Who knew such things were possible? It truly is astonishing, the kind of hybrids you can create and find online. I’ve been trying to figure out Twitter and stumbled across “Justin Buber.” “Justin Bieber combines the dialogical musings of Martin Buber with the canned horniness of the post-pubescent pop star.

The mash-up of high-minded philosophical or pseudo philosophical pretentiousness and low-minded vulgarity is unbelievably seamless. Offhand, the only comparable blend of Jewish philosophy and popular culture that I can think of is Andy Warhol’s Martin Buber in his series of famous Jews. But “Justin Buber” is much better, as it demonstrates a deep familiarity with the primary sources.

I’m not sure what this has to say about the former, although I’m pretty sure it’s not flattering. I’m also recommending Kante West and KimKierkegaardashian. Is this just mean-spirited snark? I don’t think so. I would like to read into this kind of parody a recognition that the kind of things we think, say and write in Jewish philosophy and in continental philosophy exist in a much larger cultural universe, all pulled together in the age of new media. If the Bieber makes the Buber sound silly, then maybe we should stop saying silly stuff in the first place.

Heidegger, Arendt, Rosenzweig, Levinas, Derrida, Irigaray, Foucault, and Deleuze all await their muse. Zizek, alas, is probably impossible to parody. As much as I want to know who’s doing this, I like how the creator or creators have maintained their anonymity.

Here are some representative samples:

17 AugJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

To endure life in the face of mystery, is the meaning of faith. Oh you try to fight it, but I know you like it!

17 AugJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

Real faith means holding ourselves open to the mystery in every sphere of our life. Ooh pretty lady, don’t you think it’s crazy?

12 AugJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

I got money in my pocket that I’d really like 2 blow. But ‘evil’ is the aimless whirl of human potentialities by which everything goes awry.

1 AugJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

In genuine dialogue, each of the participants really has in mind the other or others in their present and particular being. Swaggy.

1 AugJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

There is technical dialogue, prompted solely by the need of objective understanding. Tell me what you want, yeah, tell me what you don’t.

1 AugJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

In monologue disguised as dialogue, each interlocutor speaks only to himself, tortuously. Voices goin crazy on this hook like a whirlwind.

19 JulKimKierkegaardashian ‏@KimKierkegaard

Magic Mountain fun today!! Kanye laughing & me crying! The whole of existence frightens me.

14 JulJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

The Thou is beyond description, not a mere list of named qualities. But I love ur eyes & ur hair, & the way ur jeans fit is makin me stare

5 JulJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

Objective speech snatches only at a fringe of real life. So say hello to falsetto in three, two…

4 JulJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

Chillin’ by the fire while we eatin’ fondue. What do we “know” of each other? No more knowing is needed.

2 JulJustin Buber ‏@Justin_Buber

Baby I can take u places u aint never been before. Many ecstasies of love are just the lover’s delight in his own possibilities.