The Null Device

Death of irony (an ongoing series): A piece about taboos on WTC-related jokes, and even saying anything negative about the Leader of the Free World, George W. Bush. Apparently, Doonesbury has been neutered, and the Chaser deeply regrets publishing an issue of WTC-related jokes (after which it went almost silent for two weeks or so).

Let's hope the New Earnestness doesn't last; though a New Norman Rockwell Era of Christian boy bands on MTV and single-minded Organization Kid faith in authority and The System may be just what is needed to sow the seeds of countercultures which are something more meaningful than ad-agency lifestyle campaigns. (As a wise Goddess once said, imposition of order leads to escalation of disorder.) Though, as I was thinking recently, if hipster irony in the days before 11/9/2001 had degenerated to Fred Durst, D12 and self-jamming Nike ads, then good riddance to it. Perhaps a cultural firestorm to burn away all the deadwood is just what is needed.

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