Liberal snark sucks (re: Steve Irwin)

[idgiehkt]

kind of sick of knee-jerk reactionary cynicism, having watched both Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin on animal planet for years...grew up watching Wild Kingdom. Here are some snippets from a great article deconstructing snark, the kind that alot of people are flinging at the news of Irwin's death, his career and his humanity. Not only was he a conservationist as other people have noted but his exaggerated persona caught the attention of children drew their interest toward a worthy cause. May not be the most interesting post on this topic but I kind of want to place this in amongst the sneers as a sort of cyber voodoo if nothing else...

"Snark refers to a belittling style of speech or writing. It could loosely be described as irritable or "snidely derisive"; hence, 'snarkish', 'snarky', 'to snark at somebody'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snark_%28speech%29

http://www.blackbookmag.com/Public/Index.asp?page_ID=19&content_id=562&AQ_Archive_Date=3/14/2007

Post Snark

"Then I read a column in SF Weekly that turned on Dave Eggers--one of the writers who gave me advice--mocking his efforts to be of service to kids by organizing a charity event. They systematically twisted it to appear like the most deviant behavior on earth. "The night felt like a variation on his overlong New Yorker story: Rich white assholes go to Africa to try to give away money but fail."
It was my first visceral run-in with snark--this pervasive attitude in pop media where nothing is above disparagement. I wept, as retarded as that sounds, because a naive part of me was flabbergasted that starting a writing workshop for kids could be mocked.

As the next decade nears, though, I'd like to think that some of those Poseidon storm-conjurer types have blown themselves dry, and maybe, just maybe, we have in our sights a post-snark docking, where the current trend will be seen in the same passé light as the Sex Pistols saw the hippies. But first I'd like to ponder: "When, oh, when did snark become an acceptable pose for journalists, be they bloggers hiding out in daddy's rec room or fellas fanning themselves under the fearsome moniker of the New York Times?"
Kurt Andersen, cofounder of Spy, the magazine that some argue was the birthplace of snark, points to the Internet: "Now, everyone in this ultrademocratic age of blogging has a voice," Kurt tells me. "So, yeah, it's the age of the heckler. It is one of the prices we pay for this empowering technology."

"Generation X is notorious for rejecting advertising and commercial consumerism," says Hans. "Our natural reaction to it was this deep cynicism about everything. You listen to a CD, watch a movie, read a book, and you wonder who's trying to sell you what in this transaction. That's what really fed the initial impulse to snark. It's this vulnerability that we feel; that we're not safe to earnestly embrace anything because we suspect someone's going to take advantage of us."

"I think the backlash is already upon us." Hans adds. "I sense that kids 20 to 30 are responding really negatively to snark. And that doesn't mean they're mindlessly embracing consumerism and culture--it just means that we've moved beyond that. There's good advertising, there's bad advertising; there's good product, there's bad product, there are brilliant celebrities, there are idiotic celebrities; and we're smart enough now not to just dismiss everything out of hand because of this reactionary cynicism."
Snark is not the new black--it's the old crack, a hard addiction to bust off. But even junkies can reach that point where they can't use anymore, where they just have to feel how bad they feel. It's a hitting bottom, because the drug no longer works. You're gonna reach that point where the pain of using is more than not."

So there. This may sink like a stone, but at least it's in here amongst the naysayers...

[stepnw1f]

1. I Think People Like Steve Are Attacked Because of What They DO

or have done for nature and conservationism. These are mainstream folks trying to make a difference in the World, and could see neo-cons celebrating the death of such an individual since they deem conservationism as a barrier to their own selfish profit. Have I told people here how much I hate neo-knobs... I mean, neo-cons?

[idgiehkt]

2. I think some of it here is political

because Irwin admitted he has to stay in the middle ground in the best interest of conservationism...it just feels pretty tacky to me...and unnecessary.

[Deja Q]

4. Irwin has stated he's not a liberal, and

has tried chumming up to Bush (a man against environmental laws) while dissing on people known FOR environmental causes.

D+ for trying to get anywhere with Bush, at least he tried by pretending he doesn't like liberals, just to dance to a guy who he could have noticed wouldn't have done anything either way... :crazy:

[stepnw1f]

10. Really... You Have a Link

didn't know he did all what you said he did. I felt just his prescence in introducing nature to the public is worthy cause. He really seemed to love nature since he and his father spent their lives studying it. Also, didn't realize he had to be a liberal.... very interesting, HypnoToad.

[roguevalley]

33. Steve Irwin is dead, his wife widowed, his children orphaned and

a powerful voice for animals silenced. I guess that isn't enough for some people. RIP, Steve.

[Taxloss]

5. I don't think he did very much for conservation.

Having seen his show, I thought it put across an image of nature that it was something to be fought and overcome by the wit and ingenuity of man, that it existed purely for our own visceral thrills and spectacle, not a fair view of the natural world at all.

But I think snarking about his death is just plain wrong. What a horrible way to go.

[Deja Q]

7. Is there a good way to go?

Thought not.

At least he died doing what he loved. Not all of us are so lucky. :shrug:

[Taxloss]

8. There are less painful and terrifying ways to go.

Having a hole punched in your chest by a venomous animal while under water ... I'd prefer to die in my sleep, I think.

It's a trite thing to say but maybe "it's what he would have wanted".

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. An Article Last Night Did Say That Death Was Instantaneous.

He probably didn't even have a fraction of a second to know what hit him. It most likely was instantaneous and he probably felt zero pain. Though the way he went was horrible in and of itself, just based on the extremely low probability of such a thing occurring, any time death comes instantaneously it is probably an ok way to go. Better than that guy who's bitch wife spilled the boiling oil on him right?

[Taxloss]

20. True. n/t

[elehhhhna]

27. He did much for conservation yesterday, though --

The only good to come from this is that stingray "city" in Cayman will lose a lot of traffic. Perhaps now the north sound reefs can recover. Steve's legacy of death by stingray will probably do more for reef conservation than he could have even imagined.

[mcscajun]

30. His show was just the tip of the iceberg. This man did so much more

for conservation than can be seen on Animal Planet or in the tabloids. Profits from The Crocodile Hunter went into his conservation efforts, he founded the Internationl Crocodile Rescue effort, the Australia Zoo, and started a conservation organization that originally bore his name, but is now known as the Wildlife Warriors Foundation.

He also used his own funds to set aside large tracts of land as wildlife refuge and established many endangered animal breeding programs, and has spoken out against the market in endangered animal parts as food and decor.

[whistle]

3. Neo-Conservative snarks abound....

<snip>
I Am Always Amazed That These People Still Operate
by Clayton Cramer 9/11/2004

The Communist Party, USA, of course, is banging the drum for defeating George Bush. What amazes me is that anyone associates themselves with such an organization with the 20th century's horrifying history. It would be like calling yourself a Nazi. Yet I'm sure that the Communist Party, USA still has a significant fraction of college professors as members.

http://www.professorbainbridge.com/2004/09/snarky_comment_.html

[OzarkDem]

11. It doesn't justify liberals doing the same

One would think liberals would hold themselves to a higher standard of behavior than neo-cons and cons.

As a party that represents compassion, fairness and concern for the underdog, these attitudes are inappropriate and just plain wrong. We should be working on ways to make progress and improve the world, not tear others down.

The bigoted remarks about blonde women as well as the nasty remarks about someone recently departed aren't coming from true liberals, but perhaps from people who don't understand what liberalism means. Perhaps they need to spend more time reflecting on their motivations or more years getting some experience in the real world to understand better ways to express themselves.

But as a liberal, I don't tolerate it or excuse it.

[MADem]

18. I'm with you

I can't get behind any cruelty to the guy. He's dead. And he's left family behind that have to deal with the loss, both emotional and financial. It's going to be a rough row to hoe for them.

[Deja Q]

6. Generation X?

"Generation X is notorious for rejecting advertising and commercial consumerism," says Hans. "Our natural reaction to it was this deep cynicism about everything. You listen to a CD, watch a movie, read a book, and you wonder who's trying to sell you what in this transaction. That's what really fed the initial impulse to snark. It's this vulnerability that we feel; that we're not safe to earnestly embrace anything because we suspect someone's going to take advantage of us."

Seems we X'ers are right. And not always for empty reason either.

[acmavm]

12. Rejecting commercialism and all they hype that goes along with it

is not new. In fact, it was one of the basic ideas that fueled the politics of the sixties and the early seventies.

Somehow though the lies and the hype and the phonyness always make a comeback. We got complacent and lazy because once we got rid of Nixon we foolishing believe the mantra 'Never Again'. So we took down our guard and the snakes that we ran out then went underground and slowly built up their power base. And guess what? They're the same snakes we're fighting now.

Don't pat yourself on the back too hard. We've been here before.

[gatorboy]

37. "Generation X is notorious for rejecting advertising and commercial

consumerism?"

Pffft! Generation X was built on advertising and commercial consumerism.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. In My Opinion Most Are Just Morons Scratching For Attention.

By all valid accounts Steve was an amazing person who was loved by many. He contributed greatly to environmental and conservationist causes and inspired multitudes of people. Those that I've seen standing on the mountaintop screaming "Yay, he's dead, good for him" are simply just seeking attention and provocation to satisfy their emptiness inside.

I think it's disgraceful to talk about people, especially deep down good people, in such ways upon their demise. It shows a complete lack of common sense and common decency and I'd love to tell each one of them to their faces to go fuck themselves. But then I realize it simply isn't worth it, as it is best to probably just ignore them.

God bless Steve and his family.

[Berry Cool]

17. You know, one of the things I admire about Keith Olbermann

is that as much of a snark-king as he is (and I do love that), he knows when to turn the snark-o-meter OFF. He'll snark at Tom Cruise all day, but give him a dying Pope to cover and the snark-o-meter is not in action. He's thoughtful and respectful, even of a man whose every philosophy he did not necessarily agree with.

Some people are such nihilists that they'll snark about anything. He's not one of them (unless the death is of some truly evil person or people--after all, he did report on Saddam's sons Uday and Qusay as being "ead-day").

He'll snark at airheaded celebrities all the day long, yet if Angelina Jolie is truly trying to do some good for the children of Africa or Brad Pitt is serious about helping rebuild New Orleans and not just photo-opping, he's respectful of that.

I can't help but wonder how he will cover the death of Steve Irwin (if he does). He's already shown the "dangling baby" clip many times as his idea of what NOT to do with your kid. But something tells me that his approach to this news won't be knee-jerk snarky.

[Jade Fox]

22. Excellent analysis.....

I feel the same way about writer/blogger James Wolcott, who is also in many ways the King of Snark. But Wolcott saves his most acidic snarkiness for the truly monstrous and breath-takingly idiotic people and events of our time. He is rarely just being catty, but is making important points. Like Olberman, Wolcott recognizes when someone is worthy of respect. Wolcott also regularly makes fun of himself.

My take on Irwin: I enjoyed him, but I do think he took foolish risks with dangerous animals, and his death is not surprising.

[The Count]

23. Well said. Snark as style is effective. As substance is repulsive.

If snark is all one can do, it's pathetic.
But in the right circumstances, it scores big. Michael Moore comes to mind - there's a reason why they hate him so much. It's not like he's the only one who covered those facts - he just reached his target bacause of the good use of...snark.

[idgiehkt]

31. that about sums it up for me

thanks for that apt description; if there's reason for snark it's one thing but snark for snark's sake or as part of a circle-jerk in the case of the tragic death of a good human being is repulsive.

[MuseRider]

14. There is a fine line between education

and entertainment. Without having read most of what has been said about Steve Irwin and his death I just wanted to say that.

As a former zoo keeper I must say that with every moment of feeling just terrible about the conditions our animals were forced to live in I also learned to recognize that the education provided was invaluable.

[hootinholler]

15. Crikey!

Good post.

-Hoot

[blondeatlast]

16. I've apologized on DU more than once for being too snarky, possibly

even to the OP, if memory serves.

Snark is generally foolish and bitter and counterproductive.

Great post, great links. Unfortunately those who need this lesson the most will avoid it like the plague. Nonetheless, it hasn't fallen on deaf ears.

:kick:&R

[idgiehkt]

19. thank you

I'm laughing to myself because I really didn't think this would get any replies, being an article in a New York culture/fasion magazine without direct relation to Irwin at all. But I was really struck by this article when I found it last month and I'm glad it's gotten a little wider audience.

[w4rma]

21. Snark and sarcasm are my pet peeves in politics. (nt)

[earth mom]

24. You know, snarking about someone or someone who deserves it is one thing

but snarking about someone like Steve who truly cared about animals is just downright low down and dirty in my book. What in the HELL did Steve do to deserve that shit?! Where in the hell is the respect for the dead?! :argh:

I say save the snarking for the truly evil bastards that are really destroying this country and world: the corrupt evil a$$holes in Washington D.C. and their equally corrupt and evil corporate masters! :grr:

[readmoreoften]

25. Kids 20-30!!! Good lord, how long are we kids for these days!

nice post

[idgiehkt]

26. I'll take the fifth on that one

I still have a couple more years in that category, lol.

[smoogatz]

28. A certain amount of snark is a good thing.

In the sense that at its best, snark pierces the veil of corporate, political and personal bullshit that often surrounds celebrities, politicians, pro athletes and other professional narcissists and full-time self-aggrandizers. The smartest progressive bloggers are extreme snarks (Atrios, Digby), IMO. They have a laser-like acuity for cutting through the crap and getting to the nut of a given issue. That said, snark in the wrong hands can be pretty annoying.

[lies and propaganda]

29. i think some people are just turned off

by the manhandling and obvious upsetting done to the animals. Sometimes it does not look very pleasant to the animals how they pull them out and the like.

[idgiehkt]

32. well, I know Irwin removed and relocated a lot of

nuisance crocodiles. I have also had the unpleasant experience (with no forewarning) of watching the other way it's done, which is done when there is no place for the croc or for money where they bait the croc and then use some kind of compression gun to kill it. I was watching OLN one night and they had caught a nuisance croc and I was thinking, oh, Crocodile Hunter/ Animal Cops Miami kind of thing and then they put that gun in the water and blue the animals brains out like nothing and then said "yep, it's all over now." So I guess the wrangling and roping and taping of these crocs is a little better than that. I don't like to watch them struggle and be hurt, but at least alot of them ended up at the Australia zoo.

[PresidentWar]

34. You can only fuck with the business end of Nature for so long

before you're dealt with. Not to dehumanize Steve or anything, I applaud and appreciate his work for conservation. But you know, in these parts they are pulling bodies out of our lakes and rivers EVERY SPRING....bodies of once living individuals who thought that the nature around them was not capable of doing them in. With people who like to push the envelope of the Way of Things, it's a ticking clock.

We are tiny flecks on the body of the gargantuan beast of Nature. If we pick hard enough, we get scratched off.

[idgiehkt]

39. I don't understand posts like this.

I was warned repeatedly and taught to fear sexual assault/murder as if it was almost an implied punishment for venturing out in nature alone as a female. Yet I have gone on many hikes to the top of mountains accompanied only by a dog, if that, with no weapons of any kind. I left work after many a night of working second shift in a factory in SC and parked at the end of unlit roads, sometimes on private property, to slip into the water and swim under the stars. When I was in the throes of an eating disorder I ran almost every night down an unlit frontage road beside an interstate near my house. The worst harm that ever came to me in the aforementioned category came from members of my extended family when I was very young, the very people who warned me what would happen to me if I strayed too far out into nature alone. I'm not saying there wasn't truth to what they said, because there is always risk, but I had to get out there, and not doing these things makes me miserable. There was never any safety around the people who were supposed to be keeping me safe. I just don't get it. I don't think Irwin was asking for it, any more than I was.

[vickitulsa]

35. Very interesting piece, thanks for posting, Idgie.

I've just been learning recently here at DU what "snark" is all about, and I know enough already to not like it -- or respect it or those who use it. Ironic how behaving in snarky ways, due (reportedly) to somewhat understandable disillusionment and a resulting lack of respect, may end up causing listeners assaulted with snark to lose respect for the one who uses it on them, eh?

My biggest problem with the completely unnecessary snarking on DU today about Steve Irwin's death has to do with the uncaring intrusions into fellow DUers' obvious grief.

I don't think snarkers could have missed the fact that far and away the majority of posters on the Irwin threads here express deep affection for the man and a lot of distress and sadness at his loss. What the snarkers have done is, IMO, like a person running rudely into a group of mourners gathered just after his sudden death to memorialize a beloved family member or friend, to share and deal with their own shock and pain at learning the bad news. This intruder gets right into the faces of those who are grieving together, shouting at them his insults of the deceased, criticizing his entire life and work disrespectfully, starting and maintaining arguments, and giggling in inner glee over the man's tragic death. Right into the faces of those who love him and who are suffering his loss deeply at this early moment. Saying he deserved an ugly, early death.

If becoming socially or verbally "hip" by using snark is what many are adopting as acceptable behavior, I can say I'll never be hip again! Totally tasteless and hurtful to others ... doesn't that about cover it?

[farmboxer]

36. I will miss Steve Irwin. He was a very good human being

Perhaps neo-cons are happy about his death, but anyone who cares about the environment, it's creatures, global warming, etc., should be very depressed.

I feel so sorry for his family also. Today, esp. under Bush, we need him badly.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

38. it's junior high school stuff.

Some people never graduate.