Comments on: Guest Manifesto: Notorious: The Rise of American Gangster Chic

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:21:22 +0000

This was fascinating. I hope you don’t mind that I quoted it in a facebook note, with credit to you.

By: ANNA

ANNA — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:47:02 +0000

I find it interesting that we are so interested in living vicariously through other “naughty” people.. I guess that is how we can express our inner desire for complete freedom in a really safe way! Thanks for the post.. its got me thinking!!

By: Nikk

Nikk — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:33:10 +0000

As someone who has walked both sides of this aisle, so to speak, I can testify to the overall moral hypocrisy as a contributing factor in being willing to break the law. Cops, politicians, women who want to jump into bed with George Clooney because of who he is, the Bernie Maddof’s of the world, illegal corporate actions- being on the take is everywhere and for someone born poor on the mean streets it is easy to justify making your own code of ethics and going after the good life however you can. I’d say equal parts of economic necessity and lack of a strong sense of not going outside of societies boundaries make it easier. How many of the outlaws we celebrate started their careers out of economic or societal necessity? Mafia? Robin Hood? Poor black kids? And so on until today.

By: Paul G

Paul G — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:31:34 +0000

Hi D…great job as per usual, but I have some add-ons:

First, I believe the attraction to gangsters is that all of us have the whole spectrum of entities within us (varying degrees, of course), so this is simply identifying with a part of ourself.

Secondly, the gangster represents freedom from the “chains” we all feel we wear, to some degree. Every decision we make can feel like a chain if we allow it to. Gangsters are the perfect “grass-is-greener” representation as we see all the things you mentioned and in times of weakness (which humans are often prone to) we want something else, more importantly, we want to feel free of our encumbrances and responsibilities. Those who have a strong sense of self can usually steer clear of this and do not find fascination in gangsters or celebrities of any kind and I say: “C’mon America, jump on board and figure it out…be YOUR F’IN’ SELF!”

By: Coby

Coby — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:18:24 +0000

Excellent contribution to The g manifesto.

keep it up.

By: Mikey G

Mikey G — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:05:26 +0000

Michael,

It should be brought to your immediate attention that Sidebar San Diego has re-opened. After all, this is the place that invented bottle service, which has been one of your “hot” topics, so to speak.

Your comments are widely anticipated.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/around_town/nightlife/Side-Bar-Front-and-Center-Again.html