That's a refrain I've heard echoed all my life. There is always a contingent in society who believe they understand the wants, needs, and desires of other human beings and can determine what motivates them. Generally pushing the same basic 'slaves to advertising and societal competition' idea. Everyone else, they assert, is being led by the nose down a path they would surely not choose if only they weren't so brainwashed. If they were truly free, the implication goes, they would choose a lifestyle more in line with that which the commentator deems as desirable.

Personally, I don't claim to understand what motivates people in their purchasing decisions or in their brand of social commentary. But one can't help but wonder if there isn't some level of insecurity involved.

Of course we don't live in a vacuum. Our thoughts, desires, beliefs and emotions are at least partially a product of our environment. But we all process those influences in our own way, finding our own truths and creating and satisfying our own want and desires. For some, staying with the comfort of the group is one result of that process. For others, overt distinction from the mainstream is equally of essence.