My Thought's Exactly

"In any case, I needed to talk to someone, and I was alone. This is my habitual condition, by choice--or so I tell myself. Mere acquaintanceship leaves me unsatisfied, and few people are willing to accept the burdens and risk of friendship as I conceive of it."

Mask of the (RED) Death

Above is the 'Project Red' manifesto. I don't really want to say too much about it at the moment but I want you to read it. Read it and think about what exactly it's saying and what it means. Is this a good thing? The wizards behind the curtain (Bono being one of them) would like you to think so. But here's my problem with it:

- RED (as I'll refer to the campaign) uses people dying of aids in Africa to garner sympathy from the consumer.

- RED borderline threatens you into buying a "red" product by saying that if you don't buy RED, someone will die of AIDS. Incredible. They think that $10 from every iPod sold is actually going to make it to the patients who need it. And who follows up with it? How can I get involved without buying something? How can I see where the money goes and how it's used? The answer? You can't help without buying something because helping the people directly does not make these people selling their services and products money. It's a win/win for all the parties involved (oh, but not the AIDS patient in Africa. Sorry gang). This campaign is not only a way to get people to buy something they don't need...but it's also a way to make profit for the campaign itself with the 10% donation. 

- And RED just perpetuates the notion that the only way to solve a problem is to buy something. Spending money allows companies to invest in doing "the right thing." Since when have most corporations ever cared about who they impact on their pursuit of profit? They only want to be perceived as responsible...not actually be responsible. Remember that. It's a marketing gimmick and nothing more. A clever mask hiding these companies true intentions. (RED) Death is an appropriate way to view this ideology.

Lastly, I want to say that marketing, branding and advertising along this and similar trains of thought can lead to a scary future. Pretty soon they (the brading adgents) are just going to threaten us directly: "Buy this iPod nano or someone will come to your house and kill you." They're already doing this with products like tasers. They say: "If you do not buy this you will not be safe and you will get mugged or raped or killed - only OUR product can save you." Ooooo a feel good purchase if I ever saw one.

Screw Project RED. And screw you Bono. This is so not cool.

'Dear Convenience'

January 18, 2008 (Originally posted)

Dear Convenience,

I hate to have this conversation via email but I find it's best to think about what I want to say before saying it. That way I have time to reflect on what I'm feeling and make sure I communicate those thoughts clearly.

So I'm writing you tonight to let you know that I can't see you anymore. I know this may come as a shock because things were going so well but I feel that it's the best thing for me right you. You see...even though you made my life easier during the time we shared, I realize now that you didn't have my best interests at heart. You made things too easy on me. I know that sounds like a good thing but trust me--it's not. I need to know how to do things for myself. For example: ever since we met, I find myself cooking less and less. I mean why would I? I have you there to do it for me. But I like to cook. I need to cook. I want to get better at it so I can teach other people how to do it for themselves too. I can't do that with you around all the time. And that's just what you do for me in the kitchen. Now look at exercise: you tell me I don't need to do that either--or at least I still need to but I don't have to if I don't feel like it. You get me to work and back everyday so there's no exercise there. And when I come home it's dark out or I'm tired from being at the office all day and you make it to easy for me to just ignore the things I need to do to stay healthy and tell me that I can just "worry about it later." Well later is here and I'm going to worry about it now.

Please forgive me for rambling a bit but that's because this letter is not easy for me to write. I mean, you've been with me practically my whole life. For as long as I can remember you've been there by my side, washing my dishes, keeping me warm and fed, getting me to work quickly and comfortable every day--but no more. From here on out I want to do things the 'hard way' or the 'old fashioned way.' I now know that my grandpa was right all along when he told me that when he was my age he had to walk to school, both ways, barefoot and in the snow. I think that made my grandfather the special person that he was and if could have half the character and resourcefulness he had, I'd consider myself lucky.

I'm sure you won't have any problem meeting someone new. There are loads of people out there looking for exactly what you have to offer. I'm sure you'll make someone really happy someday. I also hope that one day they too will learn what I now know--that having things done for you--cheaply, quickly and easily--is less of a blessing and more of a curse in disguise.

Take care and good luck,

Unknown Pleasures