Boys and Beer. What is the obsession? Or, more importantly, what is the incessant need to outdo each other and become progressively louder and louder? Is it an acceptance thing? Girls don't do this when they drink. I have no need to drink 100 shots of beer in a row. Actually, the thought kind of makes me ill. I suppose girls have the problem of outdoing in other ways, like how we dress, how many guys we 'get', what kind of foods we eat, blah blah blah.

I'm reading a book right now about consumption. It's interesting. Not sure if I agree with everything they are saying, but there is one idea that they nailed. Consumption based on distinction. Basically, the idea is that classical radical theorists say that people consume based on the sameness, you know, keeping up with the Joneses type of deal. Well, I think the authors are finally starting to get it right when they say that this is not true, that we consume based on distinction, and the higher up the social ladder we get, the more we do this. Because we can afford to? I think this is interesting, because the counterconsumption people always tell you to not buy into this brand and that brand and to be different. Really, its a matter of trying to emulate the upper classes. Kind of like sanskritization in India.

This is interesting to me. I know that the business guys and economists knew this a long time ago, hence, brand proliferation and that type of thing, its striking to me that the social sciences are just starting to catch onto this, because really, its been happening for a really long time. What kind of implications does this have? How much do we need to consume to be 'distinct'? If everyone is trying to be 'distinct' are we really that distinct anyways? I dont think we are. Not saying I don't do this, I do. And, sometimes it's not a bad thing, however in other instances it is. Such as in India with women, because it is interesting to note that the higher up in the castes that you go, the more the women are oppressed. Granted, if they have everything handed to them on a silver platter, I don't think they are complaining so much, but I know I would be, if I had everything like my sexuality and such controlled.

Then again, sexual control happens here. Like the word slut. Someone actually had the nerve to say that to me the other night, it doesn't bother me to be called that because I know that I am not, but if I was, would it really matter? I mean, slut intones a girl who has slept with a lot of guys. Not even for money (that's more of a whore or a prostitute). So what is the problem with this? So what if she has slept with a lot of guys? Whose business is it except hers? If a guy does it, hes not called a slut (I know, its such a done argument).

We are a certain distance apart. Came across this on a piece of paper on a wall in Vancouver. What does this mean? I can't say I know. It's interesting. If you take the word certain out, it makes the interpretation a lot easier, but the addition of certain just totally complicates the situation. I'll let you know when I come up with something.