tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post607130937740983825..comments2023-05-14T07:51:18.017-05:00Comments on The Suburban Christian: Book discussion chapter 5: Branding and identityAl Hsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-86234887262178548022007-06-27T01:05:00.000-05:002007-06-27T01:05:00.000-05:00An interesting brand story:When I lost my earbuds ...An interesting brand story:<BR/>When I lost my earbuds I bought the more general brand because they were cheaper than iPod's. The off-brand's were uncomfortable, fell out of my ears a lot, and didn't provide steady sound to both ears within three months. I bought another pair of true earbuds for $30-- this is one area in which I've decided brand actually mattered, and I'm $20 poorer for it!<BR/><BR/>**********<BR/><BR/>I would say I'm the most brand-y when it comes to non-profits or cause-based companies. I have a <A HREF="http://www.ci.org" REL="nofollow">Compassion</A> child (for 7 yr now), but now am a much bigger <A HREF="http://www.worldvision.com" REL="nofollow">World Vision</A> fan. I heart <A HREF="http://www.intervarsity.org" REL="nofollow">IVCF</A> over <A HREF="http://www.ccci.org" REL="nofollow">Campus Crusade</A> or <A HREF="http://www.navigators.org" REL="nofollow">Navigators</A>. I embrace <A HREF="http://www.cbeinternational.org" REL="nofollow">Christians for Biblical Equality</A> and <A HREF="http://www.democratsforlife.org" REL="nofollow">Democrats for Life</A> and whatnot. I'm also a big fan of <A HREF="http://www.seventhgeneration.com" REL="nofollow">Seventh Generation</A> paper products and <A HREF="http://www.puravideacoffee.com" REL="nofollow">Pura Vida coffee</A>. <BR/><BR/>It's interesting that I brand myself by my causes more than anything; it very much goes with my poli sci major and ministry interests-- "THOSE PEOPLE are the ones who would vote like me, THIS GROUP does ministry the way I would do it." I also am more likely to trust other orgs just because someone from one endorses them in some way or another. For example, I know little about the Veritas forums, but I automatically assume they're awesome b/c of IV. I have no actual Alpha experience but I assume it's great because I know IVP authors and evangelical PCUSA churches that like it. To me it's very interesting how our brands interact and encourage us to adopt new loyalties.<BR/><BR/>**********<BR/><BR/>Being the book nerd, like you, I can also rank my Christian book brands: <A HREF="http://www.zondervan.com" REL="nofollow">Zondervan</A>/<A HREF="http://www.eerdmans.com" REL="nofollow">Eerdmans</A> tied for 3rd, <A HREF="http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com" REL="nofollow">Baker</A> 2nd, <A HREF="ivpress.com" REL="nofollow">IVP</A> a high 1st. Smaller publishers like <A HREF="http://www.paracletepress.com/" REL="nofollow">Paraclete</A> interest me but don't make the rankings yet.<BR/><BR/>I will buy almost any soda because it is a Mexican brand.Ashleighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05147871048672359541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-65302191108062072642007-06-26T22:16:00.000-05:002007-06-26T22:16:00.000-05:00This is a great post and great comments. Charity a...This is a great post and great comments. Charity and L.L. are both so thoughtful.<BR/><BR/>Here in Texas, I get branded by others because of the denomination I attend. So much that I sometimes find myself apologizing for it. I shouldn't do that.<BR/><BR/>On my coffee table:<BR/>Three recent photo albums.<BR/>Two remotes<BR/>Word of Mouth Marketing (my book)<BR/>Snow Lake (Amy's book)<BR/>Better Homes and Gardens (which we are dropping)<BR/>The Week<BR/>Wired<BR/>our denomination magazine (sent to us unasked for)<BR/>a college alumn magazine<BR/>Technology Review<BR/>Entertainment Weekly (blech)<BR/>Good Housekeeping<BR/>Parenting<BR/>U. S. News and World Report<BR/>Some travel magazine (?)<BR/>And a Pfaltzgraf catalogue?<BR/><BR/>(We participate in a magazine exchange with my wife's parents.)<BR/><BR/>I guess this says that we are trying really hard to look like readers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-54266118971929810212007-06-26T12:39:00.000-05:002007-06-26T12:39:00.000-05:00Last night, I was reading about Simone Weil, who g...Last night, I was reading about Simone Weil, who gave up the trappings of high social status... becoming a laborer when she had other "higher" options. Apparently, she even refused to eat more than a poor person's ration and this cost her her life at 34.<BR/><BR/>In essence, she chose a "lower" identity. I guess the thing is that we will always have an identity of some sort. The question is why we choose to align ourselves with one versus another. If, as we began to discuss on Seedlings and Wide Open Spaces, we try to move towards an identity that fits in a narrative of love, this is Christ-like.<BR/><BR/>I don't know that I'd ever choose Weil's particular path, but I am interested in continuing to "re-story" my life in a narrative of love.L.L. Barkathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13333960142447144678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-82103645818700363202007-06-25T16:34:00.000-05:002007-06-25T16:34:00.000-05:00Yep, I think we all make value judgments on people...Yep, I think we all make value judgments on people based on whether they listen to NPR or watch Fox News or read Miroslav Volf or Joel Osteen. I recently interacted with some folks who work for an organization and have a theology that I'm not all that excited about, but then I got to know them and was very encouraged by them. Sad how quickly we write people off because of whatever brand markers or identities they may have.<BR/><BR/>And I'm glad to hear that the bus and the bike are working out well for you! Very cool.Al Hsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-42253286707274749502007-06-25T16:16:00.000-05:002007-06-25T16:16:00.000-05:00Al -- As always, a very poignant, thought-provokin...Al -- As always, a very poignant, thought-provoking chapter. One aspect I did not get to in my post was the Christian branding I often use both in good and bad ways. For instance, I too have bought IVP books for years, simply because I felt I could trust what the brand stood for. However, there are other Christian brands which I won't mention specifically that I've often used to write people off or to label them to others. A person's theology and faith are far too complex, just like the people themselves, to pigeon-hole with a brand name.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I have continued taking the bus and walking to and from work for the past three weeks. I also have begun riding my bicycle for errands. You've created a new habit in my life through the power of your ideas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com