To live ironically is to hide in public. It is flagrantly indirect, a form of subterfuge, which means etymologically to “secretly flee” (subter + fuge). Somehow, directness has become unbearable to us.
How did this happen? It stems in part from the belief that this generation has little to offer in terms of culture, that everything has already been done, or that serious commitment to any belief will eventually be subsumed by an opposing belief, rendering the first laughable at best and contemptible at worst. This kind of defensive living works as a pre-emptive surrender and takes the form of reaction rather than action.
Life in the Internet age has undoubtedly helped a certain ironic sensibility to flourish.
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While we have gained some skill sets (multitasking, technological savvy), other skills have suffered: the art of conversation, the art of looking at people, the art of being seen, the art of being present. Our conduct is no longer governed by subtlety, finesse, grace and attention, all qualities more esteemed in earlier decades. Inwardness and narcissism now hold sway.
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we needed a self-defense mechanism, for every generation has one. For Gen Xers, it was a kind of diligent apathy. We actively did not care. Our archetype was the slacker who slouched through life in plaid flannel, alone in his room, misunderstood. And when we were bored with not caring, we were vaguely angry and melancholic, eating anti-depressants like they were candy.
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Nonironic models include very young children, elderly people, deeply religious people, people with severe mental or physical disabilities, people who have suffered, and those from economically or politically challenged places where seriousness is the governing state of mind.
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Moving away from the ironic involves saying what you mean, meaning what you say and considering seriousness and forthrightness as expressive possibilities, despite the inherent risks. "
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Freek de Jonge is pessimistisch over de toekomst | NU - Het laatste nieuws het eerst op NU.nl: ""Geen enkel mens in Nederland heeft meer de strijdlust om zich op te offeren voor de waarden waar het westen voor staat. Dat is het gevaar van de ironische levenshouding van de nieuwe generatie."
Consequenties
In YOLO, de zelfbewuste leegte, probeert radiomaker Botte Jellema te doorgronden waarom zoveel twintigers en dertigers een ironische levenshouding aannemen en wat daar de consequenties van zijn."
'via Blog this'
De jaren 80 en 90 waren tevens het einde van de restricties opgelegd aan het kapitalisme op de beurs en dus het nieuwe begin van de groeiende ongelijkheid, de jaren van de yuppies en de erbij horende pragmatische aanpak, het Ronald Reagan en Magaret Tatchter tijdperk, de Neo-Cons(ervatives), de eerste PC's, en de Clintons en Al Gore, de new wave, ska en dancemuziek.
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Oh shit, ik heb geen ironie, of is het hetzelfde als wat ze vroeger met oppervlakkig bedoelde?
