[lbo-talk] Agoraphobia

Carl Remick carlremick at hotmail.com
Thu Nov 11 21:25:39 PST 2004



>From: Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com>
>
>Chuck Grimes wrote:
>
>>Agoraphobia?
>
>I think you're onto something, and not for the first time.
>
>Supporting evidence: this is from a Nov 7 NYT profile of the Jungian market
>researcher Clotaire Rapaille.
>
>>It is Dr. Rapaille, best known as the "car shrink," who has persuaded
>>chief executives from Chrysler to Procter & Gamble that Americans care
>>more about the aroma of coffee than the taste, want their cheese
>>refrigerated rather than runny and prefer automobiles that resemble
>>armored tanks on the outside and cozy living rooms on the inside.

Dr. Rapaille is some piece of work, sort of a cross between "world's foremost authority" Prof. Irwin Corey (in looks) and _The Wind in the Willows_ character Toad of Toad Hall (in avid consumerism). As that NYT piece said:

"Dr. Rapaille, 63, wears a black velvet frock coat, starched collar and cravat rather than more standard daytime attire. He is doted upon by a white-gloved servant and a new bride half his age. His French accent makes his grandiose pronouncements sound whimsical and his hair flies every which way, mad-genius style.

"His hobbies, playing polo and painting portraits of his ancestors, signify privilege and mock it at the same time. His turn-of-the-last-century mansion here [in Tuxedo Park, NY], in a gated community an hour north of New York City, is a stage set for his personal choices as a consumer. The circular drive out front is crowded with two Rolls-Royces, a PT Cruiser, a Chrysler Prowler and a Porsche 911 (when it isn't in the shop). If he had more garage space, Dr. Rapaille said, he would add a Mini Cooper and a '64 Mustang convertible. Also on his wish list are an old Rolls-Royce Phantom limousine and the new limited edition Morgan Aero 8."

<http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/fashion/07CAR.html>

Clearly Dr. Rapaille has no fear of the marketplace.

Carl



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