to know that it is often quite gen-
uine. Music, like any other artistic
endeavour, is a rich, moving expe-
rience if we allow it in.
We seem to have developed the
same truncated, almost prud-
ish attitudes about passion as we
have toward discussing sexuality
or death in an open and mature
manner. It’s a self-defeating mind-
set that causes more problems
than it solves. As we’ve seen in the
past, repression never ends well.
Societal norms can only be
changed when enough people un-
derstand that ridicule and mockery
is just another form of abuse, es-
pecially when target of their “jokes”
is not laughing. We must honestly
look into ourselves to see if we en-
gage in such behaviour, no matter
how innocent it might seem. We
all do it to some degree, but are
not always cognizant of the con-
sequences. Indeed I’m ashamed to
admit I’ve done it myself.
If we do not do this, we run the risk
of snuffing out people’s passions,
particularly among the young. Try
to imagine how many future Pi-
cassos, Earharts, Beethovens or
Kahlos have been driven off their
course due to ridicule or misguid-
ed pressure to conform to a soci-
etal norm.
and a foam finger?
The road to a better future will be
paved those with the necessary
passion and imagination to create
it. That passion and imagination
must be nurtured if we wish to
avoid the mistakes of the past.
I’m not suggesting that everyone
who dresses up for science fic-
tion conventions are great artists,
musicians, scientists or explorers,
but how do you know one of them
isn’t? In the end, what’s the differ-
ence between a plastic lightsaber
Mackenzie Clench is an author, creative instigator, agent provocateur and gen-
eral-man-about-the-internet. He's also the CEO, Scribbler and Fuss Maker in
Chief of Mackenzie Clench Creative, helping entrepreneur-shaped humans re-
fine their messaging to draw a through-line from the heart of their business
to the heart of the clients. Mackenzie’s current project is “Around the World
in Eighty Sandwiches,” an Instagram-based culinary cavalcade of sandwiches
from around the world. He is also attempting to parlay his linguistic legerde-
main into a role as a food writer, since his culinary school dreams seem… un-
likely at this point.
Mackenzie Clench
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mackenzieclench.com