we most times publicly deny it and privately admit it that NIGERIANS ARE OPRESSORS, aba! they can show off.... necessary or not, they care less. most rich pple do things for no functional reason,
«my friend just bought it then i will acquire it,»
«my wife's brother sent it, i will arrange mine.»
but a slice of the volume do things for a good reason to either make themselves happy or increase productivity.
it is just us, LOL

lol........there you go again!!!!!! of course James would still be hungry if John were not a glutton. John is a glutton probably because he cant get enough of what is HIS. James is hungry because he has refused to work for, and equally own, that which came into John's possession as a result of «hardwork».

@ Ugo

Wao, each man with his pecularity.

It isn't the passion of each man if he chooses to spend his money on those passions that I am concerned about

but the art of buying products because it carries much clout for the purpose of oppression - symptons include a formal illiterate man buying a PDA phone that he uses for calls only.

Another perspective could be if oppression actually makes you happy then you go for it. This mindset actually gives me the freaks

Well, I don't know about those under the 'Oppression syndrome', but What about the guys who just absolutely must have the latest gadget? Someone once told me 'A man must always have something that he spends money on that keeps him happy'. The speaker opined that it usually runs to wine or women for most men. He however, established his own passion as having the latest gadget - be it 'Be the Man with the Bass' or a plasma screen tv, or an IPod.

Personally, upgrading my phone to the latest in town grows less on my mind as I realize that the functions I use in a phone 95% of the time are simply the call, message and reminder functions. Having anything else is great, but if I invest my joy and happiness (not my money, mind you) on getting a function that has little utility most of the time, I feel let down after the initial novelty of the product has worn off.

Anyhow, I think your piece boils down to what people (think they) want most - either form or function. The answer obviously, is overwhelmingly ... form! For whatever reason.

@ Bolaji

On point!

Thank God you answered those questions for yourself genuinely. That's another attribute that is lacking in this society. People can stand up to defend what they believe...maybe only in their rooms!

But that question is for every individual to answer on a personal note. I provision Blackberry at the core and I wouldn't doubt the importance of blackberry. I'm only saying that you should use it if you need it.

Yeah, sometimes, you don't know you need somethings until you have it and try it out. But why subscribe to «aso-ebi» when you're don't have the means? Why borrow to buy what you don't need?
These...all in the name of showing class... This is what I find fault in.

Thank you.

@ Ngozi

You have actually thrown in a new perspective on this issue (Oppression) and I am chewing on it.

The John and James allegory opens up a new discussion;

If James was not a glutton, would John be hungry?

Man your write-up on the Phone Tunes issue actually brings a smile to my lips this very good morning. downright realistic if u ask me. there's another way of looking at it though - most people who would go out of their way to acquire «instruments of oppression» are people who cannot even lay claim to any other form of joy believe u me. forget all the trappings the eyes can see, these ones actually look at the middle-class or working-class if u may prefer and secretly wish they had some form of life, some form of happiness, some means of mixing with people who'd bring a little sunshine in. as such these little «joys» are all they have to hold on to. another way of looking at it is - hey these people acquire these cos they can well afford it, cos it would meet their needs, cos it makes them happy.....................they are not in any way responsible for the feelings/thoughts of the one who feels oppressed. (lest i forget, please forgive the fact that my piece lacks all the trappings of finesse - im writing in conversational english). look at it this way - the fact that John is a glutton is not the reason James is going hungry. Stay Blessed.

@ Bolaji

I use a K700i which has all the functionalities you stated above

I make use of it and I am looking for a better phone with better functionality.

I am attacking the oppression syndrome not the type of phone you use. I will encourage companies using sales force, engineers on the rig, etc to take advantage of BlackBerry because it will improve their business process by more than 80% and it will cost
less in the long run.

Blackberry is one of the best thing to happen to our country because it improves industry which leads to social development. ..

What phone are you using if I may ask? Camera phone? with blue-tooth and infrared? Do you use those functionalities?

Just asking...it's good to use good phones. It reflects values in society of ours. It's everywhere and it started from the church! Rating people based on what they wear, what the drive, where they eat-out etc.

I have not said anything...just asking questions, so please don't take me to court o!