I got to thinking about Stroud last night and how such a pretentious fog clouds many aspects of peoples lives (art, food, entertainment, fashion, politics).

I’m aware that I undoubtedly appear overly critical and maybe naive to the possibility that maybe Stroud isn’t an anomaly and in fact this sort of ego-wanking, illogical, jargon-spewing bullshit is common throughout the country.

While it’s obvious that Stroud’s self-righteous sense of superiority stems from basic human inadequacies common to us all , it’s safe to say that this town has a high incidence of dickheads. Every Art Exhibition is saturated with shapeless colour-washed canvases in shades usually seen in splatters on the pavement after a Saturday night and photography events seem to be nothing more than an opportunity to take the photos you would usually discard because they’re out of focus or pointed away from your subject and actively display them to the public, along with an essay of buzz-words and post-modern linguistics to justify why you would do such a ridiculous thing. The underlying tone is, unless you speak fluent jargon or have a masters degree in bullshit you are not fucking welcome, so shut up and nod for half an hour you cunt.

So am I too judgmental? Well yes I suppose so, but it occurred to me the other day, if I ever start talking about computer games, the internet or programming with an air of enthusiasm or enjoyment I’ll always get knocked down and called a nerd or quietly sniggered at behind mugs of Chai-fucking-Tea. It’s not that such things offend me, but I’d get verbally raped if I were to make a similar snide remark or dissmisive jesture to an art student or Trustafarian waxing bullshit about their interests.

Why should such ridiculousness be given immunity to questioning just because it has the local consensus in favour with it? Is it that they just want to be considered interesting? Are they afraid of appearing ignorant? Why choose such outrageous pursuits to talk about and why should it be so protected? It’s similar to how the alternative medicine industry will always pursue legal and threatening action when somebody challenges their industry. It’s because it’s BULLSHIT and they know it.

All of this reminded me of the story, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and the cities inhabitants feigning facsination and awe over absolutely nothing, just to reinforce their deluded understanding of inteligence. All that’s left is for someone to just burst out laughing and leave them exposed to the absurdity of what they so strongly maintain is real.