Oh, tell me, who was it first announced, who was it first proclaimed, that man only does nasty things because he does not know his own interests; and that if he were enlightened, if his eyes were opened to his real normal interests, man would at once cease to do nasty things, would at once become good and noble… we all know that not one man can, consciously, act against his own interests … And what if it so happens that a man’s advantage, sometimes not only may, but even must, consists in his desiring in certain cases what is harmful to himself and not advantageous[?]
Dostoeyevski, Notes from the Underground
Interesting quote.
I don’t want to conform. I don’t want to be traditional. I don’t want average. I don’t want normal. I don’t want typical. I don’t want regular. I don’t want ordinary. I don’t want usual. I don’t want to be okay.
I want to live radically.
Radical living. What would this look like? Radicalism is characterized by extremes and the stolid allegiance to certain unalienable convictions and principles.
The choice to live radically, live according to your convictions, is a notion lost on many. Societies have sprung and self-reliance has withered. We depend on others. For knowledge. For economy. For survival.
I’ve often thought about the costs and benefits of human relations. I believe that as one being, one life, in the world, you have access to some element of reality just as much as any other man. I believe the element offers a perspective wholly unique and exemplary. While one can argue the utility of a lone perspective, we are no less a demiurge. It is our task to weave the viscous textures of our worldly constitution into a festooning fabric for all eyes to revere or renounce. Make it count.
William Dare 