MUC: yuppy growing pains…
I am going to define a new category of people based on their lifestyles and perceptions (a psychographic class as they would call it in marketing speak) considering the new economy that is facing us and our old habits of doing things. It is an entirely useless term but it may help those of us who are trying to find out where we do, or don’t, belong in today’s over -marketed, under-achieving, instantaneously ungratified society. Also these marketing classifications were created so that it would be easier to sell ourselves stuff.
I think that the group might grow quite quickly once people realize that a) your yuppy life is over or b) you killed your yuppy life because it was shallow and useless or c) you are depressed and wondering why you and your friends are boring turds with no hope for the future.
Quite simply MUC means middle-aged, urban and cynical. Welcome to it. The age group would be 30-40 or even 35-45 depending on how long you hang on either way. Once you fall into the MUC in the first few years it’s a little overwhelming but then you kind of ease into it after a awhile and then midway through you may even start to get wise and realize that life isn’t about your ex-girlfriend being a bitch or your ex-boyfriend being a total douchbag. But more about that later, we’re only at the beginning here..and the beginning is guys “god damn it I’m tired today and I don’t feel like doing shit.” and girls, well for girls it’s more internal, they just kind of look at the world in a different way and say things like “you know, there’s a lot of strollers around this neighbourhood. It’s kind of depressing sometimes.” Honestly, I have no idea what girls are thinking. Maybe I’ll start asking…
Anyway, consider the fact that you have a good education, understand in small various ways how the world works, live in the richest part of the world and that we are all going to die from catastrophic climate change so there is no hope..oh, and you will probably make less money in the next few years while everything gets more expensive..and you are there. Welcome to the MUC years!
Enjoy…or not.
Steven Saldebus is a clothing designer/entrepreneur currently exploring the use of recycled and sustainable materials for use in fashion.
This blog about trying to live a smarter, more progressive life while absorbed in consumer culture.
Enjoy
November 9th, 2009 at 7:27 am
i think this is my favourite blog. you should write more!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Hmmm…you had me until the cynicism set in. I choose to remain idealistic with hope for the future. Middle-aged - well, that changes like the weather. Urban - that’s too “hustle and bustle” for me. I prefer to focus on maintaining my own pace - relaxation is the goal. Instead of looking at the world through black-tinted glasses, I choose the rose-coloured ones. I believe that we define our lives and that the future holds nothing but excitement….if you choose to let it. I see your MUC and raise you an MRI - mature, relaxed, inspired group of society. You can find us in the meadows, smelling the roses that people like you are working so hard to ensure are still around in the years to come. It’s companies just like this one that provide some of us with that inspiration you know.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Steven very nicely said!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Mai-Ling,
You are onto the second half of the MUC period that I referred to as “more about that later”.
Don’t jump the gun.
Ok so now I have to let you in on the second half of MUCdom. It is definitely a more enlightened, creative stage. However, before we get there, there are two issues that I am concerned about in the early MUC stages
1) that women specifically will not like being referred to as MUC.ha. It evens sounds dirty.
2) that the whole idea is irritating to a women’s sensibilities because there is a need in everyone to hold onto a fragment of hope especially as we get older and reality sets in.
So MUCdom: Second half: You must let go to start anew.
From the truth of hopelessness comes a new way of looking at life which actually brings a more mature way of looking at life; more balanced even…or not..or regression back to big cars, hamburgers and hollywood blockbusters until we all die.
However, our generation is not going that way. Why? Because of the MUC period. We realize more than any other generation that everything before us cannot continue or we’re dead. We have to re-invent or die. It’s a daunting task.
Depressing.
Heavy.
Sinking.
But once we start to rise again lookout scout!
From out of the MUC will come the inspiration for a whole host of new ways to do things.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Yes!…Nice thoughts…i feel like i stepped into this life in my mid twenties…but I’d like to think that I am an early adopter…maybe the age range could be 25-45…
btw…Is this your target market?
November 9th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
You lost me at “irritate women’s sensibilitites”.