The Borat Zeitgeist

I saw Borat last night.  Let’s just go ahead and get that out of the way.  I was tired, I don’t own a TV (not pretentious, just too busy), and I really had know idea Borat’s schtick was all about.  But it looked silly, my brain was fried, and I was seeking some base low-brow humor to lift my spirits.  A good fart joke perhaps?  Maybe some quasi-clever double entendre? 

But I got so much more!  Yes, the film was about as low-brow as you can get.  It was offensive and childish and occasionally made me a little nauseous.  But it was also a shocking expose on modern Americana the likes of which ought to send all of us into a panic.  The foul emanations that this comic genius is able to solicit from people in “polite” society is an accomplishment on its own.  But for these people to betray a complete lack of shame in signing the consent form is just mind-boggling.  If you live in a liberal city, or if you simply live – as I do – in an academic bubble, I highly recommend you go out and get a good look at what’s going on in your neighbors’ heads.