# What is the entire world pulling your leg about? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 25, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850 "2016-07-25T13:54:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/141 "2016-07-30T15:16:45Z")
Huh. Maybe I’m the one that’s weird, but I have no trouble understanding why people like or believe things I don’t like or disbelieve. I don’t agree with them, but I understand, usually, what it is about them or the thing in question that attracts them. Even liberals are easy to understand, despite the fact that they’re incredibly wrong nearly all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/142 "2016-07-30T16:23:18Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > **Thomas Pynchon.** The guy is a world-renowned novelist and I haven’t yet met anyone who managed to finish one of his books (and if I did, I’d probably assume the person was lying). I give him points, though, for appearing as a guest voice on _The Simpsons_ (but maybe that wasn’t really him, and the “appearance” was just more of the Pynchon put-on). _jumps up and down, waves hand in air_ I’ve read all of \*Gravity’s Rainbow! \*In fairness, it was many moons ago, when I was young, and I didn’t have easy access to all the mind-numbing distractions that I have now. I also started reading _Mason & Dixon_, but internet pornography came of age when I was about half way through, which pretty much killed that project stone dead. I actually do think that one should be wary of taking Pynchon too seriously, and that there is a risk of turning into something of a pseudo-intellectual twit if one does so (which, BTW, applies to a lot of things). But I don’t think it’s Pynchon’s fault. He’s essentially a comedic writer (sometimes side-splittingly funny), and he clearly has a kooky sense of humor, in general (being a reclusive author, only to then appear on _The Simpsons_ with a bag over his head, should illustrate that well enough). At times, I really do think he’s taking the piss. But I don’t want to blame him if someone doesn’t get his jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/143 "2016-07-30T16:32:38Z")
Too late for edit: I should have added: I have also read a couple of his shorter novels. They’re not all giant bricks. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/144 "2016-07-30T19:00:45Z")
> [@RadicalPi](#): > > I’m not sure what this is supposed to mean or who you’re calling childish. Yeah. . . That one had me scratching my head, too. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/145 "2016-07-30T19:46:47Z")
OK, we all get it. You’re more iconoclastic than the next guy. Big deal. Like **Ike** , I like a lot of the stuff mentioned in this thread. But the one thing that HAS to be a joke of mammoth proportions stretching over decades is **Doctor Who**. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/146 "2016-07-30T20:50:10Z")
Professional sports is a joke, but it’s a joke primarily being played on the most avid sports fans. First, let’s get the stereotypically most homophobic males to watch a bunch of physically fit males run around in Lycra. Extra points if this is football, so they’re actively attempting to hump… er, _tackle_ each other. “Ball-handling” puns are just a bonus at this point, really. Next, let’s make these supposedly action-oriented games as boring as possible to actually watch. I think it was George Will who said that football is the most American of sports, being board meetings punctuated by violence. Baseball is notoriously dull, to the point a recitation of statistics is a practical necessity in order to keep drowsiness from setting in. Golf is the intrusion of advanced Buddhist meditation practices into the Western world, and that’s what it’s like to play the damned game. My point, however, is that football, which is supposed to be this fast-paced action sport with snaps and turnovers and tackles, is just as boring as the others except in very brief bursts, suitable for five-second promos and sports commentary shows later on. And, of course, there’s the name. Football has two separate definitions, which wouldn’t be so bad if one of those didn’t refer to the most popular game _inside_ the lone remaining superpower and the other didn’t refer to the most popular game _literally everywhere else on Earth_. If ‘football’ meant something else in, say, Canada, nobody would know or care. It literally would never come up. But no, it has to be another example of America vs The World. Shenanigans, I say. Finally, note how I’ve been talking about football this whole time as the default sport. The most “sport” sport. In theory, baseball is America’s game. In practice, baseball players could go on strike and nobody would notice. Baseball is hyped as this Great American Pass-Time and absolutely nobody gives a good god damn about it. Everyone’s supposed to like it, nobody does, and somehow the perception never changes. I can’t get too worked up over it, though. I’m not the one being gulled. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/147 "2016-07-30T21:09:13Z")
> [@RadicalPi](#): > > I’m not sure what this is supposed to mean or who you’re calling childish. > [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > Yeah. . . That one had me scratching my head, too. Not calling anyone childish. But when I was growing up for the most part only kids called the red stuff “ketchup” (or “katchup”). [Catsup commercial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW9PdERK2No) [Another catsup commercial.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USVsu7awyVg) Note both the spelling and pronunciation. [Print ad](http://www.adclassix.com/ads2/54delmontecatsup.htm) [Another one](http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMzg2/$T2eC16J,!ygE9s7HHpYUBQNdrhms-Q~~60_35.JPG) Heinz was an exception, but they did that to distinguish themselves from other companies. It wasn’t until I was in college, with the infamous FDA classification of “ketchup” (but not catsup) as a vegetable for school lunch purposes, that most other companies changed the spelling so they’d be able to sell their product to schools. When the last holdout, Del Monte, made the change Dennis Miller made fun of it by saying “In a show of solidarity, the long-running Broadway musical changed its name to 'Ketch”. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aeb1de/32.png) [@Lee\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lee_Q)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/148 "2016-07-31T01:11:29Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Hmm. I just now searched on Enchroma, and they apparently don’t help you pass that stupid do-you-see-the-dots-and-can-you-read-the-number-they-form test. > > Now, I’m just _guessing,_ here, but – is it possible these glasses just make stuff look _wacky_ to the color-blind, who of course don’t know what the actual colors would look like and so merely think they’ve finally gotten a backstage pass to reality? > > _Is this like those x-ray specs advertised in old comic books,_ is what I’m wondering. You may be onto something! Although it seems I recall reading something about testing or studies done with users of Enchroma-type glasses before they were available for sale that indicated the wearers were indeed seeing colors the way non-color-blind people see them, or at least _closer_ to that way, there apparently being a range of results. OTOH, maybe the testing or studies were funded by the makers of the glasses. 🆒 I have seen some clips though where the wearers accurately could match up, say, blue markers as resembling someone’s blue eyes or blue shirt or whatever. But of course maybe they’re just matching up the same wacky colors, which aren’t “my” blue or “your” blue at all! :eek: Off to place my order for x-ray specs… ---
**Author:** ![DMGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@DMGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/149 "2016-07-31T01:20:15Z")
Agree with the previous posts about Springsteen and cheese. I think a few influential rock critics jumped on the Springsteen train early on, and other critics followed along blindly. I love the music of that era, and I think some of Springsteen’s stuff is ok, but it doesn’t do anything for me. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/150 "2016-07-31T17:54:37Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Picasso: the guy either had some sort of brain problem, or was just playing a colossal joke on the world that nobody got. Except me, of course. I think Picasso and Dali were actually revolutionary artists but every abstract artist since then is scamming us. I think it’s amusing that Dali sold blank canvases with his signature on it. I could actually see him as a con artist, but I like his paintings. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/151 "2016-07-31T18:02:41Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > My take is ‘Buy American’ on the guise that it will spur domestic prosperity. It is bullshit, if you want me to buy american you must also, you must buy from me at the american rates - you must pay me as you wish me to be able to spend on your sorry ass which is no better than what i can get from China. > > Buy American is a lie designed to get people to overspend to keep a few people rich. In this vein, American-built cars used to be absolute crap. Why buy American when your Chevy Chiclet will die 100,000 miles before a Toyota Elf even gets its first oil change! ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/152 "2016-07-31T18:06:47Z")
> [@DrForrester](#): > > There are many things that have been mentioned - popular culture items - that I never expected to enjoy, and don’t, but they’re not popular with my peers either. Pokemon, Kardashians, etc. > > But, two that really, really bother me are the music of the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan. All of my peers _love_ their music. I WANT to enjoy it. But, it just grates on me. Bob Dylan’s music is best when performed by someone else. I’ve bought their albums. I’ve gone to their shows. I’ve talked to their fans. But, I just don’t get it. They’re just … mediocre as far as I can tell. > > I’ve never particularly understood why politics needs to be such a popularity contest. Maybe that’s driven by the need to raise money all the time? Otherwise, you know, as politicians, be competent and, as responsible voters, vote for competent people. A lot of people claim their Grateful Dead fans, but how come I’ve never heard a single one of their songs on the radio? I think people like the art, which is really neat. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/153 "2016-07-31T18:23:15Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > A lot of people claim their Grateful Dead fans, but how come I’ve never heard a single one of their songs on the radio? I think people like the art, which is really neat. “Touch of Grey” was pretty big at one point in the 80s. But mainly, they’re the quintessential example of a band whose legendary popularity is based on their live shows rather than their recorded output. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/154 "2016-07-31T18:23:54Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > A lot of people claim their Grateful Dead fans, but how come I’ve never heard a single one of their songs on the radio? You’ve never heard ‘_Touch of Grey_’ on the radio? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/155 "2016-07-31T23:29:59Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > I think Picasso and Dali were actually revolutionary artists but every abstract artist since then is scamming us. Both Picasso and Dali were mostly “non-objective” artists, but neither of them was “abstract.” ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/156 "2016-07-31T23:36:35Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Both Picasso and Dali were mostly “non-objective” artists, but neither of them was “abstract.” Dali’s pictures verged on hyper realism as well as surrealism. Not abstract. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/157 "2016-08-01T00:00:40Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Painting your face, or what some women like to call makeup. I’ve never worn it (I’m a woman), never had any desire to wear it, and don’t really get why it’s so important to so many women. Sure, on stage or for models I can see why you would want to paint yourself attractively, but for the women in my office, I really can’t see the difference between the ones who spend massive amounts on the stuff, and those who just go natural (and I’m talking really natural, not “she’s wearing makeup so good that you can’t tell she’s wearing it.”) > > There’s a thread around here somewhere about mascara. In my entire life, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed or cared about the length of someone’s eyelashes. As a guy, I think wearing no or minimal makeup is far sexier. My first reaction is: _She likes herself the way she IS_, not the way she thinks she has to look to impress a Bro (or a shallow woman). In fact, if I’m staring at your foundationed, blushed, mascaraed, face…I’m trying to picture the real you without all that stuff on. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/158 "2016-08-01T18:00:13Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > You’ve never heard ‘_Touch of Grey_’ on the radio? Looked it up on YouTube and the answer is no. But then again I’ve been listening to reruns of American Top 40 and was amazed by how many songs I don’t remember at all. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/159 "2016-08-01T23:07:54Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > You’ve never heard ‘_Touch of Grey_’ on the radio? Do you honestly think everyone listens to the same radio station as you? ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850/160 "2016-08-01T23:25:45Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > You’ve never heard ‘_Touch of Grey_’ on the radio? I actually hear “Casey Jones” more frequently nowadays. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-entire-world-pulling-your-leg-about/760850.md?page=9)