I'm with the brand

“branded men” - i love that! the description. i generally find branded men annoying…

Why are they walking around advertising huge companies for free? I think it’s a bit sinister, all this psychological identification with a brand name to indicate character or group membership.

People seem to be particularly susceptible to the idea that being associated with a brand tells the world something about their personality. Whether it’s a Nike t-shirt, Alpha-Romeo car or Apple phone - they buy that stuff mostly because people like me have persuaded them that the brand has particular ‘values’ with which they wish to associate themselves.

They’ll tell themselves and everybody else that they like the style of the shirt, the way the car drives, the features of the phone. This is all demonstrably bullshit. In almost all cases, better alternatives are available at better prices.

Deep down, they think the logo tells the world something about the kind of person they are. We don’t sell products, we sell brands, and brands are just strap-on personalities for the under-endowed.

Oh you poor bastard.
I recognise the symptoms of a deep depression on an imminent approach.

I strongly suggest a lot of alcohol and/ or mood/mind altering substances as soon as possible.

LL: It’s interesting to hear that from an insider’s perspective and I completely agree with your analysis. Funny you mention Apple - the one around their computer equipment and its founder is especially sinister I think. Steve Jobs’s death was the nearest thing we’ve had to the mass hysteria that broke out when Diana died.

You’re probably familiar with the book LL but I pinched the title from a book about this phenomenon by Rob Walker. (Telegraph review here).

TSB: The day turned out great as these lovely friends (Kitty and Melissa) rode to the rescue and came over to Lancaster. Details later. (Photo’s from August. Melissa now sports the sexiest little black square specs).

Was that opening paragraph an attempt at a shocking O. Henry-twist? Well done!

What’s wrong with overhearing some sweet vindication?! Nothing vain about that. More human than anything else.

I’m not attempting to shock, I’m just reporting my life. You can’t shock anyone since Modernism.

And thanks - I just felt a bit silly how pleased I was to hear a very young barmaid call me a nice bloke to a third party.

“swearing in a way which I know indicates friendship rather than aggression”

My gods thank you- thank you for understanding this. I immediately begin swearing my head off when I become comfortable with a person, and I hate when it is taken the wrong way.

Great post.

Thanks J! Me too - swearing’s a sign of friendship, of feeling comfortable with someone.