O.J. SimpStack
Celebrities, who often come from humble backgrounds, are held up as proof that anyone, even we, can be adored by the world. These celebrities, like saints, are living proof that the impossible is always possible. Our fantasies of belonging, of fame, of success, and of fulfillment, are projected onto celebrities. These fantasies are stoked by the le
... See moreChris Hedges • Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle
Within the context of Heathers, suicide gave the dead qualities they never possessed in life. This is not a shocking revelation; suicide made Judas sympathetic, Sylvia Plath irrefutable, and Marilyn Monroe unfortunate. However, Cobain’s suicide was of the postmodern variety; his death changed the history of the living. Suicide gave sorority girls d
... See moreChuck Klosterman • Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story
Substack • You Don't Need To Document Everything
At first Salomé had been flattered that he shared her interests so intensely, but now she saw this as something else: he seemed to have no real identity. He had become dependent on her for his own self-esteem. It was all so slavish. In 1899, much to his horror, she broke off the relationship. The lesson is simple: your entry into a person’s spirit
... See moreRobert Greene • The Art of Seduction

Abusive relationships often go like this: falling in love, not seeing the ugly side, coming up with rationalizations when you do. It’s hard to get free, because you just want to recapture some lost feeling. You want to feel safe, respected, honored again. And you’ll play games with your mind to make that happen. It’s the alcohol’s fault; it’s the s
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