One of Berger's five STEPS points is storytelling. For a comprehensive treatment of the storytelling see Jonah Sachs' Winning the Story Wars. Jonah presented his views at a recent TED conference.

This Mr. Berger has a a warped "destructive" view of the world. Why is it inherently special to know something others don't? Is it not what someone DOES that really matters, is special? Does it make something "good", of quality; because many / the masses know about it. Imitation is NOT only a sample of appreciation; but a symbol of the lack of individuality and creativity. Don't encourage the herd mentality. The diversity and uniqueness of the world and life; "the road non-traveled" leads one to the riches of life. It's so much more valuable and fun to not be part of H.G. Wells Eloy.

Due to a lack of regulation which would enforce protection and recognition of the Kobe beef trademark, there are many opportunities to purchase beef that is labeled or passed off as Kobe beef, taking advantage of the public's ignorance of what it takes to make beef that is legitimately Kobe beef, in effect defrauding unwary consumers and the true Japanese Kobe beef industry.

I wish to God he would stop saying "So.." before every single answer.

Voting in a church could have the opposite effect if voter is not a church member, not a coreligionist, does not agree with doctrine etc etc. so guest's conclusion can be 180 degrees wrong

To Sheldon

If you were under 60, I'd be more busy using my natural,organic, God-given handheld device for better things, and not playing games or sending inane messages. LoL!

I think most Guest Picks reflect this " I want to look good" social pressure.

Doesn't manipulating a product to get an unnatural response degrade the whole marketplace in the end? We all kind of feel that way about "commercialism" and most all its present directions already, don't we?

why Andy Warhol was so popular and still is admired?

What, Leonard--you're not going to call Berger on his gaff? It wasn't Yogi Bera who made the "...wouldn't want to join a club that would have me as a member" quote. Ugh.

Thins catch on because most people are without vision and creativity, they become somewhat gullible, followers.

I specifically came on to comment on the quote misattributed to Yogi Berra instead of Groucho, and see that I've been beaten to it. Good to know I'm in good company here.

Groucho, not Yogi, wouldn't join.......

John A -- Wall Street was chanting the "Greed is Good" mantra long before Oliver Stone was a gleam in his father's eye.*

*Or was it Fidel Castro?

Groucho's not Yogi's saying...

and "The cars we wear and the clothes we drive"???

What does the guest think about successful products/companies that go out of fashion just as quickly - Myspace/Blackberry/Sony/Jonas Bros?

JG - if you were under 60, you would understand.

Wikipedia

"There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase often credited to P. T. Barnum (1810–1891), an American showman. Though this phrase is often credited to Barnum, but it was actually spoken by a man by the name of David Hannum.

Probably, more suckers are born every minute in the US than any other place on earth.

It can't possibly have Kobe beef...Kobe beef is not exported outside of Japan.

It cannot have Kobe Beef as it is illegal to import Kobe Beef from Japan.

Speaking of Malcolm Gladwell, has the New Yorker fired him yet for writing glowingly about companies he's gotten paychecks from?

or you just look foolish for paying $100 for a piece of food

It would be most _useful_ to know how "Greed is Good" could go from a just a line in a 1987 movie to become the mantra for all of Wall Street and the Republican party.
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And yes, what makes baby names popular is interesting too :)

I have NO idea why handheld computer devices have become so popular, with allegedly "poor people" willing to hand over hundreds of dollars for them. While I have been involved with personal computers since 1979, I have never felt the need or desire to own a handheld device. The only handheld mobile device I have has cost me nothing, and has given me great pleasure, and is a natural part of my anatomy :)
I can understand a certain need for mobile phones, but that is a far as I would personally go. They are almost all a great waste of money, for the most part.