Peer Pressure: Forcing You To Make Silly Decisions Since Time Began.

Having referred to a handy collection of the millions of fashion websites, I now know that this summer, we need to be wearing 70's chic, "biker" gear, punk fashion and 60's ladylike in order to be wearing "this season's look". Not at the same time I assume, mostly because you'd look like you'd just stepped out of a panto having been dressed by Stevie Wonder. However, thank God we have these websites, eh? Otherwise, how else would we know what to wear? That's one less worry! However, come Winter, I think I'm going to make my own fashion website and decide what the "trend" is. I'm absolutely certain that it'll be a massive hit, and I'll revel in having made everyone walk around wearing, I don't know, bin liners on their arms. Seriously, who comes up with these fashion trends? Is it one person telling everyone what to wear ahead of time, or does someone see that a lot of people are wearing frilly tops and declare that to be a "look"?

It's one of those things that we all do, for no reason whatsoever, without even thinking about it. It's kind of odd in a way, because it's not like a constant thing that's always been with people. Fashion hasn't been universal for people forever. I mean, have you actually seen the trousers they wore in the 70's? It boggles my mind that someone at one point said "hey, look at that white shirt with red circles randomly placed on it. That'll look great". No, Mr 70's man, it really doesn't. It's the same with most things, really. I remember a few years ago, there was a big "thing" about supermarket plastic bags. They were the big thing that everyone focused on, for no reason that I can remember. It wasn't just a mention here and there, we had the Government talking about how they'll whoop them back to last year. We had Supermarkets telling us all that they'll charge a gabillion pounds per bag, for the environment. We had photos of Morrison's bags floating in the Atlantic. And now? Nothing. No one cares any more. Now, it's fuel usage. Apparently, for every mile I drive, a kitten develops a sprained ankle, so I must take the bus. Next week, it'll be why the over-use of your TV causes confusion in dolphins.

I used to be very confused about all of this, until the other week. I read on the internet (so it must be true, right?) about something called the "Abilene Paradox", that rang somewhat true with me. It basically goes like this: A family are playing cards in a house. Grandpa, who is enjoying the game and doesn't want to leave but fears the others are bored, suggests a road trip to Abilene (50 miles away). Dad then thinks to himself that he is quite happy playing cards and doesn't fancy a long trip on a boiling hot day, but to avoid looking like the kill-joy, says :"yes, that sounds nice". Mum then notices that two people apparently really want to go out. To avoid scuppering their fun, she agrees to go, despite not feeling up to it. The two kids, seeing that everyone apparently is up for going on this long trip, also agree, despite enjoying the card game in the shade of the house. The whole family then take a trip to Abilene and have a meal. The food is pretty bad, and in secret, nobody is enjoying their meal. When they all go home, Dad pipes up with "that was a nice meal, wasn't it", clearly lying to avoid sounding like the killjoy again. However, due to her tiredness and frustration, Mum admits that the food wasn't that good and she probably would have preferred staying at home. Noticing that one person has broken the link, the kids say that they were restless the whole journey, and were actually planning on having pancakes that afternoon instead of food at Abilene. Dad then confesses that he didn't like the food and didn't want to go, but didn't want to be seen as grumpy. Finally, Grandpa confesses that he was actually enjoying the card game, but was worried that no one else was. They are all left sitting there, wondering how they all agreed to go on a long journey for a meal that precisely none of them wanted.

Ever been there? I can feel you all nodding your heads at this right now, I know I've done it. Everyone's in a room saying the answer to something is A. How many people are genuinely going to stand up and say "no, it's B. You're all wrong"? It's a funny thing about group dynamics, where perceived popularity in a group seems to override being right. The thing is, however, as much as we're all right now thinking about bucking that trend and saying in our heads "I'm going to be totally honest from now on" (I know you're all thinking that), we probably won't. We don't want to be seen as the sour grapes. It's even worse when there's something important riding on an outcome if this comes into play. Imagine being in an important business meeting and everyone's agreeing to a particular plan of action. How do you know they are genuinely in agreement or just saying that to not stick out? Some businesses teach this paradox, and ask everyone if they're "doing an Abilene" if they vote on something, so they know to be totally honest. It's bad that they have to remind people to vote with what they genuinely feel, but that's just how we are.

So take that fact with you. The simple fact that you're aware of this trait should hopefully give this world just a little bit more honesty. Or, most likely, it'll make someone in a clothes shop somewhere say out loud "d'ya know what? This new season's look is rubbish and makes me look like I've stapled a carpet sample to my shoulders". Then they'll wear something that actually looks good.

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