I simply “have to” share my thoughts, as I have heard comments on this subject from so many people for so long. I need to put this out there: If you, like me, find the world and the people in it an interesting place, and enjoy pondering the workings of the complex societies that we live in, and like to question some of the accepted norms and ways of thinking we have had put in place, you will be faced with a problem. At least if you ever do anything where more than your friends hear your opinions or questions. If you are just a “nobody”, in the sense that you as a person only stand for yourself, not a company, or someone else’s company or brand, you aren’t a public figure or a celebrity for some reason or other, you can have and share whatever opinions you like, and most of the time they won’t really affect your life, as long as you live in a free society. But the moment you stand for something more than just yourself, the rules of the game apparently change.
It has been suggested that it may not be advisable to say or do anything which may anger any potential customers. That would basically mean not expressing any opinions or performing any actions which may be deemed by anyone to be controversial. This includes any humour that is not clearly obvious, and can be taken seriously by someone by mistake. Also, this includes humour, questions or opinions which may offend someone. This may strike you as sound advice, and in fact if you study most successful brands, celebrities, politicians, or anyone trying to get support from masses of other people, you will realise they do not really express many meaningful opinions. In fact they tend to avoid saying anything at all meaningful, or decisive.
It has been suggested that it may not be advisable to say or do anything which may anger any potential customers. That would basically mean not expressing any opinions or performing any actions which may be deemed by anyone to be controversial.
In the best case people manage to remain neutral, which potentially leads to something boring and bland. In the worst case, they choose to state the opinions and values that the majority share, even if they do not truly hold these themselves. In other words, we live in a world where the default is, that people who try and achieve something, are superficial, boring, and 2-faced, they tell you what they think you want to hear, so you give them what they want. I think that’s sad.
we live in a world where the default is, that people who try and achieve something, are superficial, boring, and 2-faced, they tell you what they think you want to hear, so you give them what they want.
I’m definitely not going to be a superficial 2-faced sellout, so I can sell more RC Cars and make more money. The best I can be is quiet, neutral and boring. But the thing is, that’s just not me. I’m real, I have opinions, and occasionally I share them. I believe in fairness, equality, honesty, peace, the value of education and first hand experience, freedom of speech, expression, religion and sexuality, and that we are all the same on the inside. I have a weird sense of humour, and I enjoy banter in person with friends, and online with anyone. I don’t think any of this is bad.
I am far from perfect, I engage in futile and ridiculous arguments and discussions, and have tried to reduce this childish behaviour. Many times there is no point in stating an opinion, nothing good will come of it, and it is not part of any larger plan, it is a completely pointless distraction. I am also socially incapable, and being born and raised in Finland surely does not help my case. I’m often stubborn selfish and rude, and not even handsome. But I don’t think I am a bad person. I don’t think that any of the points above dilute any of the arguments I make.
I’m often stubborn selfish and rude, and not even handsome. But I don’t think I am a bad person. I don’t think that any of the points above dilute any of the arguments I make.
I make statements and highlight issues which I believe should be questioned, and which I see being ignored or misrepresented. I almost always end up on the side of the minority, the oppressed, the weak, the ones whose voice is not heard or understood, because I care enough about fellow humans to actually figure out if the mainstream point of view is the right one, or the only right one. Most people just follow like sheep, and if anyone comes up with anything opposing it’s a case of “if you are not with us, you must be against us.” That’s not a healthy way to think.
My point is, if someone can’t handle a bit of humour, a disagreement or an opposing view, and decides to hate me and bad mouth the products me and my friends make, then so be it. I would rather have that than just be another zombie without integrity, looking to maximise my materialistic wealth. At the risk of sounding like a social media narcissist, I hope that something I say may register with someone, and more people will take a step back from the mainstream propaganda machine and have the courage to think for, and to be themselves.
I hope that something I say may register with someone, and more people will take a step back from the mainstream propaganda machine and have the courage to think for, and to be themselves.
THEQuagraine 