Sep 12, 2007

Wanna subscribe to my "issues"?

Two pet-peeves or issues have popped up this week about the scrapbook industry and I'm feeling really "bugged" about them.

First - I was thumbing through a recent issue of Memory Trends Magazine (check out my article on page 82 about retailers and scrapbook artists working together!) and there was an ad for a new scrapbook idea-type book. It was by someone whom I have NEVER heard of. It had the author's photo and said something about "She'll be in our Memory Trends booth to autograph her book!" HUH?! And, I'm supposed to be impressed why...? What is it with this industry thinking that people who write books are "autograph worthy". If someone said, "Come sign your book, Kim!" I'd laugh them right out of the room. Why should anyone care?! Why would anyone think they SHOULD care?! Writing a book doesn't make you a hero worthy of worship.

It's like the "SCRAPPER OF THE YEAR" contest. They parade that poor woman around at the shows and other poor women feel the need to run up and worship at her feet. Then we forget who she was a week later. What's up with that attitude? I don't get it. People worthy of admiration have done something to change the world, in my opinion. Stringing words together in a sentence or gluing photos on paper isn't exactly revolutionary. I'm not saying scrap celebrities are bad people, I'm just saying that I'm puzzled over their status. They're just like us. They just had "connections" or were in the right place at the right time. They are talented people but not MORE talented than everyone else.

Second - companies who give trips away to consumers to trade shows bug me. Trade shows are not the mall or circus - they are shows specifically for retailers and service providers to conduct business with manufacturers and distributors. You should only attend if you have reason to. My husband is supposed to be at a large show this week in Vegas. I had to laugh when I pondered anyone giving away a trip to BICSI. No one would line up for it, that's for sure. It's a trade show - where business is conducted. It's not anything anyone would want to win a trip to. Nor, do I think any company would offer to give one away. Again, it's a TRADE SHOW. Most of us just make a mental note when we see a "celebrity" (gosh, I hate that word) at a trade show. They get on with business and so do we. I can't imagine how much they don't like being put on parade like that at a trade show. That's why they attend Expos and Conventions. When they are at those, they expect to be worshipped, but not at a trade show. It happens, though. Usually by first-timers. Then we are so over it and the "celebrity" becomes "furniture" the next time that we hardly notice.

There is nothing wrong with admiring someone's work. But, I think it goes over the top when you spend precious time worshipping them - donating to their pet-cause, standing in line at a show to shake their hand, plotting how to rub shoulders with them at a trade show, etc.

Here are a few quotes about fame that I liked. I think they ring true.

"Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character."
~Horace Greeley


"Fame is the thirst of youth"
~Lord Byron


“Fame is a fickle food - Upon a shifting plate"
~Emily Dickinson


“Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other."
~Erma Bombeck


“Celebrity is the chastisement of merit and the punishment of talent."
~Emily Dickinson

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can you hear that?? That's me shouting "Amen Kim!!"

Well said.

Musicmom-Amy said...

Subscription sold!! Especially love the Erma Bombeck quote ~ don't we all miss THAT lady?!

Cheryl said...

Great article...great quotes to make your point.

My hubby says "fame is a four letter word" and he says "fame is one letter from "flame." ...as I was reviewing your post to him.

Funny...never been to your blog, but the heading declares you an expert...kind of ironic compared to your post...but I have heard of scrapbiz.com...

sigh...I'm always tired!

Kim said...

"never been to your blog, but the heading declares you an expert...kind of ironic compared to your post..."

yes, but I am not seeking to be famous, only respected within the industry for what I do. I don't dress to impress or parade around the shows like some diva or air my personal life on my blog. There is a big difference between branding and fame. Fame is something I am not interested in - respect is what I would like to achieve.