The Human Condition

The idea of this write was to be focused on marketing aspects relating to the id - depending upon the platform it is a fascinating theme...many underestimate its power and many usurp it.

Today I wanted to write about the fascination with the 'self-profile' or the ego, people seeking fame, those seeking to emulate in the hope of pacifying the id whilst others drive themselves forward gaining purpose and knowledge - the likes of Elizabeth Hurley, Victoria Beckham and Arnold Schwarzenegger sprang to mind whilst comparing them to the likes of Dame Ellen MacArthur and Ernest Shackleton - self worth and achievement in two incomparable arenas. Undoubtedly the drive for all of them comes/came from something deep within, that from a marketing perspective can be translated into two areas, in short by craving attention and gaining attention - those who have to feed their ego and those whose id is their driving force to achieve so much from life without fear.

We all market ourselves in some way, whether we want to or not, we present our case and hope the reflections appear pleasant and acceptable - but then you throw the emotional element of friendship into the pot - and this twists the plot of my pen.

I am in the process of developing a profiling campaign for a unique and talented artist - the next Barbara Hepworth. As a very close and dear friend this has proven to be quite an intricate and unusual path - her work is so inspiring and so is her passion. I have worked for artists before so I should be objective - but am I? In knowing her so well will I be tougher on her or over-protect her by becoming subjective?, will I view things dispassionately? Emotion can be both so conspiratorial and inspirational - a strong friendship being 'put on the line' so to speak should either ego become 'affronted'.

As a professional I look to remove the personal - but today I was reminded how important synchronistic connections remain -.and here my theme weaves down another interlinked path.

Today ALL things paled into insignificance as I learned that one of my mother's closest friends was terminally ill. Literally hours left. 10 days ago she 'mentioned' a pain in her back at some community meeting where widows ruminate ...since then she has suffered two heart attacks and currently lies in an isolation unit, with only a nebulizer for company. Her family, now dictating the course of her last hours, have deserted her...despite her pleas to see my mother prior to the inevitable ...they remain unheard. Her children simply await the news and feverishly call the lawyer to prepare himself for the reading of her last testament.

My mother received the news and swallowed it as only she could, with incredible humility despite evident pain. "She expected it," she said to me tearfully, "they are driven by self"

It is incredible what we can 'market' about ourselves in times of real crisis and what we learn, even in the every day. In respect of my deliberations one distinct thing stands out to me, that I hope I have the foresight to remain constant - to my friend, my values and myself.

For Millie with love. Helen