It’s no secret print media is hurting, and that the New York Times– which was once media’s Goliath– is not the heartbeat of media that it once was. While it is hard to conduct an autopsy of something before it has completely died, many people have still tried to find out what it is that is killing print media. While it might not reveal the whole truth, those seeking answers about why places like the New York Times have hit a roadblock, should look no further than the article, “Out of the Loft, Into Reality; A Hipster Quits Williamsburg, and Gets a Haircut” by Michael Brick.
While it is true that this article was written in 2004– and could have potentially been a great read then (I can’t see how I’m just trying to be nice)– it reads now like a literary representation of the Steve Buschemi gif. What’s strange is the author was only thirty at the time so it shouldn’t feel so out of touch, but it is seemingly told through the lens of someone’s step-Dad attempting to identify with them or the character Amy Brookenheimer from VEEP. For instance, the line when Brick writes, “Love is a funny thing. It can spin a cynical hipster around like a record (baby, right round, round, round),” I cringed so hard my back cracked. If I’m correct, (and maybe I’m not) he is referencing a song from 1984, called “You Spin me Around” by Dead or Alive. This means he is making a pop culture reference from 20 years ago (at the time of the article) in a piece which trying to tell a story through the lenses of people who are “in touch.” Just an incredible swing and a miss.
The reality of this story– which truly illustrates how off base Brick’s writing was– is that it is not a story. I’m going to tell this “story” in three sentences, ready?
A guy who used to party a lot with his friends is moving out of his apartment and put it up for sale because he is settling down with his girlfriend. He got a new job and also got a haircut, which is somehow relevant.
Oh whoops, did it in two.
I just don’t understand. Is this not one of the most common stories in the history of mankind? A guy was working regular jobs and living with his roommates and partying at the crazy age of *checks notes* 28? The horror! Then he– and here’s where it gets crazy– meets a girl he’s in love with so he moves out? Wild! Then he gets a haircut and a more serious job??? I might pass out.
Ask any 28 year old in any city and I bet they can list five dudes they know who lived this exact story without even thinking that hard.
Perhaps the story here lies how truly unique Todd Fatjo is, but you would not be able to tell that from the writing. When he says “It was just some guy with a job,” who took his apartment listing, Brick acts like this is statement is something to behold. And maybe it was, but you can’t tell from the context. It likely was Fatjo just saying, “Wow, I wish a guy who was at a phase in his life where fun is the main priority was taking my spot because that’s how my other roommates are currently living.”
Maybe this whole story was about trying to find authenticity in a gentrified world. However, Brick does not seem like one to root for authenticity and his line saying “this month he had the Afro shorn to a nice, respectable wave,” does not sit well with me.
In conclusion, this article should have been shaved down to respectable shreds.
