Defunct Ideology


There was a time (about 10 years back) when mobile phones were a statement. Like any new technology that hits the market, they were picked by the actual "well off" gentry of the country. As big as pencil box sized black bricks were carried around by hand so as to show the "capability" of the individual. let's be honest.. Rs 16 incoming and rs 30 outgoing were a considerable amount of money 10 years back for making communication. So the believability for the person being actually a somebody was more back then.

Fast forward - present day. The cleaning lady handed over her mobile # to my mom. yes I know It's not a shocking thing anymore. But what is shocking is that how stuff has become accessible to each and everyone (which is kinda like an odd thing.)

There was a time when a certain society of people used to look glamorous and different for the kind of clothes/shoes/watches/hair etc. they used to have on them.

Now. Clothes/shoes/electronics are accessible and affordable. So is everything else like cars, bikes etc. The word "exclusive" has now been pushed into the far squeeze of ultra niche crowd.

I mean a person could be living in a 2 bedroom L.I.G. flat somewhere in outskirts of the city, but still can look like a supermodel / billionaire n talk like as if is about to participate in Ms. Universe pageant or has just got off the flight from U.K.

Is it a good thing? It could be if they are wannabes who want to fake it till they make it.

I interact with and see close to 100 - 150 people on a daily basis (being a part of the fashion/retail industry). All kinds of people. There are many who are like the ones I described above - looking like the next supermodel, with the flashiest of clothes and accents and arrogance to match that of a billionaire. Yet their true colors, shallowness and fakeness reflect in their attitude and tells about where they're coming from.

Then I meet people who look so simple, everyday and average, purchase goods worth thousands in a matter of seconds and yet be so humble and down to earth in their approach that just mesmerizes me. I mean these people carry stacks and I mean "stacks" of money on them yet can be passed as a commoner by anyone. Their politeness and simplicity reflect their general attitude and that to me is glamorous and appealing.

It's like a person who is shallow, will try and do anything to get the attention cause he/she wants to prove something. Although a person who actually is a somebody wouldn't give two bits about these details and he/she will have nothing to prove to noone.

I get a first hand experience everyday that everything that shines is not gold and not to judge people on their outer appearance and on face value.

Coming back to my main point. These days, anybody can try and look like a somebody with a little bit of an effort and money. They forget though, that this can get them a little bit of fame only in the short run cause people in time will see right through them.

In the long run, a person who is humble, simple, honest and genuine wins in all aspects of life.

6 comments:

I agree. But maybe everyone having access to everything worth having access too is not such a bad thing. Maybe it's a step towards bridging the infamous rich-poor divide. Different thing that a whole lot of wannabes are an undesirable by-product of this exercise!

February 1, 2008 at 7:01 PM  

There is a catch to bridge the rich poor divide.. A person cannot be rich in one department without being poor in another. Think about it.. Like I always say.. life is one divisible whole. Go through "The Epiphany" on this blog! :)

February 1, 2008 at 7:47 PM  

"do not judge based on appearance", this coming from someone working in the fashion industry. Ironical!

February 2, 2008 at 8:45 PM  

@ Himani - You're a law student. When you become a lawyer, you would pledge to uphold and respect the law.

Would you stick to your pledge always and never try to bend the law or find loopholes in it while knowing that the client you are representing is guilty or is pressing false charges?!
This is if you are doing criminal/civil law.

We can find irony everywhere. :)

February 2, 2008 at 10:01 PM  

Find loopholes in the law while sticking to the law at all times!As far as the guilty bit is concerned, they say a man is innocent until proven guilty. Proving is in the hands of the judge, not the lawyer.
Occupational hazards, both for you and me.

February 2, 2008 at 11:02 PM  

I rest my case.

February 2, 2008 at 11:06 PM  

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