Quick Takes (1):
There’s a temptation to dismiss the impulse to be forever happy as being naive and out of touch with the realities of life. There are many reasons why people want to be happy all the time. But before we can discuss that, we need to figure out what happiness actually is. Is it the same for everyone, or is it different for each person? It's possible that there is a general understanding of happiness that a lot of people can agree on, and we can then apply our personal interpretations to fit the life we want to lead. As for me, I don't think I would want to live in a world where I'm always happy. I like experiencing different emotions, even if that includes feeling sad sometimes. I enjoy the happy moments I have with friends, watching a movie I love, or turning my ideas into something real. Traumatic experiences can affect our view of the world, and happiness can sometimes make us oblivious of the dangers and suffering that exist in the world. 🌤
I have a complex relationship with the philosophy of Stoicism, which suggests that nothing is inherently good or bad, but rather our perception of it. There are certain situations that are undeniably terrible, and it is difficult to see any positive aspects in them. For instance, Viktor Frankl was able to maintain a sense of hope during his time in concentration camps, but this does not mean that the majority of people in those camps were not reacting appropriately to the overwhelming grief and suffering. It is impossible to view these experiences as good. There is only so much pain a person can endure before losing faith in humanity. If you have gone through a traumatic experience, such as the loss of a child or rape, and someone tells you that it's not as bad as you think, or that it's God's will, I would completely understand if you were to sever ties with that person. This would be an incredibly insensitive thing to say. 📜
I believe that being human is incredibly difficult, and I admire the effort that people put into simply showing up each day. In fact, I've come to think that many of the things we do are just coping mechanisms — ways of coping with the problematics of being. Pain can be incredibly intense and difficult to bear. Not only does it change the way the brain functions, it can also alter the structure of your face. No single philosophy or set of beliefs is comprehensive enough to help us cope with the unpredictable and changing nature of life. I remember a music critic saying that he doesn't follow just one philosophy, but instead uses a combination of them, or what he called "contingency theory," using the philosophy that is right for a particular situation. The world is complex and complicated, and it's confusing how people who follow different schools of thought think that their way is the best way to live. We may be entering an age where people are not tied to one way of life, but instead pick and choose what makes life easier for them to deal with. 🌏
It is clear why unscrupulous individuals would exploit people's need for community, acceptance, and love. These are essential human needs, and when people lack them, they may be more susceptible to manipulation. These bad actors are likely individuals who seek to take advantage of others for their own gain, using these fundamental human needs as a way to control their victims. By offering the possibility of fulfilling these needs, these individuals can trick people into acting against their own interests. People often believe that they would never be manipulated, but this arrogance makes them ideal targets for manipulation. In our vulnerable moments, we are more likely to behave in ways that are detrimental to our well-being. This is what happened with Jim Jones, the leader of the People's Temple. He allowed Black people who were not accepted in other churches to join his ministry. He made them feel welcome and like they were part of a supportive community. Jim was seen as a forward-thinking person who cared about everyone's well-being. However, on November 18, 1978, in Jonestown, Guyana, he and his accomplices planned and carried out the mass murder-suicide of 909 members of his congregation, including babies. Charismatic leaders have the ability to use their charm or persuasive ability for either good or bad purposes. They can bring people together to achieve goals, especially when they appeal to needs, problems, or grievances that many people want to see addressed. If the leader can show a path forward, people are more likely to support them in their mission. 💐
📚 Currently Reading:
Climate Change for Dummies by Elizabeth May:
Due to the frequent news coverage of climate change, one may be tempted to think they have a grasp on the complexity and scope of the issue. However, it is clear that climate change will have significant impacts in the coming decades, potentially worsening existing problems. African countries, in particular, have struggled to address the effects of climate change due to resource constraints. I have long intended to read five or six books on the subject to gain a better understanding of the issues, so here’s my first one. When I am interested in a subject, I often begin by reading a "X for Dummies" book to learn the core concepts of an industry or area of knowledge. I will supplement my readings with podcasts on the subject and keep readers updated on my progress. 🍀
🎸 Music:
Hey! Ho! Let's Go. According to my 2022 Spotify Wrapped, the genre I listened to the most was punk but lately, I have mostly been listening to metal bands. I tend to switch between metal and punk when I need to focus. Over the last two weeks, these three albums have been getting heavy rotation:
Rammstein — Zeit (2022)
I was immediately captivated by the album when I first listened to it. Before its release, I had watched Youtube videos of two singles from the album. I prefer to listen to full albums rather than playlists with random songs from different artists. I like to play an album from the beginning without skipping any track. Interestingly, I don't understand any of their lyrics, but I often find myself tapping my thighs like the lead vocalist, Til Lindemann.
I often ask my friends not to translate or explain the lyrics of non-English songs when we listen to them together. Music is a universal language, and sometimes I want to close my eyes and let my soul feel and experience the musical landscape created by the musician. However, this choice comes with its own challenges: if a band's or artist's lyrics promote hatred or incite violence against others, then you may be associated with their message. I like the album cover because it does not use the typical visual aesthetic of the genre. I was blasting the album loudly during the hail storm that occurred in Johannesburg a few days ago. The hail storm was quite loud, so I thought, "why not embrace the chaos and go all in?" It was either Rammstein or Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. 🎹Sabaton — The War to End all Wars (2022)
Sabaton is a metal band that writes songs about historical events and military conflicts. Many people wish their history teachers were as cool as Sabaton, as the band's music makes learning about history fun and interesting. Some students who listen to Sabaton have reportedly excelled in their history exams. I appreciate the guitar work on the album, which is a sequel to the band's 2019 album "The Great War." The new album is a concept album, which means it tells a cohesive story from start to finish around a central theme. In the case of Sabaton's latest release, the theme is World War I. As someone who enjoys concept albums, I find this album to be delightful and engaging. This reminds me of the West African griots, who use music to preserve the history and traditions of their community. They were like the "cloud" of different African communities, storing important information and passing it down through the generations. I would love to see a concept album about African history and myths. That would make me elated. 🪖Cyhra — No Halos in Hell (2019)
I can't recall if one of their songs automatically started playing after I finished listening to the Rammstein or Sabaton album but once it came on, I was curious about the band and decided to see if the rest of the album was just as good. I usually prefer albums that are under 55 minutes, but this one was so good that I was willing to make an exception. The lyrics of some of the songs on the album are incredibly sad, and I don't know what inspired them, but my heart goes out to the band. While the Spotify recommendation system can sometimes be hit or miss, it has allowed me to discover some delightful music. 🫀
Thanks for reading. If there's anything you'd like to chat about, or if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email. I'd love to hear from you. :)