# I pit people who riot over a pair of sneakers. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 24, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280 "2011-12-24T14:34:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/121 "2011-12-29T18:56:05Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > The sneaker craze is mockable for two reasons: > > 1. Stupidity: it’s ridiculous to go insane/riot over overpriced, mass-produced sneakers. > > 2. Irony: the sneakers aren’t really remarkable in any way. I’m going to add a #3: it’s conspicuous consumption by a socioeconomc group that can least afford it, which generally has far less disposable income than the average American individual or household. I see the same kind of criticism towards other economically strugling groups that seem to have misplaced financial priorities; e.g unemployed Occupiers with MacBooks and the like. Nobody gently affirms the poor rural whites who have expensive weapon arsenals that can hold back an Army division, douchebags and their $125 Affliction and Ed Hardy t-shirts, or basement-dwelling nerds with thousands of dollars in World of Warcraft figurines with the “it’s part of their culture!” excuse. Really, there’s a big difference between a middle-class professional woman spending $250 on a pair of Fluevogs, a middle-class tradesman spending $250 on a pair of Red Wing 964s, and a struggling inner city resident spending $280 on a pair of Air Jordans _that they will seldom, if ever wear_. There’s a big difference between a middle-class professional woman spending $250 on an Ann Taylor business suit that will remain in style for many years, a middle-class tradesman spending $100 on a Carhartt jacket that will last them many _decades_, and a struggling inner city resident spending $900 on a Pelle Pelle flight jacket that will be out of style in a year. Troop and Avirex jackets, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Bloodless\_Turnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@Bloodless\_Turnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bloodless_Turnip)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/122 "2011-12-29T19:01:34Z")
I wonder what would have happened if they had genuine Manolo Blahnik shoes on a limited run for $50. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/123 "2011-12-29T19:10:46Z")
> [@Bloodless\_Turnip](#): > > I wonder what would have happened if they had genuine Manolo Blahnik shoes on a limited run for $50. It would probably look a lot like the [Filene’s Basement “Running of the Brides” wedding dress sale](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chQNd7PkhuM). ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/124 "2011-12-29T19:12:49Z")
I’m sure $50 MBs would make for the same kind of chaos, but I’d think it was just as stupid. Personally I just don’t understand the allure of acting like a bloody lunatic just to score a brand name. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/125 "2011-12-29T19:13:52Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > It would probably look a lot like the [Filene’s Basement “Running of the Brides” wedding dress sale](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chQNd7PkhuM). Oh, dear god. I saw that on TV somewhere and it was one of those “I hate my gender” moments. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/126 "2011-12-29T22:06:47Z")
Oh, I dunno. The women who tend to wear MBs and the like aren’t likely runners… We could probably beat them out. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/127 "2011-12-29T23:00:13Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Hmm. I could’ve sworn Aldo was a high-end grocery store— some conspicuous consumer I am. > > And hey, looks like they’re opening one in [Cameroon](http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/stores/cameroon)! Aldi is the grocery store. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/128 "2011-12-30T00:02:40Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Aldi is the grocery store. And it’s the opposite of high end. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/129 "2011-12-30T02:09:27Z")
It’s not trashy, though. You can get a lot of bargains there. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/130 "2011-12-30T03:14:49Z")
_sigh_. Clearly none of you shop at mid-range mall footwear shops. Without Aldo, where do people get basic, mildly stylish, a-tad-pricey shoes? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/131 "2011-12-30T03:54:42Z")
Avoid Shoe Carnival like the plague, though. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/132 "2011-12-30T04:43:12Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > _sigh_. Clearly none of you shop at mid-range mall footwear shops. Without Aldo, where do people get basic, mildly stylish, a-tad-pricey shoes? The ex adored DSW, although it’s not necessarily high-end. For dressier shoes, I like old-guard men’s stores like [this](http://shop.oconnellsclothing.com/). Otherwise, workwear stores, where you can get sturdy made-in-the-USA boots, and decently priced name brand hiking shoes and boots. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/133 "2011-12-30T05:07:57Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > _sigh_. Clearly none of you shop at mid-range mall footwear shops. Without Aldo, where do people get basic, mildly stylish, a-tad-pricey shoes? This is silly. I’ve never seen an Aldo around here, but then I avoid the mall like a plague. Plus, the poster alluded to endive, something not often seen in shoe stores. For the range of shoes you describe, I shop at Carson’s. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/134 "2011-12-30T05:52:44Z")
“The poster”? I’m standing _right here_. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/135 "2011-12-30T10:13:23Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > _sigh_. Clearly none of you shop at mid-range mall footwear shops. Without Aldo, where do people get basic, mildly stylish, a-tad-pricey shoes? We make sandals from cut up truck tires. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/136 "2011-12-30T10:27:33Z")
> [@ugly ripe tomato](#): > > Personally I just don’t understand the allure of acting like a bloody lunatic just to score a brand name. They’re dependent on brands to reinforce their self-image. Or maybe to give them one at all. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/137 "2011-12-30T16:16:07Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “The poster”? I’m standing _right here_. Sorry, we didn’t see you behind the endive. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/138 "2011-12-30T17:04:21Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “The poster”? I’m standing _right here_. Sorry. I wasn’t about to wade through all the posts to ID the one I needed. Lemme ask you this: do you like Belgian endive? Sometimes it’s a bit bitter for my taste… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/139 "2011-12-30T18:49:57Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > I’m going to add a #3: it’s conspicuous consumption by a socioeconomc group that can least afford it, which generally has far less disposable income than the average American individual or household. > > I see the same kind of criticism towards other economically strugling groups that seem to have misplaced financial priorities; e.g unemployed Occupiers with MacBooks and the like. Nobody gently affirms the poor rural whites who have expensive weapon arsenals that can hold back an Army division, douchebags and their $125 Affliction and Ed Hardy t-shirts, or basement-dwelling nerds with thousands of dollars in World of Warcraft figurines with the “it’s part of their culture!” excuse. So _::shrug::_ nobody said culture always has to be awesome. We could draw up an endless list of ways in which culture also sucks. Anthropology aims to be a science and, as such, aims to obtain a putative pure or applied knowledge of what it studies. As a putative science, it aims at knowledge in itself, not knowledge in the application of a value judgment. This is not at all to imply that anthropology says that value judgments are no good. It’s rather that value judgments are outside a scientific field that aims at pure knowledge, or that the only value it’s set up for is knowledge. There have been a great many intellectual critiques of a science whose only value is knowledge rather than, say, compassion for humanity, and they’re so well-known that anyone literate in modern cultures can think of lots of examples off the top of one’s head; e.g. Mary Shelley’s _Frankenstein_. In this view of how to divide up fields of knowledge, value judgments applicable to human life are legitimately covered by the philosophy of ethics. Of course, the quest to integrate into human life a science that is informed by the best humanist ethics and values is also a great big discipline in itself. I bet any of us literate Dopers could cite their own favorite examples. I like Rachel Carson, Albert Schweitzer, Riane Eisler, the field of ecofeminism, etc. As for critiques of anthropology in particular, my views are informed by the criticisms by Boas, Deloria, and Pirsig and similar authors who have heavily critiqued the record of anthropology in relation to Native Americans. Deloria’s scathing criticism of anthropologists in _Custer Died for Your Sins_ is a response from Native American eyes. I think, though, the field has been influenced by its Delorias over the past 40 years, as colonialism has continued to recede in academic disciplines, in third-wave feminism, etc. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280/140 "2011-12-30T19:57:33Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > There have been a great many intellectual critiques of a science whose only value is knowledge rather than, say, compassion for humanity, and they’re so well-known that anyone literate in modern cultures can think of lots of examples off the top of one’s head; e.g. Mary Shelley’s _Frankenstein_. Wait, what? How is _Frankenstein_ a critique of science? And how does facile undergraduate multiculturalism reflect the values of the field of anthropology? Do professional anthropologists really ask, “Well you have a reliable car; what’s up with that, huh?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-riot-over-a-pair-of-sneakers/607280.md?page=8)