Post #696705 by White Devil on Sat, Oct 19, 2013 6:03 AM

It goes back to what each person believes "Tiki" is... Is it the first man?, is it a wood polynesian statue?, is it the decoration style from 1950-1970?, is a hawaiian luau theme?, is a bar with bamboo and some seashells in florida?
The answer is Yes, depending on who you ask and what there personal definition is.

But someone's personal definition may be so far removed from fact that it doesn't register as a vote. I dare say no one would opine that true Tiki has bumbling British detectives with magnifying glasses peeking out its ass.

Seems like Tiki Farm is providing Tiki for all those opinions and tastes. Which is smart business.
While tiki central and a few people may have Decreed what Tiki is ..... there are people who disagree, don't understand, or don't care.
I'm sure the sales of the mugs the "purists" don't like, help keep the business going to produce the ones they do like.

But as I alluded to above, smart business doesn't get to change the definitions of the art they may or may not be producing. The people "who disagree, don't understand, or don't care" also don't get to redefine the meaning & history of it, any more than the businesses pimping Tiki for all it's worth. And that's literally what's happening, if we're to be brutally honest here: the forced prostitution of a legitimate popular culture meme in the cause of generating revenue. When you resort to cramming porta-potties and cartoon celebrities into your notions of Polynesia, who is it you think you're fooling the most? If you cheapen the heart & soul of your chosen art form by hiring it out to the supposedly highest bidder, are you still worthy of the mantle?