Friday, July 24, 2009

Why Do You Like The IHOP?


Hmmm...
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

"Hey buddy, I like the IHOP!" ~ Jim Gaffigan

Too many of us are just takin' what we're given. Call it what you will. Mindlessness, apathy, or a simple lack of imagination. Many of us just take what we're given and don't ask questions. We tell ourselves it's always been that way, how could it be different? It is what it is. Everyone else likes it. Everyone else is doing it.


Why not, right?

What if Thomas Edison had decided after failing a couple of times (the exact number of times is debatable) that the light bulb was impossible. It would have been easy for him to say, "It is what it is", and move on to the next invention.

Radio, the television, even the Internet thrive on telling you and I just exactly what it is we should like. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why you listen to the music you do? Or what about those books you're reading? What is their purpose in your life? You see, it's good to stop and reflect from time to time. Just taking what everyone else is throwing your way may not be the best thing for you. In fact, I'll go so far to say it usually isn't good for you.

Sidenote: There was a brief period of time in 1994 when everyone thought Ace of Base was the best thing since sliced bread. They weren't. They weren't even close. I'm just sayin'.

News reports have been wrong. The Internet is full of false information. Some would say the President was wrong this week because he didn't check all the facts (by his own admission) before he formed his opinion and spoke his mind. Scientists have been wrong in the past. The makers of the "unsinkable" Titanic were wrong. This list could go on and on.

I think you and I would do well to stop and reflect as often as we can. Ask a few questions. Check the facts. Be willing to believe the status quo isn't the only way. Stop and examine the road you are traveling down.

You can like the IHOP. Just don't like it because it seems like the only option.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pretty sure you are wrong on your grammar here:

"Radio, the television, even the Internet thrive on telling you and 'I' just exactly what it is we should like. "

To use a very lame saying that you may understand, "I'm just sayin'."

April McFarland said...

Have you seen the wendy's commercial where hundreds of people are running into this deep pit just because every one else is and has been for years? Then, one stops and says "wait! We don't have to do this! We can go to wendy's!"
well anyways, your blog reminds me of it.
I'd also like to say that NOT doing or refusing to like something just BECAUSE every one else does or likes it is just as dumb and wrong. It goes both ways I think. Do what you do and like what you like regaurdless of the world around you.