You could have summed up most of those things with one word spendo: STATUS

From which comes STATUS ANXIETY, which is the root cause of most of the symptoms displayed in consumer culture.

Like it or not, the obsession with status is fundamental in understanding most of our behaviour and has been with us since before humans became humans. While you may not buy into the "mainstream", consumer culture status displays, I am sure you have some of your own amongst your own group of friends. I am sure of this because you are obviously not a monk that has vowed to forsake all worldly possessions.

Hey, this thread could actually end up being interesting.

Tell me about it. You don't know depressing it was for me after failing to live my dream of becoming a pirate ninja pimp daddy robot astronaut millionaire.

And yeah, I agree with you on the other thing as well.

Funnily enough, research has shown that gossip and idle chit-chat is actually important in social networks. While you may think it meaningless to talk about "reality television" the very nature of the unscripted interactions makes it more appealing to a younger demographic who want to find out about how others perceive the same social cues and interactions. Discussions of this type are actually important in predicting the probable reactions of ones friends and associates to various situations. In the past, it was an important survival trait. In the present its vacuous nonsense to people who think that they have more important things to discuss.

(previous post was for turnrightthenleft, this is for bugsy)

Yep, you're about right I'd say. We all try to find our status in society, even if it is just amongst our own friends.

Those who follow the majority do so because it is the easy and safe option: you'll never find yourself on your own, and hey, if everyone else is doing it, it should get me by. And the best part: dont have to think too hard.

But there are also advantages to walking the road less taken (is that the expression? sounds wrong): you form closer bonds with the minority who share your perceptions, and you can create yourself a stronger identity through deeper analysis and critical thinking. The very fact that you aren't fitting in means you will find yourself asking more questions about the world around you, and in the process, hopefully finding more answers.

Yeah, but can you wear the latest fashions of Paris Hilton?

(I can't. I'm not quite open anti-mainstream enough to indulge in cross dressing. Besides, those damn hair extensions would look terrible on me.)

Bugsy - I see your point about discussing the trivial matters. Yes, of course, the trivial things in life tend to be among the most amusing. Of course, they have a place in everyday discussion - it is when it becomes nought but trivial that the rot sets in.

All things in moderation. Including trivial commentary.

But not reality TV. That's where I draw the line... okay, you can keep the Amazing Race, but only because it has interesting places. Aside from that, zip.