Rebel For Sale

I read a couple of articles on the internet that sparked this post.  The main idea is simple: that "being a rebel" has now been commoditized, and that anyone can purchase certain goods and instantly become a rebel.

Here's an example of what I mean: when I taught college I was always amazed at the number of "rebel" students who sported the same trio of goods: Honda Civic, tinted windows, loud stereo system.  There was a big parking lot on campus where all the freshmen parked, and you could literally count dozens of these Honda Civics with tinted windows (and the boomin' system).  Here's a newsflash: after tons of people are doing something, it's no longer rebellion - it's conformity. 

Even tonight as I was out for a walk, I saw the exact same thing: a young guy in a Honda Civic with tinted windows, with rap music blaring.  Is that as rebellious and creative as youth get anymore?

By and large, I think the urge for rebellion has been commoditized, mostly by the hip-hop entrepreneurs.  Most of the "rebellious" young people I see look they've come straight out of a rap video. 

The adult version is probably no better.  I was unwillingly talking to this drunk weirdo at the airport the other day.  He was boasting about his Harley Davidson motorcycle and how cool it was.  Uh, I'm not so sure.  Aren't there spiffy Harley stores and licensed apparel now?  Do Harleys really represent anything different and wild anymore?

I could be a little out of the loop on this one, I don't really care for motorcycles.  You couldn't pay me to ride one; I think people who ride motorcycles maybe can't do statistics and figure out the increased chance of death and what not.  I'll stick to a ten-speed if I want some open-air riding.

I wonder if at some point in time, there were more real rebels.  I think maybe there were when the world was more disconnected, and a person could grow up in an area and develop without many outside (aka corporate and media) influences.