I was recently talking to a friend at a music event about the titanic sensibility to the passage of time, and how he does not know how to feel about turning 52. I, in my youthful desire to explore what's beneath the fear, told him it must be tormenting to reminisce about your time on earth and discern that most of your life you've probably already lived (stadistically speaking), and the hereafter will feel like leaves falling from each of your branchs, leaving you naked and sooner than later, becoming one with the soil. It was a harrowing conversation... truth be told, I'm not quite sure I improved anything as much as I wanted. In fact, I still catch myself wondering how could I be so consciously harsh.
In the moment I was brought into this world, you were _probably_ already complaining about the reflection of your father's genetics on your body. That was in the beginning of the century. You have lived so much, and I so little, still we coincide in this moment of time, where we all have some sort of access to each other. I think it's a fascinating time to be alive, to be so old you're sharp and clever, yet so young to still being able to run, hike, dance, sing, love, bend over and jump (carefully).
Don't kill yourself earlier than destiny will anyway. You, as the friend I met with last week, share a feeling of frailty and relinquishment, yet I--as many other young folks--am intensely interested in your wits and experiences, not only from which I'd esteem to learn, but from which I'd love to listen and comprehend. You are still a human being. You deserve to be loved, to be respected, and to be seen. I really enjoyed your garden entry and your hiking stories on Tumblr. Hope to see more of it!
Wish you una Feliz Navidad, un Feliz Año Nuevo and some great wine!
Carlos, as a fifty five year old, reading this made me feel like a (metaphorical) hyena drinking from a spring in a (metaphorical) cultural desert oasis, while (if hyenas are metaphorically capable) escaping the encroaching horror of an existential crisis occasioned by a confrontation with The Real.
I'm very happy to get to back-read through your works. I've been reading your essays that escaped off-site where I'd find them, and my good friend turned me on to your newsletter. I deeply enjoy your works, I find them to be wonderful tools of dissection, and beautifully written.
If you don't mind, I have a question. For context - I'm a zoomer, I suppose. Maybe I'm on the cusp. I turned 24 in the latter end of last year, and I already feel like time is eclipsing me. I know it's only going to get harder to socialize. I haven't had many experiences yet in my life, as seems to be the case with many people my age. I wonder if it's gotten harder to participate in culture, as it more rapidly shifts than ever, or if it was always this hard and my impressions of it are rose-tinted by the survivorship bias of those with something worth sharing.
As for the question - How does one participate in culture? In life? I know you and I have found ourselves in very different times, and your experiences would differ drastically from that which I could even hope to have, but you are incredibly versed in observation and analysis, and I wonder if you have any thoughts on what should be done by those with time to kill. Even, "it's hopeless, good luck," holds a sort of catharsis.
As for social capital - my friend who linked me here, as well as myself, agree there hasn't been a bad looking era for Carlos Dengler as of yet. I think the worms might have to have at you before that time comes.
Cheers to piglet bellies, nourishing our wits and milking the universe of all the bliss we desire. Wishing you a pleasant trip and merry holidays!
I was recently talking to a friend at a music event about the titanic sensibility to the passage of time, and how he does not know how to feel about turning 52. I, in my youthful desire to explore what's beneath the fear, told him it must be tormenting to reminisce about your time on earth and discern that most of your life you've probably already lived (stadistically speaking), and the hereafter will feel like leaves falling from each of your branchs, leaving you naked and sooner than later, becoming one with the soil. It was a harrowing conversation... truth be told, I'm not quite sure I improved anything as much as I wanted. In fact, I still catch myself wondering how could I be so consciously harsh.
In the moment I was brought into this world, you were _probably_ already complaining about the reflection of your father's genetics on your body. That was in the beginning of the century. You have lived so much, and I so little, still we coincide in this moment of time, where we all have some sort of access to each other. I think it's a fascinating time to be alive, to be so old you're sharp and clever, yet so young to still being able to run, hike, dance, sing, love, bend over and jump (carefully).
Don't kill yourself earlier than destiny will anyway. You, as the friend I met with last week, share a feeling of frailty and relinquishment, yet I--as many other young folks--am intensely interested in your wits and experiences, not only from which I'd esteem to learn, but from which I'd love to listen and comprehend. You are still a human being. You deserve to be loved, to be respected, and to be seen. I really enjoyed your garden entry and your hiking stories on Tumblr. Hope to see more of it!
Wish you una Feliz Navidad, un Feliz Año Nuevo and some great wine!
And the time of the year doesn't help in these considerations! Another year that goes away, with all its expectations promptly disappointed...
Ah, I send you, Carlos, and your readers a smile!
Very relatable. Made me feel better for a moment.
I am happy that I was able to help
Carlos, as a fifty five year old, reading this made me feel like a (metaphorical) hyena drinking from a spring in a (metaphorical) cultural desert oasis, while (if hyenas are metaphorically capable) escaping the encroaching horror of an existential crisis occasioned by a confrontation with The Real.
Thank you for this response. Sounds like we're on the same team!
This really resonated with me on multiple levels. I recently started to think about mortality. Thank you for your words, Carlos.
I'm very happy to get to back-read through your works. I've been reading your essays that escaped off-site where I'd find them, and my good friend turned me on to your newsletter. I deeply enjoy your works, I find them to be wonderful tools of dissection, and beautifully written.
If you don't mind, I have a question. For context - I'm a zoomer, I suppose. Maybe I'm on the cusp. I turned 24 in the latter end of last year, and I already feel like time is eclipsing me. I know it's only going to get harder to socialize. I haven't had many experiences yet in my life, as seems to be the case with many people my age. I wonder if it's gotten harder to participate in culture, as it more rapidly shifts than ever, or if it was always this hard and my impressions of it are rose-tinted by the survivorship bias of those with something worth sharing.
As for the question - How does one participate in culture? In life? I know you and I have found ourselves in very different times, and your experiences would differ drastically from that which I could even hope to have, but you are incredibly versed in observation and analysis, and I wonder if you have any thoughts on what should be done by those with time to kill. Even, "it's hopeless, good luck," holds a sort of catharsis.
As for social capital - my friend who linked me here, as well as myself, agree there hasn't been a bad looking era for Carlos Dengler as of yet. I think the worms might have to have at you before that time comes.