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Opting Out of the Popular (1 Viewer)

MichaelBA

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Oct 19, 2005
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What famous, ubiquitously popular "stuff" have you deliberately opted out of... and why?

For example, someone might say, "I have never watched an episode of SEINFELD, either when it was on or in reruns, because I hate that insular, self-referential style of comedy."

Or someone might say, "I have never seen the revamped original STAR WARS films because I am loathe to endorse the revising of works of art ex post facto."

These are just examples. It could be any kind of "stuff."

"I have never removed carbs from my diet."

"I refuse to read the New York Times."

Et cetera.
 

BrianW

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I've never seen (or purchased) the reworked Star Wars films. I would have bought them on DVD had they remained untouched.

I have never owned a PDA. I don't think they're "gauche", or anything. They're just not for me. To me, a PDA is like a ball-and-chain, with everything governing your life in one easily lose-able package.

I never upgraded to Windows XP. I opted for desktop GNU/Linux instead. I've never owned a laptop, either.

I finally got an MP3 player, but I waited until flash units had 1GB of memory. However, I don't listen to it in public in some incredibly annoying fashion as depicted in the young-demographically targeted media. In fact, I don't listen to it in public at all. I listen to classical music at my desk as I write firmware.
 

Grant B

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A few years back my mother mentioned how disappointed she was when I was growing up because she could never use the old line "if so & so jumped off a bridge would you follow them" because I always did everything I could not to be like anyone else.
I guess now I have hit the age were I can be 'ecentric' and not just weird.

I guess having half of my living room engulped by my Antique American Flyer Model Railroad layout tends to make most peoples jaw drop (And not Lionel or HO scale which is about 70% of all model trains sold) and considering the value of San Francisco property it made the last appraiser stare in amazement (and being married tends to make it more odd I guess)



Generally I like to at least say I watched or did something once before I say it sucks.
Seinfeld falls into that catagory (i just didn't laugh)along with reality TV (which annoys the Bejesus out of me).
During HS while everyone was into Styx I resorted to the Beatles and old Blues artists.....I can proudly say but it didn't make me friends at the time....

SW don't much matter one way or the other which is different at least on this forum :D
 

Alf S

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I have no plans to buy into the whole Ipod thing.

I have no desire, nor the time to cart this thing around to listen to music via earbuds etc...A friend of mine just got the video version and showed it off, but when I asked, "when do you plan on watching a two hour movie on a 2" screen?" he reminded me of Nigel on Spinal Tap.."But this one goes to 11"
 

RobertR

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I have no interest in Starbucks, SUVs, sushi, "reality shows", ipods, fad diets, camera phones, PDAs, or plasma TVs. I use all of maybe 10 minutes a month on a cell phone. I can't remember the last time I listened to popular music that was recorded in the last 10 years or so. None of the "trendy" ABC shows (Lost, Desperate Housewives, Invasion) appeal to me.
 

BrettB

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Don't do cell phones. Don't want any part of ipod. Never seen Titanic, any of the Matrix films or more than 20 minutes of any of the Harry Potter films. Don't watch 'reality' tv. Never been in a Starbucks. Podcasting and blogging are only slightly more desirable than being beaten with a large stick.
 

chris_everett

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Jul 20, 2003
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403
Reality TV. Sit-com's. Trend-of-the-moment poker. Diets. Newspapers (might take a good digital version). Portable video. My _home_ telephone (it felt like I had it so telemarketers could call me. Fow awhile I shut off the ringer, then killed it off altogether)This was before VoIP/DNC
I refuse to get HBO until they switch to OAR.
Don't yet own a MP3 player, but I may break down on that one soon.
I've given up on PDA's until they are integrated with other stuff _well_.
No game consoles.
Never had a Camcorder.
Wristwatches. (strange, I know)
Overpriced designer clothes, shoes.

Generally speaking, a lot of "disposable culture/wal-mart" stuff. I like to buy stuff that lasts, even if it means paying a lot more.
 

John_Bonner

Supporting Actor
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Oct 25, 2000
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Never had a Starbuck's.....Dunkin' Donuts baby!
Never had a Krispy Kreme...Dunkin' Donuts baby!

Rarely use the cell phone and if I was a regular user I'd never wear one of those bluetooth/headset jobs.

Won't buy an overpriced iPod

Won't buy a Tivo....use my pc as a PVR...no subscription fees!

Won't buy satellite radio...hate the thought of subscription-based listening

You'll never catch me leasing an automobile

Although I love computers, no PDA for me thanks
 

Joe Szott

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I only breathe once a day, and I never enjoy it.

I take all my sustenence intraveneously while hanging upside down in a homemade eyrie.

I rarely leave my home, but when I must travel it is always by walking along power lines in full sunlight.

Other than that, I'm just like everyone else. Life can be so boring...
 

Christ Reynolds

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i dont own a cell phone, and will never do so, unless forced to by an employer.

i've never eaten a salad, never drank a cup of coffee.

i never listen to music on the radio. i've never seen any reality tv, i've never seen an episode of friends.

i havent watched television in the past 3 years. (apart from hockey games, and lost. actually, my gf got me into lost on dvd, then she tapes it, we watch it on saturdays. if i didnt play hockey on wednesday nights, i'd probably refuse to watch it, because it's on live tv :))

i refuse to take more than a passing interest in the patriots and red sox.

i refuse to step inside a walmart.

CJ
 

Bob McLaughlin

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Aug 14, 2000
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Bob
Lowfat or diet anything. I can't even buy cookies without being careful I don't buy the lowfat versions of those cookies! Arrgh! (It's similar to being careful I don't accidentally buy a movie in fullscreen.)
 

Max Leung

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I don't drink diet soda - although I tried them a few time and am always grossed out.

I haven't seen E.T.

I haven't seen Beetlejuice.

I don't drive, and never plan to drive, an SUV (unless I have to for work, which hasn't happened yet).
 

Francois Caron

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Professional sports have never interested me that much. In fact, I find baseball to be one of the most boring sporting events I've ever seen.

Ditto on iPods. The iPod's main advantage is style and accessories. As far as convenience is concerned, my modified Lexar player is much more convenient and it has a display. Also, I never liked earbuds. I prefer my Grado headphones.

I no longer purchase or rent movies and music. I...borrow them from the library! :D
I'll listen to music and even learn how to play a musical instrument, but I don't have the patience to attend a concert, either rock, classic or jazz.

I no longer watch prime time television shows. I can no longer respect the schedule, and today's shows simply drive me nuts, especially the faux-reality shows.

I don't follow the latest fashion trends.

I don't vacation to sunny beach paradises where it's hot. I'd rather go to New York City in the summertime, especially during garbage pick-up day! :D

I'd rather go museum hopping than clubbing.
 

MarkHastings

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Jan 27, 2003
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12,013
As much as I am into Star Wars and science fiction, everyone is always astonished that I've never seen an episode of X-Files.

Definitely "Reality TV" - A bit OT, but I loved Patton Oswald's line (during that comedy tour show on Comedy Central) about Reality TV. He said "Our show isn't a reality tv show because we show things that are real" :D

Altough I've done it (very few times), I don't understand the obsession with gambling and casinos.

and I've never learned to drive manual trasmissions. Homer Simpson: "I never realized how boring this sport is without beer!" :)
 

BrianW

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Brian
Same here (but without so much Star Wars).

I also have never owned a game console, and I simply don't see the attraction.

I'm also not a sports fan. I just don't see the point.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but if I were, I would probably pop into a Starbucks (or cheaper alternative) a couple of times a month.
 

MichaelBA

Supporting Actor
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
747
Is it really "cynicism" or "bragging" not to care for baseball (or any other sport) and simply be honest about that?

Is it really "cyncism" or "bragging" to disdain candidly Reality TV or The X-Files?
 

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