Kitsch: sentimentality or
vulgar, often pretentious bad taste, especially in the arts.
(American Heritage Dictionary)
Kitsch
Kitsch is all about conceit. About being phoney.
It is quite common to read a book or article and then come across a
picture of the author and be repelled by the total vanity of the person.
They stand in some artful poise and project an air of significance. Of
authority and assumed dignity.
Fake.
Taoism is about immersing yourself in the moment, not stepping back and
looking in the mirror.
When a person starts to believe their own image, they have lost their way.
Icons on your walls
Swedish furniture companies produce
catalogues which depict rooms with pictures of Steve McQueen, Marilyn Monroe
and Audrey Hepburn on the walls.
These people are supposed to be 'icons of cool'.
A poster of Steve McQueen on your wall is intended to suggest that you are also cool...
This is simply not the case.
The Fonz
In the 1970's there was a TV show called Happy Days. It starred Henry
Winkler as 'The Fonz'.
The Fonz was neither handsome, tall nor muscular. Yet he was cool. Why? Who
knows?
Henry Winkler exuded cool. It wasn't anything in particular. He just had a
really nice way about him.
Somehow it worked. In the context of the show, in the 1970's it worked.
A shadow
Be careful not to ride on someone else's back or cash-in on their
reputation. Wearing the clothes of another will not make you that person.
Speaking their name says nothing positive about you. If anything, it simply
makes you look insecure and weak.
Consider instead: Who are
you? What can
you do?
Page created 9 May 2000