A Fiction of Our Digital Life
One hundred years from now, "Britt & Jimmy Strike Out" will stand as a poignant testament to our contemporary way of life. This fictional work vividly captures the essence of a social media-saturated America, depicting Britt, Jimmy, and their friends ensnared in a digital existence. The characters' lives revolve around producing videos for sale under their brand names, with their personal identities intertwined with their online personas.
Unlike Salisbury's earlier, more conventional work "Mohamed's Ghosts: An American Story of Love and Fear in the Homeland," the language in "Britt & Jimmy" is deliberately experimental. Salisbury adopts a style that mirrors our fragmented, distracted digital mindset, reflecting the mental and emotional disorientation exacerbated by a president who spreads misinformation and demands rigid obedience.
As a respected Philadelphia journalist, Stephan Salisbury's deep concern for America's well-being shines through in this satirical cautionary tale. The novel's cacophonous and discordant voice underscores the superficiality of digital connections, where influencers boast millions of "followers," "customers," and "friends" without genuine human connection.
The phrase "strike out" serves as a clever double entendre. It signifies Britt and Jimmy's journey of self-discovery as they venture out on their own, while also alluding to their ultimate failure in life. This dystopian narrative serves as a stark warning about our anxious, worrisome times and the unsustainability of our digital "Hotel California" lifestyle.
Salisbury's prescient work, completed in 2014 before the current political landscape took shape, demonstrates his keen insight into the zeitgeist of our era. "Britt & Jimmy Strike Out" stands as a powerful critique of our society's obsession with branding, social media, and the blurring lines between reality and digital existence.
Stephan Salisbury. Britt & Jimmy Strike Out. Marlboro, NJ: Alternative Book Press. 2018. 341 pages.