Sprezzatura

Last Friday @greenie messaged me that sprezzatura would be a good word of the day. I'm very glad she did.

Sprezzatura was originally defined as a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it. It has been further described as as a form of defensive irony: the ability to disguise what one really desires, feels, thinks, and means or intends behind a mask of apparent reticence and nonchalance.

I immediately thought of the hipster trend to communicate only in irony and sarcasm. This trend was lampooned in the excellent Key and Peele sketch Awkward Conversation. It is easier to make fun of opinions and hide behind a wall of sarcasm than it is to form and articulate well thought out ideas.

Sprezzatura was coined in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione in his book The Book of the Courtier, and the mannerism is still prevalent today. But I feel like there is hope of moving to a more authentic culture. Authenticity is a top trend in 2017 and I am constantly seeing the phrase authentic life being thrown around. Maybe we will get to a point where it is ok to be who you are.