I recently received an email that opened this way: SiriusXM is conducting a survey about your listening habits. The survey will only take 10 minutes or so to complete. Huh, I thought, I wouldn’t mind doing that. I’m happy to boost my favorite channels (Indie 1.0, Marky Ramone’s Punk Rock Blitzkrieg, the Beatles Channel), and enjoy pushing my musical opinions on people in any situation. Including, but not limited to, funerals and DUI checkpoints.
Here's something to further crush your spirit. I'm 51, but I like to mix things up here and there when it comes to condiments, music, and peanut butter brands. I've always felt like everything I really like has a fairly short shelf life (not the music). Well, I wasn't wrong. Apparently, I'm a "harbinger of failure." It's an actual marketing term: https://arstechnica.com/science/2015/12/certain-customers-spell-doom-for-new-products/.
According to the article, “Harbingers have preferences that are systematically different from other customers,” so maybe it's a good thing?
Hey Jeff: Thanks for the thought-provoking column. I too have noticed that my opinions and preferences no longer matter as much. Although I have a lot more money to spend than when I was younger it does not seem to matter as much to marketing folks. And I am constantly frustrated that the musical guest on SNL is usually a band or performer I have never heard of! And there are no new Theresa's either!
I started noticing that no one was interested in what I had to say about the time I turned 55. Shortly after that, I let my hair go white - and I was even less relevant - if that's possible. It's a come-uppance, for certain, when you realize that your opinions and thoughts are no longer interesting to anyone (except maybe someone your age).
Here's something to further crush your spirit. I'm 51, but I like to mix things up here and there when it comes to condiments, music, and peanut butter brands. I've always felt like everything I really like has a fairly short shelf life (not the music). Well, I wasn't wrong. Apparently, I'm a "harbinger of failure." It's an actual marketing term: https://arstechnica.com/science/2015/12/certain-customers-spell-doom-for-new-products/.
According to the article, “Harbingers have preferences that are systematically different from other customers,” so maybe it's a good thing?
Furthermore, Jeff, you like the Boom Town Rats, your opinion of Pink Floyd carries little weight, unlike your jeans.
It’s cool because I quit giving two shits what anybody else thinks as well.
Hey Jeff: Thanks for the thought-provoking column. I too have noticed that my opinions and preferences no longer matter as much. Although I have a lot more money to spend than when I was younger it does not seem to matter as much to marketing folks. And I am constantly frustrated that the musical guest on SNL is usually a band or performer I have never heard of! And there are no new Theresa's either!
I started noticing that no one was interested in what I had to say about the time I turned 55. Shortly after that, I let my hair go white - and I was even less relevant - if that's possible. It's a come-uppance, for certain, when you realize that your opinions and thoughts are no longer interesting to anyone (except maybe someone your age).