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Pricey James,
I’m not very punk rock. Not even a bit. I’m nicely into center age and experiencing my first style of the numerous small indignities positive to return. I put on smart footwear with gel insoles scientifically designed to alleviate the ache and discomfort of plantar fasciitis. I’ve lengthy and detailed conversations about insurance coverage.
And but, in my coronary heart, I consider that every one is lying. That advantage is unimaginable. That the system crushes us all beneath its relentless wheel. I inform hilarious jokes in regards to the merciless pointlessness of existence and obtain solely clean stares in return. If the world have been to perish in flames, I’m fairly positive it will be not more than it deserved.
So my query to you is straightforward: Is that this any approach to dwell?
Additionally: Are you able to suggest any good bands?
Pricey Reader,
You might be punk rock to the guidelines of your gel-cushioned toes, my good friend. Don’t fear about that. I’m sorry that no person’s digging your nihilistic humor. Possibly work in your materials a bit, soften the sides, angle it a contact towards the mainstream? Day-to-day discourse, in my expertise, can take up a outstanding quantity of savage absurdism, gags about doom, and so forth (these things is very relatable!)—so long as you don’t come off as aggressive or out of your thoughts. So long as you don’t come off too punk rock.
To your bigger level: How are we to dwell, make our method, proceed on the planet when a lot of mentioned world is clearly an evil farce? (Big pause whereas recommendation columnist slurps his espresso, stares out the window, and considers the query.) The punk rockers weren’t the primary to have this perception, in fact: The poets and the prophets have at all times recognized it. Nobody is extra punk rock than the unknown creator of Ecclesiastes. Or John Donne. Or Sylvia Plath. Or the creator(s) of the Psalms, in sure moods.
The trick, I believe, is to make use of this world-withering imaginative and prescient as a stimulant fairly than as a philosophical finish level. Don’t let it shut you down; let it wake you up. Use it to sharpen your senses and file your encounters to a eager edge. As in: It’s all bollocks and everybody dies, however wow, this bag of Dunkin’ Donuts Snackin’ Bacon tastes superb. Or: It’s all bollocks and everybody dies, so why don’t I assist this aged particular person together with her buying? Use it, this flame of disgust, to refine your language!
Concerning bands, I’ve one phrase for you: Godflesh. (Cue sound of Godflesh followers throughout America falling to their knees in grateful assent.) It’s all there. The wonder, the horror, the low finish that purges your bowels, the guitar tone that scrapes the plaque out of your coronary heart. Begin with Hymns.
Eager to be sedated,
James
Pricey James,
What are some nice motion pictures which have come out this 12 months?
Pricey Reader,
The final nice film I noticed was Friendship. Profoundly awkward particular person (Tim Robinson) is absorbed at dizzying pace into charmed good friend circle of clean bro (Paul Rudd) after which—much more abruptly—rejected. At which level he shouts, in despair, “You made me really feel too free! You accepted me too shortly!” Genius.
Toes up within the again row,
James
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