A couple of weeks ago I saw this article in the NYT: OMG The Hyperbole of Internet Speak.
Choice quote:
R.I.P. to the understatement. Welcome to death by Internet hyperbole, the latest example of the overly dramatic, forcibly emotive, truncated, simplistic and frequently absurd ways chosen to express emotion in the Internet age (or sometimes feign it).
I have been collecting notes on this topic although my complaint is about the media in general.
Everything that’s been around for more than 15 minutes is iconic. Minor developments are game changing. Even the most mundane stories are jaw dropping, gut wrenching, astonishing. Poor weather is horrific or unimaginable. A dispute is described as the most divisive and threatening to tear a community apart. Accomplishments “change the way America [does something] forever.” A restaurant opening is the most hotly anticipated. It goes on and on. I saw a woman describe making a routine decision as soul searching.
My favorite was an article about a venerable eating establishment that was closing after 8 months. I went and looked up the word venerable thinking I must have misunderstood its meaning. I did not.
I have no conclusion other than these developments will destroy our way of life forever.
