Human Roulette

By The Hunger

Nike: victory. Coca-Cola: fun. Apple: creative innovation. Brands stand for something. They capture the zeitgeist of certain populations, places, politics, and their messages are further encapsulated by their respective slogans.

Some people say, “No man is an island” – could this be due only to logistics. Continents, countries, states and postcodes are used to classify populations. Flags, colours, and numbers represent these regions and groups. Some stereotyping is necessary because it allows us to compute more easily.

Human Roulette Wheel

Each person represents a brand that represents her or himself, and what a variety there is. Human Roulette doesn’t stop at 36 numbers; currently, it’s at 6,807,975,788 and counting.

Each person is a product of their unique environment. Their life politics or raison d’etre is bound to be different to that of every other person on some level. With over six-point-something billion people, 193 sovereign states, and 7 continents on our planet, how can one have a single type? Obviously, this number reduces somewhat when you take into account: sex, age, and other factors, but the principle is the same – what characteristics, both physically and mentally, do you find attractive?  What’s your Perfect Brand?

Maybe if you were asked “What isn’t your type?” the answers wouldn’t be as difficult. By identifying what you don’t want, it becomes easier to find out what you do want and easier to play Human Roulette.

Think of your favourite (or least favourite) ex. What was it about her/him that first got your attention? What was it that kept and eventually lost your attention? Your brain calculates a mental equation based on your current biology and past history to select the best possible match.

“What’s your type (aka brand)”? Upon hearing this question (once again), our answers might sound like:

1. Oh, I don’t really have a type.
2. I prefer blondes, but I like brunettes too.
3. I prefer brunettes, but I like blondes too.
4. I’ll know it when I see it.

So many people are unsure or reluctant to say what type of person they’re attracted to. Maybe people are ironically paranoid that they’ll be put in a category, a category they themselves can’t decide on.

This could be the reason why evolution is humanity’s default setting.

Perfect Brand

Voyeurism is alive and well. If you visit the website www.chatroulette.com you’ll know what I mean. A 17-year-old Russian guy recently set up ChatRoulette allowing users to chat and see random people from all over the world at the click of the button. Disturbingly, I saw more uncircumcised penises, weirdos, and wackos than I care to recall. Whilst it may only have slightly better chances than Russian Roulette, the lure of meeting or chatting to “The Perfect Brand” compels one to keep discovering.

This latest internet craze is primordially addictive. The thought that the next click can connect you to a more likeable/ideal “brand” or compatible conversation will ensure that you’ll click more times than a prawn in the film District 9. 999 clicks could be fruitless, whilst one more could be one step closer to your ideal number.

Compasses unexplainably point north in search of direction. Humans, too, search for their own direction. Unlike compasses, this is made through a subjective position of necessity. Humans will continue to gamble despite low odds and losses if they think their course will bring them closer to their Perfect Brand.

Flagging, Flags of the World