Sometimes, it's very hard to tell what's ironic, or satiric - and what isn't. Object 1: on the TV this morning, an ad for a wall plaque for "Trumpy Trout" - which, I promise you, is a Real Ad. It's absolutely genius. It talks - in DT's voice - telling you (for example) "I am the hugely bigliest fish in the pond." It was advertised on CNN - which most probably means that it's not aimed at pro-Trumpers. On the other hand, there's something faintly endearing - as well as utterly ridiculous - about the - er - likeness. So - does it have cross-over appeal? Doubtless it is a collector's item - a dream kitsch souvenir (but I promise you, I'm not tempted). It is ironic, surely, isn't it?
And this? Object 2. It was being worn by a grad student sitting next to me in a conference session this afternoon. Yes - it's a shirt covered with little corgis who are wearing Union Jacks, doubtless in homage to our own dear late Queen. But ... how to determine the stance of its owner? I thought this was going to be easy when she said to me - at the end of that session - "I love your shoes!" "I love your shirt!" I lied happily, in reply. "Ooooh, thank you - it's my Victorian conference shirt!" Somehow, I didn't feel like pushing any further.
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