Book Review: Fussell on Class

thanks for that article. her critique was as funny as it was biting, but maybe that's more a critique of my own class consciousness =)

having been to this dog park, i can't help giggling at this description:

> "This is not the brand-new Ramones T-shirt sported so conspicuously by needy soul-patched 50-ish alternadads at the Silver Lake dog park."

to be fair, (nearly) everyone at the dog park is nice and friendly.

and on ego fragility as it relates to urbanization:

> "In the relatively affluent post–Cold War era, the search for self-expression has evolved into a desire to not have that self-expression challenged, which in turn necessitates living among people who think and feel just as you do. It’s why so many bohemians flee gritty Los Angeles for verdant Portland, where left-leaning citizens pride themselves on their uniform, monotonously progressive culture—the Zipcars, the organic gardens, the funky graphic-novel stores, and the thriving alternative-music scene. (In the meantime, I’ve also noticed that Portland is much whiter than Los Angeles, disconcertingly white.)"

and quoting gyourko:

> "The city’s new product was lifestyle."

exclusive lifestyle is in exceedingly high demand, so the pressure is to limit immigration and inflate prices in desirable cities.

and finally,

> "All I had to offer was babysitting. Inquired the Wellesley girl: “Can you send me a job description?” I wrote back: “BABYSITTING! $12 an hour!” She took it."

wonderfully terse. strunk and white would be proud.