So many things!! First, fucking brilliant this week as usual. Second, "Let go of being offended" should become the new national educational curriculum. Not because people aren't "offensive" but because folks are wasting so much energy and human potential trying to... make other people 'pay' for their 'offenses'? Or make other people take responsibility for their hurt feelings? Or change everyone's mind to think exactly like they do? Like, what is the outcome people really want when they think their "offendedness" all the way through? I think most people want to feel better, loved, validated, safe. But these are all feelings that we need to learn to give ourselves, because that is just not on the world to do! Third, I need all the conversation tips these days, so I am definitely taking "Wow that sounds hard" and "What was surprising about that?" for a spin, thank you!!
Gosh this is so interesting, it made me think of my early days and a specific open mic I always described as "a lot of antisocial dudes telling rape not jokes" It never bothered me in a threatening sense, but I also had age, experience with successful comedians, and a solid crew of friends who were actually trying to write good jokes to insulate me. So I already knew these idiots would get washed out of the system (or possibly get better, but I can't think of any who did). But looking back, I do feel some ambivalence about it and many other early experiences I know drove people away from certain spaces. Some of which were much more valuable and powerful than an open mic. I haven't come to any conclusions, I still feel unsure about how I feel. But one thing you pointed out that I often fall back on is that policing "bad" jokes doesn't make room for diverse voices, it's actually the antithesis of making room for diverse voices.
There is something truly powerful about getting to the point in healing up an old emotional wound where you can listen to or talk about the fucked up situation and not get "triggered." The only way I have ever found to do that is to not shy away from the subject but instead be exposed to people writing about it and poking fun.
Held my attention ! I loved your take on the influencer thing. When I hear someone talk about being an influencer I have the mental equivalent of meeting a vegan. Wanting to bite a live pigs arse. But what ever it would be for social media... Start a paper zine maybe..
So many things!! First, fucking brilliant this week as usual. Second, "Let go of being offended" should become the new national educational curriculum. Not because people aren't "offensive" but because folks are wasting so much energy and human potential trying to... make other people 'pay' for their 'offenses'? Or make other people take responsibility for their hurt feelings? Or change everyone's mind to think exactly like they do? Like, what is the outcome people really want when they think their "offendedness" all the way through? I think most people want to feel better, loved, validated, safe. But these are all feelings that we need to learn to give ourselves, because that is just not on the world to do! Third, I need all the conversation tips these days, so I am definitely taking "Wow that sounds hard" and "What was surprising about that?" for a spin, thank you!!
Gosh this is so interesting, it made me think of my early days and a specific open mic I always described as "a lot of antisocial dudes telling rape not jokes" It never bothered me in a threatening sense, but I also had age, experience with successful comedians, and a solid crew of friends who were actually trying to write good jokes to insulate me. So I already knew these idiots would get washed out of the system (or possibly get better, but I can't think of any who did). But looking back, I do feel some ambivalence about it and many other early experiences I know drove people away from certain spaces. Some of which were much more valuable and powerful than an open mic. I haven't come to any conclusions, I still feel unsure about how I feel. But one thing you pointed out that I often fall back on is that policing "bad" jokes doesn't make room for diverse voices, it's actually the antithesis of making room for diverse voices.
There is something truly powerful about getting to the point in healing up an old emotional wound where you can listen to or talk about the fucked up situation and not get "triggered." The only way I have ever found to do that is to not shy away from the subject but instead be exposed to people writing about it and poking fun.
Held my attention ! I loved your take on the influencer thing. When I hear someone talk about being an influencer I have the mental equivalent of meeting a vegan. Wanting to bite a live pigs arse. But what ever it would be for social media... Start a paper zine maybe..