We (my parents and sister and I) went to the mall after school to pick up some stuff. I got a bag for the semi (now I have everything I need!) and a birthday present for Moses, though I shan’t say what it is. My sister had to meet a friend at Hot Topic.

Hot Topic. Wow. What a store. Mecca of every pseudo-punk/goth teen in the country. Now, I don’t have problems with people who shop there. There are people I like and respect that shop there. I might even pick up something there if I liked it. I have a problem with the people who use it as the expression of their rebellion and teenage angst. Hello, people, it’s just as corporate as Gap or A&F. The only difference is that everything is black instead of pastel, and the pants have more chains and zippers. And oh, lets not forget the wonderfully immature shirts. (Again, some of the shirts are cool. I’m not knocking them all.) I hate all that merchandise bearing messages like “Don’t like me? Go away.” People think they’re so cool with them. Putting out some marketed message of “Look, I’m rude, I’m in your face, deal with it!” There’s no need for that. I’m all for people standing up for themselves and what they believe in, but all that stuff is just immature.

So the bottom line is that if you want to make a statement about your anti-establishment beliefs, don’t go to Hot Topic. Buy your clothes at the Salvation Army or something. But if you just want one of the cool shirts, or a studded belt, shop away. Just don’t let yourself be defined by Hot Topic.

Flame me, tell me I’m wrong, whatever. And I’d be very interested in any information on who owns Hot Topic. I’ve heard it’s the same people that own the Gap, but I don’t know how true that it.