The Social Chameleon/Bubblewrap Phenomenon

Social chameleons scare the crap out of me.
Who are they really? Is there any substance in their cells?

By nature, they're reactive. Having conversations with them is validating because their responsiveness makes you feel heard. But what do they think? What's going on in their mind? Something meaningful, or just a series of reactions leading to adjustments in behavior?

Social chameleons are like bubblewrap. Everybody loves bubblewrap. Bubblewrap is a thrill; it responds to your touch, and interactions with it often leave you feeling satisfied for the moment. I think we can all agree that bubblewrap is a dang good time.

But when it comes down to it, bubblewrap is only filled with air.
And you reach a point where you realize that interactions with bubblewrap aren't an exchange.
You can give, but all that will come of it is a few stocatto pops and then, the tiniest little poof of useless air discharges into the wide expanse of the world.

Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain

Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain.

So I wanted to write something about Kurt Cobain in honor of what would have been his 46th birthday.  But I can't really wrap words around what he was.

So I'm just going to tell you why I like his music, share some words that came out of his mouth, and show you a video. Rest in peace, Kurt Cobain. You're a legend.

I love Kurt Cobain's song-writing. Melody was his top priority. He always reminded his band mates that it was melody first, lyrics second. He liked creating simple melodies that had a childlike accessibility. Yes, a lot of his works have a catchy pop-rock element, but they're ultimately so gritty and raw. I love how one moment Kurt will whisper an enticing throaty melody with Dave Grohl keeping a trusty straight beat, and the next moment, the world pauses for Kurt to scream a beautiful haunting refrain as Grohl comes back in with a thunderous drum fill, propelling the music forward from there on, full throttle. Oh, and feedback. Their glorious feedback.

I love music of Cobain's that explores controversial social themes. He doesn't necessarily offer answers, but he explores. One example is his song "Polly," which is reminiscent of a newspaper article Cobain read about a 14-year-old girl who used her wits to escape the man who abducted, tortured and raped her. Cobain wrote this song from the point of view of the torturer. It's disconcerting and fascinating. 

I love that Cobain's music embodies who he was and what he stood for. I'm not saying that I worship him or that I agree with everything he stood for. I just love that his music is reflective of himself, society and what he thought about it all. 

It can be argued that the way that Cobain wrote his music was more reflective of his worldview than his actual lyrics were.

Cobain wrote the lyrics to many of his songs only minutes before recording them. As a result, a good amount of his lyrics were nonsensical with fragmented messages nestled within. He was unapologetic about songs written in this way.  However, some songs, such as those found on In Utero were "more focused" and "almost based on themes," as Cobain explained it. 

Cobain commented on his lyric-writing in general: "I'm such a nihilistic jerk half the time and other times I'm so vulnerable and sincere. [The songs are] like a mixture of both of them. That's how most people my age are."

Dissonance is a constant in real life. I just love that Cobain noticed dissonance in his own life and in the world, bottled some of it up, and poured it into his music.


"Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, 'nirvana' means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that's pretty close to my definition of punk rock."

“There's good in all of us and I think I simply love people too much, so much that it makes me feel too fu**ing sad.” 

“Thank you for the tragedy. I need it for my art.” 

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If you want a glimpse into Kurt Cobain's soul, see the look in his eyes at 4:15. But watch the whole thing.

Valentine's Day: it's gonna happen.

Yes, it's stupid to arbitrarily pick a day to celebrate love every year. But it's not the people who are hopelessly infatuated with this holiday who I pity the most.

What's more pitiful is when people are actively anti-Valentine's Day. Just let the lovebirds relish in all things cheesy and cliche for a day. It's gonna happen. You don't have to take part in it. You also don't have to condemn their practices with your loudest kindergarten voice. People might think you have a bitter taste in your mouth.