The story of the Emperor and his new clothes has always fascinated me for some reason. I see it being played out in real life every single day.
The original tale was written by Danish author Hans Christian Anderson about two weavers who promise an emperor a new suit of clothes that they say is invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent. When the emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, no one dares to say that they don’t see any suit of clothes on him for fear that they will be seen as “unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent”. Finally, a child cries out, “But he isn’t wearing anything at all!”
How many times have we kept silent for fear of sounding stupid? For fear of being perceived as slow, ignorant and incompetent. I know I’m guilty of this. On the isolated occasion, that I’ve been brave enough to admit my ignorance, I’ve realized that I’m not alone. Several voices have seconded mine. Yet, I’m afraid. Afraid of that one occasion, when I’m going to be the only one standing in the room.
Why do we care so much about the opinion of others? We see this extended to social media every single day. Teenagers today care more about the likes on their Facebook page than the grades on their report card. That necessity to obtain approval and validation somehow never leaves us.
It’s also some kind of power struggle. Where the weaker and meaker adopt the opinions and actions of the mightier and powerful. Case in point, Hitler’s power could only have blossomed in collaboration with the German people. None of this would have happened if the Germans hadn’t accepted him. Opposing him, would have meant a certain death. This kind of fear is rather different. One where you have a perceived lack of choice. Conform or perish.
Today, the fear is more of an “under the surface” kind of fear. Nobody is going to shoot us in the head if we beg to differ. But there could be subtler consequences. Voicing a view opposite to a superior’s at a board meeting could lead to you losing that promotion. For a celebrity, wearing the same dress for a second time on the red carpet, would have tabloids the world over speculating about a potential bankruptcy.
In an age where conformity is the norm, it’s refreshing to see certain companies and brands breaking through the mould. This is why I love Diesel’s “Be Stupid” ad campaign. It was released some time ago, but it’s one of their nicest campaigns. And so very relevant.
The lines,
“Smart has the Brains.
Stupid has the Balls.
Smart has the Plans.
Stupid has the Stories ”
definitely resonate with me. We need more campaigns like this, that encourage us to Be Stupid. To take risks.
We want to be different but we’re scared of being the only ones who are different. We want to get those new jeans but we’re scared of looking too fat, too thin, too short, too wide, too young, too old. Too anything.
To quote Oscar Wilde, “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”
So, let’s make a pact with ourselves to live creatively and bravely. To not be other people.
And the next time, you’re getting new clothes, I’d suggest Diesel is a good place to start. If we can’t live differently, at least we can live stupidly !
That was good👍..Thats right.It needs courage to be different or to be stupid.We are so much concerned about people’s opinions.I so agree with this thing.
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I hope I get braver with time. Thanks for dropping by and reading 🙂
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My pleasure and surely you will😊👍
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😎
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I found your today’s writings such an inviting read. I think I stand somewhere between the persistent type and brave, stupid type , hehe. ..
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Hi Ivor. I sometimes tend to go with the crowd. But I do speak my mind from time to time. So, I guess I’m somewhere in the middle too. Here’s to brave stupid living!
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Wonderful post and video. There is only one true stupid move, not trying, everything else is living.💐🌹👍👍
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So true. I’m going to encourage myself to be braver. Thank you for taking time to read 🙂
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Wonderful post Karen… I wish I didn’t worry so much about what other people think. My life would be a whole lot simpler. 😉
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Thank you. I feel the same way. Here’s to living stupidly 🙂
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This post is pure brilliance! I often think of The Emperor’s New Clothes parallels….you’ve so impressed and gratified me with your perspective…and, Diesel sure hit the nail on the head. Thanks for sharing….keep writing/communicating…you do it so beautifully 🙂
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Oh thank you for your kind words. I simply love the Diesel campaign, even though it’s not that new. I find it inspiring. Thanks for taking the time to read and coming by. Have a great weekend 🙂
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Just love this post. You’re spot on about this. When it’s right, no one should fear speaking up.
(And I’m a huge HCA fan. )
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Thank you. I need to learn to speak up when it matters. Lovely to see you here 🙂
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Discernment is the challenge. When does it matter, and when is it not worth your time and energy. There is also an asian saying, I think its from LaoTsu: Before a person does great things, he must appear crazy to the crowd. I try and remind myself of that, even as “great things” is not a particular concern of mine. In fact, as I think about it, great things is really often only identified in retrospect. Cheers to you!
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Yes. I agree 100% that we need to choose our moments. I think we’re all crazy when no-one is looking. And it’s so true what you said about great things being identified in retrospect. Thanks so much for dropping in. Have a nice day!
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Great post and so true. No one ever got anywhere by being a sheep and following the herd. Creativity requires taking risks. The sheep may feel safe but are they truly happy?
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I hope to start stepping out of my comfort zone soon. No great thing ever happened from just being compliant. I need to remind myself of this everyday. Thanks for dropping in and for your lovely comment 🙂
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I’ve never been scared to speak my mind, but I’ve found that sometimes, it’s good not to speak all the time.
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True. We have to pick our battles. Sometimes, silence is the best. Thank you for reading and have a beautiful Sunday 🙂
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Great post, Karen, speaks volumes to me and a lot of people, i’m sure. I like the way you follow your won advice in this blog. Well spoken up!
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Thanks Kelvin. Appreciate your lovely comment 🙂 I hope I can summon up the courage to speak up more often.
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The fact you said that here means you will. I am in no doubt. 😇
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Thank you. Will check your blog.
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This is an awesome post. Thank you.
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