FA+
Shop
Telling Stories - a pertinent repost
2 years ago
This was originally posted by 
IdonotknowwhyIamhere
The song is called 'Telling Stories' and it's by Tracy Chapman. The video is most excellent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapCTd5fS2Y
Being someone who has taken the time to interview my elders, I can tell you for sure, everyone has a story, and every story is so very fascinating.
I am reminded of Mr. Tony Anthony - yes, his name was Anthony Anthony. He was a resident in an old age home, and had been enjoying the interviews I had done with fencers of previous generations. He was bedridden and in his last days, but of course I didn't know this. In his life, he had been an institute all by himself in inks and inking, back before computers and printers took over the industry. His insight into the art of fencing during his generation was wonderful, and that is what I wrote of.
I was saddened when the priest in charge of the home called and told me he had passed away. He called me, because Tony had no relatives, and mine was the only number he had on record.
We all have a story to tell.
Now it's up to you, the writer, to bring those stories to light, and to make them shine like the diamonds they are.
IdonotknowwhyIamhereThe song is called 'Telling Stories' and it's by Tracy Chapman. The video is most excellent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wapCTd5fS2Y
Being someone who has taken the time to interview my elders, I can tell you for sure, everyone has a story, and every story is so very fascinating.
I am reminded of Mr. Tony Anthony - yes, his name was Anthony Anthony. He was a resident in an old age home, and had been enjoying the interviews I had done with fencers of previous generations. He was bedridden and in his last days, but of course I didn't know this. In his life, he had been an institute all by himself in inks and inking, back before computers and printers took over the industry. His insight into the art of fencing during his generation was wonderful, and that is what I wrote of.
I was saddened when the priest in charge of the home called and told me he had passed away. He called me, because Tony had no relatives, and mine was the only number he had on record.
We all have a story to tell.
Now it's up to you, the writer, to bring those stories to light, and to make them shine like the diamonds they are.
You're not just telling stories"
I think whoever she is speaking to is somebody who is delusional, somebody who will do or say anything, tell any story to make their lives seem less mediocre. She's pointing out that even they are saying things, writing them down, in the end they are just telling stories.
“There is fiction in the space between
You and reality
You will do and say anything
To make your everyday life seem less mundane “
They are weaving these tales that portray the people in their lives to be villains. They are making their lives more dramatic and more tragic than they are.
There is fiction in the space between
You and me
There's a science fiction in the space between
You and me
A fabrication of a grand scheme
Where I am the scary monster
I eat the city and as I leave the scene
In my spaceship I am laughing
In your remembrance of your bad dream
There's no one but you standing.”
She then proceeds to talk about how the listener will write these things down to get respect and compassion and pretend they are true. They are lying about their lives. They are giving us these sob stories to earn our pity and sympathy.
Leave the pity and the blame
For the ones who do not speak
You write the words to get respect and compassion
And for posterity
You write the words and make believe
There is truth in the space between.
So in a way, this entire piece is a rebuke to chronic liars. But at the end of the piece, something interest happens. She says that sometimes, a lie is the best thing. So she is expressing the sympathy the listener so desires. Life is hard and sometimes we need a little escapism.
I love Tracy Chapman's work. She's one of the few pop/folk artists whose lyrics are often quite witty and profound. This song in particular hits hard. It applies to a lot of humanity, but I think of it in relation to the fandom a lot because I've seen a lot of people adopt their personas in response to some real messed up stuff in their lives. These personas consume them though, they become their gods. (I am including myself in that description. I don't consider myself a furry anymore, but I used to be one many years ago.) And so often, they are stuck in this place because of how much they invest in that identity. Anyway, that's my takeaway. I can't say for certain that's what she was talking about, but it always comes to mind when I listen to it.
As for me - I am old. I have known people who are no longer here who looked to be just regular folks, because they were, and yet - and yet - they had done great things. Yes, we have all know the liars, but sometimes those folks do tell the best stories.
Twilight Zone: Hocus Pokus and Frisby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLR6Ouw2ez0
Vixyy
Vix
Vix
Vix