Oi Polloi

This morning--amidst being really busy at work--I was considering some of my hard-line theories regarding environmentalism. What came to mind was an old favorite band from Scotland named Oi Polloi who's motto was "No Compromise in Defense of Our Earth." I decided to post up the band's logo--and was considering not including any other commentary, until...

As usual, I turned to the almighty Google to fetch the image. To my dismay, the first listed result for "Oi Polloi" was Oi Polloi. No, not the band, this store in Manchester, England. Apparently, as seen in this photo of the store front, their motto is "Talent Borrows, Genius Steals"--which is the ironic sugar in my bitter tea.
A gentleman's outfitters, filled with expensive, delicately crafted garments mixed with random camping and cycling accessories. Funny, because the name is a spin off of the phrase "hoi polloi" which is a derogatory Greek phrase that means "the many" and refers to the masses, or unwashed, proletarians of the working class. I want to puke (metaphorically) and embrace everything they sell at the same time. I love art and design and things that look great. Undoubtedly. I love vintage things and, to a certain degree, "masculine" things. At the same time I hate expensive things that are only expensive because they evoke some symbol or image [esp. when that image is of the working class, when the thing can only be afforded by the rich] or status rather than performing like they should. Or maybe, in some cases, these things would perform but aren't used in they way should... Get it? It all goes back to my love for dirt and believing things should get dirty and people should be doing useful things which probably involve getting dirty... It kinda doesn't make sense and in many ways I'm a hypocrite, oh well...