“The four most over-rated things in life are champagne, lobster, anal sex and picnics.” - Christopher Hitchens.
I'm both a quote junkie and a Christopher Hitchens fan so I was kind of surprised tonight when I stumbled on this sentence and realized that I'd never seen it before. While I'm not sure I agree with the statement, I sort of liked the sentiment behind it. Hitchens’ list is interesting because it’s completely unexpected. Here are four modern indulgences that seem to define the laissez-faire hedonism of our aspirational society. Is there any real argument against any of them?
Let's discuss...
Champagne: I drink one glass of champagne per year. And yes, it's on New Year's eve. Does that make it overrated? I'm not sure. I can only think back of the old TV show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" when host Robin Leach would close out every show with the benediction, "champagne wishes and caviar dreams!" I guess that means champagne is representative of the American desire for wealth and an upper-class lifestyle. However, as an adult beverage, I think I'd go with the smoky flavor of a good single-malt scotch or an ice-cold tequila.
Verdict: Symbolical significance loses out to nouveau-riche pretension. Over-rated.
Lobster: David Foster Wallace, in his brilliant essay "Consider the Lobster" wrote one of my favorite and best-crafted sentences of all-time: "Is it all right to boil a sentient creature alive just for our gustatory pleasure?"
Verdict: Fuck yeah! Lobster is delicious, yo.
Anal Sex: I am not being a prude when I say that I have never desired to have anal sex with a woman. I've just always simply believed that engaging in anal sex would be the equivalent of eating chicken when there was duck on the menu. There are further issues on this topic that I am too prudish to broach but I'll take Hitchens on his word here.
Verdict: Not my cup of tea but to each his own.
Picnics: On the other hand, I'm a sucker for a good picnic. In fact, I challenge you to find a man who is more heterosexual than I yet takes more pride in his 6-piece setting wicker picnic basket. For me, picnics have the same appeal as long afternoons at a baseball game. They harken back to an era of unrushed pleasure when time was not of the most immediate essence and life progressed at a slower pace.
Verdict: Under-rated.
It doesn't really matter whether I agree with Christopher Hitchens or not. The one thing I've always admired about Hitch is that nobody ever seems to agree with him and he seems to do an excellent job of offending a hugely wide array of people all for completely different reasons. Still, you can’t help but admit there’s something to admire about the guy in making a statement like that.
So with all due respect, here's my list of the top 10 Most Over-Rated Things in Life:
- Harry Potter books.
- The frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.
- Spa Days
- Sex on a beach
- French food
- Yoga
- Al Gore
- Mt. Rushmore
- Derek Jeter
- "Everybody Loves Raymond"
Honorary mention to Ben Affleck, breastfeeding, Maya Angelou, Bill Belichick, The DaVinci Code, cats, sliced bread, the Prius, Chipotle, Twitter, Crocs, and the Mona Lisa.
Oh yeah, one more thing...blogs. Specifically, this one.
Feel free to discuss, deconstruct, or disagree. More importantly, what's on YOUR list?
I love lobster, too. I do not care what someone writes about it.
Posted by: Steve | June 23, 2010 at 01:26 PM
The time you spend at the office may be the most stressful part of your day, but it doesn't have to be. You have a greater ability to shape your office environment than you may realize.
Posted by: coach sale | June 24, 2010 at 10:35 PM
The motivation to succeed comes from the burning desire to achieve a purpose. Napoleon Hill wrote, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”
Posted by: discount coach | July 05, 2010 at 10:45 PM
I am Very gladed to see these products. They look really delicious. I liked its taste.
Posted by: Retro Jordans | July 20, 2010 at 11:38 PM
Your blog is very beautiful! I like! Oh, you have a special creative ah! I hope you find time to share with me! Ah tell me your experience
Posted by: ugg ultra tall | August 08, 2010 at 10:03 PM
That list has a correct sense, I'm disagree with one of the comments I found there but I think that was your personal opinion, that's good.
Posted by: Buy Viagra | August 17, 2010 at 09:39 AM
My life is not long! But I will not let my life boring! I will try to do something I love doing things for their own pleasure! Make it a rich and meaningful
Posted by: ugg ultra tall | August 22, 2010 at 11:56 PM
However, always the optimist, I will set out forthwith to attempt to recreate what I have heretofor only been able to purchase. Rather expensively. I'll be back atcha with the results. Thanks for the linky.However, always the optimist, I will set out forthwith to attempt to recreate what I have heretofor only been able to purchase. Rather expensively. I'll be back atcha with the results. Thanks for the linky.
Posted by: viagra online | August 25, 2010 at 02:58 PM
You are just brilliant, do you know this?
Posted by: Jordan Jumpman | August 27, 2010 at 05:20 AM
I like to read your post because it always makes me think. I do not agree with everything that you have said but, I do agree with you about Harry Potter. It is way over rated. It has been going on far too long.
Posted by: Jessy | September 07, 2010 at 07:57 PM
Good job.No matter where we are, we must study all the way. As the proverb says that: You are never too old to learn. Thank you for your blog.
Posted by: Supra Shoes | September 08, 2010 at 04:30 AM
Good job.No matter where we are, we must study all the way. As the proverb says that: You are never too old to learn. Thank you for your blog.
Posted by: Supra Shoes | September 08, 2010 at 04:32 AM
People more money, money faster pace might. This is a Merrill Lynch research report gives the company recently revealed.
Posted by: Jordan 1 | September 08, 2010 at 11:03 PM
Promotion department is mainly responsible for the network popularization. You now have the chance, because that belongs to Nike authorized direct participation in the activities, so we are on the price of cost price, hope you grasp the good opportunity. Thank you, wish you happy!
Posted by: Nike Air Max 97 | September 12, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Becmaha, I don't see how, if you actually read over that list of samples Angelou's 'deathless prose' before posting it, you could possibly think that she's anything OTHER than overrated.
"I sensed a wrongness around me, like an alarm clock had gone off without being set."
Um, yeah man. Profound.
Definitely way, *way* overrated, that woman is.
Posted by: ellen | September 17, 2010 at 05:45 PM
I never thought that India did not have the resources and power to organise the commonwealth games. What a shame, really, what a shame... feel sorry for all of those who have trained so hard to go there.
Posted by: rick | September 24, 2010 at 12:48 PM
OK you and I were in the same path until you mentioned anal sex, bro do you don't understand that anus is made it for only one thing, and is not sex.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | October 01, 2010 at 05:42 PM
The new post of your blog is defintely stunning!I enjoys your blog quite a lot and at the same time, gain great benificial from that.They really remarkable.Come one and take care!
Posted by: chanel bags | October 27, 2010 at 11:56 PM
I am denser than I thought! I love them and will approach the guild about buying them.
Posted by: air yeezy | November 02, 2010 at 02:32 AM
Of course, it is all the way down the line, for the present this one AC milan, certainly need two fronts rotation, "the third central defender" exactly is who?
Posted by: True Religion Brand Jeans | January 10, 2011 at 04:15 AM
I know your aware on where you are. Glad to know your on the right path.
Posted by: insulated wine bags | March 22, 2011 at 07:00 AM
i think that many MMA fighters fall rlleay on the overrated side. why? well, the sport itself it's pretty new. Only now do we have kids actually growing up practicing MMA per se. Before you took a boxing class here and a wrestling class there. I think that in probably 20 to 30 years time, we will see more of the likes of GSP, Anderson Silva and Machida even though these fighters are rlleay once in a life time talent. But, when you grow up with MMA or you're Born into it, you tend to be deadly.
Posted by: Ramakant | April 15, 2012 at 06:02 AM
dear friend. you can Buy Nike Heels From Our our Online Shop.
From : http://www.nashoes.com
Posted by: Nike High Heels | July 20, 2012 at 02:05 AM
Great article. Thanks for sharing information with us, this blog is very interesting,Thank you, Enjoy watching my website.
Posted by: ghd hair straightener | July 31, 2012 at 09:23 PM
We just had Shake Shack twice during our visit to NY, we loved it! Not over rated and def worth the wait! Gotta make the fries chseey too
Posted by: Duyen | August 04, 2012 at 07:34 PM
ATENTION ALL BELIEBERSHaters have been continuously timbuhng down Justin's videos on YouTube. It has gotten out of control and we need to stop it. Justin's Baby video is the most disliked video in Youtube history. It's time for us to strike back. On December 24th, 2011, all Beliebers will like Justin's official videos from his account, especially his Baby video. Also, we will make #likebaby a trending topic again. Copy paste This on every Justin video you see THUMBS UP
Posted by: Auth | August 04, 2012 at 09:07 PM
I wouldn't nraessceily say it is overrated. Along with a balanced and healthy diet, you need some kind of exercise. If you are trying to lose weight, Calories out > Calories in. Eat less, move more. To move, you should exercise. Drinking, smoking, and stress can all lead to having extra pounds, but since you neither smoke or drink anymore, I am not sure why they are telling you this.
Posted by: Zexos | August 04, 2012 at 09:35 PM
One word. Bologna. Granted, you need to eat right to be thin but working out has many beitfnes including lowering stress levels, blood pressure, cholesterol and it's good for your heart, lungs and joints. Lifting weights helps lower your chances of osteoporosis. The list goes on and on.I'm glad it was a typo. Continue to exercise and eat right.
Posted by: Anisur | August 04, 2012 at 11:03 PM
Only one glass of champagne per year is not enough for me. There must be more than that. I love champagne more than anything else.
Posted by: Julie Downs | November 07, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Hello Lisa, I am reasonably new to your blog, so thknas for pointing out those posts, saves me spending ages working through the archives to get to the good bits lol.I think your photos are awesome, and you are kind of funny too, I covet dreams of one day taking photos for a living too, but I have lots of practice to do yet.Loved the post about shopping with your daughter. That just wouldn't happen in our house, if I want to spend quality time with my 9 year old, I have to be prepared to get dirty, and to admire creepy crawly bugs and insects hmmm, not my favourite thing to do, I think I'd rather the shopping!Cheers
Posted by: Marlon | December 24, 2012 at 08:53 PM
mauro Posted on Hola loco gracias por el tuto pero no me sale y segui todos tus pasos , subi al decirtorio raiz , cabe resaltar que estoy usando wordpress,Hice todo = , la unica diferencia fue que el body termino asi:La web la puedes ver en mi correo , nola pongo x aqui ya que esta en fase de construcciongracias de antemano.
Posted by: Dfgjdfg | December 27, 2012 at 05:27 AM
anyone knows for sure I would love to know. He is from a litter that was born at camp in June and came to live with us this past weekend. NONE of us have any bunny experience so any helpful suggestions, comments are more than welcome.
Posted by: borse burberry outlet | February 01, 2013 at 02:31 AM
ctswe celine bag xvzlju http://www.pickcelinehandbags.com yxfxy canada handbags ifzpzo http://www.savecelinehandbags.com ufnvr cheap celine bags axjqry http://www.savecelinebags.com ypfk celine bags rftpnp http://www.goodcelinebags.com wolmb celine bag oecyky http://www.goodcelinehandbags.com bxpyu celine bags zjtjiu http://www.onlinecelinebags.com lqnd
Posted by: aspedgeclaply | February 06, 2013 at 03:10 AM
That was great to meet you on the road a few days ago France and Netherlands meet at a traffic light in Maine, USA! Glad I got to ride with you for a few metres. I saw you were back in Portland yesterday, around the Regency. Hope you had a good time in Maine, it's a wonderful state and wonderful for bikers. Have fun in Quebec! and come back to Maine soon Jacques
Posted by: Natalya | February 14, 2013 at 07:19 AM
Your list is fantastic. The overrated stuff it's easy. It's everywhere these days.
Posted by: Norris Magee | March 30, 2013 at 09:26 AM
1.I feel that my score was ok and I need five thirds of the earth.2.I can use less than I often do.3.This made me feel that I need to reclyce more and use less more often.
Posted by: Ajay | April 02, 2013 at 04:58 AM
vfimeimy http://oakleysunglassesonlinevaus.com/ girnmzye http://guccishoesnnsunglasses.co.uk/ jgoooppm http://chanelhandbagsma.com/ fimzbepd http://guccisalenbelts.co.uk/ ytrgndxm http://oakleysunglassescheapnaaus.com/ vjmdyjzk oakley sunglasses online ltvgqwjb gucci shoes zxegmrjf chanel handbags yraxillv gucci sale rrsioozp oakley sunglasses cheap You can personally program this method to own each time when you start or simply shutdown the machine. p .|horsepower|hp . What imagine will be when they decide on an aftermarket bumper, they do possess make sure that the application fits to be a OEM bumper could in addition to isn't going to transform any pre-accident overall look to your vehicle, or even complete.
Posted by: ekhgdsl | April 11, 2013 at 06:27 PM