So all of a sudden everyone is talking about you, the Internet reader — or, more specifically, the Internet commenter. On Thursday, Slate‘s Katie Roiphe took a close and thoughtful look at something that most of us who write online have long presumed as par for the course: the angry commenter. “It’s easy to see how one might disagree with or dislike an article,” Roiphe writes, “but what is more bewildering and bears examination is the response of hating the writer’s guts. One would think, reading some of these comments, that the writer has done something to the commenter, that there has been some deep personal transgression.” (Roiphe’s piece has, predictably, prompted nearly a thousand comments — most of them angry.) Over at the Atlantic, Rebecca J. Rosen notes that comments “continue to be terrible, and it’s not only because of trolls and morons. Internet comments are hard to read and harder to engage with. Even in places with smart, thoughtful readers, the comment sections tend to be more like lists of unconnected ideas than genuine conversations.” Read More »
[Editor's note: For the next two Fridays, Flavorwire will be counting down our 20 most popular features of 2010. This post, which originally ran on July 22, 2010, comes in at position number 17.] The mad men behind Pilot Extra-Fine ball-pens (aka Barcelona’s Grey agency) have created a great viral marketing featuring LEGOS with drawn on “badass” tattoos. Straight out of your mother’s nightmares, these LEGOS have dedications to Harley Davidson, lots of angry skulls, and in one instance, a rather racy tramp stamp. Click through to view our favorite tatted up bad boys.
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[Editor's note: It's the last Friday of the summer, so your Flavorwire editors and writers are taking a much-needed break. We'll return to our normal publishing schedule on Tuesday, but in the meantime, we'll be revisiting some of our favorite content from the past few months. This post was originally published July 16, 2010.] Every summer there are certain songs that are completely inescapable. Whether it be at your family’s awkward 4th of July barbecue reunion or blasting inside the department stores you already feel kind of lame being inside, these hot weather-themed songs are totally unwelcome yet simply will not die. Below we have compiled a list of ten of these tracks that need check into the retirement home and spend their last few days out of earshot. Some of these are beloved classics, and we understand it may be hard to cast some of these into the fires of Lamedor, but one must have courage sometimes.
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Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom
delivers the same jolt of expertly wielded misery that made his break-out novel The Corrections
such a success. The Time magazine-anointed author‘s latest take on the disorder known as the modern family is masterfully crafted, while forcing its readers to confront the sorrowful skeletons in their own closets. Freedom‘s study of a familial meltdown at the hands of infidelity, depression, and alcoholism sure ain’t pretty, but it’s chock full of unsettling reflections that echo of familiar dysfunction. And it’s with this in mind, that we have prepared the following diagnostic test to determine if you, like the unfortunate citizens of Franzen’s fictional world, are having a suburban, American breakdown.
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In some ways, looking back at the ’90s today feels like we’re looking at a foreign culture — one that just happens to like floral-print vests and white-wash jeans. But there is at least one connecting thread: PSAs. While today’s TV spots tend to focus the dangers of sexting and texting while driving, back in the good old days, it was all about keeping kids off of drugs and hooked on books. Oh, and famous people. Click through to view our 10 favorites that feature celebrities of the era.
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Sick of feeling left out on Monday mornings? We’ve decided to help out all of you Mad Men virgins who’ve never watched the show, and don’t care to invest the time in catching up now. Just like Mad Men‘s protagonist, Don Draper, you will be able to hide your true, embarrassing past and assume a more cultured personality after finishing this spoiler-heavy post. Plus, it will help you mingle more comfortably with the cable television-watching elite!
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When American Idol began what seems like forever ago now there were just three judges; Simon, Paula, and Randy. Now, as Season 10 looms in the not so distant future, only Randy Jackson remains, left all alone in what we can only imagine is existential despair. Below we have an exclusive poem that Randy wrote about the fleeting qualities of friendship and the uncertainty of a happy future entitled “A Dawg Who Has Lost His Bark.” We hope you enjoy it.
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When we asked readers yesterday if Gwyneth Paltrow was the mainstream’s Zooey Deschanel, we got an interesting response: a yawn. It turns out, many of you are sick of hearing about Zooey at this point. And frankly, we’re beginning to agree. Which begs another question: Who has enough style and substance to become the next Queen of the Indies? We’ve got 10 solid nominees after the jump.
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If you’re like us, whenever you see the latest “Before They Were Famous” articles full of Brad Pitt and Miley Cyrus yearbook photos, you wish there were some Animal Collective or Neon Indian flashbacks as well. Drawing from this borderline stalker curiosity, we’ve compiled our own indie-version of the gossip magazine mainstay. Click through and learn how cool Beirut was as a kid, how Best Coast has an entrepreneurial spirit, and even how cute Julian Casablancas was as a baby! The things you can find on forgotten MySpace accounts…
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We’ll admit it. Our excitement for the Season 4 premiere of Mad Men has been a little out of control of late. It’s almost reminiscent of the times when we would anxiously wait for weeks in advance of Christmas. While the thought of Don Draper sneaking down the chimney late at night makes us want to hide our sisters, it would be a fun idea to treat the Mad Men premiere like the gift-giving holiday. Click through for a few of our suggestions for Mad Men-themed presents to give to your fellow Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce enthusiasts — or even yourself!
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