Originally published in Verbicide #18
City Lights Books, 258 pages, trade paperback, $15.95
If you’re anything like me, you’ve found yourself watching reality television, mouth agape, eyes glazed, and wondering, “why?” Why do people sign up for this, why is this entertainment, why does this feel so wrong, and why can’t I stop watching? In Hello, I’m Special: How Individuality Became the New Conformity, Hal Niedzviecki interrogates this and every other conceivable aspect of modern culture and offers theories (based on extensive research) as to why we behave the way we do.
Reality TV is just one small part of it. Niedzviecki touches upon teenage activity, religion and spirituality, the workplace, the “new celebrity,” blogging, self-esteem, the therapy industry, fan fiction, the nature of crowds, neo-traditionalism, and a dozen other facets of popular culture which affect our notion of individuality today. Of course, none of our relationships with technology escape Niedzviecki’s microscope. Hello, I’m Special explores how the Internet has aided in conforming individuality. How many of us feel special — and maybe even a little famous — after seeing how many views our blog or online profile has gotten? The Internet also houses support groups for the not-yet-famous as much as it does fan groups for even the most obscure celebrity. Niedzviecki points out the many fan sites devoted to Corey Haim to prove his point.
A lot of ground is covered in this book. Each new section is accompanied by a scoff, a smirk, and your inner voice saying that is so true! My favorite piece in the book is Niedzviecki’s description of the “new communities” within pop culture. These communities are created and embraced by society because they make us feel like we belong to something while recognizing our individuality. This communal instinct is evidenced by groups as small as people commenting on an Internet message board to obsessed fans dressing up for a particular convention. That, to me, is the crux of Niedzviecki’s discourse: the very contradiction of individuality being a new conformity.
Really, this question has been raised before. If everyone wants to be different, aren’t some people going to end up being the same? What makes Hello, I’m Special worthwhile is Niedzviecki’s exposition on the subject. His writing style is simultaneously witty, plain-spoken, and academic. One glance at his references and you can see that this man has obviously done his homework. The bibliography is full of delicious little pieces that any reader will want to further investigate.
I’m willing to bet that a lot of people have been waiting for a book like this to come out. I know I have. Niedzviecki’s social commentary and dissection of both modern and popular culture are akin to the studies of the mass culture theorists of the mid-20th century. Not only is this book good, it’s important. You will find yourself in this book, no matter who you may think you are. It will make you step back and examine both your beliefs about yourself and your place in modern culture.
The only downside: after reading this, you may not feel so special about being special.