Things People Like Because Their Friends Do
Author: DavidJones // Category: Books, Food, Movies, Music, Politics, Pop Culture, Sports, TV, Youth Culture
This post might offend some people. If it does, just try to hear me out before you get angry and vow to never read my blog again. I have this theory that there are a lot of things that are popular in this culture simply because we think we’re supposed to like those things. For instance, when I was in high school, some friends and I made up a fake band and started raving about them to some of our other friends. Within a short time, some of our oblivious friends were raving about how awesome that band was. They even claimed to have all their albums and songs. Unfortunately, that band was made up. They simply liked them because some of their friends did.
Just because something makes this list does not mean that you’re a poser and only like it because your friends do. In fact, most things in life are “liked” because of a chain reaction. I truly believe that there are genuine fans of these shows, movies, products, etc. The following list (in no particular order) contains things that I think our society has overrated, simply because people think they’re supposed to like those things.
1. Coldplay
And here come the hateful comments. I do think a lot of people like Coldplay for their music. However, I think a lot of people buy into Coldplay because “everyone” thinks Coldplay is “cool” and let’s face it, we all want to be cool.
2. Dane Cook
He’s not funny! But somewhere along the way, someone really popular said he liked Dane Cook. And the snowball effect has taken place.
3. Lost
Too soon? I will admit that I’m a fan of Lost. However, sometimes I think Lost gets overhyped because people think they are supposed to be obsessed with it. It’s a great show…but some go just a little bit overboard with it.
4. The New York Yankees
You either love them or hate them…and a lot of people that love them came to love them by jumping on the bandwagon. They’ve almost become more of a fashion accessory than a baseball team. If you see someone wearing a flat-billed cap turned sideways, chances are it’s a Yankees hat.
5. Avatar
It was in 3D. It featured blue people. But is it really a “great” movie? Is it Golden Globe worthy? Academy Award worthy? I think the media made a lot of us buy into this one.
6. Lady Gaga
People call her a freak, yet her music sells. Someone must be buying it. I guess she could be the very opposite of this last and everyone buying her music is a closet fan afraid to admit it.
7. The North Carolina Tar Heels
This one is tough to put on here because I’d like to think of myself as one of the biggest Tar Heel fans on the planet. (I even came home from the hospital wrapped in a Tar Heel blanket when I was born.) However, much like the Yankees, the Heels have become a bandwagon-ridden team. This is mostly in part to Michael Jordan. Nonetheless, there’s a lot of Heels fans out there who are Heels fans simply because they want to fit in with their peers and culture.
8. Kim Kardashian
I’m pretty sure she’s only popular for being popular. Yet Kim, as well as any other “reality-TV” celeb on the E! channel have become overnight sensations. Their shows and stories are pitiful, materialistic, and vain, yet their popular keeps growing. Do we really like this people, or do we simply like them because our friends like them?
9. Hot Wings
This probably applies to guys more than anyone. Wings are a “guy’s” food. And to be honest, they’re good. But there’s a level of pride in guys that says they have to eat the hottest wings possible to keep their standing as “one of the guys.” Anything mild makes them a wuss. So even though they’re mouth is on fire, they’ll swallow their pride (literally) and pretend like everything is fine.
10. Rap music
A lot of people truly enjoy rap music. But a lot of people only listen to it because their friends are listening to it. You know who I’m talking about too. They’re very easy to spot.
11. Alcohol
If none of your friends drank alcohol, would you? Even more, if all of your friends thought alcohol was disgusting and detestable, would you touch it? Probably not. You’d have no need to.
12. The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is much more than a game these days. It’s 2 weeks of media coverage, and a 3 hour social gathering for most people. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s fun for people to get together for the game, even if they care nothing about the game. But since a lot of people show interest in it just to blend in with the crowd, it makes this list.
13. MMA
UFC has a huge following, as well as the rest of MMA. It’s a sport that’s on the rise. But in a sport that’s becoming so popular, you know there has to be a large chunk of the audience that only watch because it’s the “cool” and “manly” thing to do. Also, wearing Tapout and Affliction t-shirts fits in here too.
14. Abercrombie & Fitch
Why do people buy overpriced clothing? Because they’re friends are buying overpriced clothing and because the media says that is what we need to wear to be cool.
15. Dave Matthews Band
See Coldplay
16. American Idol
For many of us, we watch because our friends and co-workers watch. After all, we don’t want to be left without a word during the talk around the water cooler.
17. Political Activism
Whether it’s a fight for social justice or politics, a lot of people take a side they know nothing about and march, protest, complain, etc because that’s what everyone else is doing. This really seems to spring up around election time. If you really want to see it in action, wait until October 2012. Whether people love Obama or hate Obama, they will be out in full force…with absolute ignorance as their guide. Any guesses on how many of those people actually read the newspaper or watch Fox News and/or CNN regularly?
18. President Barack Obama
I’m not bashing or endorsing the president here. However, in many circles, it’s fairly obvious that people make up their opinions about the president based on the opinions of their friends or others in their “social group.” Very few people actually know how to think politically for themselves. Instead, they either hate or love the president based on what they think they are supposed to do to be accepted in certain circles.
19. Twilight
Need I say more?
20. Michael Jackson
It’s sad that Michael Jackson died at an early age. It’s amazing how many people became fans after he died. Some people just couldn’t stand to fall behind a trend.
Thanks for those that contributed. I want to give you credit, but I don’t want to put your name down if you wished to remain anonymous. So, feel free to claim your submission. If there’s anything to add, feel free. If you disagree, I would love to hear about it.
Tags: A&F, American Idol, Avatar, Barack Obama, Coldplay, Dane Cook, DMB, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Lost, Michael Jackson, MMA, Politics, rap, Super Bowl, Tar Heels, Twilight, wings, Yankees
February 4th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
The Vantage lives on!
Mark Gibson and Christian Alvarez are two
of the greatest musicians who ever
lived!!!
Oh the memories…
I would agree with a lot of these, however I do find myself a fan if some of them as well.
Coldplay for one, now I do not know all of there stuff or have seen them in concert, but I do enjoy their music.
I do find some of Dane Cook’s stuff funny, however I could do without the language. I do respect the facf that he doesn’t drink though. A rarity these days it seems.
LOST is definitely overhyped. I’m not a fan, I don’t watch it, but nothing is more annoying than a few LOST fans having one if their pow-wow conversations to discuss the latest episode and voice all their theories and predictions. I already can’t wait for the season to be over.
You know as good as anyone how much I despise the Yankees. Most will claim it’s because of jealousy. However I would despise any team who disgraced the name of baseball and changes it solely into a game of $. Sure you can claim many teams do that, but only the Yankee orginization will go over the dumb salary cap rule the MLB has and simply pay the fine ever year because they have the money. They try to buy up all the talent to win. At least other teams develop players into stars instead of scouting the market and flexing their wallets to just buy em all up. Just as bad as the orginization is Yankee fans. Now, I won’t strike out against true Yankee fans, those who live or lived in NY, and actuall fallow them. I’m talking about those who have never even been to NY, know nothing about the Yankees or baseball in general, and talk like they know all…talk about annoying…
I haven’t seen Aavatar , and don’t care to see it in theaters. I honestly don’t see the need to spend over $9.00 for a remake of about 5 different movies. This is why I like Red Box.
Oh David, I am truly surprised to see the Tarheels on here. I may actually fit into this group a bit. My allegiance lies with Mizzou, but I do root for UNC and catch some of their games here and there. You are basically responsible for this, having known you since we were 4, and being such a big fan yourself, they grew on me.
Now I enjoy spicy foods in general, so of course I enjoy wings. Now I have had the Blazin’ wings at BWW but that isn’t normal. I enjoy the buffalo taste, but I do know people who try to proove something with wings or other foods. You can’t beat spicy garlic, sooo good. Don’t worry David, honey-BBQ us good too.
I’ve never understood alcohol, don’t think I ever will.
The SuperBowl is another case of “fans” not knowing what they’re talking about. I hate having conversations with those who think they know sports, you can’t help but laugh silently to yourself. It’s ok not to know things propel, just admit it rather than look dumb and try to convince us with your fake “knowledge.” Just stick to the commercials like a lot if other propel, those are usually entertaining.
You don’t like DMB? They have some good stuff, can’t deny that.
I only watch American Idol the first few weeks to see the horrible auditions and who’s moving on. After that I really dint care. It’s just funny to see people who think they are good. Is that bad?
And finally, Twilight…GAY…enough said
February 4th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Honestly, the only thing I really like from your list is Coldplay. I legitimately like them. Your list made me realize how disconnected I am from culture. I don’t know if that’s good or bad thing.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Troske, I’m in the same position on some of these. Honestly, the only reason I started listening to Coldplay or watching Lost was because people told me they were both “awesome” and I had to check them out.
Jyess, definitely a good thing.
February 5th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I think the converse could be said for just about everything on your list. Many people hate those things just because their friends or colleagues love them. You alluded to this with the Yankees. Most of the list are love/hate–no middle ground.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:05 am
I like 1.5 out of the 20. Coldplay and Dave Matthews (ish). I say ish because I think he’s talented, but I don’t own any of his albums.
What about converse tennis shoes?
Or for Christian readers, TOMS shoes?
Or maybe any company that uses part of their profit to support some issue in some country?
February 8th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Let me just clear up something. Just because you like something because your friends do does not necessarily make it wrong or make you a bad person. There’s several things on this list that I got into simply because my friends did. It’s just a sign of how peer pressure and our culture greatly influence our choices, TV shows, movies, style, music, etc.
Jeff, I completely agree. There’s great synergy in loving something or hating something.
Jacob, TOMS would definitely be on there. Great cause, but it’s become a fashion statement for many. Dare I say some even wear them with prideful humility?
February 10th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Nice list. I’d agree that many people get into these things because their friends do. Here’s my feelings on your list.
1. Coldplay – I’ve liked them since I first hear “Yellow”. I like their old stuff better than the new, but I still enjoy the new.
2. Dane Cook – Way over rated.
3. LOST – I just started watching this show one day because I was curious and I had a little bit of free time. I was quickly hooked.
4. I can’t stand the Yankees. Go Cards!
5. Avatar – No desire to see this movie. I hear it’s like a futuristic version of Pocahontas.
6. Lady Gaga – Catch music. Weird individual.
7. NC Tarheels – I can’t stand most of the teams that wear blue: NC, Duke, Kentucky, etc. Not because they wear blue, though (blue is my favorite color). I just don’t like them. Go Hogs!
8. Kim Kardashian – Never seen her show. Don’t care to.
9. I like hot wings, but only the boneless kind. Yummy stuff, but not good for my heart burn.
10. Rap music – I probably started listening to rap music in high school because of my friend. No I hate most of it, but still enjoy a good beat.
11. Alcohol – Very true that many people drink for peer pressure. I don’t drink, but I also don’t considering having a drink a sin.
12. The Super Bowl – eh. It’s fun to watch with friends. I usually don’t watch much NFL. It’s nice to take a Sunday afternoon nap while a game is going on.
13. MMA – Don’t follow it. I think two people beating each other senseless is ridiculous.
14. A&F – In high school I did this, but not anymore. I don’t wear their stuff. I’m trying to get myself away from “hip” brand stuff like this in general.
15. DMB – My feelings are like Jacob’s. Good band, but I don’t own any of their stuff.
16. AI – I watch because my fiance does. So I guess you’re right.
17. Sometimes I get fired up, but sometimes I’m indifferent.
18. Obama – Just don’t care for the guy. I genuinely feel that he’s a liar.
19. Twilight – Hate it. Never read it.
20. Michael Jackson – I’ve always liked his music, but I’ll admit I listened to it way more for a while after his death.
As far as TOMS goes, I own 2 pair. I really don’t say that so people think I’m such a giver. I really like the shoes. In risk of seeming prideful, I bought a pair when I knew of only one other person who owned some.