“And so all those stories that you would have my biographer tally as courage... It's all vanity. It always has been. And we are at the end of vanity.”

"Then you are free. Mine your courage from a different lode now. Friendship. Brotherhood."

— The Terror (2018) — 01 x 08 'Terror Camp Clear'

"i am cringe, but i am free"

— unknown internet user(s) (c. 2020)

PART THREE

THE END OF VANITY

perhaps you believe that making art that is earnest is embarrassing. maybe you think it's cringe.

that's okay.

embarrassment towards earnestness and ironic posturing are byproducts of vanity. and vanity is the enemy of good art.

vanity is a fruitless endeavour; give it enough time and capitalism will ruin everything you love.

nothing's sacred on this bitch of an earth, so what do you have to lose? to hell with vanity. to hell with embarrassment. to hell with irony and sarcasm.

the era of being seriously genuine is now. embrace the ephemeral, kinetic nature of the earnest weird. true joy comes out of these moments.

some will hate this. that's okay.

it was never meant for them anyway.

this is for you. don't exhaust yourself trying to prove your worth to people who don't give a shit.

find comfort in fellow sickos.

be vigilant. be true. i love you.