3/10/05
I'd like to end Media Criticism Week here on the blog with one last rant: I simply cannot stand for this pervasive idea of "conventional wisdom." Loosely explained, the CW is basically "the general opinion of those in the know." The phrase had been knocking around for a while, but Newsweek crystallized it about a decade ago with its CW Watch snarkily inserted into the front of the magazine each week.
First off, Newsweek's use of the CW is so broad and belligerently stupid that I'm flabbergasted such a good magazine keeps it around. I guess it's where they show they can have a good a time as well as anybody, but the full-scale binary denunciations of entire movements, people and countries strikes me so reductivist as to be criminal.
Plus, what the hell is "conventional wisdom," anyway? It sounds like what parents used to say when they had no answers left: "because I said so." The CW is nothing more than the petty ramblings of about six - count 'em, six - members of the news literati who have decided they've got the fingers on the pulse of the American vena cava.
Think they're harmless and I'm ranting for no reason? Wait until the "CW" decides that your issue is boring or unworthy, and we'll see how quickly you scream at Injustice at the service of a Quick Joke. "CW says that gays should just give up the marriage thing." Ho, ho, ho - looks like the joke's on YOU, gays!
Besides, the CW of America is more and more meaningless as Americans become more and more disinformed and fractured. The conventional wisdom of a Blue State is wildly different than that of a Red State, thank god. Please, if I ever start using lazy terms like "conventional wisdom" seriously, I give you all permission to take me out back and hit me in the head with a shovel.
Posted by Ian Williams at March 10, 2005 11:14 PM"Please, if I ever start using lazy terms like 'conventional wisdom' seriously, I give you all permission to take me out back and hit me in the head with a shovel."
Ummm, isn't this coming from the guy whose only income for a decade or so was generated by attempts at defining the characteristics of an entire *generation* of people, as if 40 million or so folks from all over America had the same ideas and feelings? You have literally made your living off of *lazy terms.* Where does the shovel-whacking line start?
There's a place for "conventional wisdom" - history's straight man. In the long run, the joke is usually on CW.
- Conventional wisdom circa 1450 was certain the earth was flat.
- CW circa 1750 just *knew* that medicine totally hinged on maintaining a proper balance of the body's four humours.
- CW circa 1900 felt pretty safe asserting that if man were meant to fly, he'd have been born with wings.
Then there's that word "conventional," which ranks as the very last adjective I'd want to be described with, suggesting as it does mindless obedience to rules and tradition.
Besides, have you ever *been* to a convention?
Ian--Vintage ranting this week! You get an "up arrow".
(duck and run)
lazy terms? such as "blue state" and "red state" being applied to discussions of social and cultural issues?
It's true, I use lazy terms all the time! Alas, I am undone.
Still, I hate "CW" though.
Dude, did someone post a link to your blog on lgf or newsmax or something? What's with all the freaks?
Haters, go home. Watch Bill O'Lielly or something.
I disagree, DB, and I hope Ian does, too. I think it's good to hear from "the other side." I think it's time to disarm the hate-filled rhetoric and name-calling--unilaterally, if necessary.
In the rosiest scenario, we can start to seek some consensus. In the most cynical scenario, you get to know your "enemy" a little better.