Comments on: Why I read what I read

By: Christopher

Christopher — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:22:30 +0000

Please excuse my absence from the blogging world, yet another site is up and running (Whirlwinds went down seven or eight months ago by the way).

I salute your resolve to like what you like, I too finished Watchmen about seven months ago and found it very good but also do not pretend that I’ve loved it forever (or other graphic novels for that matter).

Your post catches my sentiments spot on as I feel the need to justify what I like in order to “appear cool.” Fuck that, I want to like what I like and not give a damn that I enjoy reading some fantasy and sci-fi while still appreciating (and enjoying) Shakespeare. Maybe Harold Bloom would condemn my choices in literature, but I don’t care anymore.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:59:04 +0000

I was going for a sarcastic- things are hip because I do them. But I meant to ask, in this lap-dance place that is so readily available, where´s the shame in doing things because we think they´re hip? I think we´re all guilty of it. And I don´t think it makes us bitches (as long as we´re not THAT guy). Sorry I wasn´t too clear. I was at work (the trendy granola co-op) fake smiling all day.

I think you should change the title of this entry to: Trends? Fuck that. I like what I like. The rest of you bastards be damned.

And maybe include a picture.

At the new urban outfitters.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:28:35 +0000

Mike—I understand and appreciate your concern about the meta-caring. I’ve moved beyond the point where I feel as if what I’m doing is “good” or even necessary. Moreover, I’ve stopped thinking about the question of hip. I read what I read and listen to what I listen to because that’s precisely what I want to do. Period. This tends to double back on itself when I feel the need to rationalize my preferences to others.

As for the question of where’s the shame…I’m not sure what you mean. Why should we feel shameful? I’m not particularly sure what you’re getting at here.

I’m not really hellbent on being the pioneer of cool. I enjoy sharing new things with my friends and exposing myself to new things, but I’ll unabashedly embrace my failure to stumble upon the cool before it becomes mainstream. For instance, I just read Alan Moore’s Watchmen for the first time. Apparently it’s been floating around in some circles for some time. Now that I’ve read it, I’m not going to pretend that I’ve loved it forever. I missed the bus. Now I’m trying to catch up and enjoying it nonetheless. That’s it.

Trends? Fuck that. I like what I like. The rest of you bastards be damned.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:30:50 +0000

Jess-
I find myself frustrated with all the meta-caring I’ve done this summer since I’ve gotten back, specifically concerning the sujective abyss of wondering if we do things because they’re hip or if things are hip because we do them. Because I like to think that my life is among the few elites which actually demand postmodern thoughts and buzzwords, that I buy books and computers because I “need” them, and even that it’s this demand (not desire) that has shoved me into the blog world of unending space for self proclamation- What’s worse is that it’s not just out of expression either, but maybe for understanding and even “engaging.”

My only question is- In our guilt-free, streamlined, Mexican beach lapdance media environment we’ve gotten so used to, Where’s the shame?

Can we admit to ourselves that we might like it when other people think we’re cool or ahead of things without becoming this guy?
http://hipstersblog.spaces.live.com/
Or are we stuck in a perpetual power struggle through all time to find out if we or the trends are the real bitches?

whatevs though- I gots to check my gmail and ilife- or elife, I forgot.
maybe McLife

By: JB

JB — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:56:42 +0000

But of course. Why do you think I read stuff with you?

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:16:18 +0000

Ryan—I sent you an email response. I have seen Waking Life and remember enjoying it, although it has been some time since I last viewed it.

Jakefunc—I agree that some things are popular because they are good and, if you look again, I think you’ll notice that our views are fairly consistent. What’s troubling to me is that what is popular currently sets the bar, making the breakthrough for talented artists even more difficult, since their fighting a tide of mediocrity. In many ways, the “pop” is self-perpetuating and tends to alienate things that are not like it.

By: jakefunc

jakefunc — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:34:54 +0000

Those above (or perhaps even below) the trend are the trend setters. As opposed to taking whatever the environment pushes their way, these “individuals” seek out abstract and unpopular things because the popular media/popular society fail to meet their expectations.

Waxing and waning with time, these peoples’ interests will become DANGEROUSLY HIP for brief periods; after which they will seek out something new, disappear from the cultural limelight, and leave a trend for the masses to suckle on.

The only problem with being a “hipster” is that one will oftentimes outright reject popular things solely on the basis that it is pop, and not even consider it;, instead of personally critiquing it for possible merit.

Truly you are correct about the simplification (dumbing down?) of various mediums to appeal to mentally stagnant mass populace; but some things are popular because they really are good.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:50:31 +0000

Yeah I totally know what you mean. By the time I reached the ripe age of 15 I could no longer stand those big budget Will Smith flicks or slap-stick Adam Sandler comedies. It just happened naturally, and most people probably think I’m pretentious for liking very little media. If you haven’t seen the movie Waking Life, you’ll want to check it out.

On a side note I’ve been reading your blog off and for awhile now, and I’m always throughly entertained. I actually have three very close friends that are moving from Ohio to Albuquerque next month. Two of which will be entering New Mexico University’s (I think that’s the name of the college) masters program in philosophy. If you’re down for meeting more like minded people let me know.