What a croc

These are my new crocs. Ok, cheap imitations.

Two years ago when Crocs burst on to the scene my revulsion was palpable. They are by far the ugliest thing I have ever seen. Still are, by the way.

But people kept insisting on how comfortable they are. For an outdoor educator, they were perfect: they're a mostly covered shoe (suiting OHS requirements), water-resistant, and dry quickly (good in preventing footrot).

I did not care. Nothing was going to persuade me to get a pair of these over-priced hideous plastic foot buckets.

Then all my in-laws got a pair. Even the 70 year old grandparents. Even the 7 year old niece. She got a lovely pink pair.

I started to think that these croc things might not be such a bad idea. When no one was looking, I slipped on a pair. They were comfy! Oh no. I wanted a pair. Now.

So this is how people come to change their beliefs: sheer volume of advocates make it ok. This is how intelligent, discriminating people start to wear ridiculous things: think leg warmers, bell bottoms, neon, caftans, piercings. Somewhere down the line initial revulsion is muted and overcome. The benefit (comfort, distinction) overrides the otherwise reasonable objections.

I can't help but think this is how other crazy beliefs get normalised too. Things like apartheid, genocide, torture, racism, the death penalty. When enough people do it, and justify it, then somehow reasonable people let go of their intuitive abhorrence and come to see it as 'ok'. Sometimes their natural compassion is beaten out of them. Sometimes it is brainwashed out of them. Deep inside however, there is still a vestige of humanity that may rise up and denounce this kind of abuse. This is what I hope to connect with when I pray for someone lost to themselves.

Does this mean that every fashion victim will become a baby-killer? Of course not. It's just that it's important to be aware of how easy it is to slide from revulsion to acceptance to collaboration. We need to question our beliefs and see what they really mean. Our gut feeling will tell us the truth if we listen.

So will I get rid of my crocs? Nope. I weigh up the cost: visual pollution, maybe the occasional snicker from the yet-unconverted critic. The comfort and convenience is worth it. There is not much at stake with this belief. My Higher Self is ok with this. No tugs in the belly over this one.

Crocs - roam free!