Anyone who is chronically online is relatively familiar with the cuddly and eccentric PopMart Labubu, complete with captivating beady eyes and a plush exterior. Recently, Labubus have been a topic of extreme interest on social media. It is not unoften that I see a Labubu unboxing with millions of views, or even ads with resellers offering the toy for hundreds of dollars. How can something that was practically irrelevant before suddenly become so prominent in our daily lives?
I find myself dwelling on this idea, especially as I reflect on the interests I’ve had over the years. Topics such as domestic rabbits, Radiohead, and Franz Kafka have always been meaningless in my eyes until recently, where I have discovered they give me extreme enjoyment. I often discuss these subjects passionately, even when the people around me have deemed them silly or trivial. There have been countless times when I have expressed fascination for things that are out of the ordinary, all while facing backlash from individuals I consider the most important in my life.
Rather than deter me, the criticism I receive does the exact opposite than intended. It emphasizes the feelings I have toward what I care about, rather than dismiss my fondness for them entirely. Though an exaggeration, the simple notion of going against my peer’s opinions exhilarates me beyond comparison— adjectives such as complacent and pompous do not portray my excitement accurately.
Over time, I have discovered other people who have felt this way, who take pride in having interests labeled as uni
que. I have a friend who can list assorted details about Joshua Harmon, the frontman of the indie-rock band The Backseat Lovers; another who is greatly enamored by postcard-sized prints of tropical fish. One such acquaintance of mine enjoys comparing daily moments of her life to the surrealist American television series Twin Peaks, whether sharing out loud or making mental note of it in her head.
Though some of these facts bear the semblance of early signs of insanity— the first friend in particular is well aware of the Zestimate of Joshua Harmon’s house— I view them as one of the countless ways that make the human species so special. The need to take comfort in the odd is something akin to many, a crucial method to distinguish oneself in a time where conformity is especially valued.
Our infatuations with the abnormal may seem peculiar, when in reality they are a crucial part of our identity. We are drawn to the spontaneity of things, as the intricacy of such is a refreshing break from the mundanity of everyday life. Perhaps this is why Labubus are so popular— the nature of receiving a randomized, unusual-looking creature compels buyers to clear the shelves.
The next time someone labels your obsessions as strange or different, take appreciation of their comment. Resist the implicit need to assimilate, to subject yourself to what is expected by others. Dabble in the niche and you might surprise yourself by what you discover.
