Fads

There just seems to be something in our natures that makes us want to jump on the bandwagon when something starts to be popular. Luckily, most fads are short-lived but the more technological we become, the wider spread and longer lasting fads are becoming.

Yes, the Internet is at fault. *humourous sarcasm*

Seriously, though, the Internet is responsible for the spread of fads at the world-breaking speeds they now travel. Before it could take months or even years for a fad to travel around the world. Now, it's instantaneous. Or as close as we can get.

Some fads are obvious and people get involved just to be a part of something funny and light-hearted. Other fads take on a life of their own for no reason anyone can explain. They will be wildly popular and then when their fame breaks, everyone will deny being part of the fad, despite evidence to the contrary. Which doesn't make sense unless you consider how much some people need to be considered "cool", "hip", or whatever term currently means part of the popular group. And no, I don't know the current slang. :P

I can understand not wanting to be reminded of a fad that has lost it's appeal. What I don't understand is the backlash that usually goes against the fad when it falls. While something or someone is popular, I hear how much people "love" it/them. When the fad is falling out of favor, I hear how people "hate" it/them. If I liked a fad enough to be part of it, I'll admit I was. I had liked it after all and I see nothing wrong in liking something that is not popular.

But I appear to be a minority.

Of course, I also seem to be in the minority for liking fads. There are very few that I have liked and usually have involved songs. I'm not usually attracted to singers, although I appreciate a good looking man and a deep voice will make me melt. But I've never been prone to crushes on people. I don't know enough about them to really have any feelings for them. I look at the fact that their job is to entertain me and judge them on that. I will be sad when a celebrity I liked dies because that means I can no longer see them act or hear any new music from them. I'm also sorry that their families are not grieving for their loss but it's not my personal loss.

Mostly what I wonder at is why a fad becomes popular. Sometimes it's easy to figure out. A song or dance will be fun and upbeat and make people feel good to sing along or dance. But fads like copying someone's hair style or fashion sense don't make sense to me. My colouration won't let me wear the same clothes or colours as somebody else. I might not really like the hairstyle or it might be completely wrong for my face and hair. Yet, I see people copying the look no matter how good or bad it is on them.

Then again, they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I've never been good at giving or receiving flattery.

Then there are the fads like the current one - selfies. I remember growing up and people being on vacation and getting someone to take their picture so they have a solid memento of their trip. They were called vacation pictures. Or family photos. Even if you ended up trying to hold the camera and catch yourself in the picture it was still considered to be normal pictures. Now they are called selfies and are hugely popular, especially if you can get a group together for it.

Um, wouldn't having a group in it make it a group picture and not a selfie? *shakes head* Silly me, of course it's a selfie of whoever took the picture. Unless, the person taking the picture isn't in the picture or is holding the phone for the person who owns it, right? No? Well, then, I guess I really don't understand selfies.

What I do know is, you won't catch me doing it. Aside from the fact that I don't like having my picture taken, if I want a picture of me then I'll be getting someone else to take it.

I guess I just fail at following fads. I think a good percentage of the reason is that I don't just follow mindlessly. I'm also not really a leader so I kind of stand to the side and make my own decisions. At least I can get a good chuckle from most fads. That's just my sense of humour again.