EDIT: I have to wonder if his book on social class was satire (like the Offical Preppy Handbook) or whether he was accidentally making fun of himself. I've said before his book on "uniforms" was full of what I can only assume are his own biases and interpretations of clothing and the thing was run through with various errors and misinformation which made me wonder if he relied on Flusser and Boyer as sources.

Last edited by Big Tony (2012-05-24 09:29:32)

I keep Fussell's Class beside the bed and dip into it every now and then.

Gil, I think what you say is true but its also part serious and part scholarly and part personal and grumpy and flawed as well as part satire. Its great.  I read it because hes riffing. Like music - its not right or wrong but good or bad. Fussell's book swings. He reads like he is enjoying it all in a grumpy kind of way. Smirking, smiling, snickering, frowning and sighing - all at once. With the bonus - its an all American self help book if you want to read it that way.

It would have been nice to find out at least what Fussell thought about the Kardashians.

Both the Internet and reality/voyeur TV have done a lot to make the ignorant, crass and low brow feel each other's warmth. The interesting thing I've discovered, is that although most Americans believe there is a class or taste level better than them somewhere, they've never rubbed elbows with it and deny it when they meet it. That's why they insist it's a 1950s hierarchy because they wouldnt know the modern one, It's like waiting for Godot. Plus, it's emotionally safer. Americans freak out when they think theyre losing class status and if the only ones better than them are all dead, it becomes a costume drama (or is it musical comedy?).

One thing that that woman hit squarely was the change in American social interactions. Basically, if you feel someone isn't PLU, you just ignore them and move on; no more arguing. I should do more of that (suppose I'm still not smart or jaded enough) and I think in future, any time someone rants at me for my opinion, I should simply move on.

The company Groupon, which is basically food stamps for the Jersey Shore mentality, is a good magnifying glass for American class chasing, at least from an economic point of view. The company seems to even be run by a Jersey Shore sort of guy. The entire company is based on people seeking discounts which incentive them to try restaurants they normally feel self-barred from. One wonders how people feel about paying full boat and having Snooki drop an 8.5x11 coupon on her dirty plate. Even if Snooki is loaded, she probably still has the same early bird special mindset. I know I like going places where I'm not going to meet thugs. I suppose that makes me a horrible elitist.

Last edited by Sammy Ambrose (2012-05-29 05:10:59)

FNB said:
" I know I like going places where I'm not going to meet thugs. I suppose that makes me a horrible elitist."

Elitism is in such woefully short supply that it's best nurtured with sincere joy, irony dims it's luster.