Paul Sassone

I don’t like fads.

Fads diminish our individuality and make us part of a herd.

Fads often involve behavior that demeans those who participate.

Remember the fad of a couple of years ago in which wealthy people hid money and posted clues online as to the money’s location?

Those who liked the idea claimed it was a way for people with money to give back to the community at large.

But the money’s location too often seemed to be in garbage cans or other demeaning places. It always seemed to me that these money-hiders were more interested in humiliation than philanthropy. And, anyway, if someone wants to give back, then give back. Support local causes and charities. Don’t make people pick through garbage.

Then there is the Pokemon Go fad of this year in which herds of participants wander around staring at their smart phone in search of virtually real critters. It is humiliating to watch these

wanderers, much less actually become one of them.

And this fad turns out to be dangerous. We all heard or read news reports of Pokemon Go faddists walking into walls, falling into ditches, being hit by cars as they wandered and winding up in the emergency room.

But there are fads and there are fads.

The latest, and perhaps the worst so far, factoring in the potential dangers, is the creepy clown fad.

In at least 20 states as well as throughout Canada, Great Britain and other countries there have been hundreds of reports of scary or threatening clown appearances.

Mostly the people dressed as clowns just stand around looking creepy.

But some have threatened to harm children and adults.

When stopped by authorities many of the creepy clowns turn out to be teens just goofing around.

But not all.

This is just the type of fad that can attract disturbed individuals, who might actually try to do harm.

Clowns evoke ambivalence. On one hand, they are comic and make us laugh at the circus.

But on the other hand, clowns also can convey a sinister air.

Remember, John Wayne Gacy was a clown.

Some people are afraid of clowns. There even is a medical term for such a fear — coulrophobia.

Me? I’m not afraid of clowns. But I don’t think they are particularly funny. How many times can you laugh at someone falling down, being crammed into a tiny car or having a bucket of confetti thrown on them?

But that some people do fear clowns is inarguable. And where there is fear there are sick people who will exploit that fear.

But the fewer of these people the authorities have to contend with the better. So, the creepy clown fad is definitely a fad to skip. The potential for tragedy is too great.

In fact, we’d all be better off if we avoided getting involved with most — or all — fads.

Just be who you are.

And keep clowns in the circus.

–Most fads not worth the bother–