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The Thing with Politics here
5 years ago
General
An Aide-Memoire
As far as I experienced it, life never plays single notes, but always chords.
In the late 90s up to the mid-late 2000s, to me, it seemed like hip hop and rap music were inescapable because wherever I looked, everyone seemed to be into it and it was never far away.
Of course hip hop wasn't absolutely everywhere, there were ways to avoid it: not watching MTV, simply buying different CDs, watching anime and cartoons, playing video games.
Circa two decades later though, around 2020, some things seem even more inescapable to my 30 year old self than hip hop was when I was 10. These “some things” have become politics.
I have always drawn a very strict line, separating what I think are the right politics from my work as an artist. Nothing you see me doing is and will never be politically motivated. My brand-name is going for old fashioned wholesome entertainment for everyone (preferably around and above the age of 18) and I think that is what you should do too.
Let me explain what I mean and why I think it's the wiser decision in the long run.
Popular music genres change over time, fashion and trends change over time, political paradigms are no different.
I will go straight to the point: if you devote yourself to an ideology, as it's been not unheard of for well over 120 years now, you're in danger of stigmatising yourself. A stigma that can bite you in the ass once you choose to go a different route, your life changes or when you simply change your opinion based on information previously unknown to you.
Utter devotion to a certain political route, especially when you associate this devotion with your entire person or persona (or brand), will cling on to you to an extent, depending on how vocal you are (online as well).
The consequences can be devastating to your well-being, as you invite customers and/or employers to judge you as harsh as you may judge them.
If you see yourself as a political actor, commentator or simply someone who wants to “spread the message” you think is right and good, you are absolutely free and welcome to do so, there is nothing inherently wrong with that.
However, life plays chords and I believe everyone should be aware of the rat's tail this includes.
In this day and age, I am absolutely certain each and everyone has an idea what this phrase means and where it comes from: “everything gets politicised”. Even viruses aren't spared anymore, this is the status quo, this is how things currently are and what is making the rounds.
People tell me they don't want to talk about the pandemic “because they don't like discussing politics”.
With that and all the social political discussions and things brought up by those on the left and right wing spectrum during the past 7 years, I believe a distorted view of reality forced itself into most peoples vision of life.
Let me tell you from the bottom of my heart: NO.
It is simply wrong; not everything is political, not everyone is corrupted by something, not everyone has a hidden agenda.
When you are tired after a long and hard day, you just want to rest. When you are hungry, you want to eat. When a friend says something mean to you, you are hurt. When a loved one hugs you and spends some time with you, it makes you happy. When someone tells a joke you find funny, you laugh and best of all: you too have to bend the knee to take a shit.
My recommendation, especially for artists, but for basically everybody is this: look for the universal aspect in things. Aspects that matter in the long run, ask yourself what is going to stand the test of time and put your energy there.
Is it going to be “something something because -current year-”?
Remember what I said about hip hop music. Do you also remember that Fred Figglehorn was the most popular character on youtube? Do you know who I mean when I type “AVGN”?
Dragon Tales reminded me of something very recently. When I grew up, nobody told me to accept, tolerate or like anything. The message I picked up had a very different character to it: Don't be an asshole. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
This is why I draw the line stronger than ever in my work.
When you see a big juicy butt, delicious boobies, inviting curves of any sort or simply an adorable face, politics have no business occupying your mind in these moments, that is not where they belong.
Have you ever shouted a political claim while busting a nut or squirting a stream? Let me take a wild guess: probably not. Nobody does, so why would you mix these things?
I wanted to write this essay-style aide-memoire because these thoughts had been on my mind for a while.
I hope I could clarify that I don't honestly negatively judge anyone who feels the need to address political things in any way, there is a time and place for everything; I merely wanted to point out the things I think kind of fell by the wayside since no one ever explicitly says it or points them out. After all, it's about chords, not single notes.
Last not least, I am making a statement that everyone who appreciates my work is absolutely welcome.
Be my guest and enjoy a relaxing, politics-free ride with dinosaurs and dragons.
~Trias
As far as I experienced it, life never plays single notes, but always chords.
In the late 90s up to the mid-late 2000s, to me, it seemed like hip hop and rap music were inescapable because wherever I looked, everyone seemed to be into it and it was never far away.
Of course hip hop wasn't absolutely everywhere, there were ways to avoid it: not watching MTV, simply buying different CDs, watching anime and cartoons, playing video games.
Circa two decades later though, around 2020, some things seem even more inescapable to my 30 year old self than hip hop was when I was 10. These “some things” have become politics.
I have always drawn a very strict line, separating what I think are the right politics from my work as an artist. Nothing you see me doing is and will never be politically motivated. My brand-name is going for old fashioned wholesome entertainment for everyone (preferably around and above the age of 18) and I think that is what you should do too.
Let me explain what I mean and why I think it's the wiser decision in the long run.
Popular music genres change over time, fashion and trends change over time, political paradigms are no different.
I will go straight to the point: if you devote yourself to an ideology, as it's been not unheard of for well over 120 years now, you're in danger of stigmatising yourself. A stigma that can bite you in the ass once you choose to go a different route, your life changes or when you simply change your opinion based on information previously unknown to you.
Utter devotion to a certain political route, especially when you associate this devotion with your entire person or persona (or brand), will cling on to you to an extent, depending on how vocal you are (online as well).
The consequences can be devastating to your well-being, as you invite customers and/or employers to judge you as harsh as you may judge them.
If you see yourself as a political actor, commentator or simply someone who wants to “spread the message” you think is right and good, you are absolutely free and welcome to do so, there is nothing inherently wrong with that.
However, life plays chords and I believe everyone should be aware of the rat's tail this includes.
In this day and age, I am absolutely certain each and everyone has an idea what this phrase means and where it comes from: “everything gets politicised”. Even viruses aren't spared anymore, this is the status quo, this is how things currently are and what is making the rounds.
People tell me they don't want to talk about the pandemic “because they don't like discussing politics”.
With that and all the social political discussions and things brought up by those on the left and right wing spectrum during the past 7 years, I believe a distorted view of reality forced itself into most peoples vision of life.
Let me tell you from the bottom of my heart: NO.
It is simply wrong; not everything is political, not everyone is corrupted by something, not everyone has a hidden agenda.
When you are tired after a long and hard day, you just want to rest. When you are hungry, you want to eat. When a friend says something mean to you, you are hurt. When a loved one hugs you and spends some time with you, it makes you happy. When someone tells a joke you find funny, you laugh and best of all: you too have to bend the knee to take a shit.
My recommendation, especially for artists, but for basically everybody is this: look for the universal aspect in things. Aspects that matter in the long run, ask yourself what is going to stand the test of time and put your energy there.
Is it going to be “something something because -current year-”?
Remember what I said about hip hop music. Do you also remember that Fred Figglehorn was the most popular character on youtube? Do you know who I mean when I type “AVGN”?
Dragon Tales reminded me of something very recently. When I grew up, nobody told me to accept, tolerate or like anything. The message I picked up had a very different character to it: Don't be an asshole. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
This is why I draw the line stronger than ever in my work.
When you see a big juicy butt, delicious boobies, inviting curves of any sort or simply an adorable face, politics have no business occupying your mind in these moments, that is not where they belong.
Have you ever shouted a political claim while busting a nut or squirting a stream? Let me take a wild guess: probably not. Nobody does, so why would you mix these things?
I wanted to write this essay-style aide-memoire because these thoughts had been on my mind for a while.
I hope I could clarify that I don't honestly negatively judge anyone who feels the need to address political things in any way, there is a time and place for everything; I merely wanted to point out the things I think kind of fell by the wayside since no one ever explicitly says it or points them out. After all, it's about chords, not single notes.
Last not least, I am making a statement that everyone who appreciates my work is absolutely welcome.
Be my guest and enjoy a relaxing, politics-free ride with dinosaurs and dragons.
~Trias
I've taken to the habit of just blocking assholes... But it's sad seeing people who I used to respect getting bit by the politics bug and being assholes about it...
I want people to be kind to each other, and to actually use their noggin when they see something that could harm others.
Thank you for keeping a nice place around. I've seen a ton of artists also keeping away from politics, but some people are bringing it into their journals and comments on art and it's wearing on them too T_T
but i get what you're saying. some people are always going to be more politically minded than others, now more than ever, but whatevs, fundamentally there isnt anything wrong with that so long as each side can respectively live and let live. politically minded people are most likely well aware of the rat's tail you mentioned, but ultimately history will judge how big that tail ends up being. its the price we pay for taking a side at all.
i totally agree that lately its been shoved down everybody's throats though. its even somehow found its way to FA's public announcement system, which is a first for me ._. hopefully, like the music genres and viral trends you mentioned, this episode of forced politics in our digital and IRL culture becomes a forgettable fad from the past.
but seriously, did somebody actually try to politicize your artwork? O-O am just curious cuz the aviation art scene gets that all the time (especially historically accurate aircraft insignia from WWII and such)
Well, there was an attempt at politising my work, but it failed. It was one incident and something of the like never happened since. I must admit though, that I am the type who is not easily intimidated by politically motivated threats, let alone prone to apologising for decisions I make for my personal projects.
seems like everythings performative and if you dont perform the right way you get ostrasized. my content isnt political but people sure like to make it political and its so draining :/
Well, I'm not the only one who just does what they want to do without too much influence from unrelated places and I personally do not feel ostrasized whatsoever. If there is something I can recommend, it's the option to just not engage.
However, I agree and go even further: just witnessing the conflicts as a bystander/observer is draining very much.
As i got a little older and into middle school in early to mid 2000s that was when hip hop and rap music were inescapable because wherever I looked, everyone seemed to be into it and it was never far away. Thing was I never liked it i grew up listening to my dad's 80s music. But with each grade I moved up in school the more and more I started seeing bits and pieces of reality somewhat. Especially when everyone tried to make me and force me into listening to hip hop and rap and even saying I wasn't into it was considered racist by any i went to school with. And almost every year with every new grade I progressed it got more and more dangerous with everyone becoming more and more fanatic extremists to the point even saying the stuff I listened to was racist.
And even the stuff I used to avoid it like playing games watching anime and etc was considered racist to them.
And when I did finally get away from that around 2011 I paid more focus on College and by the time College was finished in 2015. It would appear that people where not as into it or fanatic into hip hop and rap as they once were, or at least not with normal people I knew.
However now and days with politics Ive noticed im seeing a repeat in history. Only difference being at School in them days hip hop and rap was inescapable. Now in present politics is inescapable no matter where I go even at the places where i go to get away from all of that. And just like them bad days there are people trying to force their stuff down my throats in a your either with us or against us kind of way. And all I really want is peace and quiet. Even my close friends have gotten into it and, we're still good friends but its made me not want to hang out with them as much anymore because of how deep they've all gotten into it. And they don't try and force their stuff down my throat like others have tried in the past. But the last i need is to see people Ive loved as siblings for decades post some stuff that just bothers me and i try telling them time again and again not to post anything like that because I want to keep things civil. But they either forget or dont listen and it haunts me to this day on what they say.
The only thing I truly had as an escapism from all this was going on here and see the amazing art some artists draw. Always hoping and dreaming someday I'll get them to draw something for me someday. But then 2020 happened and drove the entire world crazy to the point that it began 2021 with a not so amazing bang. Several artists I had looked up to for years all of a sudden were saying only fans who had their exact same political views mattered and those that didnt by either haveing the opposite view or wanted to be neutral had no place among their fandom and demanded them to unpatch them and leave. I myself experienced quite a few snaps from several or more artists all because I wanted to be neutral or other reasons and it feels like all the sacrifices I made and all the pain and suffering i endured to even get the chance to be on here was all for nothing.
It almost drove me to do something drastic to myself. Because it made me feel I was truly alone in this cruel and painful world.
And yet just when it feels like i have reached my critical point, to my surprise and awe and amazement, some artists do see the bigger picture of things. Such as right now with this truly amazing journal I am without words and shocked beyond belief but beyond happy and relief. That some artists d care about people regardless of where they come from who they are what they are and etc. And it does make me feel more welcomed at long last.
Thank you for this journal and this message, truly thank you.
Also, oddly enough, I DO know who you mean when you type AVGN. I eagerly await his next episode even.
Someone with the decently to not have content be about politics and try not alienating their audience.
Hornbuckle and all those clowns need to take some good notes from you.
Cheers mate! :)
You can certainly distance a brand from it if you like. But to then criticise FA for declaring that it will not be a platform enabling hate speech and political violence is hypocritical.
That's like all the goons who complained about fact checking or got mad when their wacky, satan-based conspiracy theories invented by a trolling moron were called moronic conspiracy theories. Bonus points for corporatist capitalists having a meltdown when a corporation booted people, as a private corporation can do. Cry more, free marketeers.
Trias literally said that anyone putting politics IN art will make it dated and is far removed from why we're actually observing things here.
Do you go looking for plump dragons and dinosaur ladies thinking "Gee I hope I can get a healthy dose of democratic/republican current year topics!"?
Chances are you don't, you go looking for plump dragons and dinosaur ladies because you want some plump dragons and dinosaur ladies.
You just can't win with some people. They will demand that you support their cause, because if you don't support them - then you're obviously an enemy - because their cause is rightous, and if you don't fall in line and chant along with them, then you're clearly a crypto-fascist supporting some kind of pure evil...
there's no room for nuance these days.
so sad
Because James Rolf has constantly kept the character and format evolving and changing, taking cues from his viewers and branching out into new ideas. He picked up some surprisingly good guests like Macaulay Culkin, and he has a fantastic team around him. As a small, small counter to your point, not everything is destined to rust and decay just because it happened to be invented at one point in time. What you're talking about is stagnation.
But I feel like they've made fun of it for a bit too long perhaps, and after everything that's happened the past few weeks, I just got genuinely tired of being reminded of it, and of them just taking the opportunity to rail against what's been happening lately. I've just not watched any of their content recently, and I do feel somewhat immature about it. Feeling like maybe I've just not liked their opinions on things. But I think it really just comes down to the negativity. At least that's what I believe.
Granted, when you build your brand off of negativity and the personality behind that negativity, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise. Still, I don't hold any ill will over it. The content just really isn't for me right now. Maybe that will change in the future. Like I said, no ill will. Just feeling like my tastes are changing for the time being. ^^
But yeah, I can agree with this journal! And it was honestly nice reading it after my own thoughts had come up about it lately.
...
more I can not say, just yes
Thanks for posting this journal, it's quite a refreshing read
I'm a blunt instrument.
What is especially infuriating is when people are trying to force the topic, the "You are political even if you say you don't wanna talk about politics." crowd. I just don't get how it is so incomprehensible to some people that someone would create something for everyone to enjoy without bringing any real life issues into it. Of course if someone writes a story there will always be some of their views bleeding into the world they are creating but any good writer uses nuance so it does not become a propaganda piece and can be enjoyed even by people who do not neccessarily allign with those views or for whom those messages simply go over their head.
And that is why themes that everyone can agree on are so important. No matter what someone believes in, we all wanna live our lives peacefully and be treated with respect and dignity, that is universal. The problem I see nowadays is that political extremists keep convincing their adherents that the other side opresses them just by existing. Mysoginists and Misandrists, racists against black or white people, homophobes and "ewww, straights" kinda people may be on the opposite sides of the coin but they are still the same flavor of douchebag, attacking the other for something that they have no control over.
Of course no one reading this is gonna have to completely change their view but I'd like to reccomend that you set some time aside to just forget about politics and relax because I guarantee you: Getting worked up about politics is an express speedway towards a complete mental breakdown.
Well said!
"Republicans by shoes to."
I prefer neutral art
Nobody I listen to has any corporate or political ties! Yet people seem to look towards these powers and are thrilled when they exert cronyism!
We are about to see a wave of censorship that goes unrivaled in USA history!
While those on the Right will be targeted i assure everyone that all who threaten the establishment will be hit!