Recent Cultural Trends
I've recently piled all my stuff that was in a storage, into my parent's house in NJ as discussed in my other blog Wandering & Pondering here. The process of going through boxes I packed last August had me thinking about how my "stuff" plays a part in defining who I am. While I was in San Francisco, I felt weightless, flying across country with only 3 suitcases including a refined version of my wardrobe, a few books and of course my computer. There was the possibility of a new beginning. But as I leafed through my books after taking them out of their boxes a few weeks ago, I realized that the objects we collect have an imprint on us - there's a give and take. A quick scan through my bookshelf reminds me of different periods of my life and ongoing interests, from my obsession with Italian Renaissance history to non-fiction science and history. I was inspired to revise the plot to my novel in progress, delve into an old box full of one hundred year old family photos and newspaper articles, and even unload some books to de-clutter.A few times last week, I discussed wanting to have a huge, built in bookshelf in my future apartment when I finally decide to "settle," despite probably eventually getting a Kindle or iPad. I visited a friend who lives in a classic Upper West Side apartment with just that, passed down through her family. I scanned someone's bookshelf who had recently moved after living in one spot for nearly a decade. He declared that he would limit his book collection to this one shelf and would only keep books that were worthy enough for it. And then I met an incredibly interesting, intelligent philosophy teacher who declared that one should never throw a book away because you never know when you'll want to find a quote or read it again. Then ironically, yesterday, I opened the printed version of The New York Times to this article, about interior design firms that curate book collections for their clients. The Times points out that "as it happens, the-book-as-relic was forecasted by marketers. Ann Mack, director of trend-spotting for JWT New York, the marketing and advertising agency, noted in her trend report for the coming year that “objectifying objects,” she said, “would be a trend to watch.”
Quoting from her report, she added: “Here’s what we said: ‘The more that objects become replaced by digital virtual counterparts — from records and books to photo albums and even cash — watch for people to fetishize the physical object. Books are being turned into decorative accessories, for example, and records into art.’ ”
Maybe that's why Moleskin's have become so popular. Most of my thinking is done on a computer but I prefer to put my extra special, private thoughts in my Moleskin. Despite the convenience of digital, physical objects have a power and energy all their own.
For more interesting trend forecasting, you can check out this JWT Slideshare document here.
Totally Inspired
So far Summer 2009 is marked by change: New apartment, new roommate, new neighborhood, new approach to life.. and perhaps a new career. I've been seriously soul searching about grad schools and where I want to go with my career, flying on the coattails of my new move. I'm hoping this momentum will also encourage me to tackle my eating habits as well. I'm considering either the BluePrintCleanse or seeing a nutritionist once and for all. My attempt to go gluten free mostly failed although I have cut back on grains. It's hard to give up a major, dare I say, important part of my life without a specific diagnoses. And then there's that whole 10 year high school reunion coming in November. Weight loss and getting in shape is definitely not something you can put off. Boo. But then again, what's a few hundred bucks spent on getting in shape when there's a high school reunion involved. Hmmm.
I digress.
Today I went to a super awesome work seminar led by Niall McKinney, a digital marketing guru. And yes, your suspicious are correct: he is a charming, intelligent Englishman and also the founder of UTalkMarketing, a British company about all things marketing. I'm starting to think that digital marketing is where I'm going at this point. I know, I know. So ADD you say. Well! I can finally now vouch thanks to a recent doctor's visit that no, I am not, in fact, ADD but rather, slightly obsessive compulsive. Hmmph! I don't know how I feel about that diagnoses. But I agree that I over think things and go back and question decisions I've already made. However, I do find it exciting to immerse myself in an industry that's actually growing. I'm sure that if I turned photography into an actual business, I'd lose my passion for it.
That's all. I'm off to read "Anna Karenina" so I can eventually read "The Power of Now," by Eckhart Tolle, "The Long Tail" and "Free" both by Chris Anderson, and finally "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. Phew. Good thing I still don't have a TV but I've gotten by watching episodes of Merlin and The Philanthropist on Hulu. I don't miss the morning shows although it's possible I was on Fox 5 this morning being interviewed by the weatherman? about my choice to buy iced coffee. Oh and eventually study for the GRE's.
On that note. Peace and LOVE.
I'm Back!
My TV works! I guess I should call back Time Warner and cancel the appointment. I did manage to focus and nearly finish Madame Bovary. And I finished Liar's Poker last weekend. Okay, so one's about a lust for love and sensual experiences and the other is about a lust for money. Apparently Michael Lewis wrote Liar's Poker as a warning so Wall Street wouldn't have another crash. Instead, Wall Street guys took it as a "how to" make tons of money and not get caught. This paragraph in the Epilogue sums up what he learned and is a powerful reminder of the disparity between what Wall Streeters reaped and what they deserved.
"My father's generation grew up with certain beliefs. One of those beliefs is that the amount of money one earns is a rough guide to one's contribution to the welfare and prosperity of our society....One thing that was almost always true was that people who made a lot money were neat. Horatio Alger and all that. It took watching his son being paid 225 grand at the age of twenty-seven, after two years on the job, to shake his faith in money. He has only recently recovered from the shock." p. 247
When did this belief change? Actors, businessmen, traders, etc. make tons of money while even doctors aren't being paid what they used to. Teachers- guiding our futures, get paid a mere fraction of the top earners. We're not paid on our over all contribution to society, but our immediate ability to generate a profit regardless of the long term effects.