So I am working out in the gym today and on comes Avril Lavigne’s hit song from 2003, “Sk8er Boi”. What struck me is that it is not a hit anymore. This got me to thinking, what makes a song a hit? What makes for a successful style in clothing? What makes for fashion in general?

Sometimes a song comes out and it is hot for six months to a year only to meet with its subsequent demise. Think 1997 to 1998’s “Barbie Girl.” One year black is the in color, the next year red, the following year, earth tones. What gives?

Some things are classics, certain soft drinks, cars, styles of homes but these are far and few between. We humans love to set trends, follow trends and then discard trends so that we can get with the newest fashion.

A couple of days ago on CNN, I saw a program about the revival of the Japanese economy. A commentator said that to be considered up to date in Japan you had to own a digital camera, a DVD player and a flat screen television. Regular cameras work fine. It is true you can’t download them onto your computer, but is this a threat to a happy life? DVD’s and flat panel TV’s? I am good with a tube and a video, but who am I to say?

Cell phones are getting so small, soon you will need a microscope to dial them. But hey, this is the trend, this is the fashion. And while many things are getting smaller, men’s watches for example are getting bigger and bigger. I suppose that has to do with the bling bling factor. I cannot be sure.

Pointy shoes have gone square, two button suits have gone to three buttons, then to four, then back to three and now to two again. I think. I will have to check on that again. Seems to be changing too fast for me.

Fashion. Trends. We humans love to do what other people are doing. We like following the leader. It makes us feel comfortable I suppose. I am working on a new fashion I hope to turn into the next big trend. I call it “Thinking for yourself”. I wonder if it will catch on?