Why silly bandz are popular

Our indifference to SillyBandz came as swift as our infatuation, and to this day, none of us is quite sure why. The story of Silly Bandz is by no means unique. A fad is a form of behavior such as buying and wearing Silly Bandz that enchants the public for a period of time. However, fads are relatively short-lived, usually wearing off after their novelty dies away. In this way, they are distinguishable from trends, which usually mark lasting changes in collective behavior because they address a specific need.

For example, if people suddenly become enamored with a specific brand of handbag, it would be considered a fad that is likely to die down. But when people started carrying handbags as a solution to the problem of having too much stuff to carry around, that was a trend that altered future human behavior.

Fads fade away into obscurity. Trends are here to stay. Through the lens of this comparison, it seems that fads can really have no lasting value.

But is that really the only way to look at it? Viewed another way, the effects of Silly Bandz long outlived the popularity of the product. And they changed us. A generation today is united by a shared vocabulary of Silly Bandz memories they can and do call back from time to time. And children can learn a lot from a six-week intensive course in trading and collecting, where they can gain invaluable exposure to new ways of interacting with and relating to each other. These are skills that have value far past the schoolyard.

Maybe we no longer sport the multi-colored forearms that were the direct results of those transactions. But we still retain knowledge from them that helps us understand and participate in the world a bit better.

But perhaps the biggest gift SillyBandz or any fad can give us is that of perspective. In this way, their lack of longevity is their greatest strength. Career Training USA is a cultural exchange program that enables current university students and young professionals from all over the world to pursue internships in the U.

Read about the adventures others have had and get excited for yours. American Fads: Silly Bandz. Tweet Share Email. Career training USA U. Intern or Train in the U. Experience American culture and add international skills to your resume. Learn about life abroad Read about the adventures others have had and get excited for yours. Three Ways for U. Citizens to Work and Travel in Canada. How to Be an Au Pair in Spain. How to Be an Au Pair in Australia.

How to Be an Au Pair in the Netherlands. Sillybandz fans always want to know how Robert came up with his multi-million-dollar idea. It all began when he visited a product show in China where he was presented a very-poorly-shaped animal rubber band by a Japanese designer. Robert looked at the oddly shaped rubber band in his hand and tried to see how the vague outline was actually intended to look like a dog.

The Japanese seller told Robert his rubber bands were to be sold as an office supply product. Although Robert felt that it would never sell as a novelty rubber band for adults, this very moment was the match that lit the fire of an incredible idea.

Many people assume Sillybandz was an instant hit, but that is far from the truth. With some key stores like Learning Express onboard, it slowly grew to a tipping point. Little did Robert know, his little idea was about to be the biggest bracelet trend the world had ever seen. What happened over the next two and a half years was simply unheard of.