Klosterman, Sedaris and the Like
I am young, but when I was younger the psedo intellecutals used to read Sartre, Rand and Orwell. They would go to Barnes and Nobel and say profound things that they overheard. But there seems to be a change in what the American youth are reading. Since when did these social misfits become the rage? These semi OCDs that over analyze situations and then write about them in a humorous manner? When they are doing this we think one of two things either a) We are not the individuals that we though we were and our quest to be different useless as we tear down our posters that we thought would make us seem rebellious. Or b) We identify with David Sedaris odd but seemingly normal upbringing, Chuck Klostermans attempts at being an indifferent yet objective critic or Nick Horbys cleverly predictable situations and one liners. They present themselves to be in the very heart of society but somehow on the mental and intellectual fringes where they just see things that others dont . Which is why so many of us love them. When we relate to them that makes us feel smart. And who doesnt sometimes feel misunderstood and victimized? These antiheros make us feel as if we see things in people that only you and Chuck Klosterman see. Yeah, you and the other hundreds of thousands that have and will read his book. Dont get me wrong, I am not criticizing these guys. In fact I wish I could be them. Unfortunately for me my limited vocabulary and poor grammar prevent that. Not to mention as of late I have been somewhat happy making indepth observation and dry wit almost impossible. I mean when youre happy your life is routine and well boring. No one cares if I woke up, ate at Dunkin Donuts, went to work, came home and drank myself to sleep and was okay with everything that happened to me. There are no emotional highs and lows. Also when you are happy you dont observe or care what anyone else is doing because you are too wrapped up in your own euphoria. Its when youre sad that you are sitting at Chilis and looking at a bottle of Heinz Ketchup and analyzing it. You relate the red color to death and lonliness. You feel lonely and misunderstood. The world is so beautiful if only everyone else could see the beauty the way you can..*sob* Then you usually do something dramatic or say something profound and everyone goes, Oh wow you are so deep! Why didnt I think of that? Anyway, I do like Klosterman, Sedaris and the like. I think we read them because they are like the Sophies World to whats going on right now. Universal situations that everyone can relate to. When you are happy you can laugh with them. When you are sad you can share their pain, because you know all those guys are depressed right.
I am young, but when I was younger the psedo intellecutals used to read Sartre, Rand and Orwell. They would go to Barnes and Nobel and say profound things that they overheard. But there seems to be a change in what the American youth are reading. Since when did these social misfits become the rage? These semi OCDs that over analyze situations and then write about them in a humorous manner? When they are doing this we think one of two things either a) We are not the individuals that we though we were and our quest to be different useless as we tear down our posters that we thought would make us seem rebellious. Or b) We identify with David Sedaris odd but seemingly normal upbringing, Chuck Klostermans attempts at being an indifferent yet objective critic or Nick Horbys cleverly predictable situations and one liners. They present themselves to be in the very heart of society but somehow on the mental and intellectual fringes where they just see things that others dont . Which is why so many of us love them. When we relate to them that makes us feel smart. And who doesnt sometimes feel misunderstood and victimized? These antiheros make us feel as if we see things in people that only you and Chuck Klosterman see. Yeah, you and the other hundreds of thousands that have and will read his book. Dont get me wrong, I am not criticizing these guys. In fact I wish I could be them. Unfortunately for me my limited vocabulary and poor grammar prevent that. Not to mention as of late I have been somewhat happy making indepth observation and dry wit almost impossible. I mean when youre happy your life is routine and well boring. No one cares if I woke up, ate at Dunkin Donuts, went to work, came home and drank myself to sleep and was okay with everything that happened to me. There are no emotional highs and lows. Also when you are happy you dont observe or care what anyone else is doing because you are too wrapped up in your own euphoria. Its when youre sad that you are sitting at Chilis and looking at a bottle of Heinz Ketchup and analyzing it. You relate the red color to death and lonliness. You feel lonely and misunderstood. The world is so beautiful if only everyone else could see the beauty the way you can..*sob* Then you usually do something dramatic or say something profound and everyone goes, Oh wow you are so deep! Why didnt I think of that? Anyway, I do like Klosterman, Sedaris and the like. I think we read them because they are like the Sophies World to whats going on right now. Universal situations that everyone can relate to. When you are happy you can laugh with them. When you are sad you can share their pain, because you know all those guys are depressed right.
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But it does seem to be true, being more observant when one is sad, unhappy... Less so, more self obsessed while happy.
[Edited on Nov 12, 2005 2:37PM]