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Pricey James,
I’m not very punk rock. Not even just a little. I’m properly into center age and experiencing my first style of the various 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 each one is lying. That advantage is unattainable. That the system crushes us all beneath its relentless wheel. I inform hilarious jokes concerning the merciless pointlessness of existence and obtain solely clean stares in return. If the world had been to perish in flames, I’m fairly positive it will be not more than it deserved.
So my query to you is easy: Is that this any strategy to stay?
Additionally: Are you able to advocate any good bands?
Pricey Reader,
You’re punk rock to the information of your gel-cushioned toes, my pal. 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 perimeters, angle it a contact towards the mainstream? Day-to-day discourse, in my expertise, can soak up a exceptional quantity of savage absurdism, gags about doom, and so forth (these items is extremely 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 stay, make our approach, proceed on the planet when a lot of stated world is clearly an evil farce? (Enormous 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 identified 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 somewhat 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 wonderful. Or: It’s all bollocks and everybody dies, so why don’t I assist this aged particular person along with her procuring? Use it, this flame of disgust, to refine your language!
Relating to 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 sweetness, 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 films 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 velocity into charmed pal 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 rapidly!” Genius.
Ft up within the again row,
James
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