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I really, really dislike this kind of medium-to-long form article that don't bother to even expose some sort of context (topic introductory line). This is incre
by grive 8y ago
I really, really dislike this kind of medium-to-long form article that don't bother to even expose some sort of context (topic introductory line). This is incredibly disrespectful to the reader. You read the first half trying to put the pieces together, while given that this is a proto-longform article (does not have the length, but has the tone), there is fluff added here and there for flavor. This is so frustrating to read.
> The truth, then, is this: our generation was raised with the understanding that the image we portrayed mattered more than who we actually were not out of some malevolent, externally imposed agenda, but because it was actually true. The result was that nothing we ever did felt organic; instead, everything felt like a checked box.
As every generation before? Why even speak about generation here? This seems like an absurd reduction from the author, while this is the kind of thing you learn to recognize as you age and you start seeing the word with your own eyes. Most people becomes disillusioned as time goes on, seeing how much public action is fake.
A much more interesting analysis would be to show how the new engaging platforms distord this longstanding social behavior (signaling), amplifying it or distording it. But to say that they are an "Instagram" generation is giving far too much credit to Instagram. The world was not "disrupted" by Instagram, it was only a lens and a way to capitalize on this behavior.
I could go on with the "lost authenticity", but I feel I'm just trying to justify the time taken to read this empty piece.
- V-2 8y ago"I am 23 as I write this". I can't say I'm surprised, and the author is clearly of the "I love the sound of my own voice" type. That's how the piece reads at least. Narcissism isn't only about looks.
- freetime2 8y agoMy first thought when reading your comment was “wow that’s more sharply critical than the author deserves”. But on second thought it is a bit ironic that a piece so critical of “signaling” and empty gestures (the author cites things like joining student counsel) would be posted to the author’s personal blog. I think it would have leant credibility to the article if the author had the self awareness to point out the fact that blogs are a form of self promotion not too far removed from Instagram.
- V-2 8y agoIt is of course ironic, but perhaps it is also to be expected. It might be that we're more sensitive to - and insightful about - the social phenomena that stem from personality traits not unlike our own (on some level at least).
- j2kun 8y agoThis is a slippery slope. Writing is little without readers, and you can't improve your writing without someone to read it. To say all writing is "signaling not too far removed from instagram" reduces all expression to the kind of absurdity the author criticizes. Surely original words are closer to authentic voice than using a company's predefined filter! Surely ideas composed on an empty sheet are not as vapid as yet another sunset selfie #lifemoments #puravida
- stochastic_monk 8y agoThe lack of self-awareness gives the piece a rich irony which makes it interesting. Should this have been written for a subtle McSweeney’s submission, I would not be shocked.
- ForRealsies 8y agoI read this article hearing a vocal fry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsE5mysfZsY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsE5mysfZsY
- akavel 8y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem
- drchiu 8y agoStylistic preferences aside, a well written introductory paragraph can do a lot for essays like this.
- fluorocarbon 8y agoThis comment seems unnecessarily mean spirited. The article is on someone's private blog. Nobody's forcing you to read it. How in the world is it "disrespectful" to write in a certain style on your own blog, providing your thoughts to the world for free? Stylistic points aside, I strongly disagree that the obsession with image has been the same with every generation. It's existed, for sure, but substance used to matter more. For example, college admissions were previously more reliant on tests than they are today. Kids are stuck in a vicious circle of pretending to care more and more about things they hate like public service and high school sports--that's, I think, the point of the article, and it's an important point to make, even if the article's style could use some polishing.
- InitialLastName 8y ago> but substance used to matter more I'm pretty sure that clause has been on the lips of every generation that isn't the youngest since the end of subsistence farming.