This seems to be a more and more prevalent problem these days. Whether it’s due to internet memes, a person’s own sad life or whatever – why do some people want to use speech reminiscent of “I Can Haz Cheezeburger” or whatever? Or be overly gushy with people – even someone they’ve never met in real life?
Language, for me, is a domain where I don’t particularly like “cutseiness” So “I Can Haz Cheezeburger” really does nothing for me. But that’s just a matter of style.
As for being “gushy” with people you’ve never met in real life—this is something I’ve had some trouble with. Despite my heavy use of the computer, I do have some wariness for non-face-to-face communication. But one thing, probably the most important thing, that Fluther has taught me, is that the medium doesn’t matter all that much. That is: while communication is much easier and fuller when done in person, all interpersonal communication has the same ultimate effect.
I don’t think “gushiness”, over any medium, is a bad thing in itself. It’s only when the total sum of communication is made up of gushiness, when there’s no substance underneath it, that it is problematic.
“Are they just sad and lonely, and need a way to connect? Do they think being cutesy will make people overlook their lack of confidence or make up for other shortcomings in their life? Is it just that Daddy didn’t give enough hugs?”
I think it’s quite the opposite, really. Sad and lonely is the person who has some kind of a problem with beautiful things, or with people who love beautiful things. If you get something out of ignoring the part of your humanity that is drawn to beauty, or if you don’t have one, or if you think that that it is a “problem” of our culture that rabbits are adorable, all I can really say is: I’m sorry. Because you’re missing out.
Yes, perhaps our culture has overdone it. Perhaps the interwebs are too full of rainbows and unicorns. Repetition will make you sick of anything. You can only see so many “lol cats” (in my innocence, an innocence I’ve tried very hard to maintain, I’ve never actually come to know exactly what an “lol cat” is. Cultural virginity is an impossible goal, however, so despite my efforts I think I have a rather clear picture, if not a complete knowledge, of the cultural phenomenon the term refers to,) without getting sick of them.
A wise man once said “Everyone needs to get a cat.” I think this is the truest thing I’ve heard all week. Perhaps I’d modify it to say everyone needs to get a rabbit. (Again, just a matter of style.)
I myself may be a bit sick of seeing reproductions of beautiful, heart warming things on the internet. But that doesn’t devalue the essence of beauty. That doesn’t cheapen the loveliness of a sunset; that doesn’t constitute a “problem” in my book.
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