What is DFW-MAXXING?
Ordinary sincerity becomes DFW-maxxing when simply meaning what you say is no longer enough.
You also have to survive the embarrassment of saying it, resist the urge to dissolve it with a joke, and notice whether your apparent vulnerability is itself becoming a carefully managed performance.
DFW-maxxing is not endless introspection. It is noticing the defensive reflex without automatically obeying it.
It is not the absence of irony. It is the refusal to use irony as permanent emotional body armour.
Supposedly maxes
SINCERITY / ATTENTION / VULNERABILITY / MORAL COURAGE / EMOTIONAL RISK
Adherents believe
Irony is useful until it becomes a place to hide.
The embarrassing thing may also be the true thing.
Sincerity without self-doubt is advertising.
Self-awareness does not exempt you from participation.
A joke can reveal the truth or prevent it from being said.
You are still responsible for what you choose to pay attention to.
You may already be DFW-MAXXING if…
- you make a joke immediately after saying something honest
- every sincere statement arrives with three disclaimers and a footnote
- you worry that admitting you care is a form of emotional manipulation
- you are trying to stop confusing detachment with intelligence
- saying “I love this” feels more exposing than explaining why it is culturally significant
Typical practices
- SAYING THE COMPLIMENT WITHOUT UNDERCUTTING IT
- LEAVING ONE HONEST SENTENCE WITHOUT A JOKE AFTER IT
- NOTICING WHEN IRONY BECOMES AN EXIT
- CHOOSING ATTENTION DELIBERATELY
- ADMITTING THAT SOMETHING MATTERS BEFORE EXPLAINING WHY
Possible side effects
- TURNING EVERY HONEST FEELING INTO A META-ANALYSIS
- ADDING A DISCLAIMER TO THE DISCLAIMER
- MISTAKING SELF-AWARENESS FOR EMOTIONAL PARTICIPATION
Spotted in the wild
The term is project-created. The underlying idea draws on David Foster Wallace’s writing and interviews about irony, sincerity, attention, entertainment and participation.
samizdat.coAn Interview with David Foster WallaceThe term is project-created. The underlying idea draws on David Foster Wallace’s writing and interviews about irony, sincerity, attention, entertainment and participation.
Kenyon CollegeThis Is WaterThe term is project-created. The underlying idea draws on David Foster Wallace’s writing and interviews about irony, sincerity, attention, entertainment and participation.