Betwixt and between is the only way to describe me as I sit smoking the crack pipe. Over and over I relight the pipe as my mind bounces from aSmallWorld to Simplicity Circle. Should I join the invitation only social marketing site, aSmallWorld, or should I accept membership in a Simplicity Circle?
If I join the aSmallWorld I’ll be with friends who the NYTimes says in a story titled "A Facebook for the Few”are:
...mostly young — 32 on average. Many have graduate degrees and a taste for living extravagantly on more than one continent. Sixty-five percent are from Europe, 20 percent from the United States and the rest scattered around the globe.”
In aSmallWorld I can chat the socially elite and those who crave luxury brands. Plus, the booty looks scrumptious as merchants who peddle the good stuff appear to salivate at the opportunity to reach this audience. Apparently advertisers spend approximately $50,000 a month on advertising on the site and beg to give away goodies. In fact, Rémy Martin supplied 4,000 bottles of its premium Cognac, valued at $200 each for aSmallWorld party!! Tasty.
On the other hand, there is the Simplicity Circle who wants me to find ten friends and form a circle to chat about moving away from consumerism, commercialism, and competitiveness and live a life focused on creativity, community, and connection. According to the Simplicity Circle website:
People say that simplicity circles help them consume less, leave jobs that are driving them crazy, slow down and enjoy life more. People not only quit consuming a lot of stuff, they quit wanting to consume a lot of stuff.
Underlying all of this is the fulfillment of a basic human need - recognition. Not recognition as we usually think of it--as in publicity, status, or awards. It's being recognized as your true self, being seen and accepted and valued for who you are rather than for the image of success we've all learned to project.”
Is it the crack or are these ideas so opposite to one another that the brain can’t fathom them both at the same time? Isn’t it odd that both messages came into my inbox and nestled together? Next week on the Itsy Bitsy Show we’ll discuss whether or not to invite cannibal friends to dinner with recently liposucked friends.
Have you read Bobos in Paradise? I am as Bobo as I am INTJ. I am bohemian bourgeoisie, and so are many, which means you are not alone. And this book is scathingly funny.
Here's a great review: http://www.lewrockwell.com/decoster/decoster38.html
Posted by: Polly Poppins | October 12, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Awesome blog!!!! Wish I had your gift for words.
Posted by: Kate | October 12, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Some days it's a gift some days it's a rope.
Posted by: bitsy parker | October 12, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Yeah, well, I didn't get invited anywhere. Hmpt. *crosses arms*
Posted by: Kimberly | October 12, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Polly knows me so well after all these months we've spent together. Watch me beat a path to get that Bobo's book. Right up my island. Thanks, Polly, for the stocking stuffer!
Posted by: Bitsy Parker | October 12, 2007 at 08:38 PM
I'm a Bobo! I'd never have known if I hadn't visited your site today. Thank you for the label!!
Posted by: Avery | October 13, 2007 at 05:20 PM
I so wanna be one of the big ten if you join SimplicityCircle. Wait, does that mean I have to ride the bus?
Nevermind.
Posted by: Liz | October 13, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Did you buy your crack on the bus? I hear the guy in back with the gold grill has formed a marketing focus group for all of us Bobo yuppy bus-riders. Since we have disposable income and have placed ourselves in his immediate territory, what a segment of his market we shall make! Of course we want to join the Simplicity Circle!
Posted by: stacey barrington | October 15, 2007 at 01:02 PM