When I was in college 20-something years ago, I clipped a text-heavy ad (from TV Guide of all places) and kept it on my bulletin board for years.  The message made an impact on me.  The clipping eventually got lost in a move but I never forgot it.  Now, courtesy of the internet, I have rediscovered the text:

Hip vs. Smart

Hip is transitory. Smart endures. Hip is defined by others. Smart is defined by intelligence. Hip is only for the moment. Smart is timeless. Hip is driven by trends. Smart is driven by performance. Hip is perpetually looking over your shoulder. Smart is making your own decisions. Hip is mango-chestnut gelati. Smart is chocolate ice cream. Hip is often difficult to define. Smart is always logically defensible. Hip is flash. Smart is substance. Hip is something that looks cool. Smart is something that works. Hip talks the talk. Smart walks the walk. Hip gets you a $300 a week cocaine habit. Smart gets you a big raise and the corner office.

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