A Cure for Co-Signing

Over the course of 25 years, an epidemic has spread throughout North America and caused controversy all over the continent, primarily in the United States. It has caused a decline in creativity and individual thoughts, yet provided some of the funniest moments in recent history. Although it carries many monikers, it is known best as "Co-signing".

For those unfamiliar, co-signing is the blind agreement of an action, statement, or trend without forming your own opinion. It is also associated with becoming a fan of a successful sports team without any previous affiliation. Urban legend states that co-signing originated in Lima, Peru, where two brothers close in age would travel the land together.  Young Peruvian Jose Pedro Morales would follow his older sibling LaMiguel (Spanish people have crazy names too) everywhere, even imitating his actions. It is said he would repeat his brother and imitate his actions, including signing LaMiguel’s name, which created the phrase “co-sign”.

While the Peru story is completely made up, this current phenomenon of monkey see, monkey do is getting out of control. It’s not cool to follow behind somebody, no matter the potential benefit. A recent example of this occurred last night during the final moments of a NBA game featuring the Miami Heat and Charlotte Bobcats (view clip here). With seconds remaining, Dwyane Wade drives in and make a bank shot to put the Heat ahead with 2.9 seconds remaining. After hitting the shot, Wade walks over to the crowd where NFL quarterback Cam Newton is seated and mimics Newton’s TD celebration, a gesture imitating Clark Kent revealing the Superman logo.

Enter…the “co-sign”.

Behind Wade is fellow NBA superstar Lebron James. James, who did not inbound the ball to Wade, set a pick for Wade, give Wade a piece of gum, nothing…begins to do the Newton celebration as if HE scored!

Co-sign. Come on, Bron! You’re not a young Rip Hamilton who just watched your hero Michael Jordan hit a game winner; you’re a former back to back MVP. Don’t co-sign on D-Wade’s moment like that. In addition, every person who made a play in the Alamo Bowl today did the “SuperCam” celebration. Where’s the ingenuity? The creativity? The (Ric) flair? 

No, Bron!

This incident is just a microcosm of what has become a copycat, latest is greatest culture. Yes, we are all inspired by someone, but to steal their whole “swag”? We have to rediscover the individual inside of us. Despite my desire to have the world return to the era of creativity that breeds unique musicians, sports stars, philosophers and more, it will take time. In the meantime, here are sure tell signs of a co-signer:

After a person states their opinion, you hear the following: “That’s exactly how I feel.”

Exactly? You can’t add anything to the previous mentioned? Stop co-signing.

A Dallas Cowboys fan from the following areas: Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, New York, New Jersey.

You’ve never been to Dallas. You were 5 years old when the Cowboys won their last Super Bowl. Even though no one was talking to you, you instigate arguments with the fans of other teams. Stop co-signing. (Sign applies to all front-running teams, i.e. Lakers, Yankees, Patriots, Heat, etc.)

You wear non-prescription eyeglasses to compliment your look.

Ask a guy diagnosed with astigmatism how “cool” glasses are. You’re not wearing them to correct your near-sighted vision; you saw Carmelo wearing them in his post-game interview. Stop co-signing!

Let me be the first to admit I am a very strong advocate for being knowledgeable of the latest music, fashion, and technology. Do not, however, let it steer your line of thinking to the point of losing your individuality. You don’t have to have an IPhone 4G sticking out your skinny jeans which barely touch your Jordan XIs. If you look at your G-shock, you’ll see it’s time to wake up and figure out being cool is being you; nobody needs to co-sign for that.