I really enjoyed this, Nicole! Thank you! I'm sitting with your observation about the tension between attachment and authenticity; it's a very resonant idea with a lot of explanatory power. Bizarrely, too, it connected the dots for me as to why chatting with an AI can be such a hypnotic experience: Basically it's programmed to validate our authenticity. (Even if it is also stealing my historical ability to use em-dashes authentically. Ahem.)
I've read a lot of Gabor Mate's work and have heard him speak in virtual conferences, and I've always been blessed somehow, not only by his thoughts and observations, but also by the kindness he embodies in his very presence. If more people listened to what he has to say and took it seriously, the world would be a better place.
I have not. I know you value him, so I don’t want to sound cynical. I need to read Deleuze and Guattari. But I wonder about the move to adapt concepts for individuals to society. “Trauma” is such a fungible concept.
Fair enough. I do value him, however much of why I value him is not BC I agree with every single word, but because he is leading an important conversation. Trauma is not simply a fungible term, as though it means nothing or is constantly shape shifting to suit our whims. It's evolving the more we learn about it, and the impact it had on a great many humans in the world, past and present.
Personally I think there is an equal and potentially worse danger in removing the individual from their environment, and minimizing the role that relational, systemic, environmental, and epigenetic factors play in our mental and physical well-being. Only the most out-of-touch physicians or intellectuals today would seriously argue that the social and environmental conditions of general Western societies are built for human well-being.
That's really all I'll say if you haven't read anything by this author.
I really enjoyed this, Nicole! Thank you! I'm sitting with your observation about the tension between attachment and authenticity; it's a very resonant idea with a lot of explanatory power. Bizarrely, too, it connected the dots for me as to why chatting with an AI can be such a hypnotic experience: Basically it's programmed to validate our authenticity. (Even if it is also stealing my historical ability to use em-dashes authentically. Ahem.)
I've read a lot of Gabor Mate's work and have heard him speak in virtual conferences, and I've always been blessed somehow, not only by his thoughts and observations, but also by the kindness he embodies in his very presence. If more people listened to what he has to say and took it seriously, the world would be a better place.
I love Gabor Mate & have read his most recent book + Hungry Ghosts. I am just a 63 year old widow with C-PTSD but I would pay $ to see him in person.
His books share his compassion while not downplaying his own struggles.❤️
Isn’t this an update of RD Laing, that schizophrenia is normal because the world is crazy? Did Laing ever help anybody?
Just curious if you've read either of Maté’s books mentioned in this essay? :)
I have not. I know you value him, so I don’t want to sound cynical. I need to read Deleuze and Guattari. But I wonder about the move to adapt concepts for individuals to society. “Trauma” is such a fungible concept.
Fair enough. I do value him, however much of why I value him is not BC I agree with every single word, but because he is leading an important conversation. Trauma is not simply a fungible term, as though it means nothing or is constantly shape shifting to suit our whims. It's evolving the more we learn about it, and the impact it had on a great many humans in the world, past and present.
Personally I think there is an equal and potentially worse danger in removing the individual from their environment, and minimizing the role that relational, systemic, environmental, and epigenetic factors play in our mental and physical well-being. Only the most out-of-touch physicians or intellectuals today would seriously argue that the social and environmental conditions of general Western societies are built for human well-being.
That's really all I'll say if you haven't read anything by this author.
Also, to be fair, I have indeed come to Toronto for many a loud rock concert ;)
Also, see footnote 2.
I am so so glad we shared this experience! Thanks for braving the city to come with me ❤️
I was today years old when I realized who you are WHY ARE YOU ANONYMOUSLY STALKING ME ON SUBSTACK?!
I was enjoying the anonymity though I suppose I have now OUTED MYSELF!!! NOOOOOOO!
MUAHAHAHAHA *impish laugh*
Thank you for sharing this. I am so glad to be introduced to this speaker! I will look for his writing.