The end is nigh, my friends. We are surely on the verge of an apocalypse. The oceans haven’t turned to blood yet, nor has the sky turned endlessly dark, but a great plague has been brought down upon humanity. The world as we know it is headed for goofy-faced, denim-clad destruction.
Minions. Minions everywhere.
Just what is it about these little creatures that has seen them spread around like chlamydia during fresher’s week? I love a cute and funny animated critter as much as the next person and thoroughly enjoy kicking back after a stressful day with one of the Despicable Me films – a fact that isn’t likely to change any time soon. What I do not enjoy so much, is finding my Facebook feed plastered with various inspirational quotes, accompanied by – you guessed it – Minions.
Minions in every conceivable form of merchandise being seen all over the internet and around town is fairly standard practice and I’m okay with that. When a film gains mass popularity, it would be insane to not see a business opportunity there and run with it. But when it comes to the typical ‘Middle-aged mother on Facebook’ posts, involving wine-related banter, what exactly does it have to do with an animated film?
The fact that in the example above, the Minion is holding beer and not wine only serves to exacerbate the madness. It did not come as a surprise to learn that a UK couple actually based their wedding around a Minions theme. Although, other reports feature an image of poor Kevin strapped to the front of their car – surely not the way to treat something you love! Whilst part of me wants to say that’s cool – it’s your day and it should be celebrated in a way that is personal and pleasing to you – my inner romantic is bashing its head against the nearest wall and uttering something about consumer culture.
Although I do hope to get around to seeing the Minions film, it’s not something I can allow myself to do whilst still being affronted by them on a daily basis, even in the comfort of my own home. Sure, they’re not the first characters to ever become over-hyped and overrated and they wont be the last, but it’s this obsessive behaviour of linking everything in life to that one great line from a book, song from a film (Let It Go from Frozen, anyone?), or even amusing moment in a video-game that can drive me to a self-imposed media blackout for months on end, only to re-emerge from beneath my rock just in time for the next big thing to infest mainstream and social media.
Minions, it’s not personal. I think you’re great. I’m just not ready to commit to a life that revolves around you in order to maintain a reputation for being aware of current trends. This idea that you must have to constantly promote something to prove you enjoy it is a little strange, is it not? Whilst I understand the need when it comes to underground music, for example, which may have a genuine need for exposure, when something is already so highly successful, there is nothing to prove. When it gets to the point that a quote or image is arbitrarily emblazoned wherever possible, it demonstrates that as a society, we’re becoming brainwashed trend zombies and furthermore, a free advertising tool to the benefit of the corporations who need our money and exposure the least.
If that doesn’t irritate you even the teeniest amount, you may be beyond salvation.
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