There are clothing trends, music trends, artistic trends and now more than ever, there are environmental trends. Being conscious of one's impact on the earth has never been more popular. Popular in the sense that it is a common and almost necessary change in people's lifestyles, but also popular in the sense that "being green" is stylish and trendy. But does it matter? People who were "in this from the beginning" complain about the trend-seekers hopping on the band-wagon for the next cool thing, which in this case is loving the earth. Band-wagon or not, this trend has had an incredible impact on the planet.
These days, a Prius is cooler than a Hummer; you'll be met with evil glares if carrying around a plastic water bottle and reusable tote bags are the hottest accessory. Albeit many people are approaching the green lifestyle with intentions of being seen as green, able to purchase these new eco-friendly products and somewhat adapt to a low-impact lifestyle while still retaining the comforts they are used to.
However irrelevant this may be, I remember a small essay I did in 5th grade. I am sure I no longer have the floppy disk (!) where it was saved, but I am able to recall the general topic I discussed. This was around the time when the WWJD bracelets were popular. Kids didn't have enough money to purchase their own clothing yet, but these small and trendy bracelets were a way for them to join in with a mainstream trend. In my paper, little cynical 10-year-old me ranted about how the wearing of these bracelets is only done to be like the other kids, to be cool; not belief in the message around one's wrist. On the flip side, it could be argued that whether or not someone is actively conscious of these four letters, by having the little trinkets show up everywhere raises an awareness and possible positive change for everyone.
This all ties back to the trendiness of being green. Does it matter if people do it to boast a fashionable and perhaps privileged lifestyle? Fad or not, at the end of the day, does it really matter what people's motives are as long as we are all moving in the right direction?
Griskevicius, Vladas, Joshua M. Tybur, and Bram Van Den Bergh. Going Green to Be Seen; Status, Reputation and Conspicuous Conservation.
Johnson, Adrian. "Has Going Green Become More of a Trend than a Solution?" M Live 28 Feb. 2009.
This makes so much sense! I like how you compared it to the bracelets, which I can relate to. I definitely believe people are doing it because others are. It is a trend that people want to keep up with, which I confess I have done as well. Also, not to just "fit in" with the trends, I strongly agree that people do it to not be the "evil" one. I know I would just buy plastic water bottles when I was thirsty. One day, my roommate was said, "why don't you just get a reusable water bottle! You keep wasting all of those other ones, plus you can add ice to it then." I don't know why I hadn't before?
I like your comparison, and the readings you did about green trends. But is trend pleasure? Do we get pleasure out of being trendy? Does everyone get pleasure when they follow a trend?
In response to Jenny's comment, I certainly believe that as a culture, we get pleasure out of following trends. It has been well documented that shopping can be a powerful aphrodisiac for certain people, and almost every trend involves purchasing some hot new gear to show awareness of the trend.
To your point, Jenny, I do think that some people follow trends reluctantly - whether out of a desire to fit in or perhaps to not offend others around them - but I think the very fact that people can adopt trends counter to their own judgment means that they are ultimately seeking acceptance and access to pleasure(s).
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