The RFK Jr Scandal: A Tale of Excess and Self-Importance
The saga surrounding RFK Jr's illicit affair with a colleague has been reduced to a melodrama by the man himself, Ryan Lizza. Instead of embracing the farcical nature of his situation, he has attempted to elevate it to the level of high art. This self-regarding approach is emblematic of American journalism's propensity for seriousness, even when faced with scandalous circumstances.
Lizza and his co-author, Olivia Nuzzi, have taken their shared infidelity and the fallout that followed to new heights of melodrama. Their writing style is replete with overwrought metaphors - bamboo in the courtyard and wildfires - which serves only to underscore their inability to laugh at themselves. This earnestness has resulted in a narrative that reads like a parody of itself.
The wider media has failed to grasp the humor in the situation, instead choosing to dignify it with solemnity. Even Vanity Fair, once known for its irreverence, seems hesitant to poke fun at Nuzzi's appointment as West Coast editor, citing a desire to "own" her work and allow herself some levity.
It is time for American journalists to acknowledge that their profession has devolved into a self-serious endeavor. They would do well to recall that, in the grand scheme of things, they are not dealing with the weighty issues of world politics or high-stakes reporting. Instead, they are confronted with the mundane concerns of personal relationships and office romances.
A good laugh is just what the doctor ordered for American journalism, which has lost its sense of humor about itself. It's time to come down from their lofty perch and join the rest of us in enjoying a scandal without taking ourselves too seriously. After all, as the saying goes, "when in Rome," do as the Romans do - and that means embracing the absurdity of it all with a healthy dose of humor and humility.
The saga surrounding RFK Jr's illicit affair with a colleague has been reduced to a melodrama by the man himself, Ryan Lizza. Instead of embracing the farcical nature of his situation, he has attempted to elevate it to the level of high art. This self-regarding approach is emblematic of American journalism's propensity for seriousness, even when faced with scandalous circumstances.
Lizza and his co-author, Olivia Nuzzi, have taken their shared infidelity and the fallout that followed to new heights of melodrama. Their writing style is replete with overwrought metaphors - bamboo in the courtyard and wildfires - which serves only to underscore their inability to laugh at themselves. This earnestness has resulted in a narrative that reads like a parody of itself.
The wider media has failed to grasp the humor in the situation, instead choosing to dignify it with solemnity. Even Vanity Fair, once known for its irreverence, seems hesitant to poke fun at Nuzzi's appointment as West Coast editor, citing a desire to "own" her work and allow herself some levity.
It is time for American journalists to acknowledge that their profession has devolved into a self-serious endeavor. They would do well to recall that, in the grand scheme of things, they are not dealing with the weighty issues of world politics or high-stakes reporting. Instead, they are confronted with the mundane concerns of personal relationships and office romances.
A good laugh is just what the doctor ordered for American journalism, which has lost its sense of humor about itself. It's time to come down from their lofty perch and join the rest of us in enjoying a scandal without taking ourselves too seriously. After all, as the saying goes, "when in Rome," do as the Romans do - and that means embracing the absurdity of it all with a healthy dose of humor and humility.
? I think Lizza and Nuzzi would kill me for saying so, but come on, a bit of levity wouldn't hurt anyone! The over-the-top writing is just ridiculous 
. It's like they're trying to make us all feel sorry for them, but honestly, who hasn't had an office romance go wrong? 
And let's be real, if we can laugh at ourselves, maybe the whole industry will follow suit 
.
. I think what's really messed up here is that the media is taking themselves so seriously over this whole thing. Can we please just have a good laugh about it? 
to me... rfk jr's trying to spin this as some kind of poetic tragedy, but really it's just a dude getting caught up in his own ego 
"bamboo in the courtyard" wow, how original 
american journalism needs a good dose of humor and humility stat 
. newsflash, dude: we get it, you messed up. no need to throw in all these fancy metaphors and pretend you're some kinda literary genius 
. seriously though, can't American journalists just relax and have a laugh about themselves for once? it's not like they're reporting on world wars or anything 
... like they're trying to prove a point or something. Newsflash: we get it, you had some drama in your personal life 
... move on already! The worst part is that Vanity Fair is always the one supposed to be edgy, but now they're just playing it safe too 
.
Like, hello, it's just an office fling, not a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel! And what's with all the over-the-top metaphors? Bamboo in the courtyard sounds like something out of a bad rom-com 
so yeah lets poke fun at it and have some laughs together 
. They're so busy trying to be serious and deep that they forget how to laugh at themselves 
. And the media, oh man... they're no better 
. We need some humor and humility back in journalism 
.
. Get over yourself and have a good laugh at your own expense 
... I mean, who's even keeping track of his love life? It's like he's trying to get a free PR boost or something. And what's up with all the seriousness around it? Can't these journalists just poke some fun at themselves for once? 
? Newsflash: we get it, you're trying too hard 
. And I'm loving the over-the-top metaphors 
- bamboo in the courtyard and wildfires? Give me a break! 
. Like, come on, guys, lighten up! It's just an office romance (or not) 
, it's just not that serious. Journalists need to remember they're human, not above reproach 
.
.