The Popularity Effect

'The Popularity Effect' is something I've been noticing for a while now; and no, I'm not simply going to rant about how unpopular I am, because, truth be told, I'm not unpopular. I wouldn't call myself popular in the traditional sense: people seem to come to me with problems, and I do my best to help, it's human nature. 

What I mean is that, on occasion, I'll be talking to someone about something, it could be trivial, or it could be far more important, but when someone 'higher on the food-chain' than me walks in, suddenly all eyes are on them. Which is fine, thats what popularity is, after all. It's the way people seem to need me for as long as there isn't anyone else there I'm frustrated by. This wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the superficial things they turn away to talk about. I'm not asking for thanks, admiration or respect, but if you ask for help with something, at least listen to the answer. 

I hate repeating myself, but it seems as though with some people it's what I have to do to get things across to them: and then they look frustrated as though they heard me the first time. Why not reply the first time then? Was it because you were eavesdropping on a conversation someone more popular was having with someone else? I have to supress I smirk when I notice this, because it's no wonder that society is celebrity-obsessed when the same thing happens every single day in schools. 

I know that jealousy isn't a particularly nice feeling to admit to, but I am jealous of the hold some people seem to have over others. Not what they use the hold for, but the hold itself. It's a human flaw to want to be heard, to want to be listened to over everyone else, but we all still want it. 

Luckily for me there are people out there who do listen, who I can have a real, equal conversation with, and I do feel thankful when I see people with far less than that. I'm happy where I am, but I still find myself wanting more. It's something I'm going to work on, and maybe writing it all out is the first step. Admittance. Now it's time to act on it. 

Keep singing out,

-Neon

When Does It Stop Being 'Cool'?

A TV show that I've been a fan of for a while now; The Inbetweeners, returns for a second series starting tonight. If you've watched any of Channel 4 in the last two weeks you are almost guaranteed to have seen the trailer for it. 

Just in case you're wondering, it's about four guys in their first year of Sixth Form, and unlike the overly-glamorous (although also brilliant) Skins it shows what life is like for your average teen. Mainly thinking/talking about sex, trying not to get bullied and thinking/talking about sex some more. But recently a sudden popularity for the show has appeared- maybe from the increased advertising or the fact that it won an award recently, I couldn't say. But for some reason it's more popular now than when it premiered last year, which got me thinking...

Now, I'll level with you; I didn't watch it when it first came on telly, only in the months following when it was repeated. One of my friends watched it in the first place (she loved it) and then myself and another friend watched it maybe two or three months later. So, what does this have to do with the title? Well, I know of a couple people who watched the first series and aren't going to watch the second simply because it's gotten 'too popular', 'too mainstream'. Which I think is a shame, although it is very prevalent in the music industry (just look at the indie movement). Popularity seems to be directly linked to fan base: when the fanbase grows the number of 'hardcore' fans is diluted by the masses. I think people feel a sense of ownership over something relatively unknown, like it's their secret, and they then feel resentment when their secret it shared. It's no longer 'cool' or 'special'. 

I just wanted to say if you've ever come across this, please don't let the fact something has become popular put you off enjoying it, as the only one missing out, at the end of the day, is you.

Anyway I'm looking forward to watching The Inbetweeners tonight, and I'll let you know if it was any good soon.

Peace and love, 

-Neon

Neon Metropolis

Well... this is it. The first step of a thousand miles. It may sound pretentious, but it really is true. Every single day countless numbers of people start blogs, with ideas to put across and feelings to explore. I suppose many never really get that far, just passing interests that people drop when they become bored, but everyone starts out with one goal. How we go about it is down to the individual, as because we are exactly that: individual. It's like life in a way; we're all trying to survive, from the moment of conception, it's just what we do to achieve survival (and how successful we are) that changes.

Why Neon Metropolis? We all live in one, don't we? Our lives are filled, wherever we are, with noise and colour, often flashing by so quickly we don't even notice. I got the idea for this blog this morning, when I simply stopped for a moment, to take it all in. The sky was clear, with a few wispy clouds and the air was crisp. It was amazing, considering I was just going to catch the bus to school. 

I know this is probably coming across as self-important, maybe even preachy, and it's possible that teenage arrogance is making me feel like I'm the first one to experience these things. I bet most people have, but in spite of this I still want to get the word out. So please look past this opening of big words and grandeur, as like a lot of bloggers I'll only ever use this to talk about mundane everyday things, which I hope won't be too dull. Occasionally if the mood strikes I'll write another one of these introspective ramblings, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Anyway, without any further introduction, I'd like to once again welcome to my Neon Metropolis. I hope you enjoy yourself, feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you think.

-Neon