Hey. I'm Mark.

Get out from behind that shroud of capitalism and social media, realize how lucky you are, and remember what Vonnegut tried to keep at the forefront of all of our small, undoubtedly stupid brains:

Notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’

And for god’s sake, don’t say that in a status update.

As usual, Aaron Sorkin is pitch-perfect. 

The rules are about to change, and one of them is this: Decisions are made by those who show up. Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world. Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, things that are free, things that you can do every day. Civility, respect, kindness, character. You’re too good for schadenfreude, you’re too good for gossip and snark, you’re too good for intolerance—and since you’re walking into the middle of a presidential election, it’s worth mentioning that you’re too good to think people who disagree with you are your enemy.

carafornia:

so fucking awesome. 

thedailywhat:

IMDB Bio of the Day: Much to the Internets’ delight, IMDB writer Jon Hopwood profiled Kim Kardashian in a thoughtful, well-argued roast of an IMDB bio.

Choice highlights:

Kim Kardashian is emblematic of the shallowness of American culture in the first two decades of the new millennium. While some cultural critics call her the prime avatar of the “famous for being famous” faux celebrity crowd, she along with Paris Hilton is a new breed of cat whose celebrity comes from the release of a sex tape and the canny exploitation of the resulting publicity. Like her good friend Miss Hilton (their relationship predates Kim’s “celebrity”, Kardashian is possessed of photogenic good looks but is short of any other discernible talents outside of the bedroom. Both expanded their celebrity by becoming reality TV “stars”.

Porn pioneer Harry Reems has commented how surprised he is at how porn stars like Jenna Jameson are accepted now in mainstream culture. His life was ruined by his participation in porn in its “Golden Years”. As for Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, the release (accidental or not-so-accidental) of boudoir tapes didn’t result in shame but celebration. America like ancient Rome seems to have shuffled off the moral coil of virtue of the Republic and is now enjoying its Imperial self in an orgy of ignominy. It’s always more fun on the toboggan ride down the hill than it was schlepping up it in the first place.

Thankfully, a few screen grabs were snagged before the site was alerted to Hopwood’s shenanigans and took the bio down. Well played, Hopwood.

[uproxx]

When people have the balls to stand up to what media has done to us in thoughtful, hilarious, and intelligent ways I don’t so much hate the world.

David Foster Wallace in conversation with Larry McCaffery - 1993

What I’m thinking every time I get in front of a keyboard or open my mouth.

GPOY

Root beer floats ftw (Taken with instagram)

The raddest of dudes.

The whip in its current (and raddest) form.

untitled on Flickr.

If there were one picture to sum up the entire California/Mexico trip….

•  Matthew Stover, Blade of Tyshalle

setmatchrun:

(via ahistoryofweedcraft, somethingelsa)

In N Out late night bike ride with more than 15 people. Or, why CA kicks ass. (Taken with instagram)

Late night bike ride starts with a pentagram piñata. (Taken with Instagram at Bixby Park)

Ceviche and guacamole preparation. (Taken with instagram)

All of the prosciutto, please. (Taken with Instagram at Congregation Ale House)

bbook:

My name is Donnie Smith and I have lots of love to give.

GPOY

A sign saying “Grave of the Tiger” is what greets you before careening down this mountain. (Taken with instagram)

1 Versa. 4 bikes. 1 mural. (Taken with Instagram at San Nicolas Hotel Ensenada)

En route to Mexico meal of champions. (Taken with instagram)