Mark Laita of Soft White Underbelly recently interviewed GG Allin’s brother Merle Allin. GG (born Jesus Christ Allin) was an American punk rock phenomenon in the 1980s. His grotesque stage antics which often included things like violence and defecation came to an abrupt end in 1993 by suicide or overdose, it was both really. I’ve never been a fan per se but respect his efforts to not let punk rock become another form of corporately funded propaganda. There is a graphic display on him at the Museum of Death in Hollywood which is strategically placed to be avoided if that’s desired.
Merle and GG grew up with a strict father who though he did not practice what he preached was very insistent on his children doing so. The boys grew up isolated. Upon hearing the Beatles GG and his older brother knew what they had to do, they had to make music and they had to get famous.
This pattern is seen again and again. People who struggled to learn intimacy in their youth never stopped needing it; intimate connection is something that is required for our species to live and thrive. When we find ourselves upside down then being right side up is surely the answer. The loneliness associated with isolation must therefore to the underdeveloped spirit be remedied by the adoration of the masses. This is akin to the child of a blind parent who couldn’t drive trying to buy 100 cars so that he can drive when he’s older.
Part of being alive is doing things to stay that way; it’s why suicide is confusing. People deprived of necessities become underdeveloped but do not immediately wither away, they burn out, after living lives spent only trying to do that, stay alive.
Isolating killed COVID-19 maybe but at this point, it’s killing us too. The most vulnerable are always the greatest affected by these things. We as a culture decide who will be the most vulnerable based on what we as a collective find most valuable; we are all valuable. The disenfranchised need your smile, your neighbor needs your kindness and you need theirs.