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I fully agree. HST lived in a world of meaninglessness and the absurd. One, by the way, he created for himself. As a counter-balance, I believe many of them manufacture and inhabit the mythical kingdom of social utopianism. HST, was the court jester there.

Whatever else HST was, it is his iconic status in the counter-culture Left that will be his longterm footnote in history - not his writing. Because he wrote of pop culture and did so with an existentialist's rebel wit, his 'work' will be locked in this era with Boomer fans for all time. Outside of this time and this place, he will have no meaning for generations to come.

Like most Boomer ideas and fashions, icons like HST are relevant only to that g-g-generation and once the shared is lost (like a private joke) the 'greatness' will fade like cheap paint. Even today, what is arguably the most important Boomer contribution to American culture - rock music - is eroding into jingles to sell Buicks and hamburgers. Hunter Thompson was funny, I'll give him that, but he will live on only so long as Boomers live.

What will be supremely ironic is the mad rush to 'own' a piece of this 'legend.' Like the good 'experience' seeking hedonists they were raised to be, Boomers will seek fragments of his life to hang on a wall or use as a watch fob. Sotheby, Christie's and other auction houses will soon be hawking the debris of his life that the family didn't want. This is probably why he used a firearm to take off his head - so it wouldn't end up on some Dentist's wall in Hoboken, NJ.

RIP.

"As a counter-balance, I believe many of them manufacture and inhabit the mythical kingdom of social utopianism. HST, was the court jester there."

Of all that will be written about HST in the coming days and weeks, a more appropriate epitaph will not be found. A profound summary of the man's raison d'etre....

...his 'work' will be locked in this era with Boomer fans for all time. Outside of this time and this place, he will have no meaning for generations to come.

Just like that worthless "flapper" F. Scott Fitzgerald.

http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald/biography.html

F. Scott Fitzgerald died, [1940] believing himself a failure. The obituaries were condescending, and he seemed destined for literary obscurity. The first phase of the Fitzgerald resurrectionò“revival” does not properly describe the processòoccurred between 1945 and 1950. By 1960 he had achieved a secure place among America’s enduring writers. The Great Gatsby, a work that seriously examines the theme of aspiration in an American setting, defines the classic American novel.

WCF, you may want to recheck your crystal ball.

And all generations have a right to nostalgia. Also, many people LOVE things from previous generations. Ever watch "Antiques Roadshow"?

BTW, what's your problem with Boomers? I'm a Boomer and my 16 and 22 year old kids love me. I'm proud to be a Boomer. With the exception of Olive Loaf, I can't say I agree with you on much.

BTW, wasn't Olive Loaf a Boomer thing? ;>/

What will be supremely ironic is the mad rush to 'own' a piece of this 'legend.' Like the good 'experience' seeking hedonists they were raised to be, Boomers will seek fragments of his life to hang on a wall or use as a watch fob. Sotheby, Christie's and other auction houses will soon be hawking the debris of his life that the family didn't want. This is probably why he used a firearm to take off his head - so it wouldn't end up on some Dentist's wall in Hoboken, NJ.

What marvelously lovely and corrosive writing! I have saved it for days when I am feeling blue to cheer me up. Are you Ann Coulter?