Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Shakespeare reincarnated


There's a distinctive elegance in the simplicity of this graffiti.  I've driven by it several times now, and each time, it's made me think deeply about the following: (1) the purpose of life, (2) the parameters of human consciousness at a singular and societal level, and (3) the strengths and weaknesses of string theory's attempt to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity.

Remember, if you will, back to your college and/or high school literature courses when you were learning about poetry.  Remember how your teacher would claim that some of the shortest poems had some of the most complicated explications and deepest meanings?  I believe that's what this incredibly talented poet/artist is doing here.  Walk with me, as we embark on a magical journey to discover the hidden meaning behind this literary jewel.

First, is there a true human existence of said "Bryan Nee?"  Possibly... possibly.  Is "Bryan Nee" a metaphor for a much larger or substantial entity, one that perhaps exists within all of us?  Much more likely, yes... yes.  Secondly, does this entity indeed "eat Twinkies?"  (Notice the way eats is spelled as "eat's"... it's likely that there is a clever literary device being used here that beginning readers such as ourselves aren't capable of grasping at the present time.  Perhaps the poet will reveal his/her signature devices in later works - one can only hope.)  More importantly though, what is "eat's" truly telling the reader?  How is it speaking to us?  It's possible that "eat's" is branching us into a completely different metaphor, or maybe one that is secondarily linked to the author's primary theme.  I suggest the latter.

Lastly, we come to the most interesting part in my humble opinion, the object in question: "Twinkies."  It's likely that this particular piece of the literary masterpiece is the one thing that will generate constant debate among critics for centuries to come.  I wouldn't dare try to assume what "Twinkies" truly means here, because I'd inevitably, and unconsciously, insert my own biases and culturally dirtied perspectives into the explication.  No... this is something that all of you must determine for yourselves, whether it takes months, years, or lifetimes.

Then again, maybe some kids got really fucking stoned and decided to fuck with their buddy by spray painting a ridiculous and random one liner on a railroad overpass... but I don't want to split hairs.

32 comments:

Wifeish said...

Could be really profound like "Boo Radley was here" or something... though Occam's razor tells me it's probably just kids all jacked up on cough medicine and craving twinkies. Thanks for the hilarious post! I love analyzing stupidity...as seen here:

http://thisisyourwife.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/open-letter-to-the-snob-at-starbucks/

P.S. I totally had google "akum's razor" to figure out how to spell it.

Nubian said...

I seriously hope there is not going to be a pop quiz on this one. Just reading the second paragraph reminded me as to why I am digging in my heels at going back to school.

Vodka and Ground Beef said...

What would the structuralists say? No, wait. Not the structuralists. Fuck them. What would the Deconstructionists say? Shit, no. I didn't mean the deconstructionists (everyone knows they're a buzz kill too).

I mean to say, what would the Marxists say here Dr. Cynicism? Obvioiusly Bryan Nee, with all his means of production, represents another slap in the face to capitalism while the man just has to drive by and take it.

That made sense, right?

Drake Sigar said...

Wait a... If you convert the letters to numbers, it adds up to 231, the exact weight of Homer Simpson. Homer has four kids, multiply by the number of death threats Stephenie Meyer receives on a weekly basis, and you get a total of 22111963, OR 22/11/1963 - the date of the Kennedy assassination. Coincidence?

Didactic Pirate said...

Magical indeed. One could peel back the layers of subtext for hours, yes?

Although I do sense that the writer actually intended to write a discourse on "Brie and Knees" but got a tad confused, perhaps due to the influence of some mind-altering substance. You know, like Burroughs did.

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ Wifeish: Nice Occam's razor reference! I'd hate to think this literature was anything short genius though.

@ Nubian: No pop quiz for this one... or will there be??? Oh and, go back! Don't hesitate!

@ Vodka: How could I have ignored the entire Marxist undertones here?! Thank you so much for showering us with your intellectual radiance. Show Pony FTW!

@ Drake: Hmmm... again, I've let a possibility slip right by me. You may definitely be on to something with this conspiracy theory. It has been argued many times before that EVERYTHING is all about the numbers. Thank you wise Drake.

@ Didactic Pirate: Yes, hours and hours. Linkages to Burroughs are entirely possible. Good eye my friend, good eye indeed.

Anonymous said...

ummm...Bryan wants to know why you're posting pictures of his graffiti without copyright permission.
And to also let you know that he loves his girlfriend "Twinkies" very much.

frigginloon said...

My question to you is did he/she spray paint this upside down or has he/she got friggin enormous arms?
oooh and I just hope Twinkies wasn't somebody's pet :(

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ Anonymous: Ha! I like your thinking that "Twinkies" is an object of the author's affection (girlfriend specifically). But then you go awry assuming that "Bryan" is indeed the artist (it's possible). Now if the author registered his/her illegal vandalism with the federal copyright office, and if he/she was able to provide me undeniable proof that it was in fact his/her work, I'm sure they would contact Dr. Cynicism, and then Dr. Cynicism would give him/her their due credit :-)

@ frigginloon: I would like to think it's ginormous arms responsible for this... that would make is so much more special.

susi spice said...

i like poems...
i posted a poem not long ago.. wanna hear it?

She said:
Scoobie doobie doobies...
I want bigger boobies
He said:
Hickory dickory dock
I want a bigger...

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ susi: You have a gift. Don't forget me when you become famous and take the literary world by storm!

Love in the Dumps said...

as an English major, I truly appreciate this reading. Though I would venture to say the reoccurring theme here is inbreeding.

Midwestern Mama Holly said...

Twinkies? Is that new code all the cool kids are using these days?
I'm so out of the loop.
Love your blog.. now following it.

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ Love in the Dumps: Dear god you're totally right! How did my intuition not reveal this to me earlier?! Wonderful insight my friend!

@ Midwestern Mama Holly: Thanks so much! And don't worry about being out of the loop, it's impossible to keep up with the cool kid jargon. I'm just now learning about "hot mess" and it's probably on its way out as we speak. sigh.

bluntdelivery said...

hey! thanks so much for stopping by my blog. it's a hot mess right now, still transferring files over to the new design. i haven't launched it yet... you caught me inbetween!

dr. cynicism...hmmm. seems like we'll get along just fine! =)

Kev D. said...

Don't you see?!?!?! Forget Burroughs, Ginsberg even Ferlinghetti! Eat is his last name! Nee is just the middle! The lunch is not naked, the man is!

Care not for the eating habits of one Bryan Nee, but continuously remind yourself over and over again that Bryan Nee Eat is the owner of such culinary delights.

Until now, I have wandered through life, wondering who the Twinkies belonged to. Now I see, they are Bryan Nee Eat's Twinkies.

Thank you Graffiti Prophet, wherever you may roam.

Bearman said...

Maybe the kid's name was Brian Nee Eat and they were his Twinkies.

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ bluntdelivery: I'm sure it will look super-great-awesome-win-cool (that's my new word for this week). And I agree, I foresee a blossoming relationship based on cynicism, laughing, and crying (only sometimes).

@ Kev D: Oh the wisdom of my students never ceases to amaze me - it's what keeps me doing this profession. *sniff sniff* You're explication is brilliant. He/She may indeed be the Naked "Graffiti Prophet." Great job!

@ Bearman: You're on the same uber-intellectual plane as Kev D. You guys make me so proud (I promised myself I wouldn't cry).

Salt said...

My first thought is that this message is a prediction of the future and this Brian Nee is going to be one of the few post-apocalyptic survivors and will rely on eating Twinkies to sustain his life. Because we all know that Twinkies and cockroaches are the only things that can survive a global meltdown.

Or perhaps Brian is married and his maiden name is "Eats Twinkies".

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ Salt: I can see it now... a post-apocalyptic thunder dome scenario. "Two twinkies enter, only Brian Nee's twinkie leaves."

morethananelectrician said...

There is a hidden talent unveiled here. What this individual lacks in spelling skill...they do possess in the ability to spray paint neatly while hanging upside down.

But...I really am not assuming this reference to "Twinkies" has anything to do with Hostess products.

But, that being said, has me thinking that "Ding Dongs" are funnier that "Twinkies."

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ morethananelectrician: Huh huh... you said Ding Dongs. **cue Beavis & Butthead laugh** Erm, sorry, yes... there is a true skill in the lettering of this art from an upside down perspective!

Ron said...

Hi! Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for dropping by my blog.

Funny post!

" I wouldn't dare try to assume what "Twinkies" truly means here, because I'd inevitably, and unconsciously, insert my own biases and culturally dirtied perspectives into the explication."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah...me too!

I'll be back!

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ Ron: Thanks so much!

Sarah P said...

Really, the most compelling question here is: Did someone else write this, or did Bryan Nee himself do it?
Don't think about it. It will blow. your. mind.

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ Sarah P: Mind officially blown. I should have taken your advice.

dbs said...

Dude. Prepare for a real mind-blowing experience. What if it's an ANAGRAM?!!! I typed it into the Anagram Server and along with 12,000 other possibilities, it spells...wait for it...A Beaten Wiener's Stinky! Seriously. Whoa.

Dr. Cynicism said...

Holy shit-beans!!! I'm feeling woosy - must lay down. Mind hurting...

Anonymous said...

Guys, this is a joke about a fat kid at my school

Anonymous said...

no dude, bryan nee is just some kid that eats twinkies. thats all it is

Anonymous said...

dead serious this is a fat joke about a kid that goes to high school with me and you should stop testing people on the bigger meaning of fat jokes

Dr. Cynicism said...

@ Anonymous(es): Please don't be duped by the curve balls that the authors are throwing you here. We all KNOW there's a gigantic hidden and powerful message behind those masked words... I'm starting to lean more heavily toward String Theory when thinking about this poetic masterpiece.

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