common sense is a construct
and you're maybe mostly using it as an excuse to be a dick (or maybe that's just me)
I have a bone to pick with the whole idea of common sense.
Being anti-common sense is a stance I’ve arrived at fairly recently, and a way of thinking I’ve been trying to train myself out of.
Common sense is created by the experiences one has in their life.
The claim that something should be common sense, then, relies on the assumption that whatever individual or group you are addressing has had the same life experiences as you.
Which.
Shockingly.
They probably haven’t???
Obviously there are cases where this does not apply - but I keep running into situations where either I’m allowing myself to think that someone is an idiot for not having common sense (or I’m made to feel a bit like an idiot for not having common sense) and the reality is that the person I think is an idiot has simply never encountered that situation in the way that I have. So how could they be expected to know this common sense thing???
So. My official stance is: the idea of common sense is, most often, just an excuse to put someone down for not knowing something. At least for me. But also maybe you. Or maybe not. I’m open to the reality that I’m the only person in the world that does this (but also, I’m probably not). For me though, it’s definitely not rooted in compassion, which is the attitude which with I always want to approach things.
Tiny rant over.
bits and bobs
re: being back on lexpro. I have been on lexapro before, and this did not happen previously - but this round, it is affecting my appetite in a fairly extreme way thus far (I just get full to the point of nausea very very quickly. I still love and want food and it makes me sad that I cannot eat very much of it). this has resulted in an amount of weight loss in the last month that, combined with the weight loss I experienced prior to the drugz that was a result of the depresso + increased jiu jitsu intensity, has officially made my doctor very concerned. it’s not an unhealthy amount overall, it’s just the rate that’s unsustainable. we are keeping an eye on it.
this weight loss has of course meant that I am now getting many comments from very well meaning folks about how GOOD and HEALTHY I look. the people who say I look strong are allowed because they are usually people who are aware that I am in fact significantly stronger with all the jiu jitsu training. everyone else, I think I maybe make a bit uncomfortable because I make sure they know I know they are referring to the weight loss and that it is in fact both unwanted and unhealthy.
it is horrible to have a body
last night I let an 18-year-old paint flowers on my head. now I look really cool.
things I am doing that I should probably be promoting!
“Spellbound” - Von Common Studios fundraising show @ Confluence Center - This is a thing that I probably should have made a point to mention prior to the First Friday opening, because now if you want to see it there is the additional hassle of making an appointment to see it, but if you are interested reach out and I will assist with that! It’ll be up until Sept. 26th. I have three collage pieces in this show, all for sale, and I am donating all proceeds to Von Common because MAINTAINING SPACES TO MAKE ART IS VITAL.
Spon Con @ Home Resource - I’m part of a construction team for Spontaneous Construction at Home Resource this Saturday, Sept. 13th! There will be activities going on from 12-4pm in the parking lot. I’m excited about this because Home Resource is an incredible community resource and MAINTAINING COMMUNITY SPACES THAT CHAMPION SUSTAINABLE REUSE AND CREATIVITY IS VITAL (can you tell I’m feeling soap-box-y today? whoops)
Open AIR Open (mini golf!) @ Fort Missoula - Next Sunday, Sept 21st, from 10 am - 8 pm. Groups of artists have designed a series of mini golf holes that I’m sure we are all really hoping will actually be play-able (I kid. I’m sure they’ll all be play-able. most likely) that you can register to play! The theme of ours is “Jurassic Putt”. There will be a big crocodile and a volcano and dinosaurs. All elements will be purchasable, with proceeds benefiting Open AIR, and I’ve donated an additional piece of art for the event as well. I am excited about this because, firstly, our mini golf hole is going to look really cool, and also, IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT ARTISTS RECEIVE TIME AND SPACE AND SUPPORT IN THEIR PRACTICES and residencies are a really cool way to provide that.
pictured: “Rooting Down, Under Scattered Clouds” by Brooke Armstrong “Therefore, I Am” @ The Clay Studio of Missoula - THIS IS MY CURATORIAL DEBUT IN MISSOULA AND IS THUS A REALLY BIG DEAL. The show features Brooke Armstrong, Danielle O’Malley, and Tina Opp. It’s a show about reciprocity, the collective, re-contextualization, and interworking. The title comes from a phrase that’s been guiding a lot of my practice lately: “Es, ergo sum” (you are, therefore I am), a de-individualized play on Descarte’s “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am). The opening reception will be 5-8 pm on Friday, October 3rd and there are like…a lot of really cool events happening in Missoula that night but all of my artists are travelling to be present for this opening and so it’s really important to me that it’s a well-attended opening! So basically it would mean a lot to me if you put it on your calendar now and popped in before going to the other cool things, thank u xoxo
Altarpieces, woodfired stoneware, 2025 12th Annual Holiday Show @ Radius Gallery - This will run from Nov 6th-Dec 31st, which feels like a very long time away, but I’m very excited about it because the work that was accepted into it is the work that I really want people to know that I’m making right now, and I’m really looking forward to it being publicly shown outside of my desk at the Clay Studio.
wow okay that was a lot. but how else am I supposed to promote things if I’m avoiding instagram??
xoxo,
the mindful narcissist
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I have recently had to deal with someone that doesn't seem to have common sense, and as much as I agree with you sentiment about how they haven't had the same experiences, I think also they have experiences and don't actually learn from them.
Like something happens and some would go, "oh if I do this then this happens." And these other people are like, "well, that was something." and then they do it later on and are again surprised by the outcome.
I agree that we need to have empathy. And I would add patience. But, it can still be very frustrating to deal with them.