Is it Just Me or is Everything Shit? Insanely Annoying Modern Things

by: Steve Lowe & Alan McArthur

Published by: Grand Central Publishing

Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali

This book is an A–Z listing of things that are supposedly annoying. The intent of the list is to tease out the humor of these things (or actions) that are common to all. A similar book was so successful in the United Kingdom that a sequel was published, and now the successful formula is being tried here in the United States. The cover claims that the American edition is edited for the American audience.

Sarcasm and satire tend to be culture-specific. Hence, both the content and delivery (presentation) need to be tailored to the intended audience. While those books released in the United Kingdom may have been hits there, the one released for the American audience may not be as great a success here. One of the main reasons is that the delivery is geared towards the British audience (with its characteristic dry sense of humor and typically British colloquialisms). The second reason is that while there are entries that are specific to the American audience (such as American politics), there are also entries that are specific to the British audience and would be more challenging for the American audience to fully appreciate.

The American version contains expected fodder (such as American politics and politicians), and it also contains entries on more obscure observations (such as people in bear costumes on motorbikes serving an advertising function). Entry lengths vary considerably. Unlike reference books, an entry’s length does not seem to be an indication of its importance (or annoyance). For example the entry on “Xenu” (the teachings of Scientology), or the “Chinese Communist Party,” or “Hitler, People Calling Each Other” claims several pages while “Blackberry” merits only one line. Surprisingly entries that one would expect as part of the contemporary American culture such as “Blog” or “Politically Correct,” or even the more ubiquitous “Starbucks” or “Energy Drinks” are not listed.

Some entries expose our insanity (such as entries on Dubai and Botox); however, most fall flat. At times, the humor turns into a rant. The excessive use of crude language could be a turn-off for some readers.

Armchair Interviews says: As with humor, the book will appeal to a select group of readers. Heed the reviewer’s comments about the cultural humor not all Americans will understand.