Convergence: the most popular shoes in the world

Everybody has their own reasons for wearing them.

Sometimes, the inner workings and origins of people’s lives, no matter how far-apart they seem, all tend to drop us off at the same place. We’re all out there, just navigating and rationalizing, and yet, somehow, we land on the same point. E.g.: the Convergence Shoe*. Why is it the most-often worn and purchased shoe in the world, across so many demographics and timezones?

Let’s ask a focus group of ten:

1
Why are you in Convergence?
Barry, 41, who works in accounting said, “I need to fit in at work, not upset any apple carts, you know—keep the money coming in, the lights on, the insulin flowing. These do the trick.”

2
Why are you in Convergence?
Gloria, 24, who is afraid to tell her parents and friends what she really thinks about herself and the universe, said, “I like knowing that I can go practically anywhere, and I can run really fast if I need to. Everything else in my closet would slow me down and make me easier to both notice and catch.”

3
Why are you in Convergence?
Olivia, 13, who loves AI art, says, “I mean, who can tell what’s a dupe and what’s not anymore? The idea of them is more important than who made them, you know? And besides, what else am I going to wear? All the statement pieces in my parents’ price range look exactly like them anyway.”

4
Why are you in Convergence?
Steve, 55, who has never mailed a love letter, shares his reasons, “Well, I’ve been a Convergence guy since I was young, and that’s still working for me. Why change now? Besides, once mine got broken-in—and that was rough there, for a while, you know—I pretty much forgot that I had ever wanted anything else, to be honest.”

5
Why are you in Convergence?
Cathy, 68, who is a professional kleptomaniac, explains why she loves wearing hers to the office, “It’s just less thing to worry about. I like to stay under the radar, blend in with the crowd. It’s practically like somebody told me to, you know? It’s just following the trends—yeah, you know, everybody else is doing it so when I do it, it’s not a big deal AT ALL. Why are you even asking me?”

6
Why are you in Convergence?
Bill, who has been in jail for 40 of his 55 years, shares his take, “I mean, they came with the other pieces of my outfit? Obviously, what else am I going to be in? They’re really not bad, and they last a long time, and I’ve been wearing mine on the factory floor for years. I’ve assembled like, six thousand battle-ready tanks in these stinky bad boys.”

7
Why are you in Convergence?
Aiden, 17 and never-to-be-employed, says, “Why? Because it’s classic. My mom, my dad, my grandparents, the people THEY inherited their land from—we go way back with this look. I’m super proud of the gifts I’ve received. I only hang out with people who have this look too, you know? It’s like, my heritage. Like how I’m going to the same school my dad did, and why we golf where we golf, you know?”

8
Why are you in Convergence?
Andy, 35 who asks that we do not reveal his occupation or location, says, “They’re what I had in my go bag when the regime fell. My grandma got them for me. She got me this name and passport, too. Anyway, we never met.”

9
Why are you in Convergence?
Tim, 27, who was not hugged very often growing up, admits, “Whenever I start seeing a new girlfriend, she gets me a new pair. They’re all kind of different and kind of the same, I guess. I just go along with it. I had some for spelunking and some that I had to wear to like, the opera. Whatever. I just say thank you and try not to think about what they say about me.”

10
Why are you in Convergence?
Charlotte, 47, sent us this note from her bunker, “Because the plebes would skin me alive if they could see that I can afford anything and everything else. I’m not flaunting anything I don’t have the security to defend at all times. Convergence equals my own safety.”

*You’re wearing yours right now.