I deem this post as Good! (Actually outstanding but wanted to use your phrasing). So good Baird.
I’ve been mulling over the question of identity lately and the foundations of it. At its core, I find simply identifying oneself as a human being to be the most productive for what you write on here. Under human being, we can then get into the unique roles one has and defined whys or prioritized how one exhibits said identity.
Thanks for such a generous comment, Kyle. I like the “good” grade very much!
Your writing on mental/physical resilience and the value of leaning into difficulty on a regular basis is very relevant, I think, to the matter of fighting against all the cultural messages that can make us feel that we are “not good”. Guarding our minds and fighting back against those who want to dominate us is like a mental form of the BJJ you practice.
Interesting (and fun!) to see how our thinking and writing converges. Thanks for walking the path with me here! 🖖
A defining moment in my life was when I realized that the (US) declaration of independence really didn't apply to me. It solidified my resistance and desire for a replacement culture/community.
I read this, walked away. Read away, still don't know how to comment. It is so depressing how we find strata within relationships - real or imagined, strata or relationship.
This I find fascinating, but maybe because I think it is being the better adult, leader, guide: "The American civil rights movement was fueled by mantras like “Black is beautiful” to provide an antidote to toxic cultural messages. "
It is depressing, Stacy. These are the things about human nature that concern me, and I write about them to put them in some perspective. Sorry to bum you out. Now I owe you two campfire dinners because … solidarity! 🔥🥩🌽
It is the hard stuff … human nature. I guess I don't want (even as I am fully aware) to know that the narrowest of minds are actually accelerating division and the ability to battle these mindsets is not impossible but very nearly feels so.
Thanks for all three of your comments, Stacy. Such a generous reader! And thanks for wrestling with the dark feelings I am channeling. I think I started my substack as a way to deal with the growing feeling of dread (oh, that word) I’m feeling about our collective human nature and its impacts. Here is an essay I wrote about that dread-full feeling (you can skip it or have a strong drink after reading it!): https://bairdbrightman.substack.com/p/you-are-cordially-invited-to-the
My brain works in fits and starts, sort of like rolling the rocks around before sitting them in a row. I feel abit smothered with the “people negatively” right now so reading human nature essays only reaffirms the why but still makes me sad.
I needed some “sound” today, so I turned on the radio - listening to a Canadian-French station. Can’t decide if it is country or old rock - regardless, there is no shit show noise.
This essay has so much truth and clarity. It coincides with the current Smithsonian discussion (or is it cleansing movement) - what is truth? I get bummed out with my inability to articulate the value of these essays. How we (big generalized we) cannot put worth in the individualized human by instead grouping types of humans into something sinister, scary, dirty. Scapegoat and reasons to be violent.
As your essays says, we are at a young age how to profile, leave our dirty mark/remark to raise our self to a higher ring on the ladder.
Thank you for noting the domination systems we face, and the possible responses. Our internal work to choose different ways to view ourselves than the current caste system advocates is crucial, and practicing solidarity is vital. Thank you, Baird. The portion of "not you" is particularly strong.
I deem this post as Good! (Actually outstanding but wanted to use your phrasing). So good Baird.
I’ve been mulling over the question of identity lately and the foundations of it. At its core, I find simply identifying oneself as a human being to be the most productive for what you write on here. Under human being, we can then get into the unique roles one has and defined whys or prioritized how one exhibits said identity.
Thanks for another great piece
Thanks for such a generous comment, Kyle. I like the “good” grade very much!
Your writing on mental/physical resilience and the value of leaning into difficulty on a regular basis is very relevant, I think, to the matter of fighting against all the cultural messages that can make us feel that we are “not good”. Guarding our minds and fighting back against those who want to dominate us is like a mental form of the BJJ you practice.
Interesting (and fun!) to see how our thinking and writing converges. Thanks for walking the path with me here! 🖖
Always interesting, always fun. Thank you brother
At the risk of being redundant in appraising depth & scope of subject of mind & wit in ink: Wow!
Thanks Dan! I’m pleased with how that one turned out. Now returning to my fallow period (fewer essays; just putting up short Notes on the app)!
A defining moment in my life was when I realized that the (US) declaration of independence really didn't apply to me. It solidified my resistance and desire for a replacement culture/community.
In other words I wasn't a part of "We the People"....
You wrote that incredibly well. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for your kind words, Hanna.
I read this, walked away. Read away, still don't know how to comment. It is so depressing how we find strata within relationships - real or imagined, strata or relationship.
This I find fascinating, but maybe because I think it is being the better adult, leader, guide: "The American civil rights movement was fueled by mantras like “Black is beautiful” to provide an antidote to toxic cultural messages. "
It is depressing, Stacy. These are the things about human nature that concern me, and I write about them to put them in some perspective. Sorry to bum you out. Now I owe you two campfire dinners because … solidarity! 🔥🥩🌽
It is the hard stuff … human nature. I guess I don't want (even as I am fully aware) to know that the narrowest of minds are actually accelerating division and the ability to battle these mindsets is not impossible but very nearly feels so.
Thanks for all three of your comments, Stacy. Such a generous reader! And thanks for wrestling with the dark feelings I am channeling. I think I started my substack as a way to deal with the growing feeling of dread (oh, that word) I’m feeling about our collective human nature and its impacts. Here is an essay I wrote about that dread-full feeling (you can skip it or have a strong drink after reading it!): https://bairdbrightman.substack.com/p/you-are-cordially-invited-to-the
My brain works in fits and starts, sort of like rolling the rocks around before sitting them in a row. I feel abit smothered with the “people negatively” right now so reading human nature essays only reaffirms the why but still makes me sad.
“Smothered” indeed. I am doing a hard stop on consuming any more “news” about, well, you know. I can’t stand the shit show anymore. 😖
I needed some “sound” today, so I turned on the radio - listening to a Canadian-French station. Can’t decide if it is country or old rock - regardless, there is no shit show noise.
This essay has so much truth and clarity. It coincides with the current Smithsonian discussion (or is it cleansing movement) - what is truth? I get bummed out with my inability to articulate the value of these essays. How we (big generalized we) cannot put worth in the individualized human by instead grouping types of humans into something sinister, scary, dirty. Scapegoat and reasons to be violent.
As your essays says, we are at a young age how to profile, leave our dirty mark/remark to raise our self to a higher ring on the ladder.
The most effective form of control is when the person being controlled starts doing the controlling for you.
That’s why cultural narratives matter so much. They don’t just tell us what to do. They teach us what to believe is possible.
Happy Monday Baird
Culture is complicated. I think I’m just starting to grok it!
Have a good hot Cali week ahead, Neela! ☀️🌶️
Thank you and same to you Baird.
Thank you for noting the domination systems we face, and the possible responses. Our internal work to choose different ways to view ourselves than the current caste system advocates is crucial, and practicing solidarity is vital. Thank you, Baird. The portion of "not you" is particularly strong.
Thanks for reading and for your generous comment, Hans!