About Style Points
Post 1685:
I don’t like being a person that notes how things have changed. Recognizing huge cultural or societal shifts is usually hubristic and oversimplified when it isn’t outright wrong. Yes, the world is different than it was twenty years ago. But the changes are more dramatic for those of us living through them. On the whole, people are the same. We still want money, safety, love, food—everything on that hierarchy of obvious stuff some brilliant psychologist drew and they made us memorize when we were in middle school. I think it was a pyramid. And just like the food pyramid, exactly scientifically accurate.
Alright, so what’s got me writing about change? Mostly, it’s the things people get recognized and rewarded for. It seems like fame and fortune aren’t what they used to be.
There are people on the internet that are famous for things that make little to no sense and require no insight or skill. It sounds like a bad thing. I think it’s the greatest thing ever. We are free.
Now that being famous is generally gross and disgusting, people that make art are liberated to stop worrying about that part. Now artists can focus on—you guessed it, art. Making good stuff. Great stuff. The best stuff. That’s supposed to be the point, anyhow.
A few things. I’m not judging. The people that review public bathrooms or open up boxes or eat fast food might be worthy of high esteem. It might be that I, as an old out of touch moron, can’t fathom the depths of their greatness. It is possible that my idea of style and wit is for the trash bin, irrelevant now. Perhaps it was never relevant.
Running the fastest is stupid. Being the strongest and toughest is boring. Writing the best story is for losers. Movies and books that make sense are dumb. What were we thinking? We weren’t thinking. Why were we thinking?
And so I’m glad I never got to be revered and famous. That would mean I’d be famous. Like the lady that eats fast food. No thanks. I prefer to eat my fast food like a true winner. Sadly and anonymously, by myself. But that’s my style. Cheers and see you after.
