Mariette Hartley and James Garner used to do a series of TV commercials. Not quite narrative, but so rich with character that the audience was engaged. Maybe that sort of thing still happens, I wouldn’t know. Everything I see around me is getting as abridged as an old Dana Carvey impersonation. One characteristic line, one image or gesture is enough. It’s narrative by logo, no need for transitions or inductive reasoning.
My adored Twitter aside, let’s face it, we’re becoming a culture of captions. Celebrities are identified by a single trait. Political issues, and politicians, are painted either red or blue. Similes are rampant; everything is “like” something else. That similarity suffices for description, and I for one don’t like it.
This entropy also affects written language. Our complex, heartfelt emotions reduce to smileys. Psychotherapy should be much easier now. Go ahead and text how you really feel. The response might well be a prescription for dietary supplements, or a pharmaceutical “as seen on TV”.
Adjectives are good. So are adverbs. I mean this! :0
Which reminds me, Jim, how are you coming with “Atlas Shrugged”?
4 comments:
i'm not really a critic, I just play one at home.
L.A. Weaklyg
Just testing to see if this comment goes through-- no idea why the others didn't. Thanks for the emails, everyone! They're all appreciated. Big xx's
excellent, astute, clever, well-crafted, crafy, erudite, entertaining, enjoyable, fun, fun, fun, and... add your own adverbs.
(hope this is working again now!!)
hay, it worked. sorry for the typos. didn't proof, cuz i wasn't sure if it would even post.
however, it looks as though i'm back in the saddle again. well, ok, bareback. (insert emoticon here)
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