Several critics have problematized the aesthetics of the Mountain: historically, the Claimed Mountain is a token of colonial possession; the distinctly masculine personality type known as the ‘Mountain Man’, the Mountain’s quasi-phallic shape, and the preponderance of masculine montane namesakes reifies the Mountain’s role as a symbol in normative gender dialectics in which the masculine dominates that which lends it support. When we look at the Mountain, do we really see a mountain, or ourselves? We may have to become postmountain before we can disentangle the Mountain itself from the cultural associations that form our present perceptions of it.
@Ben F more like a commentary on the hipster attitude towards music – if someone knows of it, then it is automatically shit.
Which is why I sit at the fringe of hipster circles with a notebook and pen while they name-drop bands. It’s a good way to find new music, if nothing else.
I understand it’s about music, I just feel like it’s making a statement about the decision to listen to bad music just because it’s obscure for the fact that in the last panel Grrl gives up and plants the flag in a shabby pile of rocks. Meh, interpretation.
@Ben F – I have to wonder if Animal Collective is an “Emperor’s New Clothes”-type joke that NPR is playing on us all. I’ve listened to their latest album and a few songs from their prior albums, and I just don’t see the appeal, yet the critics gush about everything the band does.
It works the opposite way as well, declaring anything mainstream to automatically be mind-dissolving pabulum. Lady Gaga became enormously popular overnight, therefore she must be another brainless industry product, never mind that she’s an experienced songwriter who has plenty of back material to show her artistic pedigree.
August 17, 2010
I liked this mountain before it was popular.
August 17, 2010
Mountains are so mainstream. I’m into valleys.
August 17, 2010
Several critics have problematized the aesthetics of the Mountain: historically, the Claimed Mountain is a token of colonial possession; the distinctly masculine personality type known as the ‘Mountain Man’, the Mountain’s quasi-phallic shape, and the preponderance of masculine montane namesakes reifies the Mountain’s role as a symbol in normative gender dialectics in which the masculine dominates that which lends it support. When we look at the Mountain, do we really see a mountain, or ourselves? We may have to become postmountain before we can disentangle the Mountain itself from the cultural associations that form our present perceptions of it.
August 17, 2010
made me remember this :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU2ftCitvyQ
lol
August 17, 2010
Oh dear Lord, Ellipsis. That was astounding.
August 17, 2010
Yeah, great discussion Ellipsis.
August 17, 2010
Grrrl should have retorted, “But do you have a flag?”
August 17, 2010
pt!
best. sound effect. ever.
August 17, 2010
8.7/10, Best New Mountain
August 17, 2010
Is this a justification for hipsters desperate to like something obscure listening to shitty bands?
August 17, 2010
Obscurity is the new black.
August 17, 2010
@Ben F more like a commentary on the hipster attitude towards music – if someone knows of it, then it is automatically shit.
Which is why I sit at the fringe of hipster circles with a notebook and pen while they name-drop bands. It’s a good way to find new music, if nothing else.
August 17, 2010
I was into being Ben way before Ben F there. But now it seems like everyone’s a Ben. I think I even saw a Ben on MTV. I swear, everyone’s a follower.
August 17, 2010
hmm.. so the moral of the comic is that there is no room for obscurity in the world?
August 17, 2010
Have you ever really tried to obscure a mountain?
So. Much. Fabric.
August 17, 2010
Mountains are way too big-picture. It’s cairns that really let you in on what’s what.
August 17, 2010
I’ve been reading Lovecraft, and this seems to be the same metaphor he used in “The Other Gods”, albeit steeped heavily in optimistic mysticism.
August 18, 2010
whats all this crazy mountain talk is about? from here looks like all plains to me
August 18, 2010
And he named the rock-pile “Wavves.”
August 18, 2010
You’re missing the point we like the mountain Ironically. Actually the hill is my favourite thing right now- so much more twee!
August 18, 2010
你的网站办的很有特色啊,文章也好!支持你一下!继续努力啊,我会常来逛逛的!
August 18, 2010
No- wait-! what-? There is no next button! I have reached the present!
Perhaps I should climb the current mainstream mountain in celebration.
Or in sorrow.
August 18, 2010
Hills are just the mainstream antecedents of mountains. I’m much more into post-mountains at the moment.
August 19, 2010
Are crumbs all that’s left?
August 19, 2010
I understand it’s about music, I just feel like it’s making a statement about the decision to listen to bad music just because it’s obscure for the fact that in the last panel Grrl gives up and plants the flag in a shabby pile of rocks. Meh, interpretation.
August 19, 2010
I favor peppering the Earth with asteroids, thus creating all new rifts, valleys, and of course, mountains.
I know, asteroids have been done. But it’s been awhile, and it’s time they came around again.
August 20, 2010
Caves are where it’s at.
August 26, 2010
@Nathan It works if you hide them in a bunch of other mountains.
August 30, 2010
@Ben F – I have to wonder if Animal Collective is an “Emperor’s New Clothes”-type joke that NPR is playing on us all. I’ve listened to their latest album and a few songs from their prior albums, and I just don’t see the appeal, yet the critics gush about everything the band does.
It works the opposite way as well, declaring anything mainstream to automatically be mind-dissolving pabulum. Lady Gaga became enormously popular overnight, therefore she must be another brainless industry product, never mind that she’s an experienced songwriter who has plenty of back material to show her artistic pedigree.
September 6, 2010
I was uncool before uncool was cool.
November 24, 2010
I claim this small pile of rocks in the name of obscurity!
February 23, 2011
I prefer horizons.
June 14, 2012
Welcome to Shitty Mountains.