You wanted intimacy. You paid me to provide you with intimacy. You extorted intimacy
Dear john, The Diary of a Prostitute ~ Julia Anderson
We like to think we're guided by more than animalistic instincts. We're rational and profound; it's what separates us from animals, beasts. We use logic and reason to overcome our base nature and depraved instincts. Whatever we do, good or bad, must have some esoteric influence.
But have we really risen above our animalistic nature? Or have we pushed it down, hidden it, buried it even deeper inside of us?
The reason we hurt people is because we're trying to fill some void or we're responding to something awful that's happened to us or some other reason. There has to be a reason; there has to be reason, something deeper and more profound than malice and depravity, something that goes beyond simple desires or mere malice.
What does that say about you and anyone else who participated in those three days? Why do you have to drug a girl in order to have a good time with her? Is there no sober girl willing to enjoy your company? [...] I encourage you to deal with whatever issue that is inside your heart that you don't feel that you're worth genuine companionship with a woman
When we hear about atrocious acts like rape or murder or abuse, we wonder what must have happened to the perpetrator to cause them to do such things? What made them become that way? What was their childhood like? Who hurt them first? What pain must they be feeling?
And there usually is something. I think that when bad things happen to people, they are far more likely to do bad things in turn. When good things happen, they hold the bad at bay. But, no matter what, I think the bad inherently exists.
I think there's a distinction to be made between a bad person and a bad deed performed by a person. I don't think there's only bad, and I don't think we're totally depraved creatures, but I do think that we're not so far removed from evil as we like to flatter ourselves. I think evil exists deeply within us, is deeply embedded inside us and is a part of us.
And it always manifests itself. Sometimes it's subtle; sometimes it's striking. It's nearly always shocking—once it's seen. We discover parts of ourselves that are so dark and despicable but also captivating and attractive—irresistible, intriguing, seductive. Evil may be bad but rarely is it ugly to us
Animals | Maroon 5
Welcome to the Jungle | Tommee Profitt
Animal | XOV (HungerGames)
These are not fringe songs. 'Animals' was one of the biggest hits Maroon 5 released; 'Welcome to the Jungle' was produced by Tommee Profitt, one of the biggest names in the industry; 'Animal' was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster series Hunger Games.
I have always taken the position that you can appreciate something without approving of it, and there's nothing wrong with that. You can recognise the value of Shakespeare without enjoying it. You would be foolish to castigate Shakespeare's brilliance, even if you didn't have a taste for it. You can appreciate these songs without approving of their lyrics. And I really don't think their lyrics are evil, precisely, but I do think they're very revealing. They reveal human nature
I'm exhausted. I feel like you are a predator and I've just done battle for the past hour trying to keep you at bay
Photo by Geran de Klerk on Unsplash