Denby was right
Until yesterday, I had not had any significant meatspace human contact (aside from like “your total is $2.25” or something) in about a week. So when I went to the TA training conference at the U, it’s possible I might have still been in a bit of an Internet mindset. At one workshop, we were asked to go around the room and introduce ourselves to people by telling them our name, our department, and one thing we love. And so I sat there, firmly in my own head, thinking about it like an online meme: what could I say that wouldn’t be cheesy or cliche but would nevertheless depict me as an interesting, quirky, funny dude? I thought and I thought and I came up with an answer, but I wasn’t very satisfied with it. “Pork belly” is true, but veering a little too close to the overused bacon meme. Not unique enough! But I went with it.
Then I went around and heard other people’s answers. “The ocean.” “Chocolate.” “The Bible.” “Ultimate Frisbee.” And boy did I feel stupid. These were the kind of answers they were looking for, and there I was with my “pork belly,” which I had to repeat a few times anyway because no one was expecting it. The Internet sets high (but particular!) standards for our self-expression, but in normal human interaction it can make it seem like we’re trying way too hard.
But whatever. At least I didn’t say, like, “blowjobs” or something.
3 months ago
