The only thing I’m willing to say for certain about social media is that it’s ripe for satire.
As if we needed proof, one wag posted a whole satirical course syllabus for “Writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era” – and the fun begins right in the course description:
ENG 371WR:
Writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era
M-W-F: 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Instructor: Robert LanhamCourse Description
As print takes its place alongside smoke signals, cuneiform, and hollering, there has emerged a new literary age, one in which writers no longer need to feel encumbered by the paper cuts, reading, and excessive use of words traditionally associated with the writing trade. Writing for Nonreaders in the Postprint Era focuses on the creation of short-form prose that is not intended to be reproduced on pulp fibers.
Instant messaging. Twittering. Facebook updates. These 21st-century literary genres are defining a new “Lost Generation” of minimalists who would much rather watch Lost on their iPhones than toil over long-winded articles and short stories. Students will acquire the tools needed to make their tweets glimmer with a complete lack of forethought, their Facebook updates ring with self-importance, and their blog entries shimmer with literary pithiness. All without the restraints of writing in complete sentences. w00t! w00t! Throughout the course, a further paring down of the Hemingway/Stein school of minimalism will be emphasized, limiting the superfluous use of nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions, gerunds, and other literary pitfalls.
Another fave bit? Right here:
SECTION 2:
WRITING WORKSHOPI Can Haz Writin Skillz?
If you’re looking for a laugh (ROTFLASMKRH [rolling on the floor laughing and smaking my knee real hard]) – and can squeeze it in between tweets – give McSweeney’s a visit.
