The United States' notorious propensity for self-seriousness has led American journalism into uncharted territory. When news breaks that a high-profile figure, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been involved in an "erotic affair" with a younger colleague, it's astonishing to see how somberly the story is handled.
Kennedy's infidelity is only the tip of the iceberg - his subsequent decision to write erotic poetry about it has set tongues wagging. However, instead of embracing this salacious scandal as a juicy comedy, American journalists have opted for a more dignified approach.
Journalists Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza were once hotshot political correspondents who became embroiled in their own love triangle with Kennedy when he discovered that Nuzzi had "digital affairs" with him. After the revelation blew up, both Nuzzi and Lizza lost their jobs, while Kennedy went on to become health secretary.
The story has taken a darkly comedic turn, but instead of treating it as comedy, American journalists are writing it off with a straight face. This is in stark contrast to British journalism, where we acknowledge the absurdity of our own profession and don't take ourselves too seriously.
Take Olivia Nuzzi's forthcoming memoir, "American Canto", which promises to be a "state-of-the-nation something-or-other". Her writing style has been likened to an Edith Wharton novel - dramatic, over-the-top, and melodramatic. Meanwhile, Ryan Lizza's writing is full of bamboo metaphors, which are as cringe-worthy as they are hilarious.
This kind of self-regarding seriousness in American journalism can't be ignored. The only surprising thing is that the wider media hasn't jumped all over this scandal more enthusiastically - instead, they're too busy treating it with a straight face.
Perhaps the biggest tragedy here is that the American media's obsession with being serious and dignified has resulted in them losing sight of what makes life worth writing about - a good laugh. If only the US journalists would take a page from their British counterparts' playbook and indulge in some much-needed levity, we might just see a more nuanced and entertaining exploration of this scandal.
Ultimately, Kennedy's felching poetry should be treated as the absurdity it is, rather than being taken seriously as a literary masterpiece. And to that end, let's all take a deep breath and enjoy the ridiculousness of it all - because in the world of American journalism, sometimes you just have to laugh at the fact that things have gone this far.
Ultimately, what's needed here is for Americans to lighten up and acknowledge the inherent absurdity of their profession. And if they can't manage that on their own, perhaps we lesser countries can offer them a healthy dose of international levity - because let's face it: when you've got Donald Trump as president, twice, it's hard not to laugh.
By embracing this scandal with a sense of humor and self-awareness, the American media might just rediscover what makes journalism worth writing about. Until then, they'll continue to take themselves far too seriously - but we can always offer them a much-needed reminder that sometimes, dignity is overrated.
Kennedy's infidelity is only the tip of the iceberg - his subsequent decision to write erotic poetry about it has set tongues wagging. However, instead of embracing this salacious scandal as a juicy comedy, American journalists have opted for a more dignified approach.
Journalists Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza were once hotshot political correspondents who became embroiled in their own love triangle with Kennedy when he discovered that Nuzzi had "digital affairs" with him. After the revelation blew up, both Nuzzi and Lizza lost their jobs, while Kennedy went on to become health secretary.
The story has taken a darkly comedic turn, but instead of treating it as comedy, American journalists are writing it off with a straight face. This is in stark contrast to British journalism, where we acknowledge the absurdity of our own profession and don't take ourselves too seriously.
Take Olivia Nuzzi's forthcoming memoir, "American Canto", which promises to be a "state-of-the-nation something-or-other". Her writing style has been likened to an Edith Wharton novel - dramatic, over-the-top, and melodramatic. Meanwhile, Ryan Lizza's writing is full of bamboo metaphors, which are as cringe-worthy as they are hilarious.
This kind of self-regarding seriousness in American journalism can't be ignored. The only surprising thing is that the wider media hasn't jumped all over this scandal more enthusiastically - instead, they're too busy treating it with a straight face.
Perhaps the biggest tragedy here is that the American media's obsession with being serious and dignified has resulted in them losing sight of what makes life worth writing about - a good laugh. If only the US journalists would take a page from their British counterparts' playbook and indulge in some much-needed levity, we might just see a more nuanced and entertaining exploration of this scandal.
Ultimately, Kennedy's felching poetry should be treated as the absurdity it is, rather than being taken seriously as a literary masterpiece. And to that end, let's all take a deep breath and enjoy the ridiculousness of it all - because in the world of American journalism, sometimes you just have to laugh at the fact that things have gone this far.
Ultimately, what's needed here is for Americans to lighten up and acknowledge the inherent absurdity of their profession. And if they can't manage that on their own, perhaps we lesser countries can offer them a healthy dose of international levity - because let's face it: when you've got Donald Trump as president, twice, it's hard not to laugh.
By embracing this scandal with a sense of humor and self-awareness, the American media might just rediscover what makes journalism worth writing about. Until then, they'll continue to take themselves far too seriously - but we can always offer them a much-needed reminder that sometimes, dignity is overrated.
You can't make this stuff up! "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." 
It's time for American journalists to stop taking themselves so seriously and learn to laugh at their own absurdity! 
it's like they're trying to be somber for its own sake? british journalism is way more relatable to me lol they know how to poke fun at themselves without being mean-spirited. robert kennedy jr's erotic poetry tho... that's just on another level