In a few hours, I will be watching the Meghan and Harry interview along with the rest of the world. Not the whole world, though, because there are those who think they’re above such trivial things. “Oh, I have zero interest in that,” they will note condescendingly.
Think of all the people over the last few years who insisted, “I just don’t watch politics,” like that’s an achievement.
People who are too serious minded to watch the Oprah interview, and don’t care about Kim and Kanye’s divorce, and make a point of not knowing who Twitter is mad at, should be kind enough to tell us what they are interested in.
If they’re deliberately skipping the Meghan and Harry thing, what will they be doing that is more valuable? That’s what I want to know. Will they be reading Kierkegaard or pondering the Philosophy of Despair? Are they learning a new language or considering the nature of time and space?
I want to hear what Meghan and Harry have to say about their exile from the Royal family. I hope it’s shocking, or at least revealing. I’m interested because I’m a human being (barely!) and I’m fascinated by the behavior of my species. Because I have a working brain, I’m curious about the consequences of this marriage, and on a lesser level, about any marriage that anyone wants to tell me about.
I guess the aversion, or feigned aversion, to celebrity culture stems from the notion that gossip is a female past-time and therefore trivial and ridiculous. Who knows. I’d just like to hear what subjects and activities are “better” than these human dramas. When anyone tells you loftily that they have no interest in something, demand that they explain their ACTUAL interests.
Over the last year, I have spent hours reading essays on things I never cared about, and I’ve explored worlds that have nothing to do with me. I’ve tried to learn more about my areas of interest, like psychology, writing, and denim. My brain is packed with useless knowledge and some knowledge that might help me navigate my way through the torments of life. None of my knowledge will help me converse at a cocktail party but maybe it’s a form of hoarding. And nothing I know is more worthy than the things you know. If you know about golf or wine, good for you. I personally won’t be interested, but I won’t act like I’m superior.
So, Meghan and Harry, I can’t wait. I hope Oprah will interview Kim Kardashian, Cardi B, AOC, Desus and Mero, Mary Trump, Rachel Maddow, my neighbor who survived a brain tumor and a daughter in law who hates her. I plan to watch more Murder Shows, awards shows, and hopefully more autistic dating. I dare you to explain why your lack of appreciation for any of this makes you superior in any way.
I wouldn’t dream of judging anyone by their TV choices, unless it’s The Voice or that awful Ellen game show that is beyond the realm of any primate.
“ONCE AGAIN AMERICA WILL DEFEAT THE BRITISH MONARCHY BY SPILLING TEA” -@gcornish91
Amazing last paragraph, SW!
Philosophy of Despair. I clicked and it’s an interesting article and biography. My son read much philosophy- it was always Greek to me, ha ha. I liked the first quote that “the business of philosophy is to teach man to live in uncertainty….” My son would have liked that. Your writing is always thought provoking.
Sister Wolf, we need your opinion on the interview! Pretty please!
Simone – Ha, thank you. Did you watch??
Jeri – Our sons would have likes each other very much, I think. I’m glad you liked the Philosophy of Despair, it’s new to me, too.
Liz – Really? If I have an original thought about the interview, I will write about it!
It doesn’t have to be something original, we love reading whatever you have to say on any topic!!! Please do
I simply refused to watch it because my bitter black little heart doesn’t give a shit about the “struggles” of the rich, and I am sick of wealth worship. Same reason I don’t give any of them attention or buy anything with a celebrity name attached.
I didn’t watch it because I forgot. If Harry had been shirtless, I would have remembered to watch it. My interests include hunky gingers and PEZ.