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somebodyisfromhere.com
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The destination destination.
March.
| Travel Writing: The Next Generation. Part II |
I think it's fair to say that you could look at the last author, Chuck Thompson, as the
Batman of travel writing. He's dark, somewhat brooding, while at his very core, there's
a sense of justice that he wants to share with the public at large. In this universe, The
Onion (and their atlas, Our Dumb World) would serve as The Joker.
The Onion found easily on the web (and presumably on paper somewhere) has been
satirizing many aspects of the media for years now. Most notably, is its "newspaper." It
also has dabbled in clichéd morning shows. Diversifying more so, they have items
available on the likes of Amazon. One of which is it's new atlas, Our Dumb World.
Batman of travel writing. He's dark, somewhat brooding, while at his very core, there's
a sense of justice that he wants to share with the public at large. In this universe, The
Onion (and their atlas, Our Dumb World) would serve as The Joker.
The Onion found easily on the web (and presumably on paper somewhere) has been
satirizing many aspects of the media for years now. Most notably, is its "newspaper." It
also has dabbled in clichéd morning shows. Diversifying more so, they have items
available on the likes of Amazon. One of which is it's new atlas, Our Dumb World.
The tone of the book is set early. I mean really early. I mean like front page early. Sticking to its geography
basis, the book boasts "Now with 30% more Asia" as a selling point.
Inside, the book is broken up by continent. Inside each continent section there are descriptions of each
country. The U.S section is even broken down by state. Sometime the countries are by themselves.
Sometimes the countries are grouped together like in the South American section "Three Countries You
Thought Were in Africa" combining Guyana, French Guiana, and (the most fun to read) Suriname.
Like all good satire, The Onion mixes truth with its entertainment. Like how it explains the world's most
interesting* country of Liberia as "The West African nation of Liberia was founded in 1822 by former U.S.
slaves..." While on the same page writing, "1824: Former U.S slaves found Liberia and begin to build a
society based on what they know of America... They adopt the U.S. Constitution, which forbids them from
voting."
The Onion, of course, has its share of stereotypes. Yes, the Irish are surely drinkers, but The Onion manages
to pull this off Dean Martin style. You want to read about your ethnic country - or your state for that matter -
because you want to see how hard and how well they manage to hit you.
I'm not exactly sure of the purpose for a book like Our Dumb World. At $27.99 you better get more than a
read out of it. Probably, it can be most safely classified as a coffee table book. Surely more entertaining than
an old magazine and thick enough to serve as a coaster for as many as six pint glasses, you could do worse.
basis, the book boasts "Now with 30% more Asia" as a selling point.
Inside, the book is broken up by continent. Inside each continent section there are descriptions of each
country. The U.S section is even broken down by state. Sometime the countries are by themselves.
Sometimes the countries are grouped together like in the South American section "Three Countries You
Thought Were in Africa" combining Guyana, French Guiana, and (the most fun to read) Suriname.
Like all good satire, The Onion mixes truth with its entertainment. Like how it explains the world's most
interesting* country of Liberia as "The West African nation of Liberia was founded in 1822 by former U.S.
slaves..." While on the same page writing, "1824: Former U.S slaves found Liberia and begin to build a
society based on what they know of America... They adopt the U.S. Constitution, which forbids them from
voting."
The Onion, of course, has its share of stereotypes. Yes, the Irish are surely drinkers, but The Onion manages
to pull this off Dean Martin style. You want to read about your ethnic country - or your state for that matter -
because you want to see how hard and how well they manage to hit you.
I'm not exactly sure of the purpose for a book like Our Dumb World. At $27.99 you better get more than a
read out of it. Probably, it can be most safely classified as a coffee table book. Surely more entertaining than
an old magazine and thick enough to serve as a coaster for as many as six pint glasses, you could do worse.
| With new content weekly, Somebodyisfromhere.com takes a look at travel albeit from the perspective of somebody who probably watched a little too much TV as a kid (or yesterday). The site doubles as a venue in which you can share stories or pictures from your vacations because, let's face it, your friends are sick of hearing about it. |
| What did I forget? Tell me at somebodyisfromhere.com or on my myspace page. |
*As far as somebodysifromhere.com is concerned, Liberia is the world's coolest country. As far as he
knows, there has not been tabulation or polling of cool countries. Still, he does believe in universal truths.
Much like Liberia being the coolest country, The Phillies have to coolest lineup. Carlsberg is the coolest
beer. Usual Suspects is the coolest movie. These might not be "facts" in any kind of technical sense, but
somebodyisfromhere.com would gladly arm wrestle anybody who would dispute this information.
knows, there has not been tabulation or polling of cool countries. Still, he does believe in universal truths.
Much like Liberia being the coolest country, The Phillies have to coolest lineup. Carlsberg is the coolest
beer. Usual Suspects is the coolest movie. These might not be "facts" in any kind of technical sense, but
somebodyisfromhere.com would gladly arm wrestle anybody who would dispute this information.