A good, Christian woman would applaud Megan McArdle's post about the hardships of being a writer, especially in the age of recession. Fortunately I am only one of those things.
Point the first: I told you so. I told you you'd suffer from this disaster, which you and your fellow elite wanna-bes cheered on. Good. Now maybe you'll learn to be less callous towards those in genuine need, though I doubt it.
Point the second: You are being paid to write, making you one of the most fortunate creatures on the planet. I write or read research material every day for free. Stop whining and man up and thank your parents for buying you an education that purchased admiration and respect and jobs.
Point the third: If you are so shallow and insecure that you must live up to someone else's spending, too bad. Learn to go without like all the poor people whom you blame for all their own problems. Hey, maybe if you were a better person you'd be richer!
You call your credit score a sign of a life well-lived. You have no idea. You are not going to enjoy this depression, and I told you that as well.
I'm always amazed at Megan's concept of poverty. For her, it's not being able to take trips to Europe or having to put a backpacking trip to Colorado on her credit card. The poor thing can't even afford fancy coffee. She's stunningly clueless.
ReplyDeleteTry going hungry, McArdle. Try actually working 16 hours a day (which you don't, so stop lying about that) and still wondering if you're going to be able to scrape together the rent. Try not being able to afford coffee AT ALL. Try never even dreaming of going to Europe, let alone having to pass on the group cruise your friends are planning, you pampered, spoiled dolt.
Clever p, the comments are hysterical. They're bickering at each other and competing to see who can be the most sanctimonious. One commenter told Megan that the boyfriend should work at Whole Foods so they can afford to shop there. Ouch!
ReplyDeleteThe comments are a riot. I can't see how a guy openly admitting that he dug himself into debt living beyond his means is "brave," as Megan insists. Sure, it's hard to admit when you've done something stupid, but it's not bravery.
ReplyDeleteAnd if she uses that "lean into the strike zone..." line one more time, I'm flying out to DC just to slap her. She hasn't got an ounce of creativity as a writer.
If you "lean in to the strike zone" and get hit, it's a strike. You get on base if the pitcher hits you OUT OF THE STRIKE ZONE. If you could get on base by leaning over the plate and getting hit, every batter would do that--forcing the pitcher to throw balls. I've pointed this out to Megan several times in her comments to no avail. Imagine that.
ReplyDeleteThat, and "taking one for the team" means you've made a sacrifice for the benefit of others. Some econo writer's over-lengthy lament about being in debt during this crisis is not "taking one for the team." It's wallowing in self-pity, which is just about as far from sacrifice a person can get.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm trying to imagine any scenario where an economics journalist could write ANYTHING that would be considered "taking one for the team."
I guess McArdle thought he was brave to confess that out of envy and vanity (as well as the standard problems in life) the writer went deeply into debt.
ReplyDeleteThis is yet another reason why real journalists don't socialize with their sources. And why you shouldn't depend on biased sources as your main source of information. Real journalists read source material and separate truth from lies, depending on your deadline, of course. They contact many sources.
Another Villager, who wants to be part of the tribe and couldn't even afford it. Like Megan, which is why she identifies with the article.
I sound like such a scold, but ethical standards exist for a reason--and people like Megan think the rules are for the little people.