Write freely, and take the hit

I like to write. I like to chuck my thoughts into the world, which then thud like a dead weight into the vast data-sea. But my Tangents are nearly always opinionated… perhaps to the point of absurdity. Counter points? Nuance? Deeper analysis? No, I want to give my views directly, remoreslessly, and perhaps entertainingly. Fuck cinemas. Fuck cucumbers. Fuck coffee (even as I drink it now).

Why? Why sacrifice the minimum of what I expect for my friends and family in discussions, and give the linguistic equivalent of a train-slap online?

Part of it is that I miss that era of the internet. The time in the 2000s when blogging was playful, fun, and the discourse was light. It was where discussions can be in good humour and grace, and where it’s clear when it’s taking the piss. Tangents is me claiming that back.

The other reason is to run counter for the modern stage of internet discourse, where you will always get an unreasonable counter with the nuance of someone throwing a stone. Hamilton Nolan summarised it perfectly:

“If you create things for the public, you will get yelled at by dumbasses. Indeed, this is the primary experience of being the sort of writer that I am. If you make a joke, they won’t get it. If you use sarcasm, they won’t detect it. If you exaggerate for effect, you will be taken literally, and if you try to be understated, you will be accused of a contemptible lack of urgency. If you make a reference, it will not be understood; if you choose one topic, they will wonder why you didn’t choose another; if you try to focus on one thing, they will ask why you didn’t focus on something else.”

I don’t want to touch on his overall view in the piece. Basically, his essay argues that the rise of fascism mirrors the experience of being constantly berated by ignorant, loud individuals — the “dumbasses” — who now dominate political power. I’m not touching that political grenade.

But what I am saying is that I enjoy making a view, make the point well, and write as if a bottle of wine is uncorked and pouring. It’s an obvious point that most people know, but one that needs reminding. And it will be riddled with holes like a cheddar cheese, with a comparative stink that wards away some. But for others, it’s the exact kind of food that someone needs as they wind down in the evening.

Write freely, take the criticism, and have fun.