The Choice Effect – Are you a Choister?
Do you love choices but hate choosing? By Hanane Zahrouni The Choice Effect explores the radically different ways that today’s men and women approach life and love in this generation. We argue that having too many choices affects our desires and leads us to sidestep traditional time lines. At the heart of our theory is a term, which I have recently come across, known as “choister”, which best describes our inexplicable little generation. The word is developed from the both the words ‘choose’ and ‘oyster’. A choister is a person who is inundated with choices and too many options, believes the world is his or her oyster, wants to do everything when they wake up in the morning, and has the problem of choosing. ‘When it comes to choice, opportunity as well as expectation, choisters are wealthy beyond their wildest dreams’. We, as a generation, got that last part from our parents and commercials, who taught us to rely and believe that we could be and do anything we put our minds to. Using the variety of resources to research this, I found out that the last part was from Shakespeare, who introduced the winning “world is my oyster” phrase in The Merry Wives of Windsor (2:2) in the year 1600: "Why then, the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will
open”. ‘And if that’s not enough of an academic diversion, the word “choice” is originated from the Old French word “chois,” making our “choister” with an “s” inadvertently brilliant.’ If you had the time and patience, you could overanalyse Shakespeare’s intended meaning of the saying above, or the exact logic of that metaphor, but it has come to represent the belief that the world is yours for the taking. Now I admit I am a choister myself and never suspected and considered it a bad thing. Consequently, if you are one, you are not alone. It is common grounds for us to try to fill our timetable with everything. After all, life is going to pass us so rapidly that eventually, we will be graduating tomorrow. Authors Amalia McGibbon, Claire A Williams and Lara Vogel in their new book devised the term recently: The Choice Affect: Love and Commitment in an Age of Too Many Options. Choisters feel compelled to examine and scrutinize all of their options in an effort to get everything right, thus making a bucket list of life experiences before making an informed and final choice. Sometimes, choices can be positive and a privilege, however, the disadvantage is creeping up because in the end is that having it all is just not the slight way possible. McGibbon mentions, “Choisters are hypnotized by several different options and it haunts
them to turn them down and leaving something behind, only to realize later that it is exactly what we want”. The Choice Effect as quoted by Gigi Levangie is a ‘hilarious, breezy, and ultimately insightful look at the young women of the Y Generation – and the mountain of choices they face in love, life and online shopping.’ If life’s options have confused you, do not ignore them or be worried. A few tips from the book is not to feel guilty at anything that may affect you – look at the bright side (or the rainbow); secondly, is not to settle in a miserable job. If you are unhappy, this qualifies for a change. In addition, to find Mr. Perfect according to your expectations and your qualities: “Just do not settle for less, but don’t be picky and expect the impossible.” Trust your instincts and now that we are adults, we have to trust the voice within us and grab life by the thorns and follow our dreams, one-step at a time. Whether or not you are a choister, be PROUD! HZ