City of Grenoble Magazine says: ‘City of Grenoble Doing a Great Job’
January 27th, 2010 | Published in Comment, Features, Life & Culture | 16 Comments
Les Nouvelles de Grenoble
In the latest post in his blog The Franco-American Daily Deconstructionist; History and Culture in Everyday Life, John Hess leafs through the City of Grenoble Magazine Les Nouvelles de Grenoble. Here’s what he has to say about it.
Many of you who have the good fortune to live in Grenoble, wait breathlessly for the end of each month, because that means a small portion of your tax payments will be returned to you a hundred-fold, in the form of Les Nouvelles de Grenoble, “the city informational magazine.”
For those of you who do not have this good fortune : the magazine is a glossy, super-sized A4 format affair, arriving free in residents’ mailboxes each month. It is published by the municipal government, at taxpayer expense, and purports to provide helpful information about happenings in Grenoble, especially of a political, social, or cultural nature.
Perhaps you enjoy reading Les Nouvelles: it’s professionally produced, there are lots of color pictures, the articles are short and easy to digest, and it’s all so refreshingly upbeat. When I read Les Nouvelles de Grenoble, I realize that I am living in the world’s most wonderful city. Perhaps I have even died and gone to the urbanists’ paradise. Well, then I go out my door, and harsh reality sets in; but o the illusion, however fleeting, is delightful!
But have you ever wondered about the content of the magazine? For it clearly is not just the neutral statement of city-related current facts and goings-on that you would expect from a publicly-funded publication. There is, of course, the natural phenomenon of editorial selection: the magazine is strangely silent about the crimes, mishaps, and dysfunctionalities that weigh on city life; we hear only about the good stuff. The temptation to intellectual dishonesty seems to be too great, however, for the editors to stop there. What they do report on has to be qualified with glowingly positive adjectives.
So does issue n° 131, October 2009, tell us on the front page that in matters of sustainable development, “Grenoble is keeping its promises”, even though this is a self-evidently worthless statement. If one wants to know if promises are being kept, one generally has the sense not to ask the promise-maker, which is sort of like asking the accused if he’s guilty or not–and basing the verdict on the answer.
On page six of the same issue, we find out that the city-engineered renovation of St Bruno Square has “restored its soul as the lively and convivial heart of the neighborhood.” Well, I hadn’t noticed, but if the city engineers say so, then that’s good enough for me!
On page seven, we find out that there is not just a new crèche in that same neighborhood, but a “spanking brand-new” crèche, which is somehow different from a new crèche, though I suppose appropriate for child-rearing disciplinary purposes.
On page eight, we find out that the Philippeville Square crèche is “new, beautiful and environmentally-friendly”, which will certainly be a relief to parents concerned that their children’s day care was aggravating global climate change, though they may regret that the newness is not spanking in this case; and while some local residents find the crèche “butt-ugly”, they were apparently not interviewed for this article.
On page fourteen, we have another “spanking brand new” building, this time a library in the Teisseire quarter, also qualified as “magnificent.” (If the Teisseire library is already “magnificent”, then what adjective remains to us to describe, say, The New York Public Library, or the Great Library of Alexandria ?) It goes on and on, upbeat snippets about all the wonderful and progressive developments in Grenoble, directly or indirectly thanks to the actions of the city government, culminating in the municipal self-love-fest about sustainable development from page 18 onwards.
How can this sort of thing be possible ? Well, in a country where the press is expected to be partisan and indeed captive of a particular interest group or ideology, and where the state likes to pose as the benefactor to all (and never mind where the money comes from), it is not just possible, but considered quite normal. And this is the problem !
But why do I complain ? You know, in fact, the business model of Les Nouvelles de Grenoble magazine has inspired me. Watch this space, as Grenoble Life becomes John Hess Life, full of interesting articles about how wonderful, nay, ineffably divine, John Hess is, all written in breathless prose by John Hess. You will, of course, pay a monthly subscription fee for the privilege.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:16 am (#)
Great John! What more can I say – thanks for the smile to go with my morning cup of coffee!
Shonah
January 29th, 2010 at 12:01 pm (#)
“Spanking new creche”?ETC this was an English language version I take it? I can see where hes coming from but objectivity in a state funded,city council produced municipal mag? hardly likely dude.Even if tax payers money pays for it ,In mags of this type the emphasis rightly or wrongly is put on the positive ,at least in France,Public TV and local media are much more neutral or critical
January 30th, 2010 at 8:07 pm (#)
I should note that the original text which I translated as “spanking brand-new” was “flambant neuf”. Evidently, I chose this exact translation for comic effect, but it does accurately render the meaning and impact of the original French.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:57 pm (#)
Flambant neuf makes no mention of corporal punishment.Your comment makes mention of Spanking and children,Quite witty but nothing to do with what was written except of course in the biased imagination of John Hess.Also mention is made of the so called lack of independence of The French press ,I believe the New York Times might not be so beloved of many Republicans in the USA either for example amongst many others and Fox news might not be early morning TV for Barack Obama that nasty socialist!Lastly France is run by a right wing government who does not do everything for people as you suggest.Most of the material facts and observations made by Mr Hess I found cogent in their criticism but not those which propound a simplistic sterotypical and narrow viewpoint.
January 31st, 2010 at 3:11 am (#)
Hi Gerry,
I don’t think John is in any way making claims for American superiority here – in fact the US isn’t mentioned in the article at all.
The Franco-American Daily Deconstructionist is irreverent but acerbic and tongue-in-cheek and shouldn’t be treated as an all-out assault on the French way of life.
Grenoble Life is also a democracy. If you wish to pen an article offering your own take on French life and culture feel free to contact me with suggestions.
James
January 31st, 2010 at 4:16 pm (#)
I have never liked the Hyperbole and clap happy nature of this mag,and thats why I never read it.I suggest Mr Hess takes the same course of action along with a course in accurate translation of french into english( without the invention)France and the States are different countries and you cant and never will fully translate one culture into the other,every country has its faults and cultural eccentricitys and that will remain part of the diversity we cherish in the world.I must admit I dont like the simplistic anti french American arrogance but of course its not the first time I have come across it.I am not French myself but quite enjoy the French social existentialism that Mr Hess despises,living day to day and enjoying life. American society puts all the emphasis on the cult of the individual and positive thinking delusionalism.A recent study into the sub prime disaster found that the propaganda of individualism and the American dream led millions of poor black and working class white americans to take out huge loans they could never pay back.The american deficit is now unlikely ever to be repaid
January 31st, 2010 at 4:33 pm (#)
James ,Have you heard of reading between the lines? and go back to recent previous posts by John on his blog? then you will find plenty to back up what Im saying.He has a pefect right to express his opinion and I have a perfect right to mine,which is to offer a counterpoint to anti french american imperialistic views .I never said I was against Democracy but I stand over what I criticise as sterotypical views.It would be naive not to admit that saying a lot of french are existential losers is not a criticism of French culture?
January 31st, 2010 at 4:36 pm (#)
In case readers get the wrong impression, The Deconstructionist would like to point out that he :
* is a French citizen
* has lived in Grenoble for 10 years
* has a doctoral degree in French history
* has travelled extensively across the hexagon over the last 20 years.
This country is more my home than anywhere else on Earth, so whatever criticisms I might make of it, are those of an insider, rather than of a supercilious foreigner.
The point of these blogs is discuss peculiar aspects of grenoblois and French life, and to explore how they are the products of a particular history, so that we may be conscious of them, understand them, and not take them for granted. Whether we like them or not is irrelevant, for the purposes of this blog.
January 31st, 2010 at 5:00 pm (#)
Selection of Dirty words for Stereotypical American views of France (and for most of Civilized Europe)
1 Socialism
2 Goverment benefactors
3 existentialists,(lazy intellectuals living off the state and smoking gitanes etc)
4 Nanny state (SEE ABOVE)
January 31st, 2010 at 9:50 pm (#)
Hi Gerry,
Given that The Deconstructionist blog offends you, I think that you should take the ‘course of action’ you recommended to John concerning “Les Nouvelles” (i.e, don’t read it).
Your comments are welcome but I think we can draw a line under this one and agree to disagree.
James
February 1st, 2010 at 11:32 am (#)
I stand over my opinion that Johns views are a stereotypical right wing and narrow american view of French culture and lifestyle.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:44 am (#)
John writing is Quite witty and well put together.A lot of his observations are funny,the mistake he makes is when he crosses over into the realm of caricature and arrogance in relation to France and I cant go there.In response to james I have shown the blogs to my friends both french and non french and the majority feel as I do.John should not assume that all foreign anglophones automatically feel as he does ,nor should James assume that something written tongue in cheek is simply frivilous and unworthy of real sincere critiscism,as in this instance it contains strong political views which deserve to be challenged! and thats Democracy as John would be the first to acknowledge
February 1st, 2010 at 5:46 pm (#)
Well Gerry,
I tried to draw a line under this but since you insist on having the last word I thought I ought to make my feelings clear.
I don’t think that because John’s writing is toungue-in-cheek that it is unworthy of “real sincere criticism”, but whereas I’m sure your criticisms are sincere they seem to be increasingly hectoring and hysterical.
The basic thrust of your argument seems to be that anyone who is American AND happens to criticise France’s social system is automatically representative of the “imperialist” US “right-wing” that was responsible for the bankrupting of “poor black and working class white americans”.
So, I ask you, who is really being “sterotypical and narrow”?
If it had been me (a British national) or even a French writer, would the comments have upset you so much?
At no time does John compare France unfavourably to the US yet you protest to him that “not every country must follow Americas way of doing things”. You have entirely imagined slurs about “lazy intellectuals living off the state and smoking gitanes” and “existential losers” – your words, not his. I’m quite certain he would have even more uncomplimentary things to say about the States, but this is not a blog about America, is it?
Feel free to invite your friends to the debate Gerry, but please try to stick to the text.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:21 pm (#)
The problem here is that if something is written slightly tongue in cheek some believe that this makes it immune to constructive critiscism? Of course not but the critic( in this case me)is often targeted as a spoilsport by those who are unable to see that John was making serious political points about French and European society.I stand over the view that John Hess has narrow stereotypical right wing American views of France and he expresses them well,But they are not very original,They are as follows 1 Detestation of Socialism and the social welfare systems and healthcare systems of France and Europe 2 suspicion and feeling that the french lifestyle is self indulgent and lazy 3 french drivers are crazy and traffic signs etc are all “Wacko” 4 The government is too powerfull and too present in daily life 5 french are too introverted and depressive even though they are also paradoxically too fond of their self indulgence and huge welfare checks while being social existentials ‘( This social existentialism by the way is complete nonsense) AND so on and so on.Ive heard this rubbish from so many Americans over the last decade or so Ive lost count,John is the latest
February 1st, 2010 at 9:38 pm (#)
Hi Gerry,
Without wishing to repeat myself, I am not suggesting that you are not entitled to criticise John’s blog. However, I wish that you would concentrate on what he actually writes rather than the “rubbish” that you have heard “from so many Americans over the last decade”.
It is my suspicion that you hate Americans much more than you (erroniously) believe that John hates France.
Anyway, I will let John fight his own battles. The Franco-American Deconstructionalist will certainly return in the near future.
James
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 pm (#)
I have tried to express a certain view in response to the comments of John Hess.He is quite entitled to his right wing American views and his hatred of socialism (as he calls it°) ETC ETC.The reason I did this is to add a counter voice to the rising tide of Anti french sentiment and stereotyping which has been increasing ever since the IRAQ war.Cliched views of France and the french have been increasing.Secondly the idea must be countered that Johns more xenophobic views of France are shared by most people in the anglophone community,and this is not the case.Every critiscism he makes of France ,socialy politicaly etc can be made of the USA. In Relation to crazy driving,Drugs,ETC America is the undisputed world champion !Every Developed European Country has a similar social and health care system and John should realise that surveys reveal that Europeans prefer their social and health care systems to that which applys in The United States! EVEN in the full knowledge that High Taxes provide a better and fairer service for all.France and Europe is not and never will be the US and this seems strangely what Many Americans cannot seem to UNDERSTAND.