Seeing good-looking people debase themselves has to be part of the show's appeal. What's not clear, however, is whether that debasement has a sexual element, or whether it's simply all about the schadenfreude. I'm guessing it's a bit of both.
I've decided to go there to visit. Should I find out that I was offered the job I interviewed for last week that would pay ~3x what my stipend would be, well, that would affect my decision to attend.
I suppose I am particularly interested in aesthetics and the history of art as a concept), and in a much more inchoate way continental philosophy.
Hm. I'm not sure who to talk about that--maybe Nadeem Hussain? I remember he gave a talk at Pittsburgh about Nietzsche. Looking at the webpage, Follesdal is a big shot (don't know how to do the slash 'o'), though I didn't even know he worked in those areas, and David Hills is also from what I hear worth talking to. Strange, I would've pegged you as a phil language kinda guy.
Tripp, that made perfect sense, but there wasn't any low-hanging fruit around so I had to force something. Look at the blatant setup I just gave Wolfson with the slash 'o'.
Is that part of all or most episodes? And even if it is, do you really think it's most of the popularity?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 1:05 PM
Correct. You should not say this.
Posted by praktike | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 1:14 PM
I must join in the disagreement. But I do think that one would do well to track down some reason for the show's popularity; I have yet to find one.
Posted by Adam Kotsko | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 1:24 PM
I'm reminded of a blowjob-gone-wrong story, involving yogurt, but am not sure I should share.
Posted by ac | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 2:30 PM
I'm sure. You shouldn't.
Posted by Mitch Mills | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 2:36 PM
Well, there's also a decidedly non-weird sexual thing about watching generally attractive women wearing generally revealing clothing.
I've actually only seen a few episodes, none of which involved eating gross stuff, but all of which involved swimming.
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 2:41 PM
Yes, I think the allusion is enough.
Posted by ac | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 2:41 PM
nm
Posted by spasm | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 2:44 PM
Seeing good-looking people debase themselves has to be part of the show's appeal. What's not clear, however, is whether that debasement has a sexual element, or whether it's simply all about the schadenfreude. I'm guessing it's a bit of both.
Posted by pjs | Link to this comment | 03-13-05 3:10 PM
I agree with eb. I literally skip over the gross second stunt, and watch the first and/or the third.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 7:37 AM
The gross stunts are just gross. I stop watching when the bring out the maggots.
Posted by joe o | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 12:15 PM
I literally skip over the gross second stunt
Slow day... I'm going to envision Tripp tra-la-la, flower behind his ear, literally skipping over some guy chugging a maggot.
matt
['I wouldn't do this if the comments were more happening']
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 12:41 PM
So, who should I talk to at stanford?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 12:48 PM
['I too wouldn't be doing this were the comments more active']
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 12:48 PM
You've decided to go to Stanford? Cool. There are lots of great people there. What are you particularly interested in?
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 12:51 PM
I've decided to go there to visit. Should I find out that I was offered the job I interviewed for last week that would pay ~3x what my stipend would be, well, that would affect my decision to attend.
I suppose I am particularly interested in aesthetics and the history of art as a concept), and in a much more inchoate way continental philosophy.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 12:59 PM
matt,
Slow day... I'm going to envision Tripp tra-la-la, flower behind his ear, literally skipping over some guy chugging a maggot.
I meant in the Tivo sense, but if you do envision me that way, please enhearing me with Tiny Tim's "Tiptoe through the Tulips" playing.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 1:57 PM
Hm. I'm not sure who to talk about that--maybe Nadeem Hussain? I remember he gave a talk at Pittsburgh about Nietzsche. Looking at the webpage, Follesdal is a big shot (don't know how to do the slash 'o'), though I didn't even know he worked in those areas, and David Hills is also from what I hear worth talking to. Strange, I would've pegged you as a phil language kinda guy.
Tripp, that made perfect sense, but there wasn't any low-hanging fruit around so I had to force something. Look at the blatant setup I just gave Wolfson with the slash 'o'.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 2:37 PM
ø ø.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 2:41 PM
The question is, what is that thing called?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 2:42 PM
I don't know, but it's a one-letter word meaning 'island'.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 2:53 PM
Ø may mean "island" but Å is on an island.
Posted by Anonymous | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 5:52 PM
That was me (#22).
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 03-14-05 6:01 PM