On January 11th, 2016, I started a daily practice of writing a joke meditation of the day called Cracked Pot Meditations. I was still recovering from the treatment of cancer, and I was having very challenging cognitive issues, so I chose just to put something simple and easy to write every day. Posting it to the blog allowed me to have some accountability. Some of those meditations were poorly written and unedited. I have gone back and begun editing these and adding an illustration, starting with the April 27th meditation. I hope you enjoy.
Meditation for July 14th
Being Against Anything That Everyone Else Seems To Enjoy Just Because Everyone Else Seems To Enjoy It, And I Didn’t Hear About It Until Everyone Else Is Already Enjoying It
Because the internet is an advertising machine and modern society is deeply engaged in contemporary culture, things that are hip or popular spread like wildfire. They explode in people’s minds as the fad bursts from person to person in nanoseconds. Fads burn bright, but they also fade faster.
Sometimes you blink and you don’t see the fad until it’s too late. You were reading an archaic newspaper or playing an obsolete video game, and you look up and everyone is into something new. The entire internet is lit up with this new fad. Traditional news sources are tripping over themselves to cover this new fad. Is it good or is it bad? You are caught empty-handed without this fad. What do you do?
You could be a few days late and join the fad and see why people are so into this new thing. Most of the time, if a bunch of people are into something, it is actually because it is fun. You can humble yourself and be the new person joining the latest trend, and you can be a part of a cultural phenomenon.
Or…
…you could be downright belligerent about the new-fangled thing, cursing its very existence.
It is killing people
This new thing is killing people! These dumb sheep will like anything, even at the risk of their health! Usually, a new fad has some possible health risks, and this is why it must be stopped. People are walking into hay compactors because they won’t keep their eyes off the new shiny thing.
Even worse, the new fad that other people are enjoying is a risk to me! Your involvement in this new thing is affecting my health. People are stepping into my path, staring at the next big thing, and almost killing me.
Most of the time, the health risks aren’t that high to be worried about, especially when we fully endorse driving and build a whole shitty infrastructure around the car and don’t bat an eye at the risk.
It is a conspiracy
When something is popular, it means the mean old evil advertising industry is trying to trick us into being mindless drones. It’s not that anything can be creative and fun; it’s just to make us part of the Matrix.
Most of the time, it’s true, but why is it bad to like something great just because part of their budget is marketing?
It’s just like [BLANK]
This is exactly like this other fad that was terrible. No, I didn’t do that either, but remember it ended up being terrible or forgotten?
I can only judge things from the time I was culturally relevant, so I can say this new thing is stupid, even though I’m way too old to be culturally relevant now.
It is offensive
When you’re doing the greatest thing since the Beatles, I’m reminded that I was beaten by my uncle, who used a frozen Coho salmon. Please stop doing the thing that makes you happy because it reminds me of the time I was unhappy.
Also, Hitler.
I haven’t tried it, but it is so fucking stupid!
I don’t need to try it to know that this brand-new thing is just fucking dumb. All the things I do are fantastic, and what you’re into isn’t, even though I have no idea because I haven’t tried it. I’ve read a few reactionary pieces on your new project on Vice and/or Huffington Post, so I know what you’re doing is awful. I know enough by seeing you and everybody else having a great time sharing this cultural movement that it is dumb.
By saying this, I’m implying that I don’t respect you or think you’re smart enough to enjoy fun things. I’m different in an innovative way, so I look down on your poor soul for making stupid decisions about what you enjoy doing.
I must be just boring and very insecure in my lack of imagination and creativity, that I refuse to be a part of anything the rest of you are into.
But…
It’s okay not to want to do something if you’re not attracted to it.
Just let the kids enjoy themselves.
Prayer
Santa Muerta
Give me the power of acceptance
Please still the desire to be unique
Please abort the need for attention
As I try to stand out
Hating the crowds
As I stand alone at temples of gods no longer worshipped
Practicing rituals long forgotten
Sacrificing community for independence
But I awake alone and doubt that the heavens hear my prayers.
Let me accept the need of the community, and wherever that happens
Amen
Craft
A few years ago, I don’t remember exactly when, the media was all about some girl named Billy Eilish. her face was all over social media and traditional media. A lot of my younger friends were talking about her, and for some reason, just looking at her, looking like a stereotypical Gen Z, I just knew I would hate her. I would proudly say so to anyone who was having a good time.
Then, on a fluke, I listened to her 2021 album, Happier Than Ever, and I fucking loved it. It wasn’t what I thought it was going to sound like. It was rich and complex, but still kept the sugary fun that should be in pop music. Her lyrics were timeless, and you wouldn’t guess someone born in 2001 would have written them. I was wrong, and fans and the media should celebrate her.
Goal
Stop disliking things that people like without investigating them. Maybe you’ll like another thing! And you’ll have people to talk to about them, instead of pouting about no one liking what you want.