Cupcake Mania

The most memorable moments in our childhood lives consisted of family get-togethers, birthday parties and special occasions. Almost always would we find cupcakes as a choice of dessert, either brought by a guest or prepared by our parents (with our help of course). The popularity of the cupcake has come a long way, often making their way into the hands of celebrities and onto scenes of hit movies and television shows. Have the media and celebrities set-up the cupcake as the next big thing?  Cupcake enthusiasts and artists create beautiful works of art, varying from Sesame Street characters, Tiffany & Co. boxes to stylish cupcake-tiered wedding cakes. These tiny creations are not only delicious, but can be transformed into your deepest desires.

 

In the article, “The Fashionable Food is a Celebrity Must-Have” [http://erin-springer.suite101.com/cupcake-craze-a132057] the author argues that the cupcake trend was re-popularized when Sex and the City featured a new bakery that sold delightful and delicious cupcakes, which were also mini masterpieces. The Magnolia Bakery originally located in Greenwich Village in New York City has boomed in business since its debut on the hit show, and is even included as a stop in the show’s bus tour. The article compares cupcakes to martinis, and how they too were popularized by media and celebrity culture. Not only can artists exhaust their ideas through cupcakes, they are also the provide perfect portion, are affordable and low on calories. "Cupcakes are even being touted as the little black dress of desserts - traditional, fabulous and they can suit every occasion" (Springer, 2009).

 

When a person thinks of a cupcake, it may cause them to recall fond memories from their past. While the purpose of a cupcake is to lessen the eater's hunger, most people see them as a symbol of festive moments in their lives. This is known as commodity fetishism, when human attributes are assigned to a thing instead of a person.

A cupcake doesn't have the power to help people recall these festive moments, but the use of marketing and advertising can subconsciously persuade them to purchase cupcakes. Commodity fetishism is shown when it brings out attributes in a product that wouldn't be there for its intended purpose.

The cupcake can be linked to its enjoyers as a major factor in their ideology, a belief system that can be focused to optimism. Optimism is a person's belief in seeing the good in every situation or lingers on the most positive moments of their lives. This idea is shown in the cupcake; when someone eats a cupcake, it may invoke feelings of joy if they were happy eating it in their past. However, if they enjoyer has gone through negative moments while eating it in their past, it may invoke feelings of dread instead.