How to Understand Gonzo Journalism

As a part of the mass-consciousness labelling of "new media", the type of journalism known as "gonzo" is open to debate on all of its aspects, such as what characterizes gonzo, the role of gonzo and how great or awful it is as a phenomenon. Popularized by the famous (or infamous) Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo has been misunderstood by many and appreciated by few, but there is a kind of cult following around the original author that will likely push gonzo into the new millennium.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Read some gonzo pieces to get a feel for what the genre entails. Thompson's work is probably the best example. Various web sites have examples of what they call "gonzo" by younger writers like Tom Watson and James Campion. Do a little analysis of how a writer classifies their work as "gonzo".

2. Understand the context. A great example is the work that Thompson did around the Nixon campaign. For many readers, the underlying essence of the work is a refusal to follow the game by conventional rules, and a visceral reaction to the corruption of the political realm. Thompson's surrealism shows a disgust with business as usual that resonates in the American mind.

3. Compare gonzo to "regular" journalism to see how gonzo works. In contrast to straight news writing, which is often shuttered and bound with formal style and content restrictions, gonzo is a free release of ideas, a renunciation of the courtesies present in the journalistic field, and an empowerment of the imagination and expression through surrealism.

4. Assess probable motivations of gonzo writers. Apart from free expression and rowdy use of media rights, gonzo can also be about educating the public, albeit rudely and without discretion. A "big picture" gonzo writer might be going for more than a gut reaction; some writers use the genre to try to illustrate deep problems in a culture and even to offer solutions, in their own way. Think about how gonzo could be more of a vehicle of redemption than a shout in the dark.

5. Get involved with new gonzo writers. Check out the blogs and publications of writers like Rick McKinney at Jigglebox.com to see what gonzos are doing these days. You'll find the work of Thompson and others being carried on in application to new realities, and maybe get a bigger understanding of where gonzo is headed.

Resources

• Jigglebox Journal