Ha. Let's call it the Bane of the Misanthrope. OK. If you read the definition, "Hate Humankind," seems overly-strong. Dislike is more like it. So maybe a "Mild Misanthrope." Human Beings are so often, so disappointing. Much of the distress and dislike comes from miscommunication and misunderstanding. It's difficult to be always putting yourself in someone else's shoes, especially when you are busy filling your own shoes.
And then our culture, society, social network amplifies the loudest, most aggressive, biggest assholes amongst us. We give undue attention and all the accolades to the wealthy, greedy ones. It's a flaw in the whole she-bang. Think of it as the Big Monkey Man syndrome. These Big Monkey Men usually like to attack the weaker ones, or the folks who are a bit different from the dominant ones. It's so ugly. A trait that seems to have been with us since the Dawn of Man. Man's Inhumanity to Man is a long, ugly saga.
Being a Human Being is a complicated thing. A Mild Misanthrope would also, of course, sort of dislike or maybe even sometimes despise, themselves. Maybe that's a good thing? Although the Swamis and the Experts tell us we need to love more, to love ourselves and others, although, maybe not too much unqualified love, but maybe hard-earned love with a deep layer of dislike? Maybe a bit more humble and clear-eyed?
Maybe the trick is to love the weak ones, those picked on and harassed? Those without power? I don't know, love and hate, it's tricky too. Humans. Yikes.
The a.m. soundtrack - Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories." (2013) Disappointed in Humanity this morning, I turn to the French Robots. But, you know, really, these French Robots are really two creative French music-makers pretending to be Robots. So, anyway a bit of artifice. This is a truly great record. Lots of computer assisted sounds mixed with great live drumming and guitar. A magnum opus about love & loneliness, UFOs, the future, creativity, and yes, "getting lucky." Niles Rodgers shines on guitar. Fabulous. The album cost a shit-load of $ to make. But it's some weird kind of masterpiece. You can dance to it, but there is also a very human sadness and wistfulness suffusing the grooves; love and the failure, or absence of love. The little gnome Paul Williams makes an indelible impression. Highly recommended.
