"Why Bother?", originally published as "Perchance to Dream: In the Age of Images, a Reason to Write Novels", is a literary essay by American novelistJonathan Franzen. It is often referred to as "The Harper's Essay". First published in the April 1996 issue of Harper's magazine, the essay concerns the persistence of reading within the context of technological growth and distraction. Franzen recounts his meditations on the state and possibility of the novel form, often against the backdrop of his personal experience, eventually concluding that the novel still has potential cultural agency in the United States, and often gains it by paradoxical drives of both culture and author.
Background
The essay was initially published in the April 1996 issue of Harper's between the publication of Franzen's novels Strong Motion (1992) and The Corrections (2001). Franzen expanded and revised the essay, re-titling it "Why Bother?", and published it in his 2002 essay collection How to Be Alone. In the introduction to the collection, Franzen explained his changing the title as a response to the many interviewers asking about the essay but failing to understand its intention, believing the essay to be an explicit promise on Franzen's part of a third "Big Social Novel" featuring a good deal of local detail and observation. Franzen, instead, thought of the essay as a defense of reading and writing literature for its own sake in a modern world, expanding the essay later in response. Humorously, Franzen notes that the original title was chosen by a Harper's editor hoping for easy recognition with Hamlet's soliloquy, but frequently referred to by interviewers as "The Harper's Essay." The essay makes frequent reference to the Paula Fox novel Desperate Characters, the work of linguistic anthropologist Shirley Brice Heath, Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22 as well as previous literary manifestos of Philip Roth, Flannery O'Connor and Tom Wolfe.
To better capture their live sound, Weezer produced Pinkerton themselves, creating a darker, more abrasive album than their 1994 self-titled debut. Cuomo's lyrics express disillusionment with the rock lifestyle; the album is named after the character BF Pinkerton from Giacomo Puccini's 1904 opera Madama Butterfly, whom Cuomo described as an "asshole American sailor similar to a touring rock star". Like the opera, the album contains references to Japanese culture.
Pinkerton debuted at number 19 on the US Billboard 200 and fell short of sales expectations after the success of Weezer's debut. It initially received mixed reviews, but went on to achieve cult status and wide acclaim years later; the 2010 "Deluxe Edition" reissue holds a perfect score on aggregate review website Metacritic. The album produced three singles: "El Scorcho", "The Good Life" and "Pink Triangle". It is the last Weezer album to feature bassist Matt Sharp.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Why Bother? · Weezer
Pinkerton
℗ A Geffen Records Release; ℗ 1996 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 1996-01-01
Producer: Weezer
Studio Personnel, Mixer: Jack Joseph Puig
Composer Lyricist: Rivers Cuomo
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 26 Jul 2018
Weezer - Why Bother?
From the Pinkerton album.
published: 13 Nov 2009
Why bother?- Peter Cook
This series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 3, in 1994.
It featured the late, great Peter Cook in the character of his wonderful creation, Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling.
D/l and stream "Why Bother" here. https://smarturl.it/q6zpnm
Directed by Sam Keigel & Butch Dawson
Shot & Edited by Sam Keigel
Produced by Dk The Punisher
Special Thanks to Brain Orchestra, Shido, MS3, Pink Siifu
RIP Grandma Peggy
butchysanti.com
published: 01 Nov 2022
Why Bother - Floreat Viti 2022
Repost
published: 02 Mar 2022
Weezer - Why Bother (live Japan 2005, Brian Bell) [HD]
Brian Bell on Lead Vocals
published: 01 Jun 2012
BAD1 - Why Bother
Music video for ‘Why Bother’ performed by Bad1
Stream ‘Why Bother’ now on all platforms: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Music
Written & Performed by: Bad1
Produced by: Sprout & Mirela
Mixed by: Mixedbym4rco
Video
Directed, Filmed and Edited By Vilz Vision
Special thanks to the team at Mangere 275.
Download & Streaming
Spotify: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Apple Music: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Tidal: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
@bad1bad1_
@sqrout
@mixedby.m4rco
#DRILL
published: 08 Apr 2022
"Why Bother" | Central Park S02 E04
Central Park | S02E04: Of Course You Realize This Means Ward | "Why Bother"
published: 06 Jan 2022
Why: Why Bother With Church? | Pastor Jen Zerby
September 10th Livestream
published: 11 Sep 2023
Why Bother? (Lyric Video | Apple TV+)
Sing along to the music of Central Park. Watch now on the Apple TV app with an Apple TV+ subscription: https://apple.co/_CentralPark
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Central Park is an animated musical comedy from Emmy® Award-winner Loren Bouchard (Bob’s Burgers) that follows the exploits of a family living in the world’s most famous park.
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Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Why Bother? · Weezer
Pinkerton
℗ A Geffen Records Release; ℗ 1996 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 1996-01-01
...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Why Bother? · Weezer
Pinkerton
℗ A Geffen Records Release; ℗ 1996 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 1996-01-01
Producer: Weezer
Studio Personnel, Mixer: Jack Joseph Puig
Composer Lyricist: Rivers Cuomo
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Why Bother? · Weezer
Pinkerton
℗ A Geffen Records Release; ℗ 1996 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 1996-01-01
Producer: Weezer
Studio Personnel, Mixer: Jack Joseph Puig
Composer Lyricist: Rivers Cuomo
Auto-generated by YouTube.
This series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 3, in 1994.
It featured the late, great Peter Cook in the character of his wonderful creation, Sir Arthur Streeb-G...
This series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 3, in 1994.
It featured the late, great Peter Cook in the character of his wonderful creation, Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling.
This series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 3, in 1994.
It featured the late, great Peter Cook in the character of his wonderful creation, Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling.
D/l and stream "Why Bother" here. https://smarturl.it/q6zpnm
Directed by Sam Keigel & Butch Dawson
Shot & Edited by Sam Keigel
Produced by Dk The Punisher
Spec...
D/l and stream "Why Bother" here. https://smarturl.it/q6zpnm
Directed by Sam Keigel & Butch Dawson
Shot & Edited by Sam Keigel
Produced by Dk The Punisher
Special Thanks to Brain Orchestra, Shido, MS3, Pink Siifu
RIP Grandma Peggy
butchysanti.com
D/l and stream "Why Bother" here. https://smarturl.it/q6zpnm
Directed by Sam Keigel & Butch Dawson
Shot & Edited by Sam Keigel
Produced by Dk The Punisher
Special Thanks to Brain Orchestra, Shido, MS3, Pink Siifu
RIP Grandma Peggy
butchysanti.com
Music video for ‘Why Bother’ performed by Bad1
Stream ‘Why Bother’ now on all platforms: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Music
Written & Performed by: Bad1
Pro...
Music video for ‘Why Bother’ performed by Bad1
Stream ‘Why Bother’ now on all platforms: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Music
Written & Performed by: Bad1
Produced by: Sprout & Mirela
Mixed by: Mixedbym4rco
Video
Directed, Filmed and Edited By Vilz Vision
Special thanks to the team at Mangere 275.
Download & Streaming
Spotify: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Apple Music: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Tidal: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
@bad1bad1_
@sqrout
@mixedby.m4rco
#DRILL
Music video for ‘Why Bother’ performed by Bad1
Stream ‘Why Bother’ now on all platforms: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Music
Written & Performed by: Bad1
Produced by: Sprout & Mirela
Mixed by: Mixedbym4rco
Video
Directed, Filmed and Edited By Vilz Vision
Special thanks to the team at Mangere 275.
Download & Streaming
Spotify: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Apple Music: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Tidal: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
@bad1bad1_
@sqrout
@mixedby.m4rco
#DRILL
Sing along to the music of Central Park. Watch now on the Apple TV app with an Apple TV+ subscription: https://apple.co/_CentralPark
Download/stream the Centr...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Why Bother? · Weezer
Pinkerton
℗ A Geffen Records Release; ℗ 1996 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Released on: 1996-01-01
Producer: Weezer
Studio Personnel, Mixer: Jack Joseph Puig
Composer Lyricist: Rivers Cuomo
Auto-generated by YouTube.
This series was first broadcast on BBC Radio 3, in 1994.
It featured the late, great Peter Cook in the character of his wonderful creation, Sir Arthur Streeb-Greebling.
D/l and stream "Why Bother" here. https://smarturl.it/q6zpnm
Directed by Sam Keigel & Butch Dawson
Shot & Edited by Sam Keigel
Produced by Dk The Punisher
Special Thanks to Brain Orchestra, Shido, MS3, Pink Siifu
RIP Grandma Peggy
butchysanti.com
Music video for ‘Why Bother’ performed by Bad1
Stream ‘Why Bother’ now on all platforms: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Music
Written & Performed by: Bad1
Produced by: Sprout & Mirela
Mixed by: Mixedbym4rco
Video
Directed, Filmed and Edited By Vilz Vision
Special thanks to the team at Mangere 275.
Download & Streaming
Spotify: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Apple Music: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
Tidal: https://unitedmasters.com/bad1
@bad1bad1_
@sqrout
@mixedby.m4rco
#DRILL
Apocalypse horizon Dead trees on rough terrain With rocks to keep your eyes on Dark clouds threaten rain If I die all alone and you endowed Will I see you again on your own Or in this crowd safe inside these walls? And Witness this endless falter As poison drifts through water In my cup in my finest hour Give in, sit down, why bother? Why bother? It wont be long before we sink into the scene I hope not to be long, I want to come clean Witness this endless falter As poison drifts through water In my cup in my finest hour Give in, sit down, why bother? Witness this endless falter As poison drifts through water In my cup in my finest hour Give in, sit down, why bother? Why bother? Why bother? Why bother? If I die all alone and you endowed Will I see you again on your own Or in this crowd safe inside these walls? And Witness this endless falter As poison drifts through water In my cup in my finest hour Give in, sit down, why bother? Witness this endless falter As poison drifts through water In my cup in my finest hour Give in, sit down, why bother? Why bother? Why bother? Why bother? Why bother? Why bother? Why bother?
“Why bother?”. “Why bother trying to scale? Basic napkin math shows it's impossible no matter what we do for everyone to self custody.”. “Why bother trying to scale? People are stupid and lazy anyway, ...
This could lead to supporters of Vice PresidentKamala Harris staying home, saying "If it's rigged, why bother?" and simply handing Trump a clean win, the Post columnist wrote ... ALSO READ ... And although we all remember Bush v ... .
I haven’t been on holiday this summer, but don’t start tuning the tiny violins. I derive an unusual satisfaction from working when others aren’t (burning martyr is my preferred summer fragrance) and I don’t like change, or strange pillows ... Read more ... .
"If you’re a Democrat, why bother crafting any careful, detailed proposals, with all their trade-offs and vulnerabilities?" Rampell wrote. "Why bother trying to understand the underlying causes of ...