penny

everyone say thank you toni morrison

Via Jurunense

Actors on Actors

Jaguar, Brazil - photo by Dmitri Kessel, 1959

you are experiencing people interfacing with the world! you aren't experiencing the removal of an incompatible human factor; the thing that is revealed to you is your fundamental human *compatibility* with nature. you were simply distracted before. but you belong. you have always belonged. we all do.

but refocusing this away from untouched, pristine-from-human-interference Nature and towards the experience of a fundamental human compatibility with the world totally reframes the problems presented; now this sacred experience can be accessed by anyone at any time, in any place -- insofar as they are allowed to focus. it is not a matter of scouring the wretched from the earth so that the pure can experience Real Nature; it's about finding ways to re-focus, to limit distraction, to increase awareness and prioritize connection. it becomes something that can be attained as an entire culture, something that can be worked towards collectively as a society. it presents us with different possible solutions, different possible values, different possible futures -- attunement, participation, community.

Like you're 22, you're queer, you've just become a Marxist, the scope of World Suck is overwhelming and you have $30 in your bank account. What can you do to feel like you have any power? Well, you can try to get your frenemy cancelled for cosplaying a character from a problematic show. You can write a public callout post over someone's obviously friendly use of a slur you don't think they technically have the right to reclaim. Doing this stuff can make you feel like you have power and your actions have an impact. Unfortunately the impact in question is a negative impact on other marginalized people. But that often takes some maturity and self-reflection to notice.

It's not worth it. Don't trash your community bathrooms.