Perhaps it is fitting that I am launching this Substack on April 1st. It wasn’t intentional, just a happy accident.
We would like it to be known the exhibits that were shown
Were exclusively our own, all our own, all our own
Karn Evil 9 First Impression: Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
An auspices beginning and introduction? Perhaps the musical reference dates me. Though, in fairness, I was introduced to the song by my oldest brother. I was 8 when it came out. But I knew that it hearkened to some odd thoughts.
Odd thoughts became an interesting place for me. Thankfully, my parents, while conservative in their portrayed lifestyle, were far less so when it came to what I was exposed to. This is, perhaps, the benefit of being the fourth boy, the youngest until I was five and my sister was born.
While my older brothers attended a Catholic School, by the time I came around we were mostly heathens or, more accurately, recovered Catholics.
I grew up exposed to Salvador Dali - my parent’s had several signed/number prints - musicals, a free-ranging childhood existence, interesting and varied reading material, and virtually no restrictions on said reading material or what I watched and listened to.
I don't care about their different thoughts
Different thoughts are good for me
Twist in my Sobriety, Tanita Tikaram
I think that is a solid parenting strategy. I deviated from it when I started having children. Probably some pressure due to my conversation to Christianity as a young parent. I’ve dispensed with that, and all, religious and supernatural notions. Evidence is a thing to consider.
Even while I taught apologetics and foundational theology classes at church, I maintained an iconoclastic and irreverent perspective on life. Certainly, I maintained a few rational blind-spots, which allowed me to cling to my spiritual beliefs.
We will discuss this more in future essays.
A Shot Across The Bow
A few years ago I had several online interactions about politics and culture. Mostly snarky and sarcastic thoughts to expose what I consider to be irrationally held moralistic or societal beliefs.
After I started working for Meta, I ceased most of those interactions.
A few reasons for this:
Most people do not want to think.1 Stretching ones perspective and critical self-analysis can be painful. That may sound arrogant - perhaps - but I’m okay with my assessment.
It can be discouraging to watch, otherwise, intelligent people debase themselves with tribalism or beliefs they’ve been spoon-fed for years.I’m busy writing/creating music. I spend most of my day on an internal (private/company) version of Facebook, interacting with the customers I serve. I needed to reclaim my other time for writing and producing music.
But it’s time
I enjoy writing. I enjoy thinking. I enjoy attempting to be a catalyst to encourage others to think. And I enjoy snark and sarcasm.
We are all freakshows in a freakshow. So, let’s get our freak on!
What’s Next:
Deb is busy creating a logo and some other digital assets. I’m setting up a YouTube channel to accompany this.
Feel free to share your thoughts.
When I was a child my father said, on many occasions, “Most people are not taught to think. You have to be nice to them anyways.” I used to think, “Man… that’s arrogant.”
And it is.. but it is also accurate.