Althouse: "Like a volatile despot, I felt the surge of glee that comes from knowing you have the power to scare the crap out of complete strangers."

September 11, 2014

"Like a volatile despot, I felt the surge of glee that comes from knowing you have the power to scare the crap out of complete strangers."

"Suddenly it hit me. By dressing like an insane person, I was getting something I’d never had before: some respect."

22 comments:

Wince said...: He should cut off a few heads. Or just claim he's the victim of some war on [blank] or [blank]-aphobia.

That seems to work well.; 9/11/14, 9:54 AM
madAsHell said...: I guess this explains all the saggin' jeans in the hood.; 9/11/14, 9:55 AM
SomeoneHasToSayIt said...: Not sure he understands what is intended to be brought into the listeners/readers mind, when using the word 'respect'.

He'll have to invent a new word. Can't properly use that one.; 9/11/14, 9:56 AM
Tibore said...: "People were cringing. One lady crossed the street. Couples were clocking me and then anxiously nudging each other. Fearful gazes were nervously downcast...

... Suddenly it hit me. By dressing like an insane person, I was getting something I’d never had before: some respect."

WTF kind of messed up definition of "respect" does this guy have??!!; 9/11/14, 10:01 AM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: "WTF kind of messed up definition of "respect" does this guy have??!!"

Much of the tattoo craze is also motivated by the quest for this kind of wrongheaded "respect".; 9/11/14, 10:06 AM
chillblaine said...: If you are going to promenade around in shorts, spend a little time at the squat rack and get a little sun. His legs are so white they are Day-Glo.; 9/11/14, 10:14 AM
chillblaine said...: And does he wax his legs? Or are they naturally hairless? This constitutes a micro-aggression.; 9/11/14, 10:31 AM
richard mcenroe said...: So fear = respect. Got a feeling the average NRA member could send respect running down this clown's leg. Good thing he chose shorts.; 9/11/14, 10:31 AM
RAH said...: Respect does depend on fear. What he was experienced was not respect but the natural urge to get away from a crazy person. Humans avoid the person who is speaking strange . WE will not speak or interact, but just avoid. Like we don't like our day disrupted by the mentally defective. Or maybe a unconscious fear that the malady is contagious.; 9/11/14, 10:38 AM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: Real respect stems from admiration. Fear inspires avoidance or violence.; 9/11/14, 10:55 AM
Megaera said...: Simon needs to get a life. And get out a bit more. He doesn't look any more abnormal than 50% of the male street traffic I saw in the Village the last time I was in New York, and would have blended nicely with roughly 40% elsewhere. Maybe he was just trying to be daring by wearing light colors after September 1? So my grandmother's fashion diktat... actually, he looks no worse -- and no better -- than most of the photos from that parody fashion site our hostess links to from time to time.; 9/11/14, 11:00 AM
gerry said...: I want to be there when he confronts a well-dressed really crazy person.; 9/11/14, 11:00 AM
John henry said...: Hey!

Look at me!

I said, LOOK AT ME!!!!

John Henry; 9/11/14, 11:46 AM
HoodlumDoodlum said...: Imagine being stuck next to this winner on the bus or at a dinner party. Insufferable.; 9/11/14, 11:47 AM
Anonymous said...: Well, obviously that's The Macho Response.; 9/11/14, 12:00 PM
MikeMangum said...: I feel like someone owes me the time I wasted reading a few paragraphs of that drivel. I had (incorrectly) assumed that since it had been linked, there was at least something of interest in the piece.

Or was the purpose to get people to point and laugh?; 9/11/14, 3:18 PM
Valentine Smith said...: Tee hee.

Is looking like a flamer the same as looking crazy?; 9/11/14, 4:49 PM
Leora said...: Reminds me of a 30 Rock episode where the Tina Fey character realizes she can get space on the subway by dressing like a crazy person.; 9/11/14, 6:11 PM
lonetown said...: I guess its one definition of respect but its not the same as respect given to people for exemplary deeds, actions or wisdom.

Respect of icky things for fear of being slimed.; 9/11/14, 6:46 PM
FullMoon said...: Heck, that guy wrote a funny column.; 9/12/14, 12:47 AM
Unknown said...: Althouse's quote from the article rung a bell with me. I am a big guy, and on the playground as kids, my buddies would tease me by calling me "Hitler's wet dream". I was/am a big baby; raised Catholic, Cub Scout, 3 older sisters. Goofy smile and no tattoos. At 19 I shaved my head. Strangers IMMEDIATELY treated me differently. Profoundly. I couldn't open a door for women at the mall because they would get out of my way. I loved it. Simon Doonan's story might be a little more campy, but I think the lesson is the same.; 9/12/14, 4:02 AM
southcentralpa said...: Reminds me of Garrison Keillor's description of practicing Danish out loud while walking in New York in the bad old days so that would-be muggers would think he was insane and not worth it...; 9/12/14, 9:55 PM