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Ethel Cain says we are in an irony epidemic – is she right?
She’s not wrong. In recent years, I’ve noticed that, as a culture, we struggle to engage sincerely with art – or with life (at least, that’s how it seems online). I first observed this in 2016 when Donald Trump ran for president; his actions and comments were defanged as he was endlessly memed because no one thought he’d actually win. I saw it... See more
Halima Jibril • Ethel Cain says we are in an irony epidemic – is she right?
There are countless examples of how we turn everything into a meme or a joke online. Musician Ethel Cain (Hayden Silas Anhedönia) has noticed this too, ranting on Tumblr earlier this week about how “nobody takes anything seriously anymore“. “It makes me feel so crazy and annoyed because I am constantly bombarded by jokes,” she wrote. The... See more
Halima Jibril • Ethel Cain says we are in an irony epidemic – is she right?
Sometimes, things are serious. Not everything needs to be turned into a joke. As Anhedönia said, we can still make jokes and laugh, but we’ve lost the ability to know when to stop – and it’s time we learned how.
Halima Jibril • Ethel Cain says we are in an irony epidemic – is she right?
Irony Epidemic - I love to call everything an epidemic
In recent years, I’ve noticed that, as a culture, we struggle to engage sincerely with art – or with life (at least, that’s how it seems online).
Halima Jibril • Ethel Cain says we are in an irony epidemic – is she right?
I’ve noticed it with the memeification of Brat , a trend Charli xcx and her team leaned into, which to some extent diluted the more serious themes of motherhood, ageing and grief on her album.
Halima Jibril • Ethel Cain says we are in an irony epidemic – is she right?
Musician Ethel Cain (Hayden Silas Anhedönia) has noticed this too, ranting on Tumblr earlier this week about how “nobody takes anything seriously anymore“.