Comments on: The unbearable liteness of David Brooks http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:48:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Matt Hardwick http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24161 Matt Hardwick Fri, 09 Apr 2004 19:20:53 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24161 <i>Sure, it may not have the kick of HST’s LSD, but it has its charms. Like a nice, warm double mocha latte, Brooks’ prose has subtle texture and a sweet taste. Mmmm. And even though it’s slightly addictive, it’s completely safe to drink every day — or in this case, bi-weekly. What more could you ask for?</i> Well, if anything else, the Appeal to Authority that Brooks makes would be kinda nice. And would even make his writing as honest and as imaginative as HST's was, even more so! The reason folks started gunning after Brooks' work in the first place was that he marketed himself as writing with what an earlier poster here said was the "truth of science". Like William Whyte and James Reissman of earlier times. But as it turns out, the reason he marketed himself as such was because he was far too insecure in his craft to write with the "truth of novels"... The most enduring part of Thompson's "kick" was his Anti-Authoritarianism. LSD, after all, is a drug so potent that one does not take it all that often. While the nice, warm double mocha lattes of Brooks' sort of Journalism only last so long... Sure, it may not have the kick of HST’s LSD, but it has its charms. Like a nice, warm double mocha latte, Brooks’ prose has subtle texture and a sweet taste. Mmmm. And even though it’s slightly addictive, it’s completely safe to drink every day — or in this case, bi-weekly. What more could you ask for? Well, if anything else, the Appeal to Authority that Brooks makes would be kinda nice. And would even make his writing as honest and as imaginative as HST’s was, even more so! The reason folks started gunning after Brooks’ work in the first place was that he marketed himself as writing with what an earlier poster here said was the “truth of science”. Like William Whyte and James Reissman of earlier times. But as it turns out, the reason he marketed himself as such was because he was far too insecure in his craft to write with the “truth of novels”… The most enduring part of Thompson’s “kick” was his Anti-Authoritarianism. LSD, after all, is a drug so potent that one does not take it all that often. While the nice, warm double mocha lattes of Brooks’ sort of Journalism only last so long…

]]> By: Gary Farber http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24160 Gary Farber Thu, 08 Apr 2004 19:11:36 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24160 As I briefly blogged <a href="http://amygdalagf.blogspot.com/2004_04_04_amygdalagf_archive.html#108109536827127494">here</a>, the very sage Timothy Burke, whose blog you should all be reading, taught Issenberg, and had typical insightful comments <a href="http://www.swarthmore.edu/socsci/tburke1/perma32804.html">here</a>. As I briefly blogged here, the very sage Timothy Burke, whose blog you should all be reading, taught Issenberg, and had typical insightful comments here.

]]> By: Sven http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24159 Sven Thu, 08 Apr 2004 04:41:22 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24159 Lighten up, people. Hunter Thompson may have played fast and loose with the facts, but we all <i>know</i> that the Kentucky Derby is indeed decadent and depraved. Gonzo has grown up, and after begetting 2.5 kids and a mortgage, it was bound to settle down. Brooks is the vanguard of the <i>way</i> new journalism. Sure, it may not have the kick of HST's LSD, but it has its charms. Like a nice, warm double mocha latte, Brooks' prose has subtle texture and a sweet taste. Mmmm. And even though it's slightly addictive, it's completely safe to drink every day — or in this case, bi-weekly. What more could you ask for? Lighten up, people. Hunter Thompson may have played fast and loose with the facts, but we all know that the Kentucky Derby is indeed decadent and depraved. Gonzo has grown up, and after begetting 2.5 kids and a mortgage, it was bound to settle down. Brooks is the vanguard of the way new journalism. Sure, it may not have the kick of HST’s LSD, but it has its charms. Like a nice, warm double mocha latte, Brooks’ prose has subtle texture and a sweet taste. Mmmm. And even though it’s slightly addictive, it’s completely safe to drink every day — or in this case, bi-weekly. What more could you ask for?

]]> By: Ophelia Benson http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24158 Ophelia Benson Wed, 07 Apr 2004 22:11:55 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24158 Er, no, the question is not whether it's plausible, not if it's dead wrong. Plausible bullshit is still bullshit. Er, no, the question is not whether it’s plausible, not if it’s dead wrong. Plausible bullshit is still bullshit.

]]> By: Thomas http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24157 Thomas Wed, 07 Apr 2004 21:22:02 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24157 The question is, is what Brooks rights plausible? I mean, does it matter whether he's talking about Bethesda, if you don't recognize Bethesda? I recognize the America he's exaggerating. And, recognizing that America, I can consider his thesis, such as it is (America lives in the future tense, etc.). The joy of Brooks is the humorous portrait of the America you recognize once he points it out to you. The question is, is what Brooks rights plausible? I mean, does it matter whether he’s talking about Bethesda, if you don’t recognize Bethesda? I recognize the America he’s exaggerating. And, recognizing that America, I can consider his thesis, such as it is (America lives in the future tense, etc.). The joy of Brooks is the humorous portrait of the America you recognize once he points it out to you.

]]> By: Ophelia Benson http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24156 Ophelia Benson Wed, 07 Apr 2004 18:06:12 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24156 This is all kind of fascinating. <i>The criticisms of him strike me as a bit positivist and/or Popperian, and therefore a bit obsolete. But still reasonable.</i> Er - meaning what? That it's obsolete to think factual statements should be accurate? Really? Cool! <i>What really seems odd to mee is the zeal with which Brooks is observed, nitpicked, and disparaged since he writes for the “Grey Lady”.</i> <i>What’s that — scribblers’ version of penis envy?</i> Well now I would have thought it had something to do with the idea that since the Grey Whatsit has a grotesque amount of authority and influence, in a country with so few decent newspapers and only two that can be considered partly national, it really ought to do a decent job. But that's probably wrong, no doubt it is some form of penis envy. Is the Grey Lady's penis kind of like the maternal penis that Melanie Klein talks about? How I wish I could see it. This is all kind of fascinating. The criticisms of him strike me as a bit positivist and/or Popperian, and therefore a bit obsolete. But still reasonable. Er – meaning what? That it’s obsolete to think factual statements should be accurate? Really? Cool! What really seems odd to mee is the zeal with which Brooks is observed, nitpicked, and disparaged since he writes for the “Grey Lady”. What’s that — scribblers’ version of penis envy? Well now I would have thought it had something to do with the idea that since the Grey Whatsit has a grotesque amount of authority and influence, in a country with so few decent newspapers and only two that can be considered partly national, it really ought to do a decent job. But that’s probably wrong, no doubt it is some form of penis envy. Is the Grey Lady’s penis kind of like the maternal penis that Melanie Klein talks about? How I wish I could see it.

]]> By: pblsh http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24155 pblsh Wed, 07 Apr 2004 14:14:34 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24155 Considering that this wasn't an original article, but an excerpt from his forthcoming book, we have another 60,000 words or so of this nonsense to look forward to. Shelved in the Sociology section, no doubt, and coming soon to a bestseller list near you. But then, genial plausibility is all that Brooks has ever aimed at. You do him a favor even to consider him in the light of a scholar or even a journalist, harsh as either may prove to be. I actually understand his appearance in the Sunday Times Magazine. He is not and has never been a scholar nor even a serious reporter, but there's a place for genial plausibility on a Sunday morning. It's his regular gig on the op ed pages that I find astounding, as one hopes that the opinion there is at least informed, if not enlightened. Considering that this wasn’t an original article, but an excerpt from his forthcoming book, we have another 60,000 words or so of this nonsense to look forward to. Shelved in the Sociology section, no doubt, and coming soon to a bestseller list near you. But then, genial plausibility is all that Brooks has ever aimed at. You do him a favor even to consider him in the light of a scholar or even a journalist, harsh as either may prove to be. I actually understand his appearance in the Sunday Times Magazine. He is not and has never been a scholar nor even a serious reporter, but there’s a place for genial plausibility on a Sunday morning. It’s his regular gig on the op ed pages that I find astounding, as one hopes that the opinion there is at least informed, if not enlightened.

]]> By: purolator http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24154 purolator Wed, 07 Apr 2004 14:12:37 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24154 I'd think that Brooks did his best to justify Karl Kraus’s saying that a journalist is someone who has nothing to say but who knows how to say it. Apperently the New York Times pays him quite nicely to do so, and this might not be accidental. Imaginative writers are distinguished not by a sweeter character (too often very much not), greater intellectual honesty, or even deeper intelligence, but -- apart from the gift of expression which is their stock in trade -- a way of looking at the world which is interesting because it is exaggerated or distorted. No surprise yet. What really seems odd to mee is the zeal with which Brooks is observed, nitpicked, and disparaged since he writes for the "Grey Lady". What's that -- scribblers' version of penis envy? I’d think that Brooks did his best to justify Karl Kraus’s saying that a journalist is someone who has nothing to say but who knows how to say it. Apperently the New York Times pays him quite nicely to do so, and this might not be accidental. Imaginative writers are distinguished not by a sweeter character (too often very much not), greater intellectual honesty, or even deeper intelligence, but—apart from the gift of expression which is their stock in trade—a way of looking at the world which is interesting because it is exaggerated or distorted. No surprise yet. What really seems odd to mee is the zeal with which Brooks is observed, nitpicked, and disparaged since he writes for the “Grey Lady”. What’s that—scribblers’ version of penis envy?

]]> By: Matt http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24153 Matt Wed, 07 Apr 2004 13:28:46 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24153 The lack of examples in Brooks' essay is due mainly to coyness. The 'german sedan' suburb he cites is obviously Bethesda, where Brooks lives, and the prime example of a 'crunchy suburb' is presumably Takoma Park, not too far away. The lack of examples in Brooks’ essay is due mainly to coyness. The ‘german sedan’ suburb he cites is obviously Bethesda, where Brooks lives, and the prime example of a ‘crunchy suburb’ is presumably Takoma Park, not too far away.

]]> By: Kenny Easwaran http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24152 Kenny Easwaran Wed, 07 Apr 2004 10:27:55 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24152 For the sociology misshelving: philosophers have long gotten used to the idea that bookstores have a very different idea of metaphysics than we do. As for David Brooks, it seems more like he's aiming at the truth of novels than the truth of science. He's attempting to catch and/or shape some aspect of the Zeitgeist, rather than actually track population trends. The criticisms of him strike me as a bit positivist and/or Popperian, and therefore a bit obsolete. But still reasonable. For the sociology misshelving: philosophers have long gotten used to the idea that bookstores have a very different idea of metaphysics than we do. As for David Brooks, it seems more like he’s aiming at the truth of novels than the truth of science. He’s attempting to catch and/or shape some aspect of the Zeitgeist, rather than actually track population trends. The criticisms of him strike me as a bit positivist and/or Popperian, and therefore a bit obsolete. But still reasonable.

]]> By: mc http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24151 mc Wed, 07 Apr 2004 08:48:34 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24151 Gosh, this is hilarious. What a feast of clichés. My favourite bit:<blockquote>For more than 260 years, in other words, Americans have been rich, money-mad, vulgar, materialistic and complacent people. And yet somehow America became and continues to be the most powerful nation on earth and the most productive. Religion flourishes. Universities flourish. Crime rates drop, teen pregnancy declines, teen-suicide rates fall, along with divorce rates. Despite all the problems that plague this country, social healing takes place. If we're so great, can we really be that shallow?</blockquote> Ehhh... Gotta love that question at the end. A fairy tale of productivity, prosperity, and relocation. If America was a company, Brooks would be writing its mission statement. So lovely. Thing is, he does actually come off more disparaging of "the average" American than the 'critics' he sets out to argue against. But the NYT has a fondness for <a href="http://www.myirony.com/archives/000339.html">that kind of crap</a> so I'm not suprised. Gosh, this is hilarious. What a feast of clichés. My favourite bit:
For more than 260 years, in other words, Americans have been rich, money-mad, vulgar, materialistic and complacent people. And yet somehow America became and continues to be the most powerful nation on earth and the most productive. Religion flourishes. Universities flourish. Crime rates drop, teen pregnancy declines, teen-suicide rates fall, along with divorce rates. Despite all the problems that plague this country, social healing takes place. If we’re so great, can we really be that shallow?
Ehhh… Gotta love that question at the end. A fairy tale of productivity, prosperity, and relocation. If America was a company, Brooks would be writing its mission statement. So lovely. Thing is, he does actually come off more disparaging of “the average” American than the ‘critics’ he sets out to argue against. But the NYT has a fondness for that kind of crap so I’m not suprised.

]]> By: Adam Kotsko http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24150 Adam Kotsko Wed, 07 Apr 2004 05:18:07 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24150 Who's going to get the dismal job of running DavidBrooksWatch.blogspot.com? Who’s going to get the dismal job of running DavidBrooksWatch.blogspot.com?

]]> By: drapeto http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24149 drapeto Tue, 06 Apr 2004 23:13:37 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24149 <i>He writes for a bright audience</i> really, what makes you say that? my understanding of teh complaint in this very post is that he does not write for a bright audience. He writes for a bright audience really, what makes you say that? my understanding of teh complaint in this very post is that he does not write for a bright audience.

]]> By: praktike http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24148 praktike Tue, 06 Apr 2004 22:37:46 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24148 Chris, I don't know where O'Neill got his info, but I imagine that's available from the BEA. Chris, I don’t know where O’Neill got his info, but I imagine that’s available from the BEA.

]]> By: Shai http://crookedtimber.org/2004/04/06/the-unbearable-liteness-of-david-brooks/comment-page-1/#comment-24147 Shai Tue, 06 Apr 2004 22:35:04 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=1361#comment-24147 Ophelia Says: "Barnes and Noble shelves Brooks’ idiotic Bobos book in sociology!" And Chapters, the equivalent of B&N up here in Canada shelves Al Franken, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Moore in "International Political Science" The library of congress scheme is also a source of amusement: I found Ayn Rand next to WVO Quine in the stacks at <a href="http://www.deltau.org/news/quarterly/spring_00/Torontos_Robarts_Library.JPG">Robarts</a>. Ophelia Says: “Barnes and Noble shelves Brooks’ idiotic Bobos book in sociology!” And Chapters, the equivalent of B&N up here in Canada shelves Al Franken, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michael Moore in “International Political Science” The library of congress scheme is also a source of amusement: I found Ayn Rand next to WVO Quine in the stacks at Robarts.

]]>