Jun 19, 2013

Anti-Social Anxiety Disorder

Dear AAP:
Sometimes I just want to scream. Actually that isn't true. MOST of the time I want to scream. I think you need to know this. I think you need to know that all of us "Millennials" aren't mother-hugging hipster-happy kids who spend all their time staring at their phones and being polite. This world is f-ed up and it is getting more f-ed up by the day. But I can't quite capture the collapse in instagram because they don't have a "This is absolute bullshit" effect. I can't wait to get out of my hometown and away from every shithead who makes me want to scream in their face. I have no idea who to really blame or what is going to happen to me or anyone else in the next ten years, or ten minutes but I know it isn't going to be good. So what's the point? -- Bitch Freak.

Dear BF -
The point is to stand up against the tide. The point is to make a difference, no matter how small. The point is to give a shit, even when your brain is screaming that it doesn't matter. 

I'm not going to tell you that you're wrong. These are difficult and tricky times for a whole lot of reasons: Political-related, Climate-related, Economy-related, Spiritually-related... yeah, you name it. ...and really, there is no one to blame because pretty much EVERYone is to blame. As a species we're really dropping the ball here. 

I don't know what is going to happen in ten years or in ten minutes either. While things are likely to get worse (at least that is the way the smart money seems to be betting) I do know that they'll definitely get worse if we all give up. Society/Civilization is a pretty thin veneer for us humans. It could all go really sideways for us ALL, if we let it. 

I understand your anger. I understand the feeling of hopelessness. I also know that you've got no choice but to try to fight against it. Seriously. It isn't non-punk rock to embrace HOPE. ...and it is very punk rock to figure out some hands-on DIY way to do something positive and constructive about something. You are not going to change the economy, or stop Manhattan from getting washed into the sea, but you can look around your hometown and find someone or something that needs some help or could use a coat of paint. It might seem meaningless in the face of all these "big issues" that are swirling around, storm-like, in your head, but you'll be shocked at how it changes your point of view.

Seven Billion of us scrambling around on this planet. A few people have a vested interest in convincing you that almost all of them are enemies, threats or just plain bad. The truth is the decent will always (greatly) outnumber the douchebags. The problem is that the douchebags tend to dominate the conversation. More than anything else, this is what has to change.

I'm not saying your anger/rage is unwarranted or wrong, just that it isn't going to help you or anyone else... unless you use it to motivate yourself to seek positive change. I know that is probably the last thing you want to hear, but it is the one thing you need to hear. All the people, things and issues that are making you want to scream will not be changed by the screaming. 

Start small, but start now. In spite of the frustrations, you'll be shocked at what you might accomplish.