Proust:
-- Although I have probably spent more time with Proust (days on end) than 90% of my friends, I'm not really sure that I would want to "hang out" with Proust, or even that I "like" him.
-- Although I think Proust is undoubtedly the greatest writer of the century, I am in *constant* fear that he will write about something embarassing or make a really bone-headed analogy. Like, I have zero confidence in him.

Language:
-- Talya's old roommates had a Fugazi poster in their kitchen, and at the bottom was one line of lyrics from each song on the album (ex:"I'm not your reason to crack and divide," "Sugar made it easy, ice made it cold," "I'm not waiting around for the kiss-off.") Every line was totally embarassing, because essentially they were all in this emo-lyric speech that I recently noticed had been transported to myspace, only now more thugged-out. It's basically the same, but with all these vague threats and "bitches" scattered throughout. This girl I knew in high school changed her email to "breakingheartsbreakingnecks@____.com" and besides being unacceptably clumsy as a working email address, this is a perfect example of this maddening vibe people have found as the new ideal.
-- There is an equally obnoxious (but less violent) twee version of this language, too.
-- The best example of any of this is any lyrics inciting or discussing "dancing."

Like:
"candle wax and dried up flowers; everyone was dancing" (goth; this is an actual lyric)
"dance dance dance dance to the radio" (post-punk; this is an actual lyric)
"dance dance dance we're falling apart to half time" (pop-punk; this is an actual lyric)
"dance to the sound of america's best-dressed fakeout" (screamo; this is an actual lyric)

or:
(these are ALL song titles by a band called Panic! At the Disco) (disco=dancing? get it?)

"nails for breakfast, tacks for snacks" (tough!)
"lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off" (misogyny! tough!)
"time to dance" (hahahaha)

I guess the easiest solution is not to wear the Che hat or a white belt, and instantly you will feel the desire to 'dance' (or to sing about it) slipping away; maybe I'm too widely read to feel that the trope of "dance dance revolution" is still fresh, but I am frankly surprised at everyone's tolerance and continued ecstatic embrace of such stale tropes. I guess my point is just, "why are people so lame?", but gosh...why ARE they?

Like...ugh!