The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
Back in the 50s, Dwight Macdonald railed about what he called middlebrow culture—stuff that looks intellectual or high culture, but is really an empty vessel and contributes to a more vacuous society. There's plenty wrong with that view, but whenever I hear about Thomas Friedman's latest pronouncements, I kinda feel like old Dwight.
https://splinternews.com/tom-friedman-t ... 1834609733
https://splinternews.com/tom-friedman-t ... 1834609733
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
Drew Magary writes in detail about the aneurysm that almost killed him: https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/the-n ... 1834298070
It's harrowing stuff.
It's harrowing stuff.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
Harrowing is an understatement. He really is lucky to be alive. Aneurysms are the scariest fucking thing. My mom's significant other's niece died of one when she was 23. She was in tip top shape. Had a headache one night and was gone an hour later.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 1:24pmDrew Magary writes in detail about the aneurysm that almost killed him: https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/the-n ... 1834298070
It's harrowing stuff.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
If he wasn't with a whole bunch of people and near a hospital when it happened, he would have been fucked. Such a disturbing mix. Deeply unlucky to have something go pop in his head in the first place, extremely lucky for his environment when it happened.JennyB wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 4:39pmHarrowing is an understatement. He really is lucky to be alive. Aneurysms are the scariest fucking thing. My mom's significant other's niece died of one when she was 23. She was in tip top shape. Had a headache one night and was gone an hour later.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 1:24pmDrew Magary writes in detail about the aneurysm that almost killed him: https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/the-n ... 1834298070
It's harrowing stuff.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
Yep.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 4:47pmIf he wasn't with a whole bunch of people and near a hospital when it happened, he would have been fucked. Such a disturbing mix. Deeply unlucky to have something go pop in his head in the first place, extremely lucky for his environment when it happened.JennyB wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 4:39pmHarrowing is an understatement. He really is lucky to be alive. Aneurysms are the scariest fucking thing. My mom's significant other's niece died of one when she was 23. She was in tip top shape. Had a headache one night and was gone an hour later.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 1:24pmDrew Magary writes in detail about the aneurysm that almost killed him: https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/the-n ... 1834298070
It's harrowing stuff.
Got a Rake? Sure!
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
IMCT: Inane Middle-Class Twats - Dr. M
" *sigh* it's right when they throw the penis pump out the window." -Hoy
- Wolter
- Half Foghorn Leghorn, Half Albert Brooks
- Posts: 55432
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 7:59pm
- Location: ¡HOLIDAY RO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-OAD!
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
Holy Jesus.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
My friend in residency just told me a tale of brain hemorrhage that I couldn't forget for days. I'll not repeat it here, as it's too traumatizing.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 4:47pmIf he wasn't with a whole bunch of people and near a hospital when it happened, he would have been fucked. Such a disturbing mix. Deeply unlucky to have something go pop in his head in the first place, extremely lucky for his environment when it happened.JennyB wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 4:39pmHarrowing is an understatement. He really is lucky to be alive. Aneurysms are the scariest fucking thing. My mom's significant other's niece died of one when she was 23. She was in tip top shape. Had a headache one night and was gone an hour later.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑16 May 2019, 1:24pmDrew Magary writes in detail about the aneurysm that almost killed him: https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/the-n ... 1834298070
It's harrowing stuff.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
We severely underpay medical professionals for both their skills and the horrible stuff they witness. That they can develop that kind of psychological insulation is remarkable. Even if I had the intellectual aptitude required, I know I wouldn't make it emotionally.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
Yeah, I suppose it takes a certain kind of person. Though I will say that he did faint the first time they cut open a cadaver, and Medical Student Syndrome is a real thing. They can't totally escape being human.Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑20 May 2019, 3:27pmWe severely underpay medical professionals for both their skills and the horrible stuff they witness. That they can develop that kind of psychological insulation is remarkable. Even if I had the intellectual aptitude required, I know I wouldn't make it emotionally.
"Suck our Earth dick, Martians!" —Doc
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
There are some media people who you know before clicking that it's going to be awful. Tom Friedman and David Brooks, of course. Amanda Marcotte, definitely. Which is why I don't look at their stuff unless tempted by how they're going to fuck something up. Like this morning, in which Marcotte explains how the Beyond Meat burger is a threat to vegetarianism by being too good: https://www.salon.com/2019/06/09/is-the ... tarianism/ Yes, stop eating meat—but not that way!
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Flex
- Mechano-Man of the Future
- Posts: 35949
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:50pm
- Location: The Information Superhighway!
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
lol:Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑11 Jun 2019, 7:17amThere are some media people who you know before clicking that it's going to be awful. Tom Friedman and David Brooks, of course. Amanda Marcotte, definitely. Which is why I don't look at their stuff unless tempted by how they're going to fuck something up. Like this morning, in which Marcotte explains how the Beyond Meat burger is a threat to vegetarianism by being too good: https://www.salon.com/2019/06/09/is-the ... tarianism/ Yes, stop eating meat—but not that way!
If that's the case, Marcotte seriously needs to rethink every article she has written in her entire career.I don't want to be a curmudgeon or a snooty hipster
I don't even really disagree with her basic points: vegetables are good, menu diversity is good, if you want to become a vegetarian (and even if you don't!) it's probably good to appreciate the taste of vegetables for what they are. I do agree it would be a negative if these fake meat burgers eliminated quality meat-alternative menu options.
But the whole initial framing is inane, and derived from the same problem that plagues 100% of the rest of her work: she mistakes her (rather bad and unrepresentative) personal preferences for universal experience. She didn't become a vegetarian (pescetarian actually, lol) for health or moral reasons (in which case, it would be interesting to analyze this new meat substitute on either of those grounds, as some others have done). She stopped eating meat because she didn't really like the taste. Well, okay, but you personally not liking meat doesn't make for great culinary critique (and the quotes she got from her friend or whatever are dumb as hell). And seemingly begrudging other people for actually liking the thing that you personally, for no professed ethical or health related reason, don't like is no basis for an article.
In closing, of fucking course this is her worldview:
As with every other social and political position Marcotte affects, its purely with the goal of signaling what a uniquely tasteful and enlightened person she is compared to the unwashed masses. None of her views are rooted in solidarity or common struggle. She's absolutely the living embodiment of the smug liberal elitist.the rise of fake meats is creating a feeling that's reminiscent of the experience of watching the small indie band you've adored for a long time finally achieve mainstream success. On one hand, you're thrilled to see more people find their way to liking something you've liked for a long time. On the other hand, you worry that going mainstream will destroy the very thing you loved in the first place.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a bowl of soup
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead
Pex Lives!
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead
Pex Lives!
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
The underlying argument of my diss was that intellectual elites' fear and contempt for the tastes of the masses back in the 50s is an ongoing narrative. I was surprised by the amount of pushback I got on this point. We all accept popular culture now, don't we? I didn't exactly have a hard time coming up with examples of contemporary critics disparaging mass taste and why it's dragging everyone down. That need to see the world as a pyramid, and one that they fear is inverted, guides the vast majority of cultural and political critics.Flex wrote: ↑11 Jun 2019, 8:22amIn closing, of fucking course this is her worldview:As with every other social and political position Marcotte affects, its purely with the goal of signaling what a uniquely tasteful and enlightened person she is compared to the unwashed masses. None of her views are rooted in solidarity or common struggle. She's absolutely the living embodiment of the smug liberal elitist.the rise of fake meats is creating a feeling that's reminiscent of the experience of watching the small indie band you've adored for a long time finally achieve mainstream success. On one hand, you're thrilled to see more people find their way to liking something you've liked for a long time. On the other hand, you worry that going mainstream will destroy the very thing you loved in the first place.
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
On centrist pundits who know America's interests are their interests: https://thebaffler.com/civilifications/ ... dy-denison
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
- Dr. Medulla
- Atheistic Epileptic
- Posts: 116590
- Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 2:00pm
- Location: Straight Banana, Idaho
Re: The IMCT Media Criticism Thread
Nate Nerd Fight!
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/ ... es-1461666
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/ ... es-1461666
"Grab some wood, bub.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft