The only part I disagree with is the framing of value in being remembered, or popular on social media, or successful in popular media. Which may be decent shorthand for valuable experiences, but also part of the problem.
I had mixed feelings about that too, but ultimately, I think there's value in being remembered by the people who matter to you (and the ones who don't, to be honest, depending on how much you want distinction). There are valuable experiences that could arise if you're the first to come to someone's mind.
The claim that Michel de Montaigne created a "list of normal is true" in 1570 is false. Montaigne did not write, publish, or conceptualize a specific "list of normal."Instead, this is a widely shared internet misattribution. The actual historical facts surrounding Montaigne and the year 1570 are quite different:What he actually did: In 1570, Montaigne sold his position as a magistrate in the Bordeaux Parliament and retired to his estate, the Château de Montaigne.The start of his writing: It was around this time—specifically in the early 1570s—that he began writing his famous Essays. These were intended to record his own character, thoughts, and "humours," not to provide a standardized checklist of what is "normal"
I think that's why questioning assumptions matters so much. Most assumptions never feel like assumptions. They just feel normal until you meet someone who sees the world differently.
It's interesting how the internet offers windows into so many diverse ways of life, yet comment sections everywhere are full of people defending conventionality. I continue to be surprised by it. A few random examples that come to mind: extreme plastic surgery, the adult baby fetish community, vegans.
The only part I disagree with is the framing of value in being remembered, or popular on social media, or successful in popular media. Which may be decent shorthand for valuable experiences, but also part of the problem.
I had mixed feelings about that too, but ultimately, I think there's value in being remembered by the people who matter to you (and the ones who don't, to be honest, depending on how much you want distinction). There are valuable experiences that could arise if you're the first to come to someone's mind.
Love this! Forwarded it to several secretly abnormal people.
Love this so much! It’s true in dating too. Show up as your true weird self so that the one who loves your particular brand of weirdness can find you.
Thank you Mack for this article. Earlier i used to read and keep quiet (It was a normal for me), now i star commenting on every post that i like.
Came for the title, stayed for Zack. What a legend.
The claim that Michel de Montaigne created a "list of normal is true" in 1570 is false. Montaigne did not write, publish, or conceptualize a specific "list of normal."Instead, this is a widely shared internet misattribution. The actual historical facts surrounding Montaigne and the year 1570 are quite different:What he actually did: In 1570, Montaigne sold his position as a magistrate in the Bordeaux Parliament and retired to his estate, the Château de Montaigne.The start of his writing: It was around this time—specifically in the early 1570s—that he began writing his famous Essays. These were intended to record his own character, thoughts, and "humours," not to provide a standardized checklist of what is "normal"
I think that's why questioning assumptions matters so much. Most assumptions never feel like assumptions. They just feel normal until you meet someone who sees the world differently.
It's interesting how the internet offers windows into so many diverse ways of life, yet comment sections everywhere are full of people defending conventionality. I continue to be surprised by it. A few random examples that come to mind: extreme plastic surgery, the adult baby fetish community, vegans.
Great post. Enjoyed reading. Have done some of this..clearly have to do more.!
2 for 2 amazing reads this morning.... 🫡🫡🙏👍
thanks ☺️