The Big Picture: Dumping Irony
- Thread starter MovieBob
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For me, the whole irony thing showed itself as a deep, cynical, and desperate blight when crap like the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels/movie took off. "Oh look, he's in a band with the word Bob-omb....(groan)....oh look, there's a Smashing Pumpkins Zero t-shirt.....(wanders off to shoot one's self)."
I knew something eerie was afoot at that point, when irony had evolved from an artistic device into a form of entertainment currency. For me, irony certainly has a very distinct shelf-life but recent years have shown that it can quickly rot into the stylish nihilism that characterizes the worst short-run hipster crud we've been seeing more and more of in the arts, in entertainment, in attitudes, and in dialogue.
I knew something eerie was afoot at that point, when irony had evolved from an artistic device into a form of entertainment currency. For me, irony certainly has a very distinct shelf-life but recent years have shown that it can quickly rot into the stylish nihilism that characterizes the worst short-run hipster crud we've been seeing more and more of in the arts, in entertainment, in attitudes, and in dialogue.
The problem during the 90's was that society was not ready for people to embrace geek culture. So if you liked something that wasn't "cool", irony was a defense to hide behind. With things how they are today, you can be a geek and that's ok. I don't think that you have to be ironic to enjoy something, but irony in the case of Chuck Norris is still (was) kind of fun in itself.
FYI: He-man and Thundercats, always sucked.
FYI: He-man and Thundercats, always sucked.
I love Kim Possible and I am not ashamed!
EDIT: Although, seriously, that show was good. Most of what I watched as a kid is pretty unbearable now (even the Pokemon cartoon, which I wasn't expecting) but Kim Possible is a class act by most people's standards
EDIT: Although, seriously, that show was good. Most of what I watched as a kid is pretty unbearable now (even the Pokemon cartoon, which I wasn't expecting) but Kim Possible is a class act by most people's standards
Well I happen to like Chuck Norris and the shows/movies ect, and if that sticks in Bobs craw.. all the better tbh
Does this mean I can't call it ironic that I hate the "Drink and Party Culture" and yet still enjoy a bit of the music that sings about it?
...Or that It's annoying that a lot of music sounds the same now, but I listen to some of it anyways, because "hey, doesn't mean its not catchy"?
Should I just call it what is is? A "Guilty Pleasure"?
Meanwhile... I genuinely don't have any problems with My Little Pony, and I watch it and enjoy it... And I have no intention of calling it "Ironic".
That's something that I'd probably just call a "guilty pleasure" though because some parts of culture still look down on it.
Naturally, there seems to be some level of disconnect between the things I normally call "Ironic" which are guilty pleasures, and the things I call "Guilty Pleasures" which are really just things that people mock me for liking (Even though there's no reason to dislike them).
...Or that It's annoying that a lot of music sounds the same now, but I listen to some of it anyways, because "hey, doesn't mean its not catchy"?
Should I just call it what is is? A "Guilty Pleasure"?
Meanwhile... I genuinely don't have any problems with My Little Pony, and I watch it and enjoy it... And I have no intention of calling it "Ironic".
That's something that I'd probably just call a "guilty pleasure" though because some parts of culture still look down on it.
Naturally, there seems to be some level of disconnect between the things I normally call "Ironic" which are guilty pleasures, and the things I call "Guilty Pleasures" which are really just things that people mock me for liking (Even though there's no reason to dislike them).
I'm in complete agreement. I enjoy things that are not typical of my age group or things that are not made to appeal to the 30-35 adult white male demographic. As an adult man, I have had to justify my likes and dislikes to friends and family alike, and I always greet it with the same attitude and words. Those words are: "As adults we should all recognize that it's Ok to enjoy things that others may find childish or dislike in general, and it's OK because so long as we are not hurting anyone in enjoying it, there is nothing wrong with it." Great episode Bob. I'm with you, it's OK to genuinely like things because you enjoy them, and you don't need to make excuses as to why you enjoy them. I have never liked anything ironically, and I never will like things ironically.
Agreed, like what you like, hate what you hate, move on with life.
Which is why I'm openly vocal about being against Uncharted in almost every way and praise Starbreeze's Syndicate no matter how many people who never actually played it say it sucks.
Which is why I'm openly vocal about being against Uncharted in almost every way and praise Starbreeze's Syndicate no matter how many people who never actually played it say it sucks.
Yeah, pretty much hate how irony is used today. People who use that justification piss me off to no end. Standing behind "irony" is pretty backhanded toward what that person is appreciating. After all, it's the camp humor or spectacularly over the top and out of place moments in a show, film, or game that the viewer is drawn to.
Think of the dialogue in Symphony of the Night or the first Devil May Cry. Or Will Shatner's acting in Star Trek. Or the zaniness in '60s Spider-Man cartoons. They aren't terrible as much as they are ridiculously camp. These exaggerations are the parts viewers remember most, and they remain as fond memories that are brought back and parodied today. Pissing on something and still claiming you enjoy it makes you look the fool.
Think of the dialogue in Symphony of the Night or the first Devil May Cry. Or Will Shatner's acting in Star Trek. Or the zaniness in '60s Spider-Man cartoons. They aren't terrible as much as they are ridiculously camp. These exaggerations are the parts viewers remember most, and they remain as fond memories that are brought back and parodied today. Pissing on something and still claiming you enjoy it makes you look the fool.
Thunderous Cacophony said:
Worgen said:I think chunk norris's popularity is the name, hes got a very recognizable name.
I also think that irony like your talking about might be diminishing. I mean we have a big population of people who are willing to wholeheartedly embrace this.
When pretty much anything that is geared towards girls or children is seen as something that you can only enjoy 'ironically'.
That really did a lot to damage the Irony requirement for liking things. If people can really like mlp, why not Adventure Time? Gravity Falls is awesome, Invader Zim deserved more seasons, I will wear that classic Voltron shirt, ext.Worgen said:I think chunk norris's popularity is the name, hes got a very recognizable name.
I also think that irony like your talking about might be diminishing. I mean we have a big population of people who are willing to wholeheartedly embrace this.
When pretty much anything that is geared towards girls or children is seen as something that you can only enjoy 'ironically'.
In the same way I think it hurt Irony heavy shows like Family Guy. Not really Robot Chicken since that seems to embrace nostalgia rather than mock it.