Just Say No to Irony

Not ironic. Just-attention grabby

If there is one cultural phenomenon that I have struggled with in my adulthood, it is not the radical right, it is not the addiction to social media or Korean pop music.  It is irony.  I have written about this before, long, long ago, and I can’t remember all of my points.  But I ‘m in charge of what I write and I need to reassemble them right here.

It’s on my mind because of my new project.  I want it to feel genuine, with relatable dialogue and I want it free of modern irony. It is part of a bigger part of this cultural shift that has always left a bad taste in my mouth.  There are probably a dozen reasons why I hope it fades away like bellbottom pants and poodle skirts. The top one being that irony masks sincerity.  Irony hides the truth.  Even when it used just for fun, irony is a way to sidestep genuine feelings.

My current definition(s) of cultural irony:

1 - The idolization of kitsch, trash, crap, forgettable throwaway media for the sake of following fashion, appearing unique, or preserving nostalgia. 

2 - Expressions that are the opposite of one’s true feelings.  This is a step past joking or sarcasm.  This is a way to hide fear.

3 - Irony is a seed for pessimism. Self-loathing. It’s best when it’s used as a seasoning, like oregano.  It’s fun in small doses in our films and our language and in memes here and there.  But there is so much that it can seem like it is replacing our culture altogether. 

My theories?  We have an issue with hero worship. Everything and everyone we worship will eventually fail to live up to our expectations, therefore everything is disappointing.  So, somehow, we’ve managed to try to find the fun in disappointments.  Shit movies.  Bad music.  Reality TV.  Junk food.  Not-really-all-that-funny memes and videos.

Also, we are capitalists.  Once the ironic genre opens up, anyone and everyone floods the market to get a piece of the pie.  And how hard is it to live up to the level of irony?  Just put out crap and call it ironic.  Why not?  If that fails, the consumers will justify your lack of talent or reasoning and call it irony themselves.  I don’t really like the Housewives shows, I just watch trash ironically.  Okay, it’s justified with freedom of choice.  The result?  Year after year of cheap trash.  Then the culture shifts.  Wait, do I really like this or am I watching it because it’s the only thing on?

Irony also is a snake eating its tail.  Here’s a typical conversation trying to get to the bottom of irony:

“You gotta see that movie.  It’s friggin’ great.”

“Really?  I’ve only heard bad things.  Reviews are in the toilet.”

“Oh no, it totally sucks.”

“But you just said it was great…”

“No.  It’s a good bad movie. I watched it ironically.”

“And you liked it?”

“Yeah.  It was wild.”

“So why did you call it a bad movie? You like it.”

“I watched it on a different level.”

“An ironic level?”

“Yeah.  I acknowledge that it’s shitty, but I found enjoyment in its shittiness.”

“All those bad reviews…What level did they watch it on?”

“I don’t know.”

“So, by your reasoning, if you watch anything with an ironic eye, like video of a cat pooping on a pumpkin, you can find value in that experience?”

“I guess…yeah?”

“So…if I’m understanding irony…there is no good and bad, no high or low quality, no value in anything. If I watch a bad movie and have a bad experience watching it, if I listen to crappy music and hate it, if I listen to unfunny comedy and I don’t laugh, it’s purely my fault and not the responsibility of the creator?”

“Dude, I gotta go…”

I heard Dave Grohl in an interview also denouncing irony in musical taste.  If he likes something, he likes it.  He thinks its good.  Ironically liking something does not exist. He loves the Beatles and KISS. There is no irony. 

I like a lot of corny shit.  I like a lot of basic, hacky shit that some people would turn their noses up at.  I think it’s good.  I’ll say it to your face.  Anything that I feel a little shameful about revealing is due to societal norms or I still have a little nostalgia for it.  Nostalgically liking something is perfectly cool to me.  At least its honest to tastes that may have changed.  I loved that old show.  Yes, it’s true, that was my first favorite band. 

Irony is so dishonest to me.  If the first thing I think of in a cultural conversation is ‘does this person really believe that’, I think that is a problem.  I’m not a superhuman who can take everything at face value.  I read between the lines.  Is this something they enjoy, or want me to think they enjoy? Are they following a popular trope or are they genuine?  Do they have a wide array of tastes or am I trying to pigeonhole them? Without irony, I could just believe them or ask a follow-up.  Either way, the onus would be on me.  I wouldn’t have to follow some ridiculous cultural cancer that infects every opinion or artistic statement. 

Be brave.  Be genuine.  Ditch the irony and maybe we can inch our way back together as a culture.