Everyone wants to be creative and successful these days. "I want to create something lasting," they say, as if writing another out-of-print book or throwing up another album on iTunes might beat back mortality's inexorable creep.

Of course, most of us aren't preoccupied with our legacy so much as disturbed by the pointlessness of most other options. Let's see, I can create something meaningful and expressive, or I can help some company that creates a disposable product trick the world into buying it.

What no one tells you, of course, is that the former inevitably turns into the latter. No sooner have you put the finishing touches on your masterpiece than a phalanx of professionally smooth humans gathers to discuss how to peddle your brand to the appropriate demographic. "Who is your demographic, do you think?" they'll ask you.

I don't know, you'll answer. Crazy people? Angry people? People who just want to create something lasting but end up pissing away their prime in extended Twitter exchanges and tedious teleconferencing calls?

Desperately seeking status

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