Tom Carson is one of the few critics we'll read on damn near any subject with the anticipation of pleasure. In this interview he says a bunch of things which confirm our good opinion of him, not the least of which is the following, in response to the perennial bleating about the destructive qualities of "irony:"
Real irony is a coping strategy with a moral value, because it lets you stay true to your point of view when you can't do anything to affect the situation. It's a useful tool to have in your emotional repertoire, and I've always just been sort of puzzled by people who think it's an end in itself--whether they're criticizing it or doing it. People forget that what really put the whole Age of Irony in the saddle was that Ronald Reagan was president. You had to become an ironist just to retain some sort of belief in your own sanity.
If you don't mind traveling back in culture-time a bit, you might also want to read his utterly convincing dissent from the herdlike response to Spielberg's Big War Film. Worth it, just for the stuff about Jesus in the suburbs.
Posted by BT at April 16, 2002 05:17 PMThat's true, I think. Unfortunately, the distinction between irony and sarcasm has taken a beating in recent years. Irony takes some life experience to recognize and appreciate, while sarcasm is a pose adopted by juveniles in the assumption that it makes them appear older (I know--I tried that hat on myself back in the day). It's like the difference between cleverness and wisdom; another line often blurred these days.
Posted by: DC on April 16, 2002 06:10 PMThat's true, I think. Unfortunately, the distinction between irony and sarcasm has taken a beating in recent years. Irony takes some life experience to recognize and appreciate, while sarcasm is a pose adopted by juveniles in the assumption that it makes them appear older (I know--I tried that hat on myself back in the day). It's like the difference between cleverness and wisdom; another line often blurred these days.
Posted by: DC on April 16, 2002 06:10 PMHmm. BT, I don't know whether to thank you or to brandish my fist in anger. After perusing the two articles you mentioned I began to scour the web for more examples of Tom Carson's writing, as I found them most enjoyable.
You see, not only is it impossible to (easily) get my paws upon copies of the Village Voice, but I don't think I've ever opened a copy of Esquire in my life. So I had previously cruised through the detritus that is modern pop culture blissfully unaware of the enjoyment I was denied by not reading Carson.
Beats working though.
Posted by: Garthmeister J on April 17, 2002 06:54 PMWe consider the Brandished Fist to be the most compelling form of applause; the only true sign that we've touched your life in a special way that makes you say "Hey! Keep your goddamn hands to yourself!"
Posted by: BT on April 18, 2002 07:22 AM