1980’s Cool Dude vs 2009’s Chill Dude: A metaphorical study of technology

Albin Xavier, Business Development Team (Chennai), writes…

“Cool Dude” wakes up in the morning as his mother splashes cold water on his face and looks for Dabur Lal Dant Manjan to start off the day. He proudly plays Aakash Vani on his stereo to inform the neighbours and everyone else within the 100 km radius that the “Cool Dude” is ready to rock the world. He irons his bell-bottom pants and puts on an expensive shirt, one that he made sure had all the colours of a rainbow. He consumes idlies prepared by mother, hops on his Vespa and rides the streets, often stopping to see if people at the bus stand are turning green in envy. “Cool Dude” finds himself surprisingly jealous of the chap driving an ambassador car in front and completely aware that no one is paying any attention to his miniature street hawk. He shrugs off such emotions and goes to the bank to transfer some money to his friend who once did him a favour that he currently has no memory of.

On his way back, he stops at the junction and chats with his buddies about how desperately they need a political revolution and how the current government is ignoring the working-class. Then along with his friends, he rushes off to the nearby movie theatre to see Amitabh Bachchan in ‘Laawaris’. He even whistles when Big B appears on screen. Of course, our “Cool Dude” returns home early to see Chitrahaar. During dinnertime, his parents start advising on career and life much to his annoyance. He then goes for a well-deserved rest after an eventful day.

Decades have passed…

Another “Chill Dude” wakes up in the morning after the alarm in his mobile phone switches to snooze mode a couple of times. Right after a super quick breakfast and other morning chores, he listens to the latest music album downloaded on his mobile with wireless headsets. He nods his head to the music while browsing through Facebook via his mobile. “Chill Dude” takes about 20 minutes to come up with a status message. He then uses the mobile banking facility to transfer funds to his friend who once had sent him a beer on Facebook. He puts on a pre-ironed six-pocket Khakis and a branded T-shirt. Everyone within the 100 km could see the logo of the brand. Feeling so happy about the brand he has built up for himself, “Chill Dude” narcissistically takes a few photos using his mobile’s in-built 3.2 megapixel camera.

He then hops on his Pulsar and hits the roads only to find people indifferent to how “Chill” he really is. He tries a few wheelies and few other tricks to defy gravity and more importantly, grab some attention. On his way to meet friends, he sees a Bentley breezing through. He grinds his teeth and mutters to himself that one day he will own a Bentley. He meets his pals and shows them the ‘Ghajini’ movie tickets that he had booked online using his mobile phone. Unfortunately, he misses the climax because of a wrong number call, which he had mistaken to be that person who had once called him regarding a loan. After a late night party at a friend’s place, “Chill Dude” returns home to find every one asleep. He says a prayer for all the advancements in mobile technology and another one to Bill Gates, and then goes to sleep.