There is always a need for a few "dogs" in a society, but it seems this is never more true in times of wealth and technological expansion. Call it relativism or Hubris-proof plugin if you're more tech-savvy. Cynicism (with a capital C) is a healthy counterpoint and everyone should strive to keep a place in their heart for the little barking dog. Because some times, there really is nothing better than to bark with a little arrogance.
The downside however, is to make it your entire personna. Then, we're dangerously threading in angry-dumb-teenager waters. Because cynisism pushed to its paroxysm is just a projection of fear; not everything must be challenged at all times, not every value/attitude must be ridiculed "for the sake of it". In a way, the postmodernists and their perpetual relativism that got us so weak and stuck embody Diogene's dark shadow to the T. They are Diogene without the wisdom; only the meaningless barking.
That's why I tend to stay away from someone who seems to show too much appreciation for the guy living in an amphora. But besides that, if you hear the dog barking inside your head, don't necessarily shush him, and remember Alexander the Great admired him. And who are you to look down on Alexander ?
‘The downside however, is to make it your entire personna.‘ There is an entire piece, of series of pieces, to be written about this phenomenon. Because it seems to be an ever more present part of the contemporary world. You can’t just read anymore, you have to be ‘the book guy’ and signal as such.
In real life this is not a problem- personally I want to have at least one ‘the carpenter guy’ or ‘the plumber guy’ in my life- but online it is. There is a tendency to brand oneself on dating sites and especially on social media. You end up painting yourself into a corner. And perhaps this is where online extremism of all stripes originates- doubling down on a lifestyle or ideological ‘brand’ you are signalling.
I know the above has little to do with the interesting points you made but it sparked an idea and I had to jot it down. This often seems to happen when we interact here. So thanks as always.
The downside of an atomized personal branding culture I guess. We've never been told to "stop putting ppl into boxes" like today and yet, people have never been so eager to put themselves in those same boxes, gladly erasing any trace of original personality they could have to fit their chosen archetype.
It's like you can't exist as a person anymore if you're not linked to a specific collective unconscious
I think this is how Blake’s ‘mind forg’d manacles’ manifest in the contemporary world. Not so much directly chained up by others/ the system but being chained up ourselves by the idea that our appearance/ persona/ online identity must be a signal for our brand.
Reminds me that the famous 2014 report in ‘normcore’ by the k-hole foundation is probably worth a reread (http://khole.net/issues/youth-mode/)
This was brilliant, the whole essay, but this paragraph in particular:
> Those on the margins, whether through choice or otherwise, remind us that comfort should not be taken for granted. That society and civilisation themselves should not be taken for granted. Everything is in a sense provisional. And further, you can only discover your own place in the world by being able to consider examples from its extreme edges, and gratitude is mostly fostered by doing without. Counterpoints are reminders. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Many an aphorism plays on this dynamic.
I love the parallel between Diogenes, Blaine and punksters. I have immediately remembered a ton of different "performances" (maybe not exactly in the regard of the essay, but in general). There was one Russian guy who, pardon me, nailed his scrotum to the Red Square a few years ago. Was it a politically metaphorical statement or just an act of being an attention junkie? Was it too much or "just right"? Was it a rational brave decision or a whim with the flavour of craziness? I can't answer these questions and I bet even a performer cannot always answer them. But what I can say for sure, he definitely "let the dog off the leash." :D
P.S. And thanks for the etymology bit. I love digging words' origins.
Well that Red Square story was, er, interesting to say the least.
But yeah, I used to think performance art was pretentious, talentless, attention seeking nonsense, which when viewed through the lens of Capital A Art it surely is.
But when you see it as intentional extremeness as a means of making you reflect on the boundaries of your ‘normal’ life (whether chosen or culturally assumed, whether natural or artificial) it starts to both make sense and become *useful*. Like I said, a counterpoint.
There is always a need for a few "dogs" in a society, but it seems this is never more true in times of wealth and technological expansion. Call it relativism or Hubris-proof plugin if you're more tech-savvy. Cynicism (with a capital C) is a healthy counterpoint and everyone should strive to keep a place in their heart for the little barking dog. Because some times, there really is nothing better than to bark with a little arrogance.
The downside however, is to make it your entire personna. Then, we're dangerously threading in angry-dumb-teenager waters. Because cynisism pushed to its paroxysm is just a projection of fear; not everything must be challenged at all times, not every value/attitude must be ridiculed "for the sake of it". In a way, the postmodernists and their perpetual relativism that got us so weak and stuck embody Diogene's dark shadow to the T. They are Diogene without the wisdom; only the meaningless barking.
That's why I tend to stay away from someone who seems to show too much appreciation for the guy living in an amphora. But besides that, if you hear the dog barking inside your head, don't necessarily shush him, and remember Alexander the Great admired him. And who are you to look down on Alexander ?
Hey Sebastien, hope you are well.
‘The downside however, is to make it your entire personna.‘ There is an entire piece, of series of pieces, to be written about this phenomenon. Because it seems to be an ever more present part of the contemporary world. You can’t just read anymore, you have to be ‘the book guy’ and signal as such.
In real life this is not a problem- personally I want to have at least one ‘the carpenter guy’ or ‘the plumber guy’ in my life- but online it is. There is a tendency to brand oneself on dating sites and especially on social media. You end up painting yourself into a corner. And perhaps this is where online extremism of all stripes originates- doubling down on a lifestyle or ideological ‘brand’ you are signalling.
I know the above has little to do with the interesting points you made but it sparked an idea and I had to jot it down. This often seems to happen when we interact here. So thanks as always.
The downside of an atomized personal branding culture I guess. We've never been told to "stop putting ppl into boxes" like today and yet, people have never been so eager to put themselves in those same boxes, gladly erasing any trace of original personality they could have to fit their chosen archetype.
It's like you can't exist as a person anymore if you're not linked to a specific collective unconscious
I think this is how Blake’s ‘mind forg’d manacles’ manifest in the contemporary world. Not so much directly chained up by others/ the system but being chained up ourselves by the idea that our appearance/ persona/ online identity must be a signal for our brand.
Reminds me that the famous 2014 report in ‘normcore’ by the k-hole foundation is probably worth a reread (http://khole.net/issues/youth-mode/)
Lots to think about here.
Good read. Thanks.
My pleasure, Mike.
This was brilliant, the whole essay, but this paragraph in particular:
> Those on the margins, whether through choice or otherwise, remind us that comfort should not be taken for granted. That society and civilisation themselves should not be taken for granted. Everything is in a sense provisional. And further, you can only discover your own place in the world by being able to consider examples from its extreme edges, and gratitude is mostly fostered by doing without. Counterpoints are reminders. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Many an aphorism plays on this dynamic.
I love the parallel between Diogenes, Blaine and punksters. I have immediately remembered a ton of different "performances" (maybe not exactly in the regard of the essay, but in general). There was one Russian guy who, pardon me, nailed his scrotum to the Red Square a few years ago. Was it a politically metaphorical statement or just an act of being an attention junkie? Was it too much or "just right"? Was it a rational brave decision or a whim with the flavour of craziness? I can't answer these questions and I bet even a performer cannot always answer them. But what I can say for sure, he definitely "let the dog off the leash." :D
P.S. And thanks for the etymology bit. I love digging words' origins.
Cheers,
John
Well that Red Square story was, er, interesting to say the least.
But yeah, I used to think performance art was pretentious, talentless, attention seeking nonsense, which when viewed through the lens of Capital A Art it surely is.
But when you see it as intentional extremeness as a means of making you reflect on the boundaries of your ‘normal’ life (whether chosen or culturally assumed, whether natural or artificial) it starts to both make sense and become *useful*. Like I said, a counterpoint.
Thanks as always John.
Yes, apparently, seeing such things as a counterpoint somehow eases the craziness :D
‘This guys crazy. Crazy like a fox.’
And congrats on the 40th issue 🎉 I think I've read all of them although I've started only 6-8 weeks ago.
That’s great to hear, John, and it means a lot. Thank you.