And lo, on the tenth day of that new year, the Atlantic did bring forth Caitlin Flanagan calling Joan Didion "a triumph—and a disaster," and there was much rejoicing. And the BHDs cackled and rubbed their palms together waiting for the printer to spit the article out, and they commuted back to their home boroughs eagerly awaiting the crackling fire of Flanagan's surely inaccurate* summation of her fellow writer according to her straw woman arguments. (Via PWK.)
*Here are a few Caitlin Flanagan arguments (paraphrased for time) I have disagreed with:
1. "The purpose of all teenage girls is to fall in love and that is all they are suited for and but so something about TWILIGHT"
2. "All women should be stay at home mothers because that is the purpose of womanhood, even though I have nannies so I can write full-time but I don't see how that is relevant"
3. "No women truly want to hook up, they just all want boyyyyyyyfriends and I am basing that belief on a YA book I saw in a store once, and also Taylor Swift..."
4. "... And if a woman says otherwise she has clearly been brainwashed by evil cultural forces! And we have to protect her! By telling her what to do."
4 days ago
6 comments:
what is a BHD?
8yearoldsdude - Bookworm Hipster Douchebags. Also, I am disappointed in you.
Also, my verification word was "readin."
Really, it's a shorthand for a certain subset of the 20- and 30-something urbane (if not urban-dwelling) population whose hipster leanings are mostly but not necessarily completely on the cultural/literary side. And sometimes feel inappropriately superior because of it (guilty).
In this particular case, the sub-subset of same who, if told Caitlin Flanagan had written something about Joan Didion, would not have to ask what a Caitlin Flanagan was.
Ellen -- That is the best, most succinct summary I've heard. If you don't mind, I may borrow it.
Thank you. It has too many adverbs in it, but it'll do for now.
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