these sites inevitably turn into showcases for unbridled narcissism
Inevitably? That's really stretching. I don't think I've attended any wedding where the website was a "showcase for unbridled narcissism" (whether the wedding itself was such a showcase, is another question). And the bitchy attitude on display in the Slate piece is exactly why, despite having a minimalist website, I insisted on password protecting it -- I really don't need strangers like Malone hating on what I'm doing with my life. Our site wasn't an invitation to "the virtual community to engage meaningfully with the idea of blissful foreverness"; it had detailed information for out-of-town guests (several of whom had never been to NYC) on how to be able to attend the wedding with a minimum of expense and frustration.
I don't endorse the "inevitably," but can attest to having seen sites that reach that point. Friends of friends' weddings, relatives of relatives, thankfully no one closer than that. But it's out there. Because you have to figure, the genre has all the narcissistic potential of a blog, plus an implied smugness. It can go in the 'we're happy, and if you're close to us, our happiness is something you'll wish to celebrate' direction, but it can also go in the 'look at our degrees and lavish vacations and this rock he gave me' one. There's always going to be a subset hating on any representation of happiness, particularly couple-happiness, but there are some sites that make even the happily coupled cringe.
these sites inevitably turn into showcases for unbridled narcissism
ReplyDeleteInevitably? That's really stretching. I don't think I've attended any wedding where the website was a "showcase for unbridled narcissism" (whether the wedding itself was such a showcase, is another question). And the bitchy attitude on display in the Slate piece is exactly why, despite having a minimalist website, I insisted on password protecting it -- I really don't need strangers like Malone hating on what I'm doing with my life. Our site wasn't an invitation to "the virtual community to engage meaningfully with the idea of blissful foreverness"; it had detailed information for out-of-town guests (several of whom had never been to NYC) on how to be able to attend the wedding with a minimum of expense and frustration.
PG,
ReplyDeleteI don't endorse the "inevitably," but can attest to having seen sites that reach that point. Friends of friends' weddings, relatives of relatives, thankfully no one closer than that. But it's out there. Because you have to figure, the genre has all the narcissistic potential of a blog, plus an implied smugness. It can go in the 'we're happy, and if you're close to us, our happiness is something you'll wish to celebrate' direction, but it can also go in the 'look at our degrees and lavish vacations and this rock he gave me' one. There's always going to be a subset hating on any representation of happiness, particularly couple-happiness, but there are some sites that make even the happily coupled cringe.