I have many friends who are snobs of some sort, whether their medium of choice is music, film, fashion, drink or some combination thereof. They only like bands, movies, clothes and/or cocktails that no one else has heard of, or that were in vogue exactly 18.5 years ago and haven’t yet come back around. These dear friends (no, I’m not talking about you) are deeply misguided because they are missing out on two of life’s chief joys: (1) loving something just because it brings you pleasure and (2) loving something because it brings many other people pleasure.
Yes, there are crappy fads that deserve scorn. But not all popular things are crappy, and not all people who like popular things are mindless sheep with soft-serve yogurt for brains. Ferreting out popular crap from the popular-for-a-good-reason (or the coincidentally popular and of value) occasionally takes more than a snap judgment, and you shouldn’t hesitate to take a second look. More importantly, deriding people who enjoy popular things should be struck off your list of recreational activities. You’re better than that, and so are they we.*
*This PSA brought to you by: Sue Me, I Like Harry Potter and I Watch The Bachelor And Am Man Enough To Admit It.
Filed under: life Tagged: | fads, harry potter, indie snob, the bachelor
I believe the pashmina has gone from snobbish fad to fashionable kiddie blanket.
I believe when i go to a restaurant in San Diego’s Gaslamp district and ask if they have a Syrah from the “Santa Rita Hills” appelation, then I’m being a snob.
I believe when I wear my Peet’s 40th Anniversary shirt to a Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, God smiles.
P.S. Regarding your last point, I believe I did cry when Claire Daines died in “Little Women” (you know, the one with Winona Rider?) And don’t get me started, because I really liked Winona in “How to Make an American Quilt!”
OK. Time to go now…
You have inspired me.
Like millions of others, I love Vienna Sausages!
Ah Aly, You said it wasn’t me last time, but this time I’m feeling “it’s me” again. It’s true, I can be snobby about my music taste. Normally I don’t comment on other people’s music taste, but this years Grammys put me over the top…could have been the scotch. There were things I liked, things I could appreciate even though there are not my style, and things that made me throw things at the screen…I guess more like throw my poo on FaceBook, which I will not be doing next year all though it was cathartic at the time. You are right. Not all popular things deserve scorn, but Kid Rock? Jonas Brothers? Ok, ok, I’ll chill out. It’s not like Kid Rock sucking is a news flash to anyone. It would be wise for me NOT to watch the Grammys next year, which is something my blood pressure and friends with “a more popular bend to their music taste” would most certainly appreciate. I apologize even if you say “it wasn’t me” this year.
I’m a huge music fan, as you know, and spend most of my time listening to music, getting excited, and telling other people about the music I think they would enjoy discovering. I can’t remember the last time I told someone “let me see you iPod…you listen to that crap?”
Perhaps I need to apply the same rules online, while drinking scotch and watching the Grammys. I can do that. I’m into Change in 09.
Well, if this blog is going to be all populist and whatnot, I’m not going to bother sticking around.
Now I’m off to listen to 4 hours of Steve Reich early electronica experimental music on vinyl, which is the only music worth listening to.
Jason – The truth is, all of us are snobs of one kind or another, and I didn’t have you in mind when I wrote this (really. Promise). I think that, to some extent, the penchant for snobbery in our generation is a completely natural reaction to the sheer number of options. I mean, there’s SO MUCH of everything that we have to do something – anything – to pare it down into usable bits.
My plea is that, instead of choosing snobbery as the primary method of sorting music, clothes, etc. into piles, we use a barometer of enjoyment (you already do this!) and keep the frontin’ to a minimum.
I hear you on the Grammys, dude. And I’m pretty sure that coked up on scotch is the only way to get through them without dying of shame for poor Stevie Wonder. (But Radiohead … wow. Mommy like.)
Doug – Admit it. You like Vienna sausages because they were popular 18.5 years ago and you’re ahead of the curve.
Rich – You are the nicest snob I know.
Mike – This from the guy who can’t keep his seat when Beyonce changes keys.
Hey Jason, are you a Highland, Speyside, or Islay scotch man?
Thank you. Sometimes when there is not a Syrah within reach or a filet cooked to perfection, it is nice to enjoy a cheap ass bottle of wine and a burger.
Just because some of us (myself included) like to watch what others deem “crappy tv,” does not mean that I do not also enjoy quality literature or independent, artistic films, etc.
To me, it is dependent upon my mood. For instance, when I go to a nail salon down the street (not often), I want to put my brain at rest and flip through Us Magazine, or whatever else provides me with a nice dose of Hollywood gossip.
On the other hand, if I am lucky enough to have a moment of peace, I will escape to my room and read something with substance.
Yay for anyone who admits to an addiction to crappy tv!
Snobbery bomb in 3 . . . 2 . . .
TV? Wuzzat?
ka-BOOM!
Oh, the humanity.
I love snobs!!! They have introduced me to a lot of great things that I still currently enjoy… coffee, bourbon, wine, music, authors, etc and etc. BUT I still love America’s Next Top Model. Don’t hate.
Without music snobs in high school, I would have never gotten into great music that isn’t played on the radio. I owe a great debt to you all. A critical ear is a good thing.
To A Goulie Kid: I’m into whatever is around $20-$23 at Trader Joes in a glass bottle at the moment. Can’t remember what it was at the Grammys. Nothing spectacular but good still.
I shudder when people bring me Charles Shaw as a housewarming gift. I think it is beyond insulting to gift someone with what is universally known as the cheapest (and in my opinion) the worst, bottom of the barrel wine known to man, (sorry hipsters). I would prefer that you pick a flower from my own front yard and give it to me as you are walking in.
I adore Britney Spears. I don’t care that she didnt write it, produce it, or even song it. There. I said it.
Oh, and I produce crappy tv. Like really crappy tv. And I don’t mind it.
My fiancé hates my taste in music, but he couldn’t tell the difference between two buck chuck and motor oil.
We’re both snobs on our own right, I guess.
I personally can’t stand it when people don’t like popular music just because it’s popular, which is probably the reason why I can’t stand it when people thinks it’s cool to announce that Charles is a great value!! Yeah, maybe if you’re a bum!
I meant “sing” it. And “in” our own right. Darn iPhone.
I actually really like being scorned by the elite because it helps me learn to be more better! Jason schools me in electronic music, and Nathan schools me in movies. Brian schools me in singing and Aly in reading. All my friends do it nice and gentle, which is easy on the ol’ ego; but I don’t mind the occasional reaming session. I’m glad to get pummeled because it helps me become cooler. The cooler I get the more I can look down my nose at others! EVERYBODY WINS!
What if I love it because it a) brings me pleasure and b) brings other pleasure so I feel happy they can share my joy? This is true, for me, of things like this 80s cover band that I sort of enjoy but enjoy more since it is popular at my university.
Aly, I don’t see what your point is. Beyonce is totally indie.
The great Beyonce. I can’t stand Beyonce.