I like the idea that some of what we call “performative” is really just trying on a version of ourselves before we fully know whether it fits. A book, an outfit, a hobby, a side quest — sometimes they are props, yes, but sometimes they are also experiments in becoming.
The line about not wanting to simply replicate what cool or successful people do felt honest. There is a difference between copying a life and arranging your own life in a way that makes you more curious, more awake, and more available to interesting people and ideas.
Also, deeply agree that nobody should pay $200 for polyester.
Bit of a 'performative reading' confession... So as a 14yr old, all the way back in 1988, I might have walked around Auckland, New Zealand, not just carrying, but reading as I walked, 'Les Fleurs du mal' by Charles Baudelaire. No, not 'The Flowers of Evil', the translated works of Baudelaire... although I can understand why you might have thought that as we don't speak or read French.
Because I'm, to quote dearest Mary Weiss, lead singer of the magnificent Shangri-Las "Errr, he's good-bad, but he's not evil" (https://youtu.be/01YePzk29Mc?si=Jg4QvAQWjuZLGUMA) I never intended to fool anyone... Okay that's a lie I totally wanted art school girls to think I was kinda interesting... and yeah, no way was me, just Brendon, especially at 14, going to impress a freakin' 18yr old Elam art school girl, so I memorized a couple of Charlie B's poems and performatively read my ass off.
Oh, you probably guessed this but, no, of course it didn't work!
This made me laugh, but it also made me think.
I like the idea that some of what we call “performative” is really just trying on a version of ourselves before we fully know whether it fits. A book, an outfit, a hobby, a side quest — sometimes they are props, yes, but sometimes they are also experiments in becoming.
The line about not wanting to simply replicate what cool or successful people do felt honest. There is a difference between copying a life and arranging your own life in a way that makes you more curious, more awake, and more available to interesting people and ideas.
Also, deeply agree that nobody should pay $200 for polyester.
I fully support this endeavor. Inhabit all those micro realms and sub outlets. Your life will be wildly interesting.
Also, what a good, wise friend to save you from that $200 polyester. Disaster averted.
this was so!!! good
thank you!!
yay youre back, this was refreshing
🫶🫶🫶
This was both hilarious, honest and clever and that’s exactly what I like to stumble upon before bedtime 💌
🫶
Bit of a 'performative reading' confession... So as a 14yr old, all the way back in 1988, I might have walked around Auckland, New Zealand, not just carrying, but reading as I walked, 'Les Fleurs du mal' by Charles Baudelaire. No, not 'The Flowers of Evil', the translated works of Baudelaire... although I can understand why you might have thought that as we don't speak or read French.
Because I'm, to quote dearest Mary Weiss, lead singer of the magnificent Shangri-Las "Errr, he's good-bad, but he's not evil" (https://youtu.be/01YePzk29Mc?si=Jg4QvAQWjuZLGUMA) I never intended to fool anyone... Okay that's a lie I totally wanted art school girls to think I was kinda interesting... and yeah, no way was me, just Brendon, especially at 14, going to impress a freakin' 18yr old Elam art school girl, so I memorized a couple of Charlie B's poems and performatively read my ass off.
Oh, you probably guessed this but, no, of course it didn't work!