Why Irony Is So Freaking Annoying

Irony used to not be a thing, or at least not the sort of thing that it is these days. People liked what they liked and even though this sometimes resulted in people sort of blindly liking whatever was popular in the mainstream, everyone was a lot more sincere.

It’s masturbatory. A lot of times when people say or do things ironically it’s really just a thinly-veiled excuse to talk about oneself. When a tiny hipstress girl goes on and on about how her favorite snack is two pieces of pepperoni pizza stacked on top of each other and dipped in buffalo sauce, isn’t that pretty much just like saying, “Jesus christ, I’m so skinny! Aren’t I tiny and quirky and silly and laidback!” If you actually liked that, then just like it. You wouldn’t have to tell the internet.

It’s a diversion. Whenever someone is like, “Omg I just Shazamed a Skirllex song ;(((((” I can’t help but wonder if the person actually likes the song, or if they like being able to make an ironic comment about a popular buzz topic, or if talking without sincerity about their music preferences frees them from the potential shame and embarrassment of actually making their preferences known.

It’s just old. Liking things ironically is passe. I’m sick of newsfeeds full of references to 90s pop culture and intentionally unflattering self-portraits and girls liking ‘boy stuff’ because it’s quirky and unexpected. Stop it. Express an earnest preference, please. I’m actually interested in that.