Fads!

What is it about fads that cause many people to buy into them, to be part of the crowd that embraces this or that fad?

They come in many forms:

n  A Christmas toy that I must get for my kid

n  A movie I’ve got to see

n  The latest iPhone or iPad or Android phone or whatever mobile device is hot

n  That really cool new ice cream flavor

n  The latest, greatest diet, guaranteed to help you slim down

n  Blaming Muslims for everything that is wrong in the world

n  Blaming Obama for everything that is wrong in the world

n  And on and on and on . . .

There are many possible explanations for the fad phenomenon:

n  I want to demonstrate that I’m leading the way, not lagging behind

n  I want to be part of the ‘in’ crowd

n  All my friends are doing it

n  If I don’t they’ll think I’m old fashioned

n  Peer pressure

How about those who deliberately avoid fads:

n  I’ll prove I’ve got a mind of my own

n  I don’t blindly follow the crowd

n  It’s a temporary mania and will be old news soon

n  It’s an advertising gimmick

n  This craze is mass idiocy

Will fads go away any time soon?  Not a chance!