different is never a bad thing...

The older I get, the more I hear about this issue so I've decided to address it and relate it to SH5. Well actually to contrast SH5. This generation of teenagers grew up with technology. During our time, technology and gadgets such as computers, laptops, ipods, cellphones, cameras, TVs, etc. have became a major hit in the market and play a major role in our lives. For one, my phone never leaves my side (unless the battery died) and I don't know what I would do without my laptop. Because technology has became such a major part of our daily lives, we are also bombarded with media. Be it commercials on TVs, advertisements before a YouTube video, others beside your profile page on Facebook. Think about it. The second the iPAD2 came out, excitement was widely and quickly spread throughout the world. And within minutes, when it came to Canada, it was sold out completely in BestBuy. Another example; don't deny it, I'm pretty sure we all do it: You're creeping a friend on Facebook and see her/him with the coolest shoes/accessory/headphones/shirt/whatever and there's your old friend lust coming back. You want it. So next time you see those Beats hanging lavishly at the window display and what do you do? You walk in, grab 'em before anyone else can and they're yours (after you pay for them, of course). It's called fitting in, doing what others' do. Even though you'd shake your head and deny it and saying "I got my own style, blah blah blah," where did you SEE those whatever-you-want first? Commericials? Billboards? Heard it on the radio? Saw it in a movie and wanted them so bad? Whatever it is, if you want something that was 
Take Urban Planet/Bluenotes for example. Those "Free Hug" sweaters, oh man, you don't know how many I saw while walking down Massey hallways. Yeah, you got it 'cause you think they're cute but so did that other girl in your friend's Chemistry class. Although you may not think it's "fitting in," the fact that they made those sweaters and shirts cute and witty also made you fit in, since a bunch of other girls bought them also. So you never really had a choice in it.
And how is this contrasting to Billy Pilgrim? Because, Billy could care less about fitting in. Sure, he was rich and "fitted in" with the rich people of Ilium (made-up city located in NY), but I don't know bout you, sharing his thoughts about green aliens with a single eye on their hands doesn't exactly "fit" him in. But it's not like he just sat there was like "Yup, mhm, that's what I believe in, and I'm just gonna keep on believing and not do anything bout it." No man, he went all the way to NYC to express his thoughts on the radio and bravely showcased his thoughts on saucers at a stadium in Chicago, which then led to him getting shot by a laser gun by a hit man Lazarro hired. 
I was extremely fed up with 'the Billy' and how he acted during WWII. But after his daughter's wedding and the encounter with the Tralfamadorians, I completely turned 360 degrees and have a new, profound respect for the guy. I think people who have a different opinion about certain things and don't voice 'em, you're pathetic. It may be harsh, but what good is it just letting that phenomenal voice rot within yourself? Let it shine through, no matter how dumb you might think it sounds. 
Getting those hip off-the-shoulder tops aren't a bad thing if you like them. But wasting money just to fit in and show the world you're one of them is really pathetic. Don't do it. When I was little and really wanted those new Barbie dolls or whatever (sorry, can't think of a more interesting example), my mom would say, if the whole world jumped off a bridge, would you do it too? So, don't be of this world. 

credit to http://rainbow-onyx.deviantart.com/

peace out, 

liz :{D