Did you know we're responsible for the fall of civilization?
So, New Yorker film critic David Denby wrote a book called Snark: It's Mean, It's Personal, and It's Ruining Our Conversation. Tell us how you really feel, David. Or even better - how about everyone else telling us how they really feel?

(NEWSFLASH: Keith Olbermann NOT snarky. Film at 11.)

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	varethane 2009-01-24 11:49 pm UTC (link)
	Denby traces the history of snark through the ages, starting with its invention as personal insult in the drinking clubs of ancient Athens Oh, those ancient Greeks. What didn't they invent? (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sparkysrevenge 2009-01-25 12:11 am UTC (link)
	The internet. Though they did invent slash fiction. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	varethane 2009-01-25 01:04 am UTC (link)
	Touché. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	jupiterpluvius 2009-01-26 08:26 am UTC (link)
	TRVTH Plato's Symposium--first RPS! SOCRATES/ALCIBIADES OTP! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	dreamer_marie 2009-01-26 08:59 am UTC (link)
	Avoid foreign words. The word bourgeoisie must be avoided at all costs as it will peg the user as a pretentious, effete snob. It is unpardonable for an American to use this word as its use shows a shocking unfamiliarity with European literature and the word lacks meaning or context in the United States. ??? And for good measure: ?? (Reply to this)(Thread)

	napalmnacey 2009-01-27 03:03 am UTC (link)
	Them and thir NAMBY-PAMBY foreign words! Who do they think they are, Frasier Crane?! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	electricwitch 2009-01-26 04:27 pm UTC (link)
	His book is a really, really subtle form of snark, right? RIGHT? (Reply to this)

tachikoma01 2009-01-26 10:29 pm UTC (link)

I'd personally rather people be outwardly snarky than do the whole passive-agressive "I don't like you, so I'm not taaaaaaaalking to you" thing. I don't read people's subtle facial cues and body language very well, so I kind of need to be told when I'm doing something socially inappropriate. And as for me at least, I'd rather they DID than just letting me go flouncing about like an idiot, while they do their best to just ignore me because they're too nice to let me know I'm making an idiot of myself. Although I realize not everyone feels the same way I do... But I do think there are definitely times when being nice to someone for the sake of being nice and getting along is actually the disingenuous thing to do to the other person. I'd elaborate, but I'm avoiding teal deering. (Reply to this)

	lirazel 2009-01-28 06:40 pm UTC (link)
	Theres a Boojum or Bellman joke here somewhere, I just know it. (Reply to this)

	Coming in late, just to add... jocelyncs 2009-01-31 06:23 am UTC (link)
	He shall be snarky!Keith, and he shall be MINE in all his punditing glory! Do not dare to challenge his snarktacularness! (Reply to this)

anonyrat 2009-02-13 09:38 am UTC (link)

I completely agree. Before the invention of snark, people were much more conscientious, compassionate, and polite. I'm very fond of the poet Catullus's sober and reasonable responses to people he dislikes. The sheer understated civility of such witty bon mots as "my literary rival drinks his own piss", "your son's ass is as greedy as your hands, you thief, but nobody wants to fuck him because he's ugly", and "this politician is a huge worn-out boner" surely puts the vulgarity of the modern world to shame. (Reply to this)

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