Another contradiction that I always think about is how I love attention (a certain kind) but I also hate being monitored or checked in on. It's like you want an audience, but you also crave secrecy and privacy. That's another common one.
You know it, Harley. That's why I'd hate to see a world governed by the intelligence we've created. But, yeah, that's another scary possibility. We already see so much binary thinking as it is.
absolutely! but that’s why AI governance becomes critical.
AI doesn’t have to be "dangerous" to be damaging. it just has to be used without understanding its limits. the more binary the systems, the more important it is to have humans in the loop who understand complexity, context, and ofc - contradiction.
Same here, brother. I feel like yelling and interrogating people doesn't achieve anything really, but so often it's like the 'go to' option for conflict. It sucks.
One think I love about your work, is that the discussion/comment section is as fruitful to read as the poem and commentary itself. I always keep returning to see what people find interesting. That's not easy to accomplish
SO relatable. I hate being yelled at too. I just shrink when there's too much drama. But I suppose admitting that kind of weakness is some kind of progress, right? Beautiful writing as always Franco.
I definitely have those tendencies, if I'm being honest with myself. But I don't like the term people pleaser. Because I'm not trying to please anyone, I'm mostly trying to mitigate my own stress. Hope that makes sense. You raise another really interesting paradox, and I think the way labels we give to our own attributes is another important thing to consider.
I'm not one to argue. I'm interested in discovering the truth about a situation, and the emotional component of an argument rarely leads to truth. I deal with the controversies in life through my writing. I let my characters and the plot do the arguing for me. Yeah, I resist having every action I take being questioned or criticized. Another thought provoking poem, Franco. You are keeping me from getting Alzheimer's disease.
Despite contradictions which leave all of humanity in desensitization status, We the People, must persevere. Continual, forever, ongoing, always. davpi3.14
the line about putting the shackles on yourself… yeah. that one landed hard. it’s wild how we can want freedom but also build the walls that keep us stuck.
I think it's because, every choice we make, even if it's a seemingly free one, blocks us off from countless other alternatives. This is built into the fabric of life. Deciding on one thing means deciding against an infinite number of other things. Thank you for engaging with the material. Glad to have connected with you :)
This is true! We are never only one thing. And it's good when we can accept the different parts of ourselves. I love nature and the countryside, and I do enjoy city life.
Incredibly relatable, Franco. Appreciate your method of addressing life's contradictions; the compare and contrast here really helps to define the struggle, shares those vulnerabilities, and gives great example of self-reflection in order to understand our own contradictory natures. Excellent piece! You've got me thinking!
This is really good. I must explore this paradox of feelings I hold more. Then I get stuck and feel shorted as people have weaponized the paradox for all of us. They have made it ok to close your eyes to brutality, hunger and poverty as long as someone is getting richer.
I like how you threw in little sensory details to underscore the agitation. That worked for me, big time. Great work dude.
"shit, it’s stuffy in here
and the droning sound of machines
chewing and scraping in the background
is starting to get to me…"
thank you, my dude. That means a lot to hear that.
Another contradiction that I always think about is how I love attention (a certain kind) but I also hate being monitored or checked in on. It's like you want an audience, but you also crave secrecy and privacy. That's another common one.
yup, that's a big one.
Excellent! We are all full of contradictions! And AI cannot function with contradictions.
You know it, Harley. That's why I'd hate to see a world governed by the intelligence we've created. But, yeah, that's another scary possibility. We already see so much binary thinking as it is.
absolutely! but that’s why AI governance becomes critical.
AI doesn’t have to be "dangerous" to be damaging. it just has to be used without understanding its limits. the more binary the systems, the more important it is to have humans in the loop who understand complexity, context, and ofc - contradiction.
Completely agree! Love your insight on this.
"fuck, I can’t take being yelled at
or being questioned about what I’m doing
from one moment to the next…"
Me, neither.
Same here, brother. I feel like yelling and interrogating people doesn't achieve anything really, but so often it's like the 'go to' option for conflict. It sucks.
And nobody is more “go to” with it than the current government of the United States of America.
Oh, I know right. Scary times to be a person, but also collectively.
One think I love about your work, is that the discussion/comment section is as fruitful to read as the poem and commentary itself. I always keep returning to see what people find interesting. That's not easy to accomplish
oh I'm glad, that is a joy to hear. I love that. Thank you Ria for your contributions, always.
SO relatable. I hate being yelled at too. I just shrink when there's too much drama. But I suppose admitting that kind of weakness is some kind of progress, right? Beautiful writing as always Franco.
thank you, Victoria :) I suppose it is.
"Teeming with Paradoxical shit" lol nicely worded Mr. Franco.
:) glad you liked the phrase, thank you
This sounds like me - do t like being told what to do , love being by myself until I don't, what you would call "people pleaser" and I hate that!
I definitely have those tendencies, if I'm being honest with myself. But I don't like the term people pleaser. Because I'm not trying to please anyone, I'm mostly trying to mitigate my own stress. Hope that makes sense. You raise another really interesting paradox, and I think the way labels we give to our own attributes is another important thing to consider.
People's we pleased is another name - to me at least- for someone who wants to avoid upsetting other people.
Wether it is saying No or disagreeing with what they say or think about a given subject.
I agree how we label ourselves does matter.
❤️
You're so welcome Franco. D
I'm not one to argue. I'm interested in discovering the truth about a situation, and the emotional component of an argument rarely leads to truth. I deal with the controversies in life through my writing. I let my characters and the plot do the arguing for me. Yeah, I resist having every action I take being questioned or criticized. Another thought provoking poem, Franco. You are keeping me from getting Alzheimer's disease.
Thank you, brother. Hopefully I'm keeping myself from it too :)
Despite contradictions which leave all of humanity in desensitization status, We the People, must persevere. Continual, forever, ongoing, always. davpi3.14
Well said, thank you David!
the line about putting the shackles on yourself… yeah. that one landed hard. it’s wild how we can want freedom but also build the walls that keep us stuck.
I think it's because, every choice we make, even if it's a seemingly free one, blocks us off from countless other alternatives. This is built into the fabric of life. Deciding on one thing means deciding against an infinite number of other things. Thank you for engaging with the material. Glad to have connected with you :)
totally agree. every decision is a door closing on a thousand others.
also very glad to have crossed paths here, franco!
❤️
This is true! We are never only one thing. And it's good when we can accept the different parts of ourselves. I love nature and the countryside, and I do enjoy city life.
you said it perfectly, 'we are never one thing'. Keep on living those contradictions, Neena. Thank you.
Incredibly relatable, Franco. Appreciate your method of addressing life's contradictions; the compare and contrast here really helps to define the struggle, shares those vulnerabilities, and gives great example of self-reflection in order to understand our own contradictory natures. Excellent piece! You've got me thinking!
Many blessings and MUCH LOVE,
~Wendy💜
Many blessings to you too Wendy. I'm so happy you appreciated this one. ❤️
This is really good. I must explore this paradox of feelings I hold more. Then I get stuck and feel shorted as people have weaponized the paradox for all of us. They have made it ok to close your eyes to brutality, hunger and poverty as long as someone is getting richer.
Sadly, that is very true. I'm glad this one got you thinking:). Thank you, Laura.
Powerful as always 💗 Thank you for your gift!
Thank you, my friend. Always grateful for yours as well. 🥰