Identity Crisis

I think it was Nick Hornby who suggested that we are what we own. That our record collection, our DVDs, our books etc. are the most accurate reflectors of our identity. I think this idea does gather some momentum when you consider just how fastidious some people can be about their lists of likes/dislikes on Facebook and Myspace. Whatever the psychological relevance, we're certainly all pretty precious about our 'stuff'.

The downside of liking 'stuff', of course, is that other people also like the same 'stuff', and however hard we try, we can't control who else belongs to our particular cultural club.

Never was it so apparent than this time last year. (Of course, all taste is subjective and this doesn't show me in the best light.) I was working at a bookshop and the conversation went as follows:

ME: Wow, you're buying the Russell Brand book! Good choice!
CUSTOMER: Thanks.
ME: Bought it myself a few weeks ago, couldn't put it down. I always read his column in the Guardian, so I knew it'd be good. You're a fan of Russell?
CUSTOMER: Sort of. I bought the Chris Moyles book last year - he's really funny - thought I'd try this. Do you think it'll be as good?
ME: That's nine ninety-nine. Do you want a bag?