excuse and I feel the need to get some things off my chest and blow up a little... or a lot.
I'd like to talk about an asshole we're all very familiar with at this point, Charlie Sheen. I have to preface this by saying I stayed purposely ignorant to what's been going on for some time now. I'd seen the headlines, I'd overheard people talking about him, and I'd seen the Twitter and Facebook trends regarding Mr. Sheen explode over the last few weeks. I couldn't understand what could be so important about this guy that it would prompt such a media onslaught. I finally started to look into things... well, actually, what I should say is, I finally couldn't avoid it any longer. The only way to keep this mess completely off my radar would probably be cryogenic sleep. I'm not a fan of the cold, so that option was out for me.
I was watching TV one night and right after the show I was watching ended they aired some kind of "Charlie Sheen's Greatest Moments" kind of thing, which was featured exaggerated computer animations of his ridiculous behavior from over the years. The only thing I could think of is how if he were just a regular citizen and not some B-rate celebrity, he'd have been committed years ago. Then I caught bits of his most infamous TV interview, the one that prompted the whole "Winning, duh" and tiger blood bullshit.
This guy became a sensation because he was an asshole and attention whore. At this point he's got a huge following on Twitter and keeps up the antics on a regular basis. I'm convinced that none of it is for real anymore. I think he got more fame from that stupid interview than he did from any of his recent TV or movie work and decided to milk it for everything it's worth.
The worst part of it is that people keep putting heaps of praise on the guy because he's so "entertaining." I know the human animal has a sick sense of what is entertaining, and I'm sure I've got my own guilty pleasures that people would think I'm a little "off" for, so I can't really fault too many people for thinking that it at least provides a few good laughs. My biggest gripe is how many people are now looking up to the guy as if he's some kind of role model. Drug addicts are obviously going to be the biggest of his supporters, because hey, why not, right? But even average kids and young adults are looking up to this guy as if he's actually worth paying attention to. I know a few people that are practically worshipping the guy and it's pretty sad to see people's standards drop so drastically.
Here's where my barbs are aimed: The Media. The same media, that every time some school gets shot up, or some kid commits suicide, or you hear of some young kid waste his life and overdosed, are out in full force talking about "How could this happen" and "What a shame, nobody knows why they do this." You people are the fucking problem! The mainstream media does absolutely nothing to make examples out of people like this before the situation gets bad. They do nothing to protect people, young or old, from the pitfalls of such a life. They glamorize the concept of being a bumbling moron and push that idea onto anyone who will listen. They push these people, these events, into your face. They stick it on every channel, every radio station, every website, and people run with it. It becomes a pop culture phenomenon and before you know it any sense of common decency is wiped out because people think that behaving like a total asshole is perfectly acceptable.
It's gotten to the point where Charlie Sheen isn't even a human being anymore, he's an idea, a concept, a character, or caricature of himself. He's not a person, he's a brand. even more of a product than he originally was (come on, all celebs are simply products of whoever is paying them at the moment). The man himself doesn't have a care in the world about self-respect or decency. Hell, he is going to make more money being fired from his ridiculous TV show than he would have made if he kept his mouth shut and kept acting for the duration of his contract. So now the product Charlie Sheen is everywhere. Friends of mine created "Tiger Blood" cupcakes because of all the media hype around the guy. They didn't think it would take off beyond the first day and now it's a regular item at their bakery. I harbor no ill feelings towards them; they're just doing their thing, running a business, and following trends to market their products. I do have a problem, again, with the media. Since debuting the "Tiger Blood" cupcakes, they've gotten national and international press attention, they have been talked about on the web, on the radio, and even on TV. Yet, I feel it's for the wrong reasons. They run one of the only local vegan bake shops in NJ. Their business is built around compassion to animals and the environment, but nobody talks about that, they're just obsessed with the fact that Charlie Sheen is on a cupcake. They have been in business for years now, selling incredible vegan cupcakes, with amazing flavors, and they have had their share of press for it, but they've blown up recently. I only wish that the news media would focus as much on the fact that these cupcakes are simultaneously delicious and humane. Once the Sheen thing dies down, which it will, as any trend does, will they still get as many visitors? Will their business still be booming? Or, will their business go back to the handful of regular customers and friends, as well as the regular established rate of walk-ins and new regular customers? I genuinely hope that they continue to do well, as they've been relatively unsung heroes of the vegan lifestyle in my little suburban area for 4 years now.
When I was a kid I often listened to the older generation talk about how we're all going to be screwed because of the media and what it feeds to us on a daily basis. I feel lucky to have been raised with a decent head on my shoulders. My temper, well, that's another story, but generally I don't subscribe to this kind of mass-mainstream-media culture.
In closing, I'd like to send a BIG FUCK YOU to the mainstream media, be it in this country or abroad, that continues to perpetuate ridiculous behavior, and then wonder why the youth of today become so screwed up. It's mostly your fault. If you didn't cram it down their throats constantly, they might not grow up to be fuck ups, just like the people on the evening news.
One up-side to the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan? Sheen's screen time on most news outlets has dropped drastically, although I'm sure he's still a part of the news tickers that run along the bottom of the screen. Charlie Sheen, a massive earthquake, and a devastating tsunami... now that's what I call a perfect storm. It's a trifecta of "Run for your life!"
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Vent Column: Brand Disloyalty
Wow, it's been a while since I've had the chance to write a Vent Column entry. Now that it's on the web, it can be as long or as short as I like, which is nice. So, for my first blog-style entry, let's jump right into something that's bothered me for just about my entire life. Yes, I was a cranky child as well...
You ever walk down the street and see someone wearing a t-shirt or a hat with some company logo on it? You know what I mean, like some guy wearing a Harley Davidson t-shirt, or a John Deere baseball cap. If it were around 5PM or so, you might even think it's some kind of work uniform, or dress code kind of thing. Just about any day of the week you'll run into people wearing clothing that is emblazoned with corporate logos of various companies. The problem I have is that I have to wonder for a short while if there is any real significant reason for them to be wearing those commercial icons in the first place.
I am not against people wearing clothing with interesting designs, nor am I against things like band t-shirts. Hell, I'm really not even against Harley Davidson t-shirts. My problem is the person wearing them. How much do you want to bet the guy wearing a H-D shirt or hat not only does not own a Harley, but probably has never sat on a motorcycle in his life? I'd be willing to bet $100 for just about every other doofus I see wearing one. I ride a cruiser, but it's not a Harley, so why would I wear a Harley t-shirt? I don't own one, I've never ridden one before, and most importantly, if I rolled up on my Suzuki wearing a H-D shirt, people would laugh at me. Wearing that particular logo does not make you cool, it doesn't make people think you're a bad-ass biker, it just makes people think you are lame and probably trying too hard. Riding a Harley, and wearing their logo, are two completely different things that carry different levels of respect. You cannot cheat and attempt to look like maybe you just happened to leave your bike at home that day.
Another corporate smear I see everywhere now are these TAPOUT shirts. Yeah, you know the ones. The shirts with the GIANT LETTERING ON THEM. I'll bet you 90% of the douche bags that wear those shirts have never been in a single fight in their lives, much less even watch the damn sport on TV. The guys who actually do MMA fighting are probably not walking around the mall wearing their own signature line of t-shirt. Most likely they don't want to be noticed in public all that much, for fear of being hassled, or even attacked by some macho dickhead who thinks he can take them on. This obsession with mixed martial arts in this country is the result of over-stimulated, under-sexed men with testosterone to spare from their lack of ever getting laid. They have nothing to do with all that pent up energy and hormonal activity so they think they'll look cool if they can man-hug someone to the ground and punch them repeatedly in a small fenced in area. I say, give them several acres to run and hide and see how long a match lasts then. Of course you can knock someone out in a 20' ring, they've got nowhere to run, even if they ran in circles they'd eventually get tired. How hard can that be? Now, I'm not belittling the sport, or the actual fighters. I know it takes lots of dedication, time, and training, as well as several dozen doctor visits to keep from falling apart. My anger comes from the 40-something slob of a man who has never in his life lifted a dumbbell, much less ever taken any actual martial arts training, walking around with a TAPOUT t-shirt that's about 6 sizes too small for him, and attempting to puff out his chest and talk with his hands as if he's some kind of tough guy. Listen pal, the only way anyone is gonna ever tap-out with you around is if you accidentally sit on them, or run them over during your stampede to the buffet table.
While I'm on the topic, I'm sick of seeing these sluts with cottage cheese asses walking around the mall wearing pants that say "Juicy" on the backside. There's nothing juicy about you, so just stop it. In fact, you're rather solid. If anything, wear something a little more honest. Buy some pants that say "I have too much self esteem and think that everyone wants to read my ass." or "Daddy didn't give me enough attention so I'm turning the largest part of my body into a billboard."
I think self expression is a great thing, I wish more people would use their right and ability to express themselves. I just get very irritated when they do it foolishly. If you like a band and want to wear their logo or album art, then by all means, tell the world how much you love that band. I don't care what kind of music it is, even if it's something I hate, you are more than welcome to express that. If you want to tell the whole world that you spend way too much money on clothing by wearing a sweater that says "Abercrombie" on it, then they, you'll be mugged before I will, so have at it. On the other hand, if you're only wearing some kind of symbol on your clothing because you think it's going to get you more respect, please save your money, and don't subject all of us to your idiocy. Certain things happen within popular culture that make people think they want to be, look, or sound a certain way. People want to be a part of the crowd, and I totally understand that to some extent, but be you, don't be "that guy."
You wanna mess with someone to find out if they're really a Harley Davidson owner? Ask him what size radiator he has on his bike. 95% of Harley Davidson's product line are air-cooled, with no radiator. If he tries to give you any answer other than "none" he's either got a V-Rod or is completely full of shit. Ask the next guy with a John Deere hat how many acres he has for his crops. Ask the next mall bimbo what exactly about her is "Juicy" and run like hell if she begins to tell you her herpes history. Finally, the next time you see some Guido wearing a TAPOUT shirt, ask him what is so manly about 2 glistening, sweaty men spooning on a rubber mat.
Oh, and one last thing. Ed Hardy clothing should be destroyed. The t-shirts were one thing. But I've actually seen suit jackets with that logo running down the sleeve. That's nice, you wanna show up at a funeral wearing that. Real classy. All these people that want to wear tattoo designs all over themselves should just do what the rest of us do and go under the needle for a few hours. We'll see how manly you are when those liner needles start scraping into the softer parts of your flesh. You know, the inside of your elbow or the underside of your bicep near your armpit.
-Rob Acocella
You ever walk down the street and see someone wearing a t-shirt or a hat with some company logo on it? You know what I mean, like some guy wearing a Harley Davidson t-shirt, or a John Deere baseball cap. If it were around 5PM or so, you might even think it's some kind of work uniform, or dress code kind of thing. Just about any day of the week you'll run into people wearing clothing that is emblazoned with corporate logos of various companies. The problem I have is that I have to wonder for a short while if there is any real significant reason for them to be wearing those commercial icons in the first place.
I am not against people wearing clothing with interesting designs, nor am I against things like band t-shirts. Hell, I'm really not even against Harley Davidson t-shirts. My problem is the person wearing them. How much do you want to bet the guy wearing a H-D shirt or hat not only does not own a Harley, but probably has never sat on a motorcycle in his life? I'd be willing to bet $100 for just about every other doofus I see wearing one. I ride a cruiser, but it's not a Harley, so why would I wear a Harley t-shirt? I don't own one, I've never ridden one before, and most importantly, if I rolled up on my Suzuki wearing a H-D shirt, people would laugh at me. Wearing that particular logo does not make you cool, it doesn't make people think you're a bad-ass biker, it just makes people think you are lame and probably trying too hard. Riding a Harley, and wearing their logo, are two completely different things that carry different levels of respect. You cannot cheat and attempt to look like maybe you just happened to leave your bike at home that day.
Another corporate smear I see everywhere now are these TAPOUT shirts. Yeah, you know the ones. The shirts with the GIANT LETTERING ON THEM. I'll bet you 90% of the douche bags that wear those shirts have never been in a single fight in their lives, much less even watch the damn sport on TV. The guys who actually do MMA fighting are probably not walking around the mall wearing their own signature line of t-shirt. Most likely they don't want to be noticed in public all that much, for fear of being hassled, or even attacked by some macho dickhead who thinks he can take them on. This obsession with mixed martial arts in this country is the result of over-stimulated, under-sexed men with testosterone to spare from their lack of ever getting laid. They have nothing to do with all that pent up energy and hormonal activity so they think they'll look cool if they can man-hug someone to the ground and punch them repeatedly in a small fenced in area. I say, give them several acres to run and hide and see how long a match lasts then. Of course you can knock someone out in a 20' ring, they've got nowhere to run, even if they ran in circles they'd eventually get tired. How hard can that be? Now, I'm not belittling the sport, or the actual fighters. I know it takes lots of dedication, time, and training, as well as several dozen doctor visits to keep from falling apart. My anger comes from the 40-something slob of a man who has never in his life lifted a dumbbell, much less ever taken any actual martial arts training, walking around with a TAPOUT t-shirt that's about 6 sizes too small for him, and attempting to puff out his chest and talk with his hands as if he's some kind of tough guy. Listen pal, the only way anyone is gonna ever tap-out with you around is if you accidentally sit on them, or run them over during your stampede to the buffet table.
While I'm on the topic, I'm sick of seeing these sluts with cottage cheese asses walking around the mall wearing pants that say "Juicy" on the backside. There's nothing juicy about you, so just stop it. In fact, you're rather solid. If anything, wear something a little more honest. Buy some pants that say "I have too much self esteem and think that everyone wants to read my ass." or "Daddy didn't give me enough attention so I'm turning the largest part of my body into a billboard."
I think self expression is a great thing, I wish more people would use their right and ability to express themselves. I just get very irritated when they do it foolishly. If you like a band and want to wear their logo or album art, then by all means, tell the world how much you love that band. I don't care what kind of music it is, even if it's something I hate, you are more than welcome to express that. If you want to tell the whole world that you spend way too much money on clothing by wearing a sweater that says "Abercrombie" on it, then they, you'll be mugged before I will, so have at it. On the other hand, if you're only wearing some kind of symbol on your clothing because you think it's going to get you more respect, please save your money, and don't subject all of us to your idiocy. Certain things happen within popular culture that make people think they want to be, look, or sound a certain way. People want to be a part of the crowd, and I totally understand that to some extent, but be you, don't be "that guy."
You wanna mess with someone to find out if they're really a Harley Davidson owner? Ask him what size radiator he has on his bike. 95% of Harley Davidson's product line are air-cooled, with no radiator. If he tries to give you any answer other than "none" he's either got a V-Rod or is completely full of shit. Ask the next guy with a John Deere hat how many acres he has for his crops. Ask the next mall bimbo what exactly about her is "Juicy" and run like hell if she begins to tell you her herpes history. Finally, the next time you see some Guido wearing a TAPOUT shirt, ask him what is so manly about 2 glistening, sweaty men spooning on a rubber mat.
Oh, and one last thing. Ed Hardy clothing should be destroyed. The t-shirts were one thing. But I've actually seen suit jackets with that logo running down the sleeve. That's nice, you wanna show up at a funeral wearing that. Real classy. All these people that want to wear tattoo designs all over themselves should just do what the rest of us do and go under the needle for a few hours. We'll see how manly you are when those liner needles start scraping into the softer parts of your flesh. You know, the inside of your elbow or the underside of your bicep near your armpit.
-Rob Acocella
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)