February 27 - "The Braindead Megaphone"

“The Braindead Megaphone”
by George Saunders
The Braindead Megaphone (2007)

* * * * * (Excellent) Essay

We no longer live in a world where we can think clearly, think without the interruption of the world around us. This chattering media onslaught has worked to dumb us down, as it loudly spews forth the inane, the obvious, and the stupid. It has succeeded in masking the troubles of the world and decreasing our ability to make intelligent and thoughtful decisions regarding the lives we live and the people we impact.

Now, I’m not normally one that gravitates toward nonfiction, especially essays, but this is some interesting – and engaging – material. The problem is: great writing easily sways me. I’m quick to jump to a way of thinking if it is explained in a way that I find enjoying. Saunders, in this essay, would say that is true of most Americans – that we would be easily pacified by the “dopey communication” that has become the media norm since the sensationalism of the O.J. Simpson trial (the first one) and each major media event afterward. The premise of the essay is that the loudest man is the man heard, even if the loudest man is unintelligent, uninformed, inexperienced, and with an agenda, subtle or not. Our developing reliance on this man has limited our ability to think, reason, and make intelligent choices. There’s a great example of how newscasters present such frivolous and idiotic stories such as malls getting busy at Christmas with such seriousness and solemnity. And we swallow it as news and truth and importance.

The following sentence was what sealed this essay’s strength and impact for me:

“Furthermore, I suspect, it [stupidity dominating reason] subtly degraded our ability to make bold, meaningful sentences, or laugh at stupid, ill-considered ones.”

I see this all the time in the weak sentences passed off as quality work, and it frustrates and saddens me. It is why I appreciate great writing as much as I do.

February 12 - "Frank Lloyd Wright"

“Frank Llyod Wright”
by Deb Olin Unferth
Minor Robberies (2007)

* * * (Good) Essay

The life of architectural genius, Frank Lloyd Wright, in about a page and a half.

(And the sad thing is he did more in that page and a half than most people, myself included, could do in two lifetimes.)

This essay was like reading a scribbling 5th grader’s biography of Frank Llyod Wright. But, I think that was the point. At first, not knowing much about Wright, I wasn’t sure – couldn’t believe – that the events told in the tale were true. It was only after a bit of research upon completion of the essay that I found the fantastic to be, well, factual. Multiple wives and axe-murdering servants and fires, flameouts, and fights – this man was the rock star of the architectural world. Unferth almost has to write this story as a 5th grader would – filled with wonder and awe. This stylistic approach gives the story a unique rhythm and flow. The only problem was that at points, the sentences became a bit too confusing in their intentional lack of skill. I do not mind re-reading sentences, but I do so only to enjoy their greatness once again, not because they lack clarity.

January 13 - "Trickster in a Suit of Lights"

“Trickster in a Suit of Lights”
by Michael Chabon
Maps and Legends (2008)

* * * * * (Excellent) Essay

A collection of compelling arguments in favor of entertainment and the pleasure it provides us. Also included is an argument for the best type of short story.

This is the essay that would have sparked this project if I hadn’t already stumbled upon the idea by chance or luck a month ago. Chabon’s view of entertainment is not a newly voiced opinion on the topic. His are views shared by Stephen King and many other authors of works typically deemed less-than-literary. What they do, however, is explain – so much better than I – my own views on the topic. Entertainment is not a “guilty pleasure” – I, and many others, just don’t feel guilt for taking pleasure in entertainment. And just because a work falls nicely into a certain genre does not make it any less worthy of attention, of enjoyment. According to Chabon, genre stories are simply stories that follow certain rules and patterns – not that different from any “literary” tale that follows the structure of the tales that came before it. It all goes back to that idea that there are only a handful of stories in the word. In fact, Chabon suggests that the most powerful, most meaningful modern (short) stories are those that skirt the gray area between “literature” and genre.

There is so much going on in this essay that I can’t possibly do justice to the thoughts and arguments presented. I can only hope that people find this essay – take it to heart – and believe in the power, pleasure, and rightness of entertainment.