How David Foster Wallace Created A New Genre (New Sincerity)

The usage of New Sincerity dates back to the mid-1980s, but David Foster Wallace catapulted the term into modern consciousness with his 1993 essay on Television "E Unibus Pluram: Television and U.S. Fiction." The New Sincerity movement was a response to the cynical nature of postmodernism and called for a more engaged relationship with reading audiences. David Foster Wallace's most famous novel, "Infinite Jest," forces the reader into this genre with its non-linear timelines, difficult chapters, and shocking material which forces a reader to actively consume the work. However, the New Sincerity movement has continued into contemporary times with shows like The Sopranos, Ted Lasso, Atlanta, Ramy, and Master of None.
Discover over 100 of David Foster Wallace's favorite books and the three books he wrote with by his side below
writeconscious...

[@TheGoodMD]

New sincerity is a pretty wholesome genre. I am pretty tired of irony and mockery. I love the idea of someone trying to meaningfully connect with other people. How sweet.

[@ainslie187]

_New Sincerity_ is where it’s at, provided there is some levity mixed in. There is a great video on this topic titled ‘David Foster Wallace - The Problem with Irony’ by Will Schoder. I suspect you may have already seen it but if not I have to recommend it.

[@sweetviolents29]

There’s a European philosophy guy here on youtube called “Carefree Wandering” who wrote a book called “Profilicity” and talks about it on here a lot. I think he hits the mark on what Wallace saw as a new self-consciousness that started with the tv era he grew up in and intensified with social media. Instead if viewing it as a movement, however, he sees it as a next step in human identity-making. I hope Wallace is right and that a reaction rises soon. Maybe the only reason we see it as a flop is that he couldn’t stay with us long enough.

[@Lmaoh5150]

Great channel

[@enriccoc7794]

I don't think you can go and say "i'm going to make a new genre" and then do it, I dont' think it works that way. Mary Shelley didn't go "I'm gonna invent science fiction", it's more that she had an idea that was so interesting it stimulated a lot of other people's imaginations and it grew up around her.

[@fireball43]

It works that way if it works

[@kentjensen4504]

@@fireball43 yup

[@Rumplenutskn]

Hey man just found your channel today keep on doing what you're doing this really connected with me thank you

[@kentjensen4504]

Neoconservatives aren't yearning for a better past. Neoconservatives are the military industrial complex and are today almost totally in service of the Israel lobby. You're thinking of captal 'T' Traditionalists and Paleoconservatives, who have very little in common with people like Paul Wolfowitz and Victoria Nuland. I belong to none of these groups, but I have sympathy with many who reject parts of the modern world. I would love to see reverence for the past combined with futuristic ambition; The Little House on the Prairie, but taking place on Mars. Picture Michael Landon patiently explaining to his daughters why it's wrong to use the neighbor's anti-gravity machine without permission.

[@amodernpolemic]

"I would love to see reverence for the past combined with futuristic ambition". I know what you mean. Moral relativism has seriously run its course!

[@amodernpolemic]

Excellent video! This is a much-needed topic of discussion. I've been thinking and writing more about irony and sincerity. As I've noticed the misery of postmodern irony and cynicism and endless critique (and I admit I was part of it for years), I've attempted to distanced myself from it more and more. This ties in to our last discussion of why I use a pseudonym--because I'm writing as sincerely as possible and it feels (or I'm afraid it would come across as) cringey if it was a "real person". A pseudonym is like a character from a fiction novel. I'd like to hear your take on this--I know you think I'm just doing it out of fear, but if someone is pouring their heart out in non-fiction (as themselves), is it gauche or awkward or tasteless? Should this kind of sincerity come from a fictional character? Is it more relatable from a fictional character?

[@lordbunbury]

Although I appreciate the move towards sincerity, only being able to be authentic via a fictional character, because of the fear for ridicule is kind of ironic, since it takes away from the whole authentic sincerity that’s supposed to be the aim. If you would work that paradox into the writing itself it would be a great way of highlighting the problem. Although it sets the thing up again for being some ironic meta commentary. This hole of irony just keeps on digging itself into oblivion.

[@amodernpolemic]

@@lordbunbury Paradox never ends! That's the whole crux of my problem. I understand where you're coming from and I agree with the problems you pointed out. I'm not sure what to do--it's necessary to write, so I write. But how or if it can relate to an audience I don't know.

[@amodernpolemic]

@@lordbunbury Maybe I am afraid. I don't experience it that way, but perhaps that's because I'm not admitting to myself that I'm afraid. When I write, I experience it as the most authentic action possible. But how to share that with another person is the mystery.

[@kentjensen4504]

I think your reasons for using a pseudonym are excellent. You have nothing to feel bad about.

[@ainslie187]

Yes, paradox is woven into the fabric of the universe, I was bewildered and frustrated for a few years once I understood that. “Spirituality”- for lack of a better word -provided some answers to my conundrum.

[@scoon2117]

Impressive gesticulations

[@D3athL1vin]

10:03 i could write an essay on the significance of the slang word Glazing😂😂 there's multiple layers to it but there is a positive notion to it imo through criticism of those who overly admire others

[@rajasmasala]

Oop I just realized the reason this can feel like an alt-right channel is that like them you are targeting younger audiences (alt-right needs to groom younger undeveloped minds or else older uncritical ones). Apologies for any improper comments in context, didn't realize what I was actually seeing.

[@josephhancook8287]

Interesting. I'm 56, one half of my family were hardcore Kennedy democrats. Grandad even ran for Senate with JFK's thumbs up. Except the mob wasn't so beat. This is the fifties. Pulled the plug. So to pay back his bank debt. He started a marina and restaurant. At 52! That drive these days is almost unheard of. After a lifetime of farming to building a marina restaurant. The debt was paid. The mob didn't like him because he said no thanks when they offered to help with something minor. This is Delaware Bay South Jersey. Huge mob territory. I grew up working since I was 6 , really working at 9 with my own truck. Anything was possible. My dad would have me drive into town at twelve and buy his booze and cigs since he'd be busy. Never an issue. My mom's side, esp her, are and were all you'll never make it. Save you money, put your head down and do as your told. My mom would attempt to be positive but my uncle ,whom I rarely saw, wasn't as positive. So when I was struggling in a very good band, thee wass no positive feedback. Just you should go get a vocation. Or just do as your told. Who do you thinks opinion stuck with me? All these positive comments from my dad's side and friends but two family members told me I'd fail. And a couple miserable old friends. It's very sad when talent gets frozen. Especially being ultra hyperactive. Our guitar player got killed in an accident. I was there and it was too gory to get into. We were celebrating our new record and possible label signing. So when I went back east to get better on the farm. There was no understanding from my mom or uncle. My dad ... absolutely. I just can't come to grips with why so many talented and driven people become derailed before they truly get that chance. I guess my skins too thin. It's why I don't read comments. I'm at a FU point in my life, now I just have to stand back up. I'm sick of getting knocked down by people supposed to love. Sorry for the ramble.

[@johngammon963]

Maybe The New Sincerity was ahead of its time and still is.

[@D3athL1vin]

is artistic greatness simply not a virtue of post modernism? its almost antithetical to strive

[@Misserbi]

Ian, I would recommend changing your set up to include white book cases, desk, and background. It is distracting to look and seems like you are set up in a basement somewhere. It just seems shameful to add color and variety in darkness. Unless that is what you are going for?