With Time Magazine's naming of "us" as person of the year, highlighting the individual person's ability (when factored by the power of the internet, mainly) to influence the events of the world, I find myself reminded of something I heard years and years ago.
It was a standup comic (I think George Carlin) who was using national magazines to highlight how increasingly narcissistic Americans are becoming.
First there was Time and Life. Two very big concepts that we can all appreciate.
Then came People. Still big picture, but a bit more focused on individuals.
Then came Us. That really boiled it down.
Eventually, the comedian opined, there would be a magazine simply called "You." It would be devoted to your latest adventures, or new style or look, gossip about you, your opinions, anything that we find interesting in others.
Between blogs, MySpace, YouTube, and a host of other phenomena, that day has arrived. And Time is simply fulfilling that prophesy -- one that I laughed about years and years ago.
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Comments (13)
If it wasn't for the captio... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Stephen Macklin | December 17, 2006 8:31 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
If it wasn't for the caption contest at Wizbang, they probably would have picked Ahmadinajad.
1. Posted by Stephen Macklin | December 17, 2006 8:31 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 08:31
2. Posted by Bo | December 17, 2006 9:45 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Carlin remains my all-time favorite comedian, solely due to his hilarious and spot-on insights into the human psyche. I am a bit disappointed, however, that his work of late has become increasingly ascerbic, and he comes across as too angry and cynical to be as entertaining as he once was.
2. Posted by Bo | December 17, 2006 9:45 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 09:45
3. Posted by epador | December 17, 2006 10:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Excellent time for such an observation. Not only is omphalospection a rigorous pursuit of happiness, but looking outward to blame others for your unhappiness and strife the model for personal development.
As far a GC turning into a curmudgeon, its only to be expected. After studying his material with sour acuity for so long, its a sad and natural metamorphosis. I've seen the same in Bill Cosby BEFORE his son died (if you've seen him live).
3. Posted by epador | December 17, 2006 10:06 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 10:06
4. Posted by Mitchell | December 17, 2006 10:38 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I am so proud of myself for making the cover of Time.
This is going on the resume.
4. Posted by Mitchell | December 17, 2006 10:38 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 10:38
5. Posted by JimK | December 17, 2006 10:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Are we *becoming* more narcissistic, or are we simply embracing the inherent narcissism in all humans?
I really don't find Americans doing any more navel gazing than anyone else...we just talk about it more. We seem less ashamed of it than other cultures. I consider that a good thing. Slapping a veneer of external concerns over human nature results in things like the EU and communism.
Hey, I think just said that if you AREN'T narcissistic like an American, you're a fracking communist. Sweet 50s insult if I do say so myself... :)
5. Posted by JimK | December 17, 2006 10:46 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 10:46
6. Posted by jpm100 | December 17, 2006 11:00 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It should have been Ahmadinajad (or someone in Iran, the true Supreme Leader perhaps).
Just look at this last year. Hezzbullah is Iran's proxy that just had a War with Israel and a huge effect on Lebanon. His nuclear ambitions and our inability to get agreement to stop him. And the ISG and other sentiment that we should approach him.
But then you would have to think Israel had a right to exist and Iran getting the bomb and increasing in influence is a bad thing. So considering this is Time, fat chance.
6. Posted by jpm100 | December 17, 2006 11:00 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 11:00
7. Posted by jainphx | December 17, 2006 11:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I do believe he's talking about Lee ,no wait a minute he said little people not little minds,never mind my bad.
7. Posted by jainphx | December 17, 2006 11:24 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 11:24
8. Posted by Jo | December 17, 2006 12:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Thank goodness it's not Nancy Pelosi. Being Barbara Walter's Most Fascinating Person of the Year was nauseating enough. Although I must say that the interview of her made her look like a walking zombie robot for all the nation to see, so maybe that wasn't a bad thing.
8. Posted by Jo | December 17, 2006 12:27 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 12:27
9. Posted by Gmac | December 17, 2006 8:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ayup... Now your 15 min of fame can last as looooooooong as you want it to, depending on how 'popular' you can make yourself.
9. Posted by Gmac | December 17, 2006 8:40 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 17, 2006 20:40
10. Posted by astigafa | December 18, 2006 8:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You're forgetting Self magazine. Next up: MyAnus.
10. Posted by astigafa | December 18, 2006 8:14 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 18, 2006 08:14
11. Posted by Steve L. | December 18, 2006 8:36 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Time Magazine just phones it in this year. I'm surprised that they didn't have a blank article and suggest that bloggers write their own piece.
11. Posted by Steve L. | December 18, 2006 8:36 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 18, 2006 08:36
12. Posted by spurwing plover | December 18, 2006 10:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Cant you rememeber when TIME named GORBICHAV as MAN OF THE DECADE just to furestrte us sonservatives? i guess something happned
12. Posted by spurwing plover | December 18, 2006 10:17 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 18, 2006 10:17
13. Posted by VagaBond | December 18, 2006 12:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Congratulations...we all won the equivalent of a kid's soccer trophy.
13. Posted by VagaBond | December 18, 2006 12:56 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 18, 2006 12:56