Eating the Dinosaur, if by dinosaur you mean journalism
Posted on 06. Dec, 2009 by Simon in media, Pop Culture
Chuck Klosterman has carved a unique niche in journalism with his naval-gazing-Gonzo style of media criticism; punctuating his idiosyncratic observational wit with self-deprecating personal anecdotes. Moreover, the former SPIN senior writer is a contrarian pop-culture consumer who enjoys Weezer (even the new stuff), NBA basketball, Mad Men, Friday Night Lights, time travel and Animal Collective. Is it any wonder I’m a fan?
Still, reading Klosterman’s latest book Eating The Dinosaur, it dawned on me that if the Minnesota native is the natural progression of Hunter S. Thompson for the Pabst-set, than what we’re really seeing here is the point of no return.
Perhaps it should have been clear when Klosterman published his first fictional short-novel last year, but it is abundantly crystal now — interjecting himself into stories is no longer sufficient when he can get away without a story entirely.
Previous anthologies by Klosterman were collections of published works — but asides from a brief (albeit ongoing) discussion with Ira Glass and Errol Morris at the start of Eating, there is not a sign of journalism in sight. Klosterman has graduated to full-on media criticism, resulting in a series of essays that will definitely entertain and satisfy his fans, but also serves to turn him into essentially a very, very talented blogger.
In context, I suppose this was always to be expected. In an era where fame and celebrity are the most common pursuits du jour, Gonzoish writing has become the de-facto prosaic style of the internet and increasingly even established media columnists.
I’m frankly unsure how I feel about this. I don’t want to discuss The Death of Journalism, but there is most certainly a lot to consider about the abundance of opinions (mostly stupid) we now have to wade through on a daily, even hourly basis. As an unabashed consumer of pop-culture it is at the very least intriguing seeing the impact and evolution traditional journalism has had on todays status quo.
Despite my mild trepidation however, it’s tough to read Klosterman and not be amazed by his conversational aptitude. He might have indirectly helped create a monster, but the dude is still capable of writing circles around the average online smart ass. It should be noted that the most under appreciated (but important) facet of extrapolating your personality from Gonzo journalism is that you’d better have an interesting personality.
It’s no surprise that despite all the snark, what makes Klosterman so unique and successful is that he’s so damn astute most of the time, even when he’s not right. His ability to express simple ideas in brilliantly concise and colloquial terms is at times mind blowing. To wit:
Mad Men’s protagonist is Don Draper, a pathological liar who charms women by grabbing their vaginas in crowded restaurants.
- Chuck Klosterman, Eating The Dinosaur
I don’t know anybody else who could have crafted that sentence, but it’s more accurate in tone and detail than any of the many lines I’ve ever read about Don Draper or the show Mad Men. Similarly, there are times during Eating The Dinosaur when you realize — like any good conversationalist — Klosterman isn’t necessarily convincing, but at the very least he’s making interesting points, causing you to think about your own opinions.
He might not be breaking any stories but if there was one person I’d ever want to be trapped in an elevator with, it most certainly would be Natalie Portman. Followed very closely by Chuck Klosterman.
Anupa
Dec 7th, 2009
I avoided reading Klosterman for so long because everyone just freaking couldn`t stop talking about him. Anyway, someone should`ve told me that he`s probably my soulmate. I love the way he writes. He`s actually very Gonzo-ish without being egomaniacal about it. Killing Yourself To Live was actually fantastic. I must buy this book and read it.
Also, is it wrong that I`d want to be trapped in an elevator with the Clipse? I love them.
jessekg
Dec 8th, 2009
Anupa, that’s funny you say that because I actually really like the style of his writing (or just the fact that someone makes a living of of being clever, which is hopeful to any journalist), but the one thing that really turns me away from his stuff is just how egomaniacal he is.
I read Killing yourself to live and now know more about his relationships than I do about dead rock stars (which is why I read it in the first place).
Also, I would want to be trapped in an elevator with Megan Fox and Keira Knightly, which I think means my hormones/taste are the same as a 13 year old’s.
Jef
Dec 8th, 2009
I woulda never thought to put Perez anywhere near the word Gonzo, but I guess with the way he himself has become what he writes about and is sometimes even in some Hunter S.-ish physical danger for it (lol shoutouts to Will.i.am), why not.
As for the elevators, I choose the werewolf kid from Twilight. Not for the reasons you think, but because I’m sure he can break me out and carry me to safety.