Writing in sincerity, yours truly, best, Max
Last October, I decided I wanted to start an illustration project, so I did.
In July, I decided I wanted to self publish a punk zine, so I did.
Last month, I decided I wanted to start a music blog, so I did.
Restoring some DIY attitudes towards self-initiated projects has only enriched my life so far. During the pandemic, I felt so detached from reality and the outside world, and it basically shuttered my socialized world. The only good thing that came from it was a need to move my own projects forward, things I could rely on without external force.
Doing the illustration project allowed me to save enough money to move to the city, so I did. The past few months have been characterized by the frivolities of hot vax summer — going to a lot of shows, getting drunk, hooking up, etc. I felt good again, in touch with the world again.
But I also felt a little chaotic and unhinged. I was not used to the pace of life I was running, not even before the pandemic. I consider myself sensitive to highly stimulating situations, sensitive to how I relate to people in changing social circumstances. I’ve taken some time away from the city, and gotten a bit more in touch with my contemplative side.
I’ve always been fascinated by questions in how people communicate with each other, especially in literature and illustration. Lately, however, I’ve been more interested in broader questions related to semantics, the philosophy of language, and theory of mind. During the past month away from the city, I’ve rediscovered my love for philosophy as well. In particular, I’ve been fascinated by the writing of Kierkegaard, Weil, and William James, all of whom were fascinated by the nature of attention and language.
I’m hoping this blog can be a place where I unashamedly explore my interests and questions in linguistics, religion, philosophy, theory of mind, and art. Not being an expert in something has never stopped me from digging in and getting curious. In the spirit of a courageously interested blogger like Maria Popova, I want to document more thoughts here.
