Every one of us unique, individual; and yet so recognisably alike in our individuality. Marlon Brando astride his hog. Question: What you rebelling against? Reply: What you got? They asked, “Still using that greasy stuff?” And we stopped; almost overnight.
Do I actually have an essence or am I just a mass of conditioned buying habits? These questions lead only to madness. If I continue to play my part, maybe nobody will notice. And, maybe, that will be enough.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Dear Neil,
Advertisements have shaped us, haven’t they? More than we care to admit, I’m sure. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Culture does that. Thanks, Rochelle.
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And an oops. The photo prompt is from Liz Young. Pass it on.
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I don’t quite get this (only one cup of coffee) but I do get the tone of the questions and the comment “if I continue to play my part maybe nobody will notice”.
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It’s always a balance, you’re right. Get too outside the bounds of cultural expectations and you put a target on yourself. Get too inside of them and you become an empty caricature of an individual. Good texture in this one, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re very welcome.
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Ah, those brylcreem days, never used it myself.
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Thanks for sharing the memory
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A thoughtful reflection.
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THanks, Sandra
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It’s enough to make you give up sometimes.
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You can’t get off until the music stops
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I remember the jingle–Why are you usin’ that greasy kid stuff?” but strangely, I do NOT remember was product was being offered to replace it 🙂
A mass of conditioned buying habits. That gives me the shivers.
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Thanks so much, Linda
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Maddening thoughts: are we really as pliable as all that? Just a moment of self-reflection is enough to appall us.
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Some questions are better not to ask
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Are you talking about Brylcreem here? It was what ‘everyone’ wore at one time.
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Yup, Brylcream
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I bought some Brylcream recently – I didn’t realise they were still making it! What a mistake. My head looks like a slimy slug!
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That’s the problem with nostalgia
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Interesting captivating. The ads sure have gripped us, thinking it is they who have control… do they? Hmmmmm.
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Ads, and popular culture more widely
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A good one, Neil.
A sad reality of the human nature.
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Thanks so much
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i guess if you set boundaries, you’ll be safe.
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Or maybe not
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I looked it up. Our DNA is 99% (is that true?) like monkeys. I see them in a completely different light now. Same for humanity.
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We are all part of one larger web
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There are some sad truths in this one. Well put.
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Thanks so much
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Reminds me of junior high when we all had to be clones of each other in order to be accepted.
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Exactly! Thanks, Dawn
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Good questions. I wish I had an answer. Well done.
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Thanks so much
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Great take on the photo prompt 🙂
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Thanks so much
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It’s the conditioned buying habits that sometimes make my job easier 🤷🏻♀️
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But make us all poorer perhaps
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The want to be enough is a struggle for most.
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Very true
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