# I am not a Brand **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 20, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456 "2013-06-20T12:49:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blueslipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/1 "2013-06-20T12:49:05Z")
My manager said to me that I am a brand. I told her I am not. I do not believe in that way of thinking. I am not a commodity. I am a person with contradictions. This whole ‘be your own brand’ crap to me is insulting to me. It is like stereotyping-not seeing people as individuals. After you see someone as that brand, you do not see them in any other light. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/2 "2013-06-20T12:52:13Z")
However, I am a Brand. Really. It’s my IRL last name. I get what you’re sayin’ though. It’s one of those buzz word things that get on my nerves. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/3 "2013-06-20T12:55:50Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > However, I am a Brand. Really. It’s my IRL last name. If there were 9 before you, you could be Brand X! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/4 "2013-06-20T12:58:23Z")
Well if you are dissatisfied we can brainstorm on some new ideas, run them up the flagpole and, at the end of the day, we will examine any synergies, form a few focus groups, strengthen our core values and create a win-win situation. I’ll get a six-sigma team right on it. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/5 "2013-06-20T12:59:03Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > If there were 9 before you, you could be Brand X! > > 😃 I can count nine of my ancestoral Brands and get me a tshirt that says BrandX. Genius! I have a tshirt from a local company called “Better Brands.” When I wear it, it’s true! ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/6 "2013-06-20T13:38:19Z")
Hmm So if we are all _Brands_, does that mean we all will be branded? With hot branding irons? Branding irons made hot by being put in the fire? Who lives in the fire? Could it be _ **SATAN** _? This _Brand_ stuff is obviously part of the Devils evil plan for humanity and proof of the coming Apocalypse. I’m watching you **Swampy**. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/7 "2013-06-20T13:44:19Z")
> [@blueslipper](#): > > My manager said to me that I am a brand. I told her I am not. I do not believe in that way of thinking. I am not a commodity. I am a person with contradictions. > This whole ‘be your own brand’ crap to me is insulting to me. It is like stereotyping-not seeing people as individuals. After you see someone as that brand, you do not see them in any other light. Whatever you say, User 57844 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/8 "2013-06-20T14:27:21Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > If there were 9 before you, you could be Brand X! > > 😃 You mean like Malcolm the Tenth? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/9 "2013-06-20T14:44:30Z")
I wouldn’t say a person “is” a brand, but I would say that the idea of each individual “having” a brand is useful. Brands aren’t supposed to be stereotypes–they are supposed to be about what makes the branded entity unique. Arguably, the OP is trying to brand herself as brandless. Bit of a catch 22 there, but it shouldn’t be taken as meaning she “really does” have a brand whether she likes it or not. The question isn’t whether she really has one–the question is whether the metaphor “Each individual has a brand” is useful. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/10 "2013-06-20T14:51:12Z")
> [@blueslipper](#): > > My manager said to me that I am a brand. Sounds like he read a new book. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/11 "2013-06-20T14:53:35Z")
I’ve literally never heard of this before. This is a thing? Referring to people as a brand? Like Apple is a brand, and Snapple is a brand, and Michael is a brand and little Joe Horner is a brand? How exactly is a person a brand? How is this idea useful at all? And how have I gotten through life (thankfully) never having heard of it until this moment? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/12 "2013-06-20T14:56:12Z")
What can you do when you’re branded, and you know you’re a [wo]man? ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/13 "2013-06-20T16:18:31Z")
Tell her [“Life’s a Campaign”](http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Campaign-Friendship-Reputation-ebook/dp/B000SHP14U) for you already. Or better yet, you’re too busy trying to “[Be your own boyfriend.](http://www.amazon.com/Be-Your-Own-Boyfriend-Unleash/dp/0988849704/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371744512&sr=1-1&keywords=Be+your+own+boyfriend)” ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/14 "2013-06-20T16:18:51Z")
I hear this “personal brand” crap all the time at work. I updated my Buzzword to English Dictionary to define “personal brand” as “reputation”. Yes, there are differences between the two terms, but those nuances do not matter enough for us worker bees to bother with the buzzword. I’d like my reputation in the company to be “does great work”, but the best I can do is “wears weird ties”. ☹ Relevant Firefly quote: > [@Adelai Niska](#): > > You know what is reputation? Is people talking. Is gossip. Is not solid. And here’s a Gene Weingarten column on “personal branding”, and everything I dislike about the concept: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/2011/06/07/AGBegthH\_story.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/2011/06/07/AGBegthH_story.html) > [@Gene Weingarten](#): > > Note the order. First came the work. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/15 "2013-06-20T17:09:35Z")
[Being branded](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXlUS5-ag_g) used to be a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![blueslipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/16 "2013-06-20T21:07:01Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I wouldn’t say a person “is” a brand, but I would say that the idea of each individual “having” a brand is useful. Brands aren’t supposed to be stereotypes–they are supposed to be about what makes the branded entity unique. > > Arguably, the OP is trying to brand herself as brandless. Bit of a catch 22 there, but it shouldn’t be taken as meaning she “really does” have a brand whether she likes it or not. The question isn’t whether she really has one–the question is whether the metaphor “Each individual has a brand” is useful. I do not like the whole thinking behind it. I am not trying to brand myself as brandless. If you are a brand, you are not a person. You are a thing, you are a commodity. The whole brand crap is making everyone a commodity. Do you want to be a commodity? Even if you consider yourself topshelf, do you still want to think like that? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/17 "2013-06-20T21:13:36Z")
Corporations want legal rights that people have, but want their employees to be their product, essentially a thing. I’m glad you told your manager that’s a bunch of crap. I would have too. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/18 "2013-06-20T21:14:29Z")
Every metaphor plays on certain similarities while ignoring certain dissimilarities. Of course you’re right that you’re not a commodity, but that is simply one of the dissimilarities this metaphor ignores. Again, I wouldn’t say you _are_ a brand, but it seems fairly innocuous to me to suggest that you _have_ a brand. In other words, there is an array of signals which you maintain by which people try to get a handle on what you’re about. ---
**Author:** ![blueslipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/19 "2013-06-20T21:14:34Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > I’ve literally never heard of this before. This is a thing? Referring to people as a brand? Like Apple is a brand, and Snapple is a brand, and Michael is a brand and little Joe Horner is a brand? > > How exactly is a person a brand? How is this idea useful at all? And how have I gotten through life (thankfully) never having heard of it until this moment? It is one of the new business buzzword crapology - leverage your personal brand. You are lucky to have never heard about it. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456/20 "2013-06-20T21:19:02Z")
> [@blueslipper](#): > > My manager said to me that I am a brand. Now for my other reply. Your manager is calling you hot. File sexual harassment charges. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-not-a-brand/661456.md?page=2)