Do you think people shouted down and heckled your idea without knowing the details because they were jealous that your fame/ ability had gotten you the chance to speak over them? I find it funny the assumptions other people make about public figures without even knowing the person.
I sometimes wonder if dangerous metaphors are going to be more or less effective in this current age where things seem to be taken a lot more literally (regardless of whether in good or bad faith). This neurotic need to place everything into categories and label everything — like books with warning/trigger labels — is the death of nuance.
I also sometimes think that people can be so frustrated due to not being able to talk about a certain topic that when eventually something comes along that does — be it book, movie, etc — it may be more “refreshing” if it does so outrightly. If it “tears the band-aid off” and does so without compromise or concern.
As someone who is the baby of the family and couldn’t get a story out because of being constantly interrupted, I’m really sorry you went through that. It feels awful. And leaving is what I resorted to so many times. I hope you’re able to send your proposal to someone who will listen.
I work in EMS and run a meme page for EMS providers, about 75k followers between FB and IG. We talk about anything and everything, and joke about it too. The worst of the worst about our profession, from the hoarders and drug abusers to the skyrocketing suicide rates of my brothers and sisters. Personally I haven't felt that there are any topics we can't talk about anymore, it's all about the intent of the joke or conversation.
Seeing my mother's douchebag hanging in her shower and - later - her dildo in the bathroom cabinet are some of my more heartwarming childhood memories. Damn, I'd love to hear that proposal.
I've always been awful at gauging the room. Or at finding a room where the unspoken rules didn't suffocate me. I finally renounced going to any room. Which is sad, because I know there are souls out there yearning to talk about what people don't want to discuss. But so far, I haven't had much luck in finding them. I won't stop talking, though.
I recently watched Capote's Swans and I was captivated when Capote said "You want to write? Write down everything. Listen to everything. Notice everything." I just loved that. And the quote "If you're going to tell them the truth, make them laugh or else they will kill you."
Your story about the family gatherings where certain topics are avoided made me think of the fact that speaking your heart out is somehow similar to walking naked. In front of whom would you be capable to do that and who would be interested of such thing? Isn’t it sometimes easier with strangers? 😉
As to the “gathering of artists and writers and filmmakers” “to contribute ideas to the platform of a rising local candidate” I am not sure why that doesn’t feel right to me (or it feels rather dangerous) but it does… but maybe I don’t fully understand the purpose of the initiative.
Also I am genuinely sorry that you weren’t listened sir. I have the feeling it was a proposal dear to your heart… which brings me back to my initial thought. Perhaps you weren’t addressing it to the right group of people…
Reading this post brought back memories of my past life in corporate America (eew…) which was crammed full of “know your audience” reminders when creating presentations, contract proposals, and so on. I did it for more than two decades, but never fit the stereotypical corporate mold because I LOVED talking about the douche commercial and finding ways to force people out of their blue suit and white dress shirt comfort zone; I definitely was not one of them. The creative writing space is a far better environment for my brain.
Do you think people shouted down and heckled your idea without knowing the details because they were jealous that your fame/ ability had gotten you the chance to speak over them? I find it funny the assumptions other people make about public figures without even knowing the person.
I still have yet to see a douche commercial. I’m 39.
I'm sorry I didn't shout down the jokesters. I wanted to hear the proposal.
I sometimes wonder if dangerous metaphors are going to be more or less effective in this current age where things seem to be taken a lot more literally (regardless of whether in good or bad faith). This neurotic need to place everything into categories and label everything — like books with warning/trigger labels — is the death of nuance.
I also sometimes think that people can be so frustrated due to not being able to talk about a certain topic that when eventually something comes along that does — be it book, movie, etc — it may be more “refreshing” if it does so outrightly. If it “tears the band-aid off” and does so without compromise or concern.
Thank you for your douching—how else can people confront the dark, dirty bits they try to keep inside themselves.
As someone who is the baby of the family and couldn’t get a story out because of being constantly interrupted, I’m really sorry you went through that. It feels awful. And leaving is what I resorted to so many times. I hope you’re able to send your proposal to someone who will listen.
I work in EMS and run a meme page for EMS providers, about 75k followers between FB and IG. We talk about anything and everything, and joke about it too. The worst of the worst about our profession, from the hoarders and drug abusers to the skyrocketing suicide rates of my brothers and sisters. Personally I haven't felt that there are any topics we can't talk about anymore, it's all about the intent of the joke or conversation.
Seeing my mother's douchebag hanging in her shower and - later - her dildo in the bathroom cabinet are some of my more heartwarming childhood memories. Damn, I'd love to hear that proposal.
I've always been awful at gauging the room. Or at finding a room where the unspoken rules didn't suffocate me. I finally renounced going to any room. Which is sad, because I know there are souls out there yearning to talk about what people don't want to discuss. But so far, I haven't had much luck in finding them. I won't stop talking, though.
I would’ve thrown a ‘hissy fit’ too.
I recently watched Capote's Swans and I was captivated when Capote said "You want to write? Write down everything. Listen to everything. Notice everything." I just loved that. And the quote "If you're going to tell them the truth, make them laugh or else they will kill you."
"That was about as welcome as a fart at a wedding" - quoting me, on topics not well-received by a particular crowd.
I often seen to be that guy who makes the observation no one wants to acknowledge which is followed by silence or nervous laughter.
Love how you utilized your bold headings. Reading this was fun and intriguing. Hmmm… yes, try a different audience.
Your Patrick story reminded me of the Seinfeld episode about the burned-down cabin. “And I loved him deeply. In a way you could never understand.”
Your story about the family gatherings where certain topics are avoided made me think of the fact that speaking your heart out is somehow similar to walking naked. In front of whom would you be capable to do that and who would be interested of such thing? Isn’t it sometimes easier with strangers? 😉
As to the “gathering of artists and writers and filmmakers” “to contribute ideas to the platform of a rising local candidate” I am not sure why that doesn’t feel right to me (or it feels rather dangerous) but it does… but maybe I don’t fully understand the purpose of the initiative.
Also I am genuinely sorry that you weren’t listened sir. I have the feeling it was a proposal dear to your heart… which brings me back to my initial thought. Perhaps you weren’t addressing it to the right group of people…
Reading this post brought back memories of my past life in corporate America (eew…) which was crammed full of “know your audience” reminders when creating presentations, contract proposals, and so on. I did it for more than two decades, but never fit the stereotypical corporate mold because I LOVED talking about the douche commercial and finding ways to force people out of their blue suit and white dress shirt comfort zone; I definitely was not one of them. The creative writing space is a far better environment for my brain.