The Culture of Imaginary Entitlement

I've been thinking a lot about this recent spate of "scandals" we seem to be having exposed for us by the local media. The "cash for concerts" scandal, the "Olympic Hockey tickets for unknown industrialists" scandal, and what looks to be perhaps an even bigger bomb on the horizon, the "what happened to our $9.5 Million?" Commonwealth Games scandal.

I'm sure there are more.

One thing these all have in common is a cultural behaviour that is simply getting to be too common these days. I call it the Culture of Imaginary Entitlement. This is when you find yourself in a position with the authority to spend someone else's money, and it goes to your head to the point where you start to believe it is your money. To make you look good. Or be famous. Or to make special friends with. Maybe even get laid!

This state of mind is not one that happens instantaneously, but it is one that slowly seeps into the psyche. Those "this should be mine, I deserve it" thoughts worm away at your self confidence, and diminish your ego. So you slowly start to live the dream - spending the money as if it was your own, and as if it is infinite. And you can't stop.

You aren't really a bigwig, heck, you've never had a real job, maybe, but now you have power, yeah, you can spend other people's money just like, well almost as if, it... was.... really.... yours.

So, what do you do? You wine and dine truly successful people, the ones who actually have money of their own to spend, and try to buy your way into their circle with your expense accounts, your grants, and your tax breaks and subsidies. Instant friends!! You are the shit !!

Heck you can hire some famous bands and get to meet the stars, maybe Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, and even Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (who you still secretly love from your old Kiss Army days). And of course you can jet the world, maybe even with that cute little gal from admin along as your executive assistant. You can even get to play dress-up like your heroes, paint your face, have your picture taken with them, pretend you're George Harrison walking that crosswalk at Apple Studios, and even do after-party coke lines with Keith Richards! Yes, you too can be a star.

In time, you can actually convince yourself that you really deserve this, you are the ONE destined to decide how the public money is spent, and the rest of the rabble in your city can just fuck off and try to beat you in an election. You're so cool now, it is obvious you'll be elected for life.


Of course, the reality is that just like the servants in those movies who pretend to be the master when the boss is away, it all falls apart when the owners come home from vacation and find you wearing their clothes and trying to sleep with their friends' daughters.

And that's what's happening now. The pants are down around the ankles, and the fan's spraying shit like it's going out of style.

Sometimes the Bullshits Explains Itself

PRESS RELEASE:


Alexander Keith's Introduces
Three New Brews to the United States
Famed Nova Scotia Beer Brand, Alexander Keith's, Debuts in the U.S.

ST. LOUIS (June 8, 2011) – Alexander Keith's announces the U.S. launch of three new brews: Nova Scotia Style Lager, Nova Scotia Style Pale Ale and Nova Scotia Style Brown Ale. The beers are now available in 22 states across the U.S.

The three new Alexander Keith's brews are perfect for the adventure-seeking beer lover:
With a deep amber color and brewed with noble hops prized for their subtle, spicy character, the Nova Scotia Style Lager has a crisp finish with an assertive, but clean bitterness.

Brewed with traditional two-row malt for a full, malty flavor, the Nova Scotia Style Pale Ale also includes a fruity, spicy and citrusy hop nose.

The Nova Scotia Style Brown Ale is a classic full-bodied brown ale with hints of honey and caramel, balanced with a fresh hop aroma provided by the addition of cascade hops.

Though new to the United States, the heritage of Alexander Keith's traces back nearly two hundred years to its brewery in Nova Scotia, founded in 1820 by Scottish native Alexander Keith. After completing his brewer's apprenticeship and emigrating from Scotland to “New Scotland” (Nova Scotia), Keith created what is now one of the oldest beer brands in North America. The Nova Scotia brewery is still in operation today under the leadership of its brewmaster emeritus Graham Kendall.

The three new beers are brewed in Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Alexander Keith's will also continue to be brewed in Canada in Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Ontario.

“Alexander Keith's brands continue to be brewed under the guiding principles of our founder and the strong sense of adventure found in the people of Nova Scotia,” said brewmaster emeritus Graham Kendall. “The brewery and its brewmasters have been certified under our strict certification program, showing our unwavering commitment to our heritage.”

About Alexander Keith's
Alexander Keith's brands maintain the quality and heritage first introduced by Alexander Keith himself in 1820. Only the finest barley malt and select hops are used to brew these fine beers, which in the U.S. include Nova Scotia Style Lager, Nova Scotia Style Pale Ale and Nova Scotia Style Brown Ale.

The new Alexander Keith's brands will be available in the following locations: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MN, ND, NH, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA, WI and St. Louis (MO & IL).
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Holy fuck, there is a "Nova Scotia Style" !?!? Good god, now where did I put my Propeller IPA.......