Rapper extraordinaire Diamond D said it best in the song Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop when he debunked the claim that a man’s best friend was not a dog, by arguing that “in the subway or riding in a Benz, whether four eyes or contact lens, sipping Moet or Heineken, some like dark, some like light skinned, some have one and some have ten, some still are and some have been, I'll play the rooster you play the hen, stunts are a man's best friend” where the word stunt refers to somebody of the female persuasion. Though not entirely flawless, I do recognise that Diamond’s argument does not cater for anything other than heterosexual relationships, for the most part I think he hits the nail on the head. It is not the material things which prove to be life’s marvels, rather the reciprocal relationships we as human beings form with others, be it of a romantic, sexual, professional or simple friendly nature, that make life what it is today.
Sure those new Jordans look pretty snazzy on the old feet, it’s nice to look good for that first job interview, a penis enlarger might be useful ahead of that first sexual experience with a new lover and we’d all for the opt part rather show up in a brand new Mercedes as opposed to that ’89 Civic sitting in the drive way, but they are all accessories to the fact. Comedian Chris Rock made an interesting observation, by saying that a man would fuck a woman in a cardboard box if he could. Colourful imagery and language aside, he does pose a fascinating paradigm – if it weren’t for mankind’s seemingly God-given necessity to impress, would we put so much weighting on the decision to purchase the material things in the world?
Here’s one. Why do people have iPods? Outside of a few people I know whereby music is not only a hobby and interest but is a career and lifestyle, the vast majority do not 10gb worth of music to load on to their iPod, let alone over 100. Furthermore, should someone have over 100gb worth of tracks and albums, the chances of them listening to every piece of recorded art on a consistent and constant basis is not only highly unlikely – it is damn near scientifically impossible. They are no more easily transportable than most other MP3 players; their aesthetic quality could be argued either way and they are by no means any cheaper from an economic standpoint. So why is it that everywhere you go, people are tapping on their little Apple produced technological propaganda machines...err...I mean iPods? They even have other MP3 player producers utilising their patented white earphones, to portray the image that they are of an equal standing, as if the colour of the earphones has a bearing on how one may perceive another’s MP3 player. You’ve got to wonder.
I hate to keep bringing up quotes from comedians, but they are an easy and entertaining way of illustrating what can be quite academically profound subjects, neck-deep in copious psychological, sociological and philosophical matter. Comedians not only cut to the chase more quickly, but they also have a knack of accompanying said chase with a humorous anecdote. In the case of consumerism, Dave Chappelle brings light to one of the shadier aspects of marketing, celebrity endorsements. In a stand up comedy special, Chappelle claimed “I don't even know why people listen to me. I'll say anything. I've done commercials for Coke and Pepsi. I don't give a fuck what comes out of my mouth. I say what it takes. Whatever it takes, that’s what I'm saying. If you wanna know the truth, can’t even taste the difference. Surprise! All I know is, Pepsi paid me most recently so... it tastes better.” It’s an image thing, we all know it, yet we all fall for it, time and time and time again.
When you attend funerals, and you’re sitting in your pew sobbing away into your handkerchief, what are the common topics people raise when sharing their memories of their loved one who has passed away. Do they talk about how sweet a person’s BMW was? Do they bring up the extensive collection of technological gadgets when discussing their memories? Is it the size of a person’s swimming pool which determines the impact they have had on other peoples’ lives, and society as a whole? No. It’s the type of person you have portrayed yourself to be through the interaction and socialisation with others which establishes your lasting impression. Sure that other stuff can assist you with this process, but it is in no way, shape or form the key determinant.
So why is it, that in 2011, it is the lyrics of a rapper’s song, which was released in the early 90s might I add, that make more sense than the messages conveyed by corporate powerhouses and big business. You know the world is in a tough spot when said lyrics mean very little to anyone other than a diehard underground Hip hop head, yet Apple, Nike and News Limited have far more say in what direction humanity heads in.
Still love my iPod though.
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