Thank you, Tom! Most of your essays resonate with me but this particular piece Is very spot on (because I am going to publish something pretentious tomorrow).
When I write something I always think about how authentic it is. “Can I use this reference?”, “Is this word used by no one? I found it in a book and quite like it”, “Am I competent enough to write about this?”, “Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right..?” (was it pretentious?) – and other things like that. They have some resemblance with impostor syndrome (is it related somehow with pretentiousness?), at least in my mind. Thus I ended up not writing under my legal name and now I don’t care (almost). Is using a pseudonym considered pretentious? At least it frees me from that kind of feelings (almost). Maybe it helps to break “the wall”? Just thinking out loud.
One question I have been thinking about for the last few months, and perhaps now it’s a good time and place to ask it. Do you think self-irony (with no depreciation) and pretentiousness are related? Does self-irony require being a bit pretentious? Maybe I don't get it
Only this morning I was worrying that mentioning Dostoevsky to my in-laws on the way to the beach was ... pretentious. But I love his stuff! I think that's where perceived pretentiousness is excusable or maybe even fools the sensors - if you own it, love it, etc. Then "pretentious" is indeed a pejorative.
As much as I value authenticity, I've always been a bit pretentious.
I realised a while back that my frustration towards society came from its insistence on seriousness. My natural playfulness is considered childish and my creativity foolish. Oh well. I've come to love those traits regardless of what others might think.
I'm off to fish out my beret and head to the local gallery. Cheers!
I must admit I gobbled this up quick. There are certain accusations that make me question if a crime has been committed. Pretentiousness being one, immaturity being the other.
You may be like me and find yourself accused of "thinking too much about things".
What people call pretentiousness is their own fear of shallowness projected onto you. People read a book or watch a film and return a verdict of "It was good" that being the beginning and ending of their analysis. Pretensious people use deep consideration when it comes to knowing what they like.
Pretensious people, to borrow a phrase from money twitter, "niche down". They know what they like and will not tolerate that which they do not.
Thank you for articulating those invisible feelings Thomas. Fantastic piece.
Pretentiousness says more about the person providing the insult.
Thank you, Tom! Most of your essays resonate with me but this particular piece Is very spot on (because I am going to publish something pretentious tomorrow).
When I write something I always think about how authentic it is. “Can I use this reference?”, “Is this word used by no one? I found it in a book and quite like it”, “Am I competent enough to write about this?”, “Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right..?” (was it pretentious?) – and other things like that. They have some resemblance with impostor syndrome (is it related somehow with pretentiousness?), at least in my mind. Thus I ended up not writing under my legal name and now I don’t care (almost). Is using a pseudonym considered pretentious? At least it frees me from that kind of feelings (almost). Maybe it helps to break “the wall”? Just thinking out loud.
One question I have been thinking about for the last few months, and perhaps now it’s a good time and place to ask it. Do you think self-irony (with no depreciation) and pretentiousness are related? Does self-irony require being a bit pretentious? Maybe I don't get it
Cheers,
John (am I?)
Only this morning I was worrying that mentioning Dostoevsky to my in-laws on the way to the beach was ... pretentious. But I love his stuff! I think that's where perceived pretentiousness is excusable or maybe even fools the sensors - if you own it, love it, etc. Then "pretentious" is indeed a pejorative.
As much as I value authenticity, I've always been a bit pretentious.
I realised a while back that my frustration towards society came from its insistence on seriousness. My natural playfulness is considered childish and my creativity foolish. Oh well. I've come to love those traits regardless of what others might think.
I'm off to fish out my beret and head to the local gallery. Cheers!
I must admit I gobbled this up quick. There are certain accusations that make me question if a crime has been committed. Pretentiousness being one, immaturity being the other.
You may be like me and find yourself accused of "thinking too much about things".
What people call pretentiousness is their own fear of shallowness projected onto you. People read a book or watch a film and return a verdict of "It was good" that being the beginning and ending of their analysis. Pretensious people use deep consideration when it comes to knowing what they like.
Pretensious people, to borrow a phrase from money twitter, "niche down". They know what they like and will not tolerate that which they do not.
Thank you for articulating those invisible feelings Thomas. Fantastic piece.
Have a wonderful Sunday!