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Abstract

owd, especially during high school.The part of the essay that resonated with me was Adam’s character-building progress from figuratively “ripping” others to having the courage to have a creative output. He is now using that courage to make art, to be communicative, and to be constructive.That’s laudable.The passing of a treasured friend helped him to embrace his creative side and become more accepting of who he wanted to be. Having the courage to say, ‘I was wrong before’ and changing how you think and act is something difficult, rare, and worth celebrating.<h2 id="7edb">Let’s Get Dangerous</h2>Having always been a weirdo and mildly out of step with the crowd, I’ve learned to embrace my differences and appreciate them in others.Like most important lessons, my codification of the conceptual importance of acceptance was calcified by nonacceptance. I was in fourth grade, and it was the first day of class. Each classmate went up and told the class some things about themselves including their favorite TV show. We went up one by one and told our class our favorite shows. Live-action TV shows such as “Saved by the Bell” and “Boy Meets World” were common responses.<figure id="4205"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*53CVmFMexjhq6tQgnYKdCQ.png"><figcaption>This show slapped, as the kids say. Public domain.</figcaption></figure>I went up and told the class I liked “Darkwing Duck”. Yeah, the alliterative cartoon crime-fighting investigator duck dressed all in purple.My introduction went over like a purple crime-fighting lead balloon covered in osmium. One classmate started mocking me for being ‘immature’ and a crescendo of laughs followed. My teacher let this scenario fully play out and didn’t intervene. This happened at a private religious school, so I suppose I was expected to turn the other cheek.My classmates didn’t let up until after I had returned to my seat and cr

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ied my little heart out for an uncomfortably long period of time. I was the odd duck. I felt alone in a room filled with people.<h2 id="90b7">Social Proof</h2>Social proof is an important psychological concept. Social proof occurs in social group settings where people conform to what the group does when they can’t determine the appropriate mode of behavior. I like to think that my peers that laughed at me for liking the show may have liked it themselves — or one similar to it. I hope they were demonstrating social proof instead of being earnestly cruel.These days, I don’t care too much about what others think. I make my own fun. I do and say ‘weird’ stuff. I write weird stuff. I’m fully living the glamorous weird lifestyle. I’ve got a Certificate of Authenticity that states “weird”. Okay, maybe not that last part.<h2 id="ae18">In Defense of Being Weird</h2>Adam describes a moment of anxiousness and fear before publishing or sharing work. I’ve been living this ‘weird’ life for a long time now — since well before fourth grade. I don’t get nervous at all. I’m not a machine or anything, there’s just not much I find worrisome about sharing stories and laughs with a bunch of interesting people.I suppose I should offer some advice though.“Star Wars: Rogue One” is ostensibly a movie with poor writing. The main character, Jyn Erso, sort of exists while stuff happens to and all around her. I absolutely love the film, despite the critics. There is a memorable line from the movie, and it makes for excellent advice.If we can make it to the ground, we’ll take the next chance. And the next. On and on until we win… or the chances are spent.The advice is to keep taking chances and to keep things moving. One day your chances will be spent, and it’s better to live as authentically as possible until then.Keep writing, Adam. Courage looks good on you.Love you, boo.</article></body>

WRITING AND BEING WEIRD

The Crowd Will Find You if You’re Brave

Hi Boo. I Appreciate That You Do You

Hey Adam boo, I’ve got a response for you. Photo by Sincerely Media

Adam T Kuznia wrote a personal essay entitled “You Do You, Boo” that I found to be haunting and memorable. It was partially a reflection on how poorly people who are different and talented are treated in youth. That childhood bullying experience never quite leaves you if you’ve been on the sharp end of the spear. I’ve been on both ends of the spear — one experience feels decidedly worse than the other.

I found his chosen title hilarious because I’ve been gratuitously overusing the “you do you, boo” phrase over the past few weeks. I’ve also been spouting variants such as “love you, boo” or “that’s interesting, boo” to coworkers.

They just roll their eyes, smile, and laugh. We have to keep things fresh and fun in the cubes, or they’ll draw out our life essence. If I ever get into trouble for twerking in those sad and lifeless aisleways, you’ll know why. Hey, at least there’s an accent wall or two!

“WS-39, you are hereby suspended for twerking without a permit. Please proceed to the exit after your designated shift.” Photo by author, depression by capitalism.

Adam cataloged his thoughts and experiences on being out of step with the safer, more common approach to life. He confessed to living a lot of life out of step with the ‘weird’ crowd, especially during high school.

The part of the essay that resonated with me was Adam’s character-building progress from figuratively “ripping” others to having the courage to have a creative output. He is now using that courage to make art, to be communicative, and to be constructive.

That’s laudable.

The passing of a treasured friend helped him to embrace his creative side and become more accepting of who he wanted to be. Having the courage to say, ‘I was wrong before’ and changing how you think and act is something difficult, rare, and worth celebrating.

Let’s Get Dangerous

Having always been a weirdo and mildly out of step with the crowd, I’ve learned to embrace my differences and appreciate them in others.

Like most important lessons, my codification of the conceptual importance of acceptance was calcified by nonacceptance. I was in fourth grade, and it was the first day of class. Each classmate went up and told the class some things about themselves including their favorite TV show. We went up one by one and told our class our favorite shows. Live-action TV shows such as “Saved by the Bell” and “Boy Meets World” were common responses.

This show slapped, as the kids say. Public domain.

I went up and told the class I liked “Darkwing Duck”. Yeah, the alliterative cartoon crime-fighting investigator duck dressed all in purple.

My introduction went over like a purple crime-fighting lead balloon covered in osmium. One classmate started mocking me for being ‘immature’ and a crescendo of laughs followed. My teacher let this scenario fully play out and didn’t intervene. This happened at a private religious school, so I suppose I was expected to turn the other cheek.

My classmates didn’t let up until after I had returned to my seat and cried my little heart out for an uncomfortably long period of time. I was the odd duck. I felt alone in a room filled with people.

Social Proof

Social proof is an important psychological concept. Social proof occurs in social group settings where people conform to what the group does when they can’t determine the appropriate mode of behavior. I like to think that my peers that laughed at me for liking the show may have liked it themselves — or one similar to it. I hope they were demonstrating social proof instead of being earnestly cruel.

These days, I don’t care too much about what others think. I make my own fun. I do and say ‘weird’ stuff. I write weird stuff. I’m fully living the glamorous weird lifestyle. I’ve got a Certificate of Authenticity that states “weird”. Okay, maybe not that last part.

In Defense of Being Weird

Adam describes a moment of anxiousness and fear before publishing or sharing work. I’ve been living this ‘weird’ life for a long time now — since well before fourth grade. I don’t get nervous at all. I’m not a machine or anything, there’s just not much I find worrisome about sharing stories and laughs with a bunch of interesting people.

I suppose I should offer some advice though.

“Star Wars: Rogue One” is ostensibly a movie with poor writing. The main character, Jyn Erso, sort of exists while stuff happens to and all around her. I absolutely love the film, despite the critics. There is a memorable line from the movie, and it makes for excellent advice.

If we can make it to the ground, we’ll take the next chance. And the next. On and on until we win… or the chances are spent.

The advice is to keep taking chances and to keep things moving. One day your chances will be spent, and it’s better to live as authentically as possible until then.

Keep writing, Adam. Courage looks good on you.

Love you, boo.