Editorial: 03.23.09

Interviewed By: Chris DePaul

Date: 2009-03-23

A time of uncertainty for a community can sometimes be used as an opportunity to reflect upon societal elements that we deem "normal." Uncertainty can make a person think about past choices and perhaps learn from events that have taken place. Uncertainty can bring a community together; it can also tear a community apart. The way a community responds to uncertainty will often be persuaded by a leader or a load, vocal presence.

On September 28, 2001, President George W. Bush famously told Americans to "get down to Disney World in Florida, take your families and enjoy life the way we want it to be enjoyed." Not exactly the most profound advice to give a nation recently shocked to its core by a terrorist attack on its soil. But I guess the advice to go shopping taps into a pre-existing system designed to distract people from certain extraneous pressures around them.

Tonight I noticed an article in my automated MSN feed posted by Fashionism.ca - a website operated by Bell Canada‘s Sympatico Portal Division and Microsoft Corporation - that provided a few book recommendations that caught my eye.

The article, titled "4 Fantastic and Fashionable Books" and written by Lua Farnoush asks the reader the question "Are you a fashionable bookworm?" A peculiar question, I am sure you will agree.

Farnoush begins: "Let’s take a moment here to dispel a common myth about us fashionistas: that we are little more than done-up corporate sheep. I argue to the contrary. We are smart and modern individuals who don’t feel that our power, success or intelligence needs to come at a cost to our appreciation for the finer things in life. We care about social issues, we donate to charities, we recycle and, most of all, we love to read."

That is great - I love recycling. And I also love books! So, in these times of uncertainty, with a failing war and a struggling economy on everyone‘s mind, what sort of profound and inspirational literature will this "social issue" caring fashionista recommend to her readership? Farnoush continues: "[...] when we have an evening to ourselves we love to curl up on the couch with a good book. For those nights, why not treat yourself to a fun read featuring characters that are as sexy and style conscious as you are? Here are some that I’ve loved."

The author then goes on to recommend "Lipstick Jungle", "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan", "The Dirty Girls Social Club", and "Dear Prince Charming." She closes with: "There you have it ladies, some of the best fun reads featuring characters with sass, sexiness and a sense of style. True, some afternoons we’d rather be at the mall, but for those evening when we’re too tired to actually go out, our addictions can still be pacified by simply picking up a good book set oh-so-conveniently against a backdrop of high heels and hot clothes."

I like to think I am a rather tolerant person. I am open to different opinions, lifestyle choices and, of course, different preferences in reading material. But, common...an article dedicated to book recommendations that give readers that shopping fix whilst taking a break from the act itself during the largest global recession since the 30‘s? I guess this advice isn‘t too far off from Bush‘s advice. A sort of "If you‘ve gottem, smoke em. And if you don‘t, go buy them and smoke em, because there is nothing for you to see or do here."

Our world is in social and economical crisis. Every person has the power to change the behavior of themselves and those around them. If under the right leadership and loud, vocal presence, there is really no telling what positive change can occur to help make this economy and the world become a better place. 

There is a Feedback link at the top of fashionism.ca‘s article. Maybe we can all give some feedback to the Bell and Microsoft subsidiary by telling them that we would prefer a set of book recommendations appearing in our MSN feeds that are more action oriented and distill a sense of community during these troubled times. I am in the belief that a good book can change a person‘s opinion of the world. I wish that MSN and Bell would use their media powers to recommend books that could enlighten us in our days of uncertainty.

Chris

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