Tricky Economies

When I looked nowhere through the windows of my 15th Floor office, I was taken to a different world by my thoughts. May be it is influenced by the task I was doing – listing down cosmetic products of different companies – suddenly I felt more informed on the various aspirational products that girls use and had a sense of elation that, now I wont be lost when I see these products in the stores and on the dressing table of girls.. But this was not the world I am talking of, the greater thought was, to think of the 100s of different products available in the market – yeah, for lesser mortals who are still in the state of ignorance in which I was, just to give an idea of product proliferation, I take eye make up as an example:

• Products - eye liner, kajal, mascara, eye shadow, brow pencil

• Effects (post application) – matt, illuminance, cream, wet, powder

• Time to stay – 12 hr, 24 hr, etc

• Solubility – water proof, soluble

• Colors – apart from this there are numerous colour options

So people who could compute permutations and combinations will know how many possibilities exist and what is the money available on table to be looted.. :p

But one amazing thing is, just with the basis of “we all like to look good”, how one huge industry has developed and how it is evolving to find new ways to excite people. We didn’t tell them we need a separate “day cream” and a “night cream”. This is a need created by the industry.

Anyway to continue last sentence, the greater thought was, this industry was not present to this extent may be 5 decades back. And I am sure girls looked good even then. So, to think of the 100s of products available in the market,

are they really doing any good? I don’t know. They might, they might not.

Are they cheating people? I cant say.

Are they doing any good for society? Hmmm…….. (guys might say yes, but I don’t know. :) )

Should we start a movement to close these industries? Huh….

But one thing is, though these might cause some harm in the long run on a personal effect, since there is a huge economy around this industry creating so many livelihoods, it is acceptable – if tobacco can survive for the same arguments, so can this.

But the purpose of me writing this is not about cosmetics industry.. when I was in this thinking process, I got answer for my long pending question – is marriage industry a waste of money? I don’t get the logic of spending so much for one day’s enjoyment which sometimes you don’t even know if it is going to sustain in the long run.. :p .. but, it is a huge industry in India creating so many livelihoods. And eureka !! people who afford spend and that way, it is a great redistribution of wealth..!!