October 23, 2003
James Lileks hits the nail on the head with regards to the popularity of Starbucks:
The market doesn't make high-quality judgments if the people driving the markets have low standards, or they have a variety of standards that don't put product quality first. I'd rather have a slightly great cup of coffee in an incredibly cool cafe than a great cup of coffee in a dive festooned with Nazi memorabilia. I'd rather have a so-so burger in a dive with a friendly waitress than a great meal in a place where the staff sneered at me and never refilled my drink.
It really is ok to like what is popular, as long as the affection is not strictly based on popularity. In the same vein, it is also ok to hate what is popular if there is a reason behind the disdain. (And yes, there is a reason for my disdain for the New York Yankees.)
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I don’t assume that popularity = crap; I don’t assume that popularity = excellence. I assume that popularity = popularity, and the reasons for that will vary.
