Christmas List Catch 22
December 15, 2009 | by Dylan | 2 Comments
Today is December 15th and my mom continues to remind me that she needs me to write down a list of things I want for Christmas. I am like you. I like things. Many things are valuable to me and some things, I’m sure, are necessary for living. Somewhere along the line, long before I was born, thing-makers decided to make shitty-things – either that or we decided on (or were tricked into) liking shitty-things - I’m not really sure. I’ve heard of many scholars researching these ideas and finding valid whos, whens and whys on our acceptance of shitty-things but for me, it’s simply a matter of common sense. I don’t want any more shitty-things[period] I told my mom that this is the reason I have trouble making a list of things I want – I simply don’t know if the things I want exist. Maybe only cheap replicas of the things I want exist. Let it be known – there are manufacturers that still believe in the quality of their product; that still “make ‘em like they used to.” BillyKirk is really great example… that’s why I wanted to share this video.
[foot note]
There exists a dilemma, however.
Most people can’t afford nice things (or even healthy food for that matter) The things that are accessible to people like me tend only to be industrial replicas of nice things that once-upon-a-time actually held value and were passed down generations. The realization that the only things I ‘legitimately want’ are either used and impossible to find or hand made and too expensive makes the annual Christmas List quite a challenge for me to create, if not a ‘catch 22′ in itself. Sorry Ma’ just get me a box of Ferrero Rocher – I’ll love you either way.
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2 Responses to “Christmas List Catch 22”
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December 15th, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
Those are some good looking men, but everything about that video is marketing the bags to you in a certain way, just like the videos on the Tod’s website make them seem so old-world Italian tradition. That’s the difference between the expensive handmade things you want and the shitty things that take 6 weeks from autocad to the store– the first flaunts how its made and the latter has to cover it up.
And I remember seeing BillyKirk bags at Teen Vogue, so it’s not like they’re opposed to going mainstream for the sake of publicity (I wouldn’t be either) and everyone’s just another cog in the machinery.
But i like stuff too and this post is sooooo a semester long of Design Studies.
December 18th, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
Went through the same thing this christmas. My stepmom insisted I make her a christmas list…when I dont really want anything.
I mean I want some things, but not enought to spend money on them.
I wanted to tell her “Look woman, if you have to ask me what I want for Christmas, you probably shouldnt get me anything”
but I told her to talk to my girlfriend and have her recommend things