We especially need to distract ourselves from the fact that the whole of human culture exists on top of a huge mass of dying bird, fish, mammal, insect, and plant species.
So much truth in this piece...and so much reason for sadness. 'I want everyone to want to be me, but I can't even enjoy the gifts of my own life if someone's not watching or feeling envious...' on top of the complete lack of interest in what the gifts of one's life actually cost other people and the planet. Thank you for a great piece!
Thank you ...absolutely love this piece. Sentiments so beautifully expressed. These phrases stood out for me :
"one of those spaces where the privilege is so thick it fogs the air."
"It’s always in the small things that you see how far gone people are. How “please” and “thank you” evaporate as soon as someone starts believing their own hype."
For me - this is one of the biggest differences between daily interactions in South Africa and Germany - "please" and "thank you" are very much part of every day discourse in all areas of life ...always ! In Germany hardly ever heard when running daily errands.
Love this essay Louis! To be invited to see Beyonce and have no reaction to her or the magnificent performance once the cameras are off is wild yet expected. People live to curate a feed and not to embody a moment.
I agree with and appreciated all the comments but I also have to say I couldn't help but be reminded of the journalists who were criticized for capturing images of starving children in Biafra for all the world to see, (and presumably take action) but did nothing themselves to stop the pain.
A beautiful piece of writing and insight. How do we live our lives juggling so much but also not wanting to lose touch to our fellow humanity? Great piece, as always
Excellent and empathetic post . So , so true ...unfortunately . It all seems just out of control at the moment ... every occasion is an opportunity to make money and promote oneself. No one is just in the moment and enjoying it...sad really .
Reminded me of a situation (not mine) where a friend and his partner were victims of a homophobic attack in Paris, they ran to the nearest gay bar asking for help and the owner said “stop your drama, you are ruining my customers’ night”. Very privileged, very rude, very contemporary.
We especially need to distract ourselves from the fact that the whole of human culture exists on top of a huge mass of dying bird, fish, mammal, insect, and plant species.
Exquisite read, thank you.
They weren't there for joy. They were there to manufacture evidence of joy.
That says it all.
So much truth in this piece...and so much reason for sadness. 'I want everyone to want to be me, but I can't even enjoy the gifts of my own life if someone's not watching or feeling envious...' on top of the complete lack of interest in what the gifts of one's life actually cost other people and the planet. Thank you for a great piece!
At its core....this is as true in my mid-size city in the American Midwest as it is in Paris, Venice and so many more "glamorous" environs.
Thank you ...absolutely love this piece. Sentiments so beautifully expressed. These phrases stood out for me :
"one of those spaces where the privilege is so thick it fogs the air."
"It’s always in the small things that you see how far gone people are. How “please” and “thank you” evaporate as soon as someone starts believing their own hype."
For me - this is one of the biggest differences between daily interactions in South Africa and Germany - "please" and "thank you" are very much part of every day discourse in all areas of life ...always ! In Germany hardly ever heard when running daily errands.
Let's just be kind and respectful ...always.
Love this essay Louis! To be invited to see Beyonce and have no reaction to her or the magnificent performance once the cameras are off is wild yet expected. People live to curate a feed and not to embody a moment.
I agree with and appreciated all the comments but I also have to say I couldn't help but be reminded of the journalists who were criticized for capturing images of starving children in Biafra for all the world to see, (and presumably take action) but did nothing themselves to stop the pain.
A beautiful piece of writing and insight. How do we live our lives juggling so much but also not wanting to lose touch to our fellow humanity? Great piece, as always
Excellent and empathetic post . So , so true ...unfortunately . It all seems just out of control at the moment ... every occasion is an opportunity to make money and promote oneself. No one is just in the moment and enjoying it...sad really .
Brava - so well articulated. 👏🏼
Beautiful words with lots of power behind them. Needed !
Reminded me of a situation (not mine) where a friend and his partner were victims of a homophobic attack in Paris, they ran to the nearest gay bar asking for help and the owner said “stop your drama, you are ruining my customers’ night”. Very privileged, very rude, very contemporary.
Thank you for piercing the “branded bubble” just a little bit.
Beautifully writ. Huge thank you.