Shout-out to anyone else who sometimes needs A Moment to process how profoundly immature the world is.
Sometimes, when writing explainers, I feel an overwhelming sense of futility.
Last week, realizing my agent didn't even grok the anti-propaganda themes in my war trilogy made me acutely aware that markets aren't primed to want work reevaluating our history and cultural givens.
We want stories that sing in-group safety and self-righteousness back to us.
O we small and fragile creatures, eh?
@MLClark Sometimes I have to sit back and realize that I am nothing but A large somewhat sentient mobile bacteria and virus hotel, and that the human race is but a blip on the time line evolved from our ape ancestors apparently to create plastic.
I do the same thing!
(Right down to the "somewhat sentient" part.)
It's quite a calming exercise, as is looking at the stars and remembering that in the cosmic realm, all of our strutting about on this tiny stage of a pale blue dot really is just a lot of sound and fury - signifying nothing to the vast expanses of outer space already, and signifying nothing to us, as well, soon enough.
Glad to be a fellow bacteria in your vicinity for now, though, Swinemiester. 🔬 Much obliged.
@MLClark Glad to be of service!😜
Most days, all day, this awareness is present.
On all days, it appears for at least part of the day.
Deep thought accompanied by critical thinking is all but unobserved in the present.
Delusional thinking and willful ignorance reign.
You said it, Scott.
But what a gift to know that one isn't alone with all the hardship this state of affairs creates.
Cheers, friend. Thanks for reaching out.
@MLClark yep. I keep making these statements about power....
Clearly our mistake as writers is not *getting* power before talking about its corrupting effects. /s
@MLClark yeppers.
There's a Marge Piercy book, VIDA, that is about a '70s activist struggling to stay underground.
It's hell trying to find a copy these days.
Or the Country Joe McDonald song "La-Di-Dah" that skewers trust fundie activists. You can't find the song or the lyrics easily online.
"You're so la-di-dah groovy that you make me sick
with your la-di-dah rignt-on politics
Wanna give your soul to the working class
but all you really give 'em is a piece of your yah-yah-yas..."
@MLClark I should add, with regard to VIDA--a copy that isn't so rife with proofreading errors that it's frustrating to read.
Haven't looked for Marilyn French's THE WOMEN'S ROOM yet, but I still have that in mass market paper. Should have held onto VIDA as well.
@MLClark I think the VIDA errors are due to crappy scanning from a print copy, unfortunately. I doubt I'll be able to find a print version these days...
@MLClark
(Sigh...)