Discuss Amongst Yourselves

In a recent post, a Mollie left this comment:

"Ciao from Milan,Italy!

Just to let you know: Moleskine here is becoming more and more a fashion fact than an attitute (Modo & Modo, the producer, is based here)...It was so difficult to find it 'till few years ago...Now every single bookstore sell Moleskines. Travel Shops sell moleskines. News stands sell moleskines. Good or bad? Don't know. A bit disturbing, maybe."

Do you think this proliferation will "cheapen" the brand? Or would you rather see everyone carrying that black book? In your own words....

[Original image from: senado.gov.br]

Comments

[Mike Rohde]

As with any fad the people who just do it for fashion alone will put them away after a while and those who really see the usefulness and beauty will maintain their love for the Moleskine. I think it better to offer potential Mollies the chance to see and experience them than to keep Moleskines as a private club -- especially if the idea is to encourage creativity and expression.

[boxx]

I'd agree with the previous post. Fads do fade. Those that actually care, plus a few who learned to care will hold on. I do have to say that when i bought my first molskine it seamed really special. I had never seen one in the U.S. ever. (i bought mine in germany in 2001). It wasn't very long after that i started seeing them in Barns and Nobel. I feel the proliferation cheapens the sense of wonder in the object, but as a counter point i can now readily pick one up wherever i go. It's a tradeoff. Recently i just picked up a new molskine to use as a sketchbook. And although i know that it isn't special or rare, i have the urge to fill every page.

[Niklas Dahlin]

The exclusiveness-factor is no bonus for me. It's better to be able to find good stuff all over. Moleskines have really taken off here in Stockholm recently, they are sold in several large bookstores. And that's good since it keeps me supplied without much hassle. :)
However, companies tend to over-innovate when they strike a profitable trend. A kind of danger would be if Modo & Modo started to mess around with the design. It's very hard to change a product when the defining characteristic is simplicity. :)

[Mike]

If it bothers you that other people are carrying them around, you are too snobby about your notebook. I don't carry my Moleskine around because I think its going to get me chicks. I carry them because they give me the opportunity to write and writing makes me a better person.

If everyone had one of these little notebooks and wrote down their thoughts, stories, dreams, or opinions, perhaps our world would become a smarter place.

Pardon me while I wax philosophical and political a little bit.

Our world, or at least both corporate and government America, treats its citizens like idiots. Our television, movies, music, news, and politics gets dumber and dumber and the dumber they treat us, the dumber we get. People don't think. They go to movies like "Along Came Polly" saying "it'll be funny" when they should KNOW that it sucks. Any intelligent person will see the preview for that movie and know it sucks. But people go anyway, whether it is group stupidity or just a lack of self respect.

Many people would rather go home and watch "American Idol", "Survivor", and "Who Wants To Marry a Millionaire" than pick up a good book, popular fiction or not, and let their imagination work for a living. I doubt most people write anything if they don't have to. Few people keep a journal, jot down a poem, draw a beautiful woman, write to their kids 30 years from now, or write a short story.

If the trend of Moleskines can help drag our cattle-like society out of a rut of non-creativity and passive mentality and let them start thinking, talking, and writing again, perhaps these little black faux-leather snobby over-priced notebooks can make our world a better place.

[Justin]

I like the fact that you can find souls that share an idea (whether snobbery or an obsession) on the net. As fashions come and go, those for whom it means something will stick with it regardless.

I'm curious, the only guys I know who have blogged about moleskines are all Mac users. Is there a correlation? - or just more snobbery ??

[boxx]

Actually i don't think that the feeling of special goodness that comes from an objects perceived 'exclusiveness' is necessarily snobbery. It's more like the feeling of discovery. Like the first time you heard that band no one else knew about that blew your mind. Or those bad ass shoes you could never find another pair off. It makes the object feel more special. It's like any commodity, the fewer there are, the more precious and special something is. Once you see something staring out at you from every shopwindow it kind takes the romance out of something and replaces it with cost analysis and assembly lines. Convenience of purchase vs. commodity of the object.

[Armand]

Justin:
"I'm curious, the only guys I know who have blogged about moleskines are all Mac users. Is there a correlation? - or just more snobbery ??"

Nice observation. Discuss @ Mac*Heart*Mollie

[Justin]

I was unsure whether snobbery was the right word - but I used it anyway.

It is not the exclusivity or availability, but, as you say, that feeling that you can see *something* special that others can't.

I struggle to not feel superior in these situations.

[stosh machek]

i,m glad to hear theyre getting popular,that'll mean they'll be easier to get ...now maybe i can stop hoarding them & use this wine cellar for wine

[Michael]

I have a blog, though I am not a Mac user. We use them at work (I am a journalist) but I have a low opinion of them. They always seem to be crashing or losing files. Moreover, I find them incomprehensible after using PC's for all of my computer-using life.

Chalk one up to the other side.

M

Have a nice day... Or else.

[Jesse]

I am typing my strong and biased opinion without even reading any of your postings. Irregardless of my rudeness, whether or not masses purchase the moleskin won't change it's history, quality or inherent coolness. Therefore, I don't give a damn about the "brand." For those who care that much about image, just buy a new pda.

[Stephanie]

Because I can't resist:

irregardless is not a word.

Thank you.

[Bob]

And, because I can't resist:

Irregardless is a word, a bad word but a word nonetheless.

This does not mean I disagree with you. I hate improper made up words that are adopted by common usage.

I feel better now, thank you.

[ron]

"If the trend of Moleskines can help drag our cattle-like society out of a rut of non-creativity and passive mentality and let them start thinking, talking, and writing again, perhaps these little black faux-leather snobby over-priced notebooks can make our world a better place."

i can't figure out if this is incredibly snobbish or incredibly true