The Death of Irony

I wish. Irony became cool in the 80's as a reaction to the post-hippie era, where the sincerity and generosity of Baby Boomers' younger years matured into arrogant, humorless sanctimony. It needed to be punctured, and people like David Letterman did an admirable job of doing that. But that was 30-something years ago, and I don't think it even occurred to anyone that ironic distance would be the new norm. But it kind of is.

Here's the thing though, irony is no better than sanctimony. Being cool and distant is not inherently superior to being holier-than-thou. They're the same thing. Irony is originally a literary device, using that perspective to communicate the author's point. It's a good thing to recognize. But there are other literary devices, like alliteration and metaphor. Why don't we try those out for a while? Wouldn't alliteration be absolutely amusing?

The common ground between irony and sanctimony is insincerity. Holding to a particular perspective for anything, regardless of what it is, necessarily separates you from everything. It's safe and cool and ultimately sterile. It's bad for you; it's the opposite of vulnerability, which is the only way we can let new feelings or perspectives inside ourselves.

I say all of this as someone who enjoys irony as much as anyone. I spent many years in a state of ironic distance. It has its place, which is not everywhere for everything. Those years were miserable for me most of the time. Vulnerability is scary and can be painful, but it's the only way to make deep connections with other people. Which is ultimately the most important thing, isn't it?

I'll finish with a quote (a paraphrase actually, but he was speaking stream-of-consciousness and I added a bit of structure) from Bo Burnham: "Ironic self-awareness isn't enough. It isn't okay to be a self-aware asshole- you need to stop being an asshole."

Here are some unconnected, but all from me and therefore not random, thoughts.

I'm still waiting to see the headline-
"Reality TV Star Alleges Media Conspiracy Against Him."

I always have this thing in my head that says every literate person appreciates a well-placed semicolon.

I used to wonder which I'd end up being when I got old, the wise sage that everyone came to for advice, or the cranky old guy shouting "Get off of my lawn." Based on all evidence to date, it appears I shall be both.

There's a wonderful quote (actually there are a great many) in James Brooks' excellent movie Broadcast News, where Bill, William Hurt's character, asks Aaron, Albert Brooks, "What do you do when your real life exceeds your dreams?" Aaron, who's jealous, replies "Keep it to yourself." That's a good punch line, but the question itself is more intriguing. It's a societal question and one I'll return to in another note.