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I'm starting to have a different perspective on what we are experiencing in the United States. The AIDS genocide that occurred in the 1980's decimated our culture, and was a direct result of religiously affiliated people's political influence. /more
In the aftermath "the show must go on" meant that talent was being sourced for the audience that remained. A less discerning, less sophisticated, less educated audience that created demand for simple and easily digestible "art". /more
What had previously been inspired was then being manufactured and produced for sale. Complexity was abandoned and left off off off broadway to begin anew and remake itself in the image of the new society that emerged after we allowed the AIDS genocide to occur. /more
While the main stream culture built a money making machine to mass produce mediocre artists creating mediocre art. Fine art lay bulldozed waiting to be reassembled and reimagined. /more
During this time the main stream were mainlining a constant diet of sugar pop music, candied feel good films, laugh track tv. Simplicity packaged and sold as enough for the masses while those desperate for complexity were becoming emaciated.
Black culture broke through in the space that had been created and began to integrate and challenge the main stream narrative of simplicity. (i'm inept at analyzing race in cultural context so i'll leave it at acknowledging the obvious) /more
The broader culture moved forward. We were good enough, we were smart enough, and gosh darn people liked us. Culture moved cyclically in a cul-de-sac of consumption. Endlessly repackaging what had already been into shiny new forms. /more
What we were told to understand as progress was a ferris wheel of profit for corporate interests, that innovated a system of subscription that kept us in constant engagement. Quietly, complex culture was studying the landscape. /more
Within the nuance of terrorism, endless wars, the first Black President, a financial crisis fine art was being reborn in a progressive context: more diverse, more inclusive than it had ever been before. /more
Creating space for itself pushed against the simplicity addicts core desire, to remain illuminated by the single spotlight of simplicity. The addicts named this effect "political correctness" and it was regarded as elitist snobbery. /more
The ferris wheel of culture came to a crashing halt in November 2016 and we were left dizzied and horrified as the religiously affiliated simplicity addicts came out in force for a yes man to their need to create a simple separate reality devoid of snobbish facts. /more
Many privileged people (such as myself) had bought the lie that the cultural rebirth would continue unabated so long as we continued to pay our monthly fees. We were aghast to discover our own truth the culture had been unable to show us. /more
At it's best culture is a mirror to society that is held up to celebrate our righteousness and condemn our immorality. It discerns the weaknesses of humanity in an attempt to supply an opportunity to choose enlightenment. /more
That great culture was lost during the AIDS genocide and it's trajectory towards enlightenment was fractured into multiple narratives leaving behind a society chasing multiple realities from which to see themselves. It was our undoing. /more
After the election, the ensuing battle between complexity (reality) and simplicity (white supremacy) has been fraught and deeply scarring. Complexity prevailed but only by a margin that exposed how far we have fallen. /more
The simplicity addicts are raging at the dying of their spotlight as the rest of the world waits patiently and watches in horror at the attacks to the last remaining norms we have now all but lost. /more
BUT THERE IS HOPE! The American experiment actually worked. It is so rare that a demoralized society can rise up and withstand the glut of authoritarianisms spread. Yes we have fallen down, but we are not defeated. /more
Simplicity is easy and profitable. Complexity is hard and requires investment, and that's what we need now. A great investment in ourselves and in each other. We must demand investment from our government, institutions, media and from ourselves. /more
It is imperative that by investing in ourselves we work to erase shame by embracing empathy for us and them. Shame is a weapon of simplicity that is ineffective and attractive for it's fleeting instant gratification. /more
Shame is a cancer that leaves a stain on the attacked and the attacker. It is violent and begets violence. Empathy is a tool of complexity that sows the seeds of gratitude through the work of understanding. Much as forgiveness allows us to heal, empathy enables us to grow. /more
Empathy requires strength sorely lacking in a world demanding a safe space. I doubt few will seek to discover empathy for the addicts of simplicity that continue to lash out and deny the reality revealed by the daybreak of complex culture. But we need to reclaim simplicity. /more
Simple pleasure and simple peace are necessary elements of certainty required to experience a fulfilling life. We must restore simplicity's dignity or we will never rest. Never find solace and the space we need to grieve. /more
The only way to restore that dignity is to fully acknowledge reality and restore a united culture, restore the mirror we look to collectively to see ourselves truly. Warts and all. /more
If you made it this far i hope you won't be disappointed when i reveal the purpose. I know we are deeply divided and you may be hurting. But as soon as you are able, pick yourself up and pull yourself together. We need everyone to call your mom or crazy aunt Karen. #StartToHeal
