I’m so glad you reposted this! I read it a bit rushed last time but I was able to spend some time on it this evening, and glad I did. It’s an astute piece with many layers. It would be a fantastic discussion for a podcast or something. Nature versus nurture through a different lens and a different method, kind of?
I can’t help but wonder how much of this fundamental issue causes our mental health crisis. The difference between people’s nature and what they are conditioned to be.
The machine based reductive thinking is not my strong suit, but it’s an intriguing aspect to this.
On the most basic of levels I wonder how many people actually like themselves?
It’s a very deep topic that’s for sure. With so many different perspectives it would be a great discussion I think. Thank you for taking the time and reading it again!
The legibility tax is real and I feel it. Performing costs a lot and slowly hollows you out but it's still preferable to putting your real self forward and having it rejected or laughed at. Rejection and not fitting in cost harder than exhaustion does, for a lot of us.
I understand. It takes courage to be yourself in an office (sometimes not even possible) tell your family and friends that you are gay, present under a different identity if you have gender dysphoria etc...
Yep. I get it. And I am really chuffed to see someone articulate it like this. Your articulation is one more "yes" in the direction of "show what I know" regardless of the reception. It's impossible to be "performing" and not be aware of the audience. Laughing and clapping and heartfelt acknowledgment are always registered. Silence is always registered. Writing is a performance. Or at least posting is. When I am done with all this (for whatever very human or biological reason) I want to recognize it as genuine, weird, specific and singular. And if it's not that I will be disappointed. I also want other things but not more than the first things. So you have contributed to keeping me moving in the direction I want to move in. Thank you.
Now on to you, you're doing it. You are weird and specific and singular. And the best part is only more so, not less, the more you produce. Good job. I like it.
You write some of the most amazing and in depth comments ever. They genuinely help me do better, thank you so much for your support, I’m so glad I have helped in any way.
Being yourself is secretly the hardest thing in the world as it is today. Societal pressure is so normalized and all-encompassing that you can’t recognize the point when mere compliance turns into self-sabotage.
It requires the ability to view things from an exterior lens which I know isn’t an easy thing to do. I say as long as you are you, and not someone else just to fit in, or be liked, or whatever, then you’re doing it right. Thank you for reading!
I’m so glad you reposted this! I read it a bit rushed last time but I was able to spend some time on it this evening, and glad I did. It’s an astute piece with many layers. It would be a fantastic discussion for a podcast or something. Nature versus nurture through a different lens and a different method, kind of?
I can’t help but wonder how much of this fundamental issue causes our mental health crisis. The difference between people’s nature and what they are conditioned to be.
The machine based reductive thinking is not my strong suit, but it’s an intriguing aspect to this.
On the most basic of levels I wonder how many people actually like themselves?
Great piece! Well done.
It’s a very deep topic that’s for sure. With so many different perspectives it would be a great discussion I think. Thank you for taking the time and reading it again!
The legibility tax is real and I feel it. Performing costs a lot and slowly hollows you out but it's still preferable to putting your real self forward and having it rejected or laughed at. Rejection and not fitting in cost harder than exhaustion does, for a lot of us.
That’s a matter of perspective, I’d rather be laughed at for being me then for pretending to be someone I’m not
I understand. It takes courage to be yourself in an office (sometimes not even possible) tell your family and friends that you are gay, present under a different identity if you have gender dysphoria etc...
I understand what you’re saying, but being someone that has always been myself, something people don’t seem to believe, I can’t see it any other way.
Yep. I get it. And I am really chuffed to see someone articulate it like this. Your articulation is one more "yes" in the direction of "show what I know" regardless of the reception. It's impossible to be "performing" and not be aware of the audience. Laughing and clapping and heartfelt acknowledgment are always registered. Silence is always registered. Writing is a performance. Or at least posting is. When I am done with all this (for whatever very human or biological reason) I want to recognize it as genuine, weird, specific and singular. And if it's not that I will be disappointed. I also want other things but not more than the first things. So you have contributed to keeping me moving in the direction I want to move in. Thank you.
Now on to you, you're doing it. You are weird and specific and singular. And the best part is only more so, not less, the more you produce. Good job. I like it.
You write some of the most amazing and in depth comments ever. They genuinely help me do better, thank you so much for your support, I’m so glad I have helped in any way.
Thank you.
Being yourself is secretly the hardest thing in the world as it is today. Societal pressure is so normalized and all-encompassing that you can’t recognize the point when mere compliance turns into self-sabotage.
It requires the ability to view things from an exterior lens which I know isn’t an easy thing to do. I say as long as you are you, and not someone else just to fit in, or be liked, or whatever, then you’re doing it right. Thank you for reading!
a beautiful ageless message packaged in a new and interesting way. bless you my friend!
Thank you so much bro. Bless you right back.