I have feelings about Expedition Overland...you know this...I feel like their overly produced, overly sponsored content is unappealing to me any many who aren’t of the opinion that the end goal of overlanding is the build. I also feel strongly that this pervasive gear first mentality represents a lot of whats wrong with the industry. I realize that this is the business of overland, and that if you want to make a living in the industry that you have to sell it. The lifestyle, the gear, the appeal. It’s all sales.
Part of me knows that this is the reality of the situation and that a lot of the content I enjoy is paid for in this way
Part of me resents the joy I get from being away in my truck being reduced to a marketable commodity. To say nothing of what they kind of thing is doing to the outdoors and community as a whole
So, back to my dumb...I posted a relatively thoughtless comment on a youtube video calling Expedition Overland “expedition sponsorship”.
Kurt Williams of Cruiser Outfitters saw the comments and we had a back and forth in the discussions. Kurt is part of XO and deeply connected to that sponsorship. He was personally offended, and frankly I can see why. I offered a apology on a personal level but didn’t retract my feelings about, well, everything I just said above.
Here’s the thing: I doesn’t matter, I shouldn’t have said it. I don’t like XO, I don’t like their content (boring and pretentious) I don’t like their mission (selling overland) and I don’t think I am any bit wrong that at this Toyota sponsored event Kurt and the XO crew were there not by invitation but by way of contract...
...But it was still a jackass move. I regret doing it, if nothing else because I have great respect for Kurt and all the hard work he’s done for the cruiser community. Its not the kind of ambassador I want to be.
here is a good interview with Kurt from the same trip (not the same video as the one where I commented)
I’m angry of late and I think this factors into it. Maybe not getting s spring or summer tour it getting my panties in a bunch...
There is a pic dump of a pretty day trip coming soon to wash this all down. Thanks for the rant space.