When people here the word "communist" they think political oppression or even financial equality. When I here the word "communist" I think bland conformity.
If you travel to the formal Soviet Union (as I have) you can see a few things 1- political prosecution is terrible, 2- Soviet housing was known as "bloc housing" bland, grey square buildings. Art was not appreciated nor was individuality. Clothes were grey, people looked drab. That was the bland reality of "communistic conformity".
Then look at where America is going now. Be it NJ where my favorite childhood store (Fountains of Wayne) is going out of business, or my favorite Alaskan store that is now gone (Outdoors and More). Replaced by Americans zeal to shop their local big boxes instead. It doesn't matter which state you are in--they all look the same now. Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Alaska--you can't tell the difference when you are looking at the Target/Walgreens/PetCo Complex.
Everyone is rushing out to wear the exact same Old Navy dress, sandals from Kohls and patio set from WalMart. I don't understand for the life of me why people enjoy this.
I don't even know if there is a point for Mom & Pop to open their own little shop anymore, because you know the big box monsters will come and devour them all.
Let alone the consumer who is to blame--as they see 25 cents savings on a pair of shorts and lose their brains. Never mind the fact that we are voluntarily choosing to be EXACTLY THE SAME. Bring on the communism, bag unique expression. Drive home to your beige house and weep.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
What's the Deal With Costco?
I am probably the last American to step inside a Costco. (did I even spell that right?) There has been one in Alaska (in Anchorage) for years, and it is my understanding that everyone is madly in love with it. There is a smaller version of this monstrosity around Alaska called Three Bears--that I understand. I can get good kitty litter there, cheap coffee and now and then some camping gear. Nothing to be overwhelmed about, and probably a good deal if you run a B&B and need bulk stuff.
But the giant Anchorage Costco? No, no, no. I am not understanding it at all. It is a hideous experience to walk in there. Like you are going to have a stroke or seizure. All those giant TV's blaring and people everywhere and giant pallets of who knows what forming towers in a city of tackiness. Clumsy patrons stroll about pushing carts full of Ramen noodles. It is such a confusing experience I couldn't figure out if we were walking in the clothing section or looking at frozen chickens (which by the way weren't even such a good deal).
Do Americans really eat so much that an average family needs like 2 gallons of mayonnaise and 12 jugs of fruit punch at one time? I can't help but think some of that just goes to waste--so there is no real savings.
As we sat dazed and confused eating cheap pizza, I saw what people were buying: canopy's and storage containers, electronic doodads. Hundreds of people roboticly checking out to add clutter and purchase storage solutions for their clutter. Nobody was smiling there. This is the future of consumerism? It reminded me of something out of Wall-e, welcome to Economy!!
But the giant Anchorage Costco? No, no, no. I am not understanding it at all. It is a hideous experience to walk in there. Like you are going to have a stroke or seizure. All those giant TV's blaring and people everywhere and giant pallets of who knows what forming towers in a city of tackiness. Clumsy patrons stroll about pushing carts full of Ramen noodles. It is such a confusing experience I couldn't figure out if we were walking in the clothing section or looking at frozen chickens (which by the way weren't even such a good deal).
Do Americans really eat so much that an average family needs like 2 gallons of mayonnaise and 12 jugs of fruit punch at one time? I can't help but think some of that just goes to waste--so there is no real savings.
As we sat dazed and confused eating cheap pizza, I saw what people were buying: canopy's and storage containers, electronic doodads. Hundreds of people roboticly checking out to add clutter and purchase storage solutions for their clutter. Nobody was smiling there. This is the future of consumerism? It reminded me of something out of Wall-e, welcome to Economy!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Bring Back the Booze
As a connoisseur of old movies and TV it really appears that casual drinks, cocktail hour and what have you seem to have been more acceptable past times 40 years ago than they are now. What happened to the martini lunch or liquor cart in ones home or office?? All replaced with espresso and nut bars instead. Of course this TV view may not reflect reality then or now, but it does indicate a change of perception--i.e. drinking is evil, and we can't portray it casually on TV or movies anymore.
This might be a long shot--but does the demonization of alcohol drive up the market for drugs? I am wondering why in the world do so many Americans need so much cocaine to absolutely put Mexico into such a violent quagmire. And what's with all the oxycotin addicts?? So I just can't help but make the assumption that the anti-booze movement just pushes people into more underground narcotic choices. Either because the perception could be--well what's the difference? Or among younger people (under 21) drugs can be so much easier to hide than stinky, bulky booze.
Not that I am pro-addicts of any kind. I find it pathetic to not change your situation and just mope in a pile of substances..But I do think, just maybe we could bring back the days of casual cocktails and not the casual coke.
This might be a long shot--but does the demonization of alcohol drive up the market for drugs? I am wondering why in the world do so many Americans need so much cocaine to absolutely put Mexico into such a violent quagmire. And what's with all the oxycotin addicts?? So I just can't help but make the assumption that the anti-booze movement just pushes people into more underground narcotic choices. Either because the perception could be--well what's the difference? Or among younger people (under 21) drugs can be so much easier to hide than stinky, bulky booze.
Not that I am pro-addicts of any kind. I find it pathetic to not change your situation and just mope in a pile of substances..But I do think, just maybe we could bring back the days of casual cocktails and not the casual coke.
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