Enough is enough. We must stand and fight.

In the hills and in the valleys. From sea to shining sea. From one vagina lover to another, I say we can win. We WILL win.

Keep the faith, and may your nipples stand proud and resolute, ready to take on all comers.

But the part of me that is winning out is basically saying, OMG, people are dumb, I’m going into hiding until November. Or maybe January.

Just a quick quibble, which you might want to edit to fix: the original name of the program where Moe and Tracie appeared is “Thinking and Drinking.” “Shoot the Messenger” is where the footage was reposted (it’s a site associated with Lizz Winstead’s comedy troupe).

Gessen’s characters are rich and complex — even when their dialogue is seemingly ordinary. These are passionate young men — they care deeply about history, literature, and politics. What I find most compelling about their characters is that they are at least trying to make something of this passion. They have great ambition… they want something more than just MONEY (I hate to admit this, but despite having intellectual interests galore — most of the men in my life are ultimately driven by one bottom line: MONEY).

I know which interview you’re speaking of and, although it is certainly an unconventional way to respond to a question about dating, I understood his point and found his Houllebecquian interpretation of post-60s dating (free market) and its semblance to a sort of competition associated with Capitalism to be…. true. We have too many choices, too many options… and an infinite number of potential partners leaves otherwise worthy men and women behind the “top tier” and most desirable. It’s Darwinian, in a way: only the most desirable will survive… all others will be weeded out and placed in the “weak” category. Miranda references this idea somewhere around season 2 or 3….

Miranda: Y’see, this is why I don’t date — the men out there are freaks.
Carrie: Well that’s completely unfair.
Miranda: I’m sorry, if a man is over 30 and single, there’s something wrong with him, it’s Darwinian — they’re being weeded out from propagating the species.
Carrie: Okay, what about us?
Miranda: We’re just choosy. I’m getting more shrimp.

I’m not exactly sure that this relates perfectly to Keith’s point, but this is what I immediately thought of after watching that interview. Dating has become a competition.

Maybe you’ll disagree with me when I say this… or maybe you just need to finish his book, but Gessen’s stories have forced me to consider how we (our generation) have relationships with ourselves, with our lovers, and with our work. These are the things that are important in my life (and, presumably, the lives of most) and therefore become themes that are absolutely worth considering.