Happy Obscurity

Why is it that some of us are so pleased to know about cool things that nobody else knows about? Is it just that whole anti-mainstream mentality?

Example: a while back, I got a ride home from a coworker, and her car stereo was blasting The Postal Service. I really liked it and said so, and she asked if I'd ever heard of them. When I said no, she turned to me and said "Thank you! You're so cool!"

Wait...I'm cool for not having heard of something??

But I knew what she meant. When people don't know about something that you are into, in reinforces your cutting-edge image (self-image though it may be). For instance, I have yet to meet anyone else who knows about the band Common Rotation - even at the concert (though to be fair, they were the opening act.) And even though they're not the greatest band, I still feel a little bit cooler for knowing who they are...so long as nobody else does.

I like it too, because it's like a secret code by which I can recognize members of my own little coterie. Like a quote from some obscure little 80's movie, that no one else gets, because almost no one else has seen or heard of the movie. Except me, and now this one other. It's exciting, like finding a long-lost relative. And then we get to be cool together.

I suppose, as someone who was excluded from everything all through high school, I get a charge now out of creating my own inner circles, and knowing what nobody else knows. At least I hope that's it...because the whole anti-mainstream thing is just a bit too obvious.