To feel very old-fashioned or just out of step?

[Prole]

I'm not vain and don't see it as a virtuous trait. I'm not narcissistic enough to think my life is interesting enough to broadcast on the internet - even my dinners. I think conspicuous consumption and branding is just hideous. (To me a designer whatsit covered in branding just screams "look at me; I'm a consumer too". And 'Haul videos' WTAF?

All the above weren't seen as desirable traits when growing up (born late sixties into a piss poor family) but now seem to be acceptable if not positively encouraged.

What's it all about? It seems so prevalent I almost daren't call it 'wrong' but just 'beyond my ken'.

Am I just a scruffy, boring slob with rubbish clothes who's out of step with the Twenty-first century? Do I need to get with the program and stop shopping at the army surplus?

I agree with those calling bs. Being 'minimalist' (oh, how sophisticated and well read you must be) is often a way of sneering at people whose houses are full of brand new cheap IKEA furniture.

Jassy - I see this place as a forum with a fantastic spectrum of people. It's obvious there's every income bracket and political opinion from all over the country and world. That's what draws me here. I'm not a parent so AIBU is the only bit I look at. It's fascinating to see what gets people going and how other see that. It's more akin to a newspaper letters page than FB.^

Well, no. It's a two-way conversation between users. A site where users generate and exchange conten. It uses Web 2.0.

Just because it's a type of social media you like doesn't make it any less social media. It's a web forum. It couldn't be any less social media.

And that's the problem with sneering at social media. Platforms are nothing more than for what and by whom they're used, and as diverse as people are. Saying 'I don't do social media because it's inherently awful and narcissistic, except for the bits I like because I don't really count those as social media because I like them' is a bit silly.

Describing yourself as 'old fashioned' is actually quite snobbish. The Queen is very old fashioned, right? Saying 'I'm so old fashioned' is often a way of signalling social privilege while pretending to be very modest

This.

And to think the first words OP wrote are 'I'm not vain'. Well, it is vain to disingenuously put down other people's lifestyles.

kawliga - to actually believe and buy in to branding is shallow and conformist. How can it be seen any other way? If you can tell me I'd be genuinely interested to hear.

You're right that my values preclude spending on items priced more because of their brand than any actual quality. I don't want adverts on my clothes either. Some of these logos can be quite large.

I didn't describe myself as old-fashioned. I asked if I was.

You will be possibly thrilled to learn I've found a logo right next to me. My bag is made by Timbuk2 and there's a logo on it - about an inch square. In my defense, I bought one of these bags in a sale in 1999 - it lasted until last year so I bought another one in a sale which I hope will last as long. Is this where I'm outed as a terrible hypocrite?

I agree with what many others have said...you're just trying to paint a picture of how much better than everyone else you think you are...

yawns

I've never understood people who see a double meaning and or disingenuousness in everything. The thing about old fashinied and the Quueen! I don't even remember the Queen exists most of the time.

I just thought the OP was sharing a thought. I also feel like most people are interested in the Kardashians so on. I don't have figures, I'm just pondering.

It's weird when you can't ponder without being accused of something.

I ponder all the time on Twitter! I've nothing against social media but Facebook wasn't for me.

For someone who reckons no one else is interested in their life you're talking a lot about yourself... Live and let live.

I remember when designer labels were first a 'thing' in the eighties. There was an advert for shampoo with a woman with a 'label' in her hair, Wella I think.

Status objects and conspicuous consumption are nowt new.

"I almost daren't call it 'wrong'"

Only almost, eh?

Jassy - OK perhaps I need to stand corrected. What I've seen on others' FB hasn't exactly been the robust debate I love here. More them posting trivial things about their daily grind. Am I looking at the wrong bits? I still have zero interest in other peoples' dinners or commuting problems though.

Maybe I need some education about social media. Pointers gratefully received.

I don't read any blogs or look at anything on YouTube except for old music videos and funny cat/dog/racoon/sea otter things. I have no time or patience for advertising so am unlikely to seek out social media that will try and sell me stuff.

Some of my friends post pictures of their dinners or things they have cooked on Facebook and I LOVE seeing them. One is a professional chef, I am always so impressed at her skill.

prole Yep. Internet age any one can be anyone they want.

we have people faking their lives, catfishing, trolling... People want to know the ones they follow are 'real' and 'authentic' and if that means sharing a picture of yourself next to a ancient monument looking sweaty and exhausted then they will and everyone is doing it.

Some of the photography I do its handy to have 'proof' you were there because the community is suspicious of new people iyswim.

Well Facebook is user generated (like mn as hast says) so content depends on who you're friends with. Not all users post selfies, obviously. ATM my feed is mostly full of us election stuff.

*jassy not hast - not sure where that came from

to actually believe and buy in to branding is shallow and conformist

Well, if you came on here to start a thread calling other people shallow and conformist, it was odd to open by announcing that you're not vain and also you are very old-fashioned.

Like Morris said, most MNers do not emulate the Kardashians, but we don't go about saying how humble and old-fashioned we must be. I am not on facebook/twitter but I don't feel more intelligent or deeper than those who are. I don't own any branded clothes but I don't think that makes me a better human being than people who do wear brands.

as to branding - branding is a social leveller. Everyone from the rich to the poor can be seen with with some brands. Coca cola for example is a very strong brand that everyone regardless of background can choose to enjoy if they want to.

Its another social and cultural thing. People want to emulate each other esp stars and if that means wearing the same brands they do then people will do it. It is fascinating but not strictly isolate to western world and its over consumption. You see it in various forms all over the place.

Sorry if I'm boring people. Branding/advertising, culture, social media etc are my 'thing' I find the whole thing fascinating.

kawliga - fashion marketing is conspicuously fake. If you buy a shirt from Abercrombie & Thing at what is clearly an inflated price you have succumbed to marketing. If you buy a 'luxury' brand which are deliberately overpriced to appear exclusive - you have again succumbed. How can anyone succumb to this without being shallow and conformist. You conform to the marketers intentions.

bettybetty - not at all boring to me. This thread has, in a very short time, made me realise why I'm not getting 'it'. It's never occured to me to emulate anyone. I work with famous people so just see them as fellow employees who are sometimes good fun and sometimes a pain. As I said earlier, It's never occured to me to keep up with Jones's. My clothes are functional - I look terrible naked and I like pockets to put my fags in.

Maybe brands are a leveller - I just see them as purveyors of utter bollocks. Everyone seems to loathe adverts but still be drawn to the product?

Prole, there's a lot more to branding as a pp said. I read books on it too, it's fascinating.

In real life though, I subscribe to the Macklemore lyric
"Yo, that's $50 for a t shirt....limited edition, let's do some simple addition, I call that getting swindled and cheated, I call that getting tricked by a busines....that's your talent though.."

A complex business, beautifully rapped by the lovely Macklemore & Lewis, who could be a considered a brand themselves

Yup, there's a lot more to it. There's also a free MOOC - well I think it's free - about the anthropology of social media and why we post.

Here it is, yes it's free
www.ucl.ac.uk/lifelearning/courses/anthropology-social-media-why-we-post

Theycallmemello - how have I sneered? They were perfectly happy with their holiday pics. If I'd gone there and come back with no pics of the actual place I'd be glum but they weren't. I made no comment of course. Up to them innit?

Oh come on, of course you're judging them!

I find holiday snaps just of scenes a bit dull, and would usually try to get a travelling companion in them. I can look at pictures of those scenes in any book, online or on a post card, if I just want the scene.

Other than that, I agree with MorrisZapp - these types of threads seem to pop up all the time now.

OP, I'm a decade younger than you, and YANBU, I can totally relate to what you're saying.

People who post constant updates on their every-day existence and share photographs of their banal purchases on social media make me think: "Well I'm glad that makes you happy, but why the hell do you assume anyone else would be interested?!" (And no, I can't remove them, they're relatives on DH's side.)

I would agree to an extent that my views are a product of my background, although I didn't grow up in a "piss-poor family" like you said you did - my family took me on amazing holidays and we had lovely house, but the reason my parents were able to do those things was because they chose not to fritter away money on instant gratification and designer clothes. They were far too busy enjoying life's experiences to show off about them.

I must admit that when I was in my twenties and had a lower self-esteem, I wasted a sickening amount of money on my image - when people complimented me, it boosted my ego. But when I built a more secure life for myself, I realised that the people who really cared about me and whose opinions mattered couldn't give a damn what I was wearing and whether I had the latest whatever - trying to project an image of the "best" version of myself to impress acquaintances was an utterly frivolous and ultimately inconsequential pursuit.

Matter of interest Prole, where do you buy your clothes?