After much deliberation and self-reflection over the past few days, I've stumbled upon a very sad truth: virtually nothing and no one in this town is real. We are consumed in such material and worldly wonders and if it weren't for our necks we would soon lose our heads up our own asses. I am at fault, greatly, for focusing on many of the same trivial pursuits lately. I party, I overuse social media, I fake relationships with dozens of people daily, etc. I'm not saying that these are terrible things in themselves and that no one should ever party or be nice to someone they may not particularly like.
However, consider the last party you went to, for example, a New Year's Eve party. Think of twenty people that were there. Now, think of five non-physical things about them. How much do you actually know about any of your "friends" that you get fucked up with over the weekend? Honestly, I can think of maybe five people who I party with that I would truly consider my friends. To paraphrase a tweet I saw last year: "We're all fucked up so we get fucked up." Does that not ring sadness in you? Do we just settle for getting fucked up every weekend because we're truly too lazy or passionless to care about anything else?
"All those paper people living in their paper houses, burning the future
to stay warm. All the paper kids drinking beer some bum bought for them
at the paper convenience store. Everyone demented with the mania of
owning things. All the things paper-thin and paper-frail. And all the
people, too. I've lived here for eighteen years and I have never once in
my life come across anyone who cares about anything that matters." - John Green, Paper Towns
Really take time to read and understand that quote. Ask yourself how exactly it applies to you, in your romantic Midwest fantasy, so drowned in your own numbing liquor, beer and sorrow cocktail. Nearly everything about the scene that we so avidly portray as a senior class of 2014 is pathetic. We strive to do nothing but get messed up on the weekend, throwing our brains away and shutting down completely because we simply don't have the capacity to give a fuck about anything or anyone else. When I hear stories of people's phones or shoes being stolen because they got too fucked up at a party, I honestly can't think of anything to say. I can't apologize, because ultimately it is their fault. I can't wish them better luck next time, because it is bound to happen again. I can't say anything but the passive and all-too-familiar phrase, "damn, dude, that sucks." I am not sure what sucks more: the fact that they've lost an expensive item, namely a pricey white iPhone that they have never parted with since its purchase, or that they've simply lost themselves. It's cliche and simple, but true all the same.
We have all lost ourselves in the gray-washed paper town we call home.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Intelligence, pretentiousness, and the sometimes simulataneous occurence of both
Lately, I've started noticing more and more of a shift in what classifies a person as 'cool'. The focus has changed greatly from what once included many different aspects of someone's personality. Typically, I don't really give a rat's ass about what anyone has to say about me and for the most part this holds true. However, the apathetic droll of seemingly jealous peers has managed to irk me, to say the least. The fact that a person who is regarded as intelligent is not allowed to practice or exercise this intelligence is entirely bemusing. Are those with athletic, musical, or other talents not allowed to establish those talents as not only personality traits but cornerstones of their being? As a musician myself, I have never received the label of a "try-hard" for playing or singing along, or making it known that, "hey, it's cool that you dig music, because I also play". As a former soccer player, and someone who still enjoys the sport immensely, I have never found myself labeled a "know-it-all" for talking about my favorite team or a big play. How, then, is any logical presumption of pretentiousness formed simply due to one intelligent person, talented in math, writing, science, etc., and that person labeled a try-hard? Why is it that the girl who wholeheartedly enjoys reading and posts the occasional Instagram of herself, with a book and some coffee, labeled "hipster"? When making these assumptions and settling on your pretenses, ask yourself a very simple question: is this person negatively affecting my experience on this planet? If the answer is no, which, in most cases, it will be, do the rest of the intelligent, educated opinion-forming people a favor and kindly subdue yourself.
I, like most people accused of being try-hards, hipsters, or any other form of language meant to demean a bright, passionate person, will assure you that I truly do not care about your judgment. Spare us, for we are simple creatures fueled by a love of the written word and a hatred for ignorance.
Ignorance is a cancer among our age group as most prefer to spout the first strain of random bullshit that comes into our minds. I will admit, I have and will continue to do this occasionally. However, I am also the type of person that if I am not understanding something, I will use my supercomputer of a smartphone to search Google for clarification. I've read the phrase, "since when does big words equal smart" (direct quote, notice the subject-predicate conflict) and thought to myself, "well, Self, would it not be much easier to Google these big words and expand oneself, rather than tweet ignorance?" To which Self replies, "of course it would, Self, because then learning happens".
Benjamin Franklin puts it this way: "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest"
Although, old Ben was probably a try-hard hipster who flaunted a feigned sense of intelligence, after all.
I, like most people accused of being try-hards, hipsters, or any other form of language meant to demean a bright, passionate person, will assure you that I truly do not care about your judgment. Spare us, for we are simple creatures fueled by a love of the written word and a hatred for ignorance.
Ignorance is a cancer among our age group as most prefer to spout the first strain of random bullshit that comes into our minds. I will admit, I have and will continue to do this occasionally. However, I am also the type of person that if I am not understanding something, I will use my supercomputer of a smartphone to search Google for clarification. I've read the phrase, "since when does big words equal smart" (direct quote, notice the subject-predicate conflict) and thought to myself, "well, Self, would it not be much easier to Google these big words and expand oneself, rather than tweet ignorance?" To which Self replies, "of course it would, Self, because then learning happens".
Benjamin Franklin puts it this way: "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest"
Although, old Ben was probably a try-hard hipster who flaunted a feigned sense of intelligence, after all.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Upon hearing many requests from friends and others that I should begin blogging, I've finally taken initiative in creating something to write my frequent rants and sometimes misguided attempts at inspiring a revolutionary mindset among my twitter followers. Frankly, 140 characters have proved insufficient in truly and accurately voicing my thoughts and opinions. My goal in writing this blog is not to gain followers or incite change in the world. It is simply to inspire thought, gain writing experience, and serve as a place that harbors discussion.
Practice is necessary in any talent or hobby if one wishes to become better at that talent or hobby, and that is what I am attempting to achieve in use of this blog. Followers, comments, etc. are more than welcome, however I do understand that opinions are like assholes: everyone has one and most of them stink.
Practice is necessary in any talent or hobby if one wishes to become better at that talent or hobby, and that is what I am attempting to achieve in use of this blog. Followers, comments, etc. are more than welcome, however I do understand that opinions are like assholes: everyone has one and most of them stink.
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