of granfalloons and philistines
Today I spent some time considering the various proud and meaningless associations of human beings in this world that are very commonly considered to be composed of men and women of the same type and with the same purpose. Among these are: those who attend the same college, those who obtain the same degree, certain groups of friends, members of the same religion, authors, citizens of the United States of America, politicians, Republicans, mothers, criminals, and very often lovers. Many of these are, to assume Kundera's interpretation of the phenomena, simply a part of the kitsch we create to make us feel meaningful and give us a reason to be proud. Worthless sentimentality goes a long way in keeping us in check. Vonnegut calls these associations granfalloons. In my opinion, they are easily recognizable. The danger in them is getting caught up in the idea that they can actually trap you once you are a part of them. It is mankind's psychological defense mechanism.
Of philistines, I will only say that you should see The Squid and the Whale, so that you will understand why I am saying that. What a phenomenal, heartbreaking comedy! I also recall one time I was at the Harvard T stop coming back from visiting Zach at Holworthy when I overheard two college students (presumably from Harvard) discussing the insufferable nature of one of their classmates. Midway through the conversation, the girl burst out, "She is such a philistine!" There was no evidence in the discussion of her being particularly boorish or uncultured - merely annoying. Still, it was refreshing to hear someone use "philistine" in a sentence in which I would invariably use "bitch."
This break I have been a mess of eyeliner watching movies eating very little but pumpkin ice cream consuming too much alcohol being tired worrying about a summer internship reading inane and interesting literature cleaning up Andrew's puke wearing red panties and a black jacket around the house showering three times a day because I can't get over how clean everything feels making out with Meg hot tubbing naked epilating my legs listening to the shins and that one dirty song by the divinyls over and over seeing people I love seeing people I hate missing people who are leaving looking forward to living with Hannah in Boston for days reestablishing my vows with Hillary being a good father to my son Phil wanting to be a role model for girls being a stupid little girl myself bitching about boys with girls making out with boys without girls absorbing Austin collecting music missing my sisters already almost getting arrested after the rose bowl feeding the cows telling my secrets to the donkeys taking pictures taking chances weighing risks losing faith lacking courage loving life.
I want to know what incomprehensible ridiculous visceral list will define myself this semester of college. Then again, I am really loving this particular vat of incomprehensible ridiculous visceral wonder.
Of philistines, I will only say that you should see The Squid and the Whale, so that you will understand why I am saying that. What a phenomenal, heartbreaking comedy! I also recall one time I was at the Harvard T stop coming back from visiting Zach at Holworthy when I overheard two college students (presumably from Harvard) discussing the insufferable nature of one of their classmates. Midway through the conversation, the girl burst out, "She is such a philistine!" There was no evidence in the discussion of her being particularly boorish or uncultured - merely annoying. Still, it was refreshing to hear someone use "philistine" in a sentence in which I would invariably use "bitch."
This break I have been a mess of eyeliner watching movies eating very little but pumpkin ice cream consuming too much alcohol being tired worrying about a summer internship reading inane and interesting literature cleaning up Andrew's puke wearing red panties and a black jacket around the house showering three times a day because I can't get over how clean everything feels making out with Meg hot tubbing naked epilating my legs listening to the shins and that one dirty song by the divinyls over and over seeing people I love seeing people I hate missing people who are leaving looking forward to living with Hannah in Boston for days reestablishing my vows with Hillary being a good father to my son Phil wanting to be a role model for girls being a stupid little girl myself bitching about boys with girls making out with boys without girls absorbing Austin collecting music missing my sisters already almost getting arrested after the rose bowl feeding the cows telling my secrets to the donkeys taking pictures taking chances weighing risks losing faith lacking courage loving life.
I want to know what incomprehensible ridiculous visceral list will define myself this semester of college. Then again, I am really loving this particular vat of incomprehensible ridiculous visceral wonder.