Psychology Lecturer Analyses the Tales of Jenny, Screech and Violet by Ren

Psychology lecturer Dr Nic ANALYZES and REACTS! Subscribe here:
/ @nichooper7
This analysis is concerned with the tales of Jenny, Screech and Violet by Ren. I made the video in the hope that it makes some sort of difference to the mental health, wellbeing, wisdom or understanding of people out there.
My analysis covers themes of desensitisation to violence, nature versus nurture, and how understanding where people come from lessens our judgement of them.
Below is a link to a Ren playlist that you might like.
• Ren
And here are links to my book, website and twitter profile:
www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-St...
www.nichooper.co.uk
/ nichooper7
Thanks loads for stopping by!
Nic
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #wellbeing #reaction #reactionvideo #psychology #analysis #lecturer #professor

[@MissMeKate]

Such important messages from the Tales. Broken systems create broken people. Some of them turn those jagged edges inwards and others outwards, but the common thread is that they all act out their pain.

[@nichooper7]

Ooooh that 2nd sentence is a blinder there, and totally in agreement with my perspective.

[@rebeccarose7405]

One of the things that brings me to tears every time I watch this, is that both Jenny and Screech are 14, and poor Violet was only 16. They are all children, and they react as children. Screech, banging on Patrick’s door and yelling at his girlfriend, are the cries of a child. None of their brains were fully developed. Thank you so much for your thoughtful, compassionate response. Please do consider reacting to Dominos in the future.

[@nichooper7]

Yea, it's easy to lose that detail isn't it because these children are living in the world as adults. But they are children. Dominos is on the list! Thanks Rebecca for being kind again with your encouragement! Nic

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

100% agree that compassion is a key ingredient in this. I think also that this piece of work is pointing at the larger problem in entire system and society because there's no support and care for others. It's raising empathy, then asking us to question what can be done so we no longer find this acceptable.

[@nichooper7]

Totally agree Holly! Thanks loads for that contribution because it points out something that I missed in the video - which is that Ren was doing something incredible, building empathy and compassion through a story of violence!

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

Dr. Nic there are always multiple layers of a Ren video to discover. It's, perhaps, a community building exercise for us to find all of the meanings.

[@nichooper7]

@@hollyryalsgrubb1273 I think so. It's lovely how his work brings people together!

[@PeteFindsObscureStuff]

Great analysis Nic. You're quite right, we don't get to judge. We simply cannot know exactly why someone does what they do as we have not experienced the things they have. Being a former lecturer in criminology, I've viewed the tales using numerous theoretical perspectives I used to teach my students; Freewill/Determinism, Labelling, Learning Theory, Strain Theory, Differential Association, Conflict Theory......, the list goes on. None of them adequately explain the tales as none of them can explain human behaviour fully in the first place. They all tend to be too broad. Nonetheless, it is great to see Ren's storytelling in these tales and the fact that he has elicited academic analysis to them is fantastic!

[@nichooper7]

Thanks Pete! Yea it becomes a matter of pragmatism after a while whereby I asked this question: which perspective on this allows me to work effectively with people? What I find is that being compassionate is useful, and it's easier to be compassionate if I view human behaviour as built from context. And yea, there's loads to learn from this fella, and it has the chance to reach the masses.

[@startingfingerstyle]

Hi again Nic. When you did the 'reaction' video I pointed you in the direction of the live performance he did for his fans in Brighton, and told you there was a bit more information in it. No idea if you've watched it yet, but in the middle, he stops performing and reads a passage/prepared statement/poem which addresses this issue of judgement. Luckily one of the commentators on THAT version transcribed that part, and I copy it below. In the live version he reads this out between Jenny's Tale and Screech's Tale: There's this lie that we have either Yin or Yang. We are neither and we are both. We are Apollo, and we are Dionysus. We are Jesus, and we are Judas. We are the healing hands of Mother Theresa, and we are the poisonous tongue of Adolf Hitler. We do not solely walk a path of good, nor do we tread a path of evil. We simply walk. And if we choose to rain down judgement based on some self-inflated moral code, We forget that we are but a few decisions or a few mistakes away from becoming demons, Or we're a few good deeds away from becoming angels. Our actions cannot be placed into black and white boxes, For there is beauty within destruction, And there is ugliness within perfection. He's a very clever young man!

[@nichooper7]

Oh wow! That's blown my mind. Firstly, the depth of it. Secondly, Im delighted that I picked up on the theme of judgement when that sentiment aligns with what Ren himself was thinking when putting together the tales. Thanks so much for sending this over! I've started the live version but didn't reach this part.

[@startingfingerstyle]

@@nichooper7 And just before he reads this out (and then kindly hands the crumpled bit of paper he wrote it on to a fan! ......... Guess that'll be worth a few bob when Ren has conquered the world!) he talks about how social media has polarized opinions, making the right and left seem more extreme and urging people to consider that if your own personal circumstances were different, and you'd walked a mile in the shoes of the person you're arguing with, you might have a different perspective! The live version, though less popular, really does add to the experience!

[@MarkTomblin]

Thank you Dr. Nic for this analysis. It was thought provoking. If I may, I would also add seeing reactors of different genders & cultures witnessing Jenny's death by knife, Screech's death by cop (gun) and Violet's death (during childbirth) to DV, is equally thought-provoking. Ren's artistry is excellent in holding a mirror before the breath of his audience and seeing how they gasp. With that gasp being a hint to the society in which they exist.

[@nichooper7]

Yea great point Mark, we all see the world from where we are standing, yet somehow Ren manages to put music together that anyone can connect with no matter where they stand! Incredible really.

[@SuzanneO707]

Hello Dr Nic, Im also a new tuber 🤔. Never really felt compelled to get involved. I watched one of your films and commented, and you graciously replied. I have rewinded and watched your previous films. I think you have perfectly tapped into Rens artistic expression and message. Also with spot on intellect , emotional intelligence & with your take on mental health . Namely, the stigmitization , marginalization and hypocrisy. Which for me and people with that similar mindset about society is.... we all go through suffering ahd heartache, how ultimately, can I get through this ? DONT JUDGE, UNDERSTAND. Developing resliance and acting on it. Its not about being brave , its nuturing positivity, clarity, acceptance and living within your own skin, and also seeing you can do something for the greater good. Its inspiring and interesting how this charming mans music is a dance partner with your perspective in Psychology, and as a human being. He has certainly opened a floodgate of reactions and somehow brought people along with his dance , and with such captivating skill, precision and honesty. As a librarian who has worked in descimated & struggling public libraries in the North of England , academic libraries, and with pre school children before , working voluntarily in a community cafe and music venue in a rundown town. . I have seen and heard a lot. And I take it on the chin, process it and then learn from it and carry on. What else can you do? I'm waffling now, one more thing. Love how you signpost to books👍 My passion, you can see that informs Rens music and is pushing him forward, and its recognized, or is bringing something new to his growing supporters. Footnote... I saw a little one , maybe two, intrigued with a book at storytimes I did in a public library. He was trying a swipe on the text sideways on a book and couldn't turn pages. Its been proved scientifically that book reading lights up a part of the brain in tots and us adults, that other things do not. Knowledge, free thinking is being replaced by information? I don't know? Kind regards Dr Nic, stay with the guitar. I won't be the next Jimi Hendrix either, but its a cool thing to try.

[@nichooper7]

It is indeed a noble pursuit - maybe one day a guitar will make it into a KZbin video! Thanks for the kind words Suzanne and for the insights. I like the idea of Rens music and my perspectives on psychology and mental health being nice dance partners : ) I also love your sentiments about books. There's so much to learn from them but I too fear that our love for them is dwindling! Very best wishes and thanks for the lovely comment! Nic

[@SuzanneO707]

@@nichooper7 No probe, Top analysis as we in these parts. Dr Nic. Looking forward to your guitar solo. Keep pushing the books and your message. Noble pursuits indeed. Best wishes.

[@BirgittHGer]

Vielen Dank für Ihre Analyse Dr Nic! Ich bin sehr froh und hoffe zugleich, dass viele Menschen Ihre Worte hören.👍 Die Gene spielen auch in meinen Augen hier keinerlei Rolle, auch aus meiner Sicht ist es den Umständen geschuldet, dass diese Geschichten auf diesem Weg endeten. Ich habe mich über viele Reaktionen zu dieser 3- teiligen Geschichte sehr gewundert. Arme Jenny, böser Screetch; arme Violet, böser Stevie. Mir fehlte bei vielen Reaktionen die gesunde Kritik an den Systemen in denen ALLE Beteiligten aufwuchsen! Vielen Dank noch einmal für Ihre Ausführungen, wobei ich auch sehr besorgt darüber bin, dass es immer noch so viele Menschen gibt, die diese Erklärungen brauchen um zu verstehen! Viele Grüße aus Deutschland Birgitt

[@InconSteveHable]

(English translation via google) I am very happy and at the same time I hope that many people will hear your words. In my opinion, the genes don't play any role here either, and in my opinion it is also due to the circumstances that these stories ended this way. I was very surprised at the many reactions to this 3-part story. Poor Jenny, wicked Screetch; poor Violet, bad Stevie. In many reactions, I missed the healthy criticism of the systems in which ALL those involved grew up! Thank you again for your explanations, although I am also very concerned that there are still so many people who need these explanations to understand! Greetings from Germany Birgitt 👍

[@nichooper7]

Thanks for this comment birgitt - I put it through google translate and was delighted to see our thoughts and this are pretty consistent with each other! Many greetings from rainy Wales!

[@BirgittHGer]

Dr Nic Analyzes Oh - i‘m sorry for your work, here in germany we only have to put the Button under the commend and KZbin translate it 😥 Now i know- sorry again for that! It’s never happened again, promise ! Again - thank you for your time and have a nice day (even when it‘s a rainy day) With my best wishes for you and your students and your valuable work Birgitt

[@netty9534]

One of my favourite channels now. Thankyou Nic. I'm adopted and this resonates I agree that context is vital.

[@nichooper7]

Awww that's lovely to read! Thanks Netty!

[@lucillepannell106]

The part where these two meet, the second they fix eyes on each other, the possibility of them being identical twins is blowing my mind.

[@nichooper7]

Yea, you'd like to think that they might have had an inclination wouldn't you.

[@InconSteveHable]

"Don't blame the players blame the game" is kind of what I took from your reaction (well that's how it work's in my head anyway), we don't get to judge the individual as they are playing with the cards life has dealt them, all we can do is be there to teach them the rules of the game so they can make more strategic choices in future, and give them the support they need to let them know even if they lose this hand there will be another opportunity to win the next one. Our whole society currently is based on the "blame game" someone has to be accountable, someone is always at fault regardless of the circumstances, circumstance only serve's to mitigate the severity of blame apportioned not the blame its'self, someone has to be labelled and put into a box so people can point fingers and say "it was them not me!". (from my previous comments on the actual Tales video, I say Screech is just as much a victim as Jenny was). If "Compassion" is the key to understanding and solving these issues, then how do we not Judge those who are in positions to actually influence change, who choose to do nothing to start or influence that change, so rather than "We don't get to judge" I think we need to know "Who to judge" and then how to deal with them. Really enjoyed the analysis Dr Nic, can't wait for your next reaction/breakdown....

[@nichooper7]

Ooooh that's some lovely nuance there and one that cuts me to the core. The people I judge easiest are politicians but should I be allowed to do so when their upbringing has blinkered their view of what real life is!!!! Hard questions these Steve but the right one's to be asking! Thanks loads for the contribution here. Nic

[@InconSteveHable]

@@nichooper7 Consensus, education, money, If the politicians are to be "Judged" then who is there to judge them.... Health care professionals are the instigators and practitioners of any change's that are implemented, though their hands are tied by Politicians who aren't confronted (judged) by a "United" body, Mental Health professionals need a consensus of opinion that they can present to these politicians as a way forward. Politicians need to be educated as to what that consensus is, and what Healthcare professionals need (money/resources) to achieve the objectives of that consensus. And the public need to be educated as well, they choose the politicians after all. Now the cynical part.... How is this going to cost less money in the future and how much money can the government gain in the the future from it. We can have a more caring and compassionate society as long as it saves or makes money, but don't you dare spend anything extra, just to save someones life!... Otherwise i'm afraid that it's just a lost cause. I'm old, bald and grumpy, the cynic in me always comes out..

[@nichooper7]

@@InconSteveHable Im with you Steve. It has left me with a feeling that I can only do so much, and so I basically try my best to be a positive influence on those directly around me. The whole money system would indeed need to change for us to have that more compassionate and caring society.

[@InconSteveHable]

@@nichooper7 900+ subs and informed comments in the chat, I think your positive influence is reaching more than those people directly around you, anything that promotes conversation (good or bad) is a positive influence, so keep doing what you are doing.

[@nichooper7]

@@InconSteveHable Thanks loads Steve! 1k subs now can you believe : )

[@Felipedino321]

This reminds me the song chop suey by SOAD, which according to the guitarist: "The song is about how when people die, they will be regarded differently depending on the way they pass. Like, if I were to die from a drug overdose, Everyone would say I deserved it because I abused drugs, hence the line 'Angels deserve to die.'"

[@nichooper7]

That's a very interesting idea and rings true to my experience. Thanks loads for sending this thought Felipe. Nic

[@mothermaclean]

Brillent analysis of this trilogy i cant help repeating these songs over and over even though they are dark

[@nichooper7]

Thank you! Yes, I tend to do the same. Lots and lots could be taken from them.

[@daveednufc]

Another great video Nic With regards to your question “why is London city far from pretty?” In the original reaction video, I could be well off the mark but we know Ren is a big fan of music and rap/hip hop, so I wonder if he starts Jenny’s tale with a homage to ‘Regulate’ by Warren G and Nate Dogg. “It was a quiet dark night on an empty street, somewhere in London City” sounds like the part of “Just hit the east side of the LBC” Getting to “London city far from pretty” it could be a nod towards The Libertines “The boy looked at Johnny” where they sing “New York City’s very pretty in the night time, but don’t you miss Soho”. Ren references another Libertines song “Time for heroes” from the same album as The boy looked at Johnny in another of his songs “Ocean”. I also noted that the guitar at the start of Screech’s tale “Our story it starts…” sounds like music you’d hear at a fairground, but it’s ‘broken’ it’s not flowing as it should, perhaps reflective of Screech’s ‘broken childhood’ or experiences? Just a few of my ramblings but love your analysis. Keep them coming please!

[@MarkTomblin]

In Ren's interview with Justin Hawkins (iirc) Ren talks of moving to London for a time in his pursuit of his musical career. I think he made mention of London being an emotionally colder environment place, he found it hard to fit in. Perhaps this coloured his thinking when he was writing the Tales?

[@nichooper7]

Man such depth of analysis there Dave! I noticed none of that! If Ren has given the song THAT much thought then it is incredible really!

[@nichooper7]

I would guess that that experience would have played some part in this song. Thanks for the contribution Mark!

[@curmudgeon1933]

In the UK, the go-to phrase seems to be 'such a shame', which is a very British response. The US.. being such a Christian country, turns to the old stand-by 'thoughts and prayers'.

[@nichooper7]

Yes! The two terms function in exactly the same way!

[@louannlang7471]

I'm intrigued by Birgitt's comment to the males in the trilogy. Our men in this world are so very angry and are lashing out at women at an alarming rate it seems. I have no basis for this opinion other than more awareness of mass shootings ( done exclusively by young men) and increasing domestic violence against women and children. Why are our young men so angry? What can we do as a society to support them? I personally came from a broken home where physical and emotional violence spurred by alcohol use was prevalent. It's caused a plethora of issues, as adults, for me and my sisters and step brother. These aren't new problems of course. And I can't see a road to healing (as a world community) but maybe artists like Ren are helping to build them.

[@BirgittHGer]

LouAnn Lang for me are these men also victims, if these men had received support right from the start , this violence would Not have been a solution for them! They would have learned how to recognize problems and look for solutions with others, so do the women! Sorry my englisch is not the best, i try 😀. Dr Nic is having a lot of fun in the background, because he stimulated discussions 👀 😁have a nice day Best wishes from germany Birgitt

[@nichooper7]

Yes I agree with both of you. Firstly, LouAnn, I think youre asking exactly the right questions i.e. what can we change about our systems that lower the chances of us having angry young men? Secondly, Birgitt, I think you're correct, if we had figured that out then we'd have less of it. Great discussion. I personally think that there are lots of contributing factors to this - male patriarchy across the ages, poor education from close family members and friends, frustration and lack of opportunity etc.

[@BirgittHGer]

@@nichooper7 thanks for your words! I agree, yes These are the causes of these problems, but if we could manage to sensitize within these systems, create clarity about the causes of These feelings and seek and accept help, then a lot would have been gained here ?! Oh- i guess there‘s still a long way to go before we get there. It‘s just my wishful thinking for our togetherness! Thanks for your time Greetings from Germany Birgitt

[@louannlang7471]

@@BirgittHGer your English is MILES better than my German 😂 I can only count to 10 😂 ( so much for American education and thank goodness for google translation 🤦) So yes..I understand your meaning of men ALSO being victims yet societies in general shame them for being emotional. Thank you for the chat 😎

[@louannlang7471]

@@nichooper7 certainly; Simply being aware isn't enough. I believe you touched on that during your analysis. Thank you for your reply and I'm happy to see you are continuing your work via this platform. ❤️

[@UlfBengtsson]

Well blimey Nic. You nailed it again. Thank you for putting words to my thoughts. Well done. ❤

[@nichooper7]

Thanks so much for the positivity again Ulf! Nic

[@jackchisnall9316]

What I find amazing is that they weren't written as a trilogy, Violet's tale was written years after the other two.

[@nichooper7]

Incredible I agree. Violets tale is the most important for me. Brings everything together, gives me more coherence about how Jenny and Screech happened.

[@Thomas.Saunders]

Thanks for continuing to share your insights.

[@nichooper7]

Thanks Thomas!

[@4everane]

Great analysis, I think more people should hear it. Maybe add Ren's name in the title.

[@nichooper7]

Thanks so much, and that's exactly what I've just done! Thank you! Nic

[@papawheelie1645]

I've lost count how many times I've watched that Ren video. Something I found interesting to ponder especially in light of what you said about his upbringing. It makes me wonder if, he was committing intentional suicide by cop via bringing a knife to a gun fight, or did he truly think he stood a chance against the cop. I believe it's the former. Here we have this kid who's just stabbed someone to death, his friend won't answer the door, and his girlfriend is 'busy'. Maybe she was 'busy' with Patrick and Screech suspects this. So all those things culminating at the same time, I would imagine it was reasonable, being so young that he had just figured, well, this is rock bottom for me, why bother living, and chose to change the police with a grossly inadequate weapon. That was kinda rambling. Hope that made sense :)

[@nichooper7]

Yea that's definitely a possibility isn't it. It's either that or the kid was delusional in the way that you can see with young lads these days, that sort of 'I'm untouchable and bullet proof' type mindset that tends to weaken with time. Both explanations are pretty sad though. Thanks load for the comment! Nic

[@mjfseven]

I think that we could all be a "screech" under the wrong set of circumstances. Kind of scary when you really think about it.

[@impediment1]

Greedy people don't know what is in their self interest so they become narcissistic and hostile twords others, if not overtly then covertly. Whereas a selfish person knows it's in his best interest for others to do well. I've no sympathy for those who harm others.

[@nichooper7]

Interesting thoughts, thanks for the comment Richard. I have sympathy for others who didn't grow up learning that harm to others is a bad thing. I think that's the point I was making really, which is that some young lads deserve understanding and education more than punishment.

[@deadwing]

I wonder if Ren read "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy. I got very strong McCarthy vibes there although the story is clearly not the same. But look how McCarthy describes a 14-year old boy, referred throughout the book only as the Kid. This is literally on the first page of the book: "The mother dead these fourteen years did incubate in her own bosom the creature who would carry her off. The father never speaks her name, the child does not know it. He has a sister in this world that he will not see again. He watches, pale and unwashed. He can neither read nor write and in him broods already a taste for mindless violence. All history present in that visage, the child the father of the man".

[@nichooper7]

I've not heard of that book but that passage was beautiful. "All history present in that visage" is an incredible line. I wonder if Ren read it, wouldn't be surprised to be honest! Thanks for the comment! Nic

[@iamlpinthe312]

Ren is so masterful at storytelling that he manages to develop these three characters in such a way that you are fully invested in the Who, What, Why, When, Where ,and How in the span of roughly ten minutes. I cannot help but wonder how Jenny and James/ Screech would have ended up were they not separated. If they were both raised in the household of Jenny’s, would they have found solace, protection , and strength in each other, particularly because they are twins ? And if they were both raised in the household of James’ would they both have been children of the streets? Although I have read it in many comments I personally didn’t think Jenny was a prostitute- although I can see it as a scenario. She was walking home after dark which could easily be as early as 4:30 pm in the winter months. And at age 14 girls are beginning to wear make up and try to look older than they are .( I’m in the US and I was in the first 2 years of high school at age 14 and remember “borrowing “ my mothers boots that had heels and spending a lot of time at the make up counters of local department stores.) She walked the same way home every day, be it from school or work or a friend’s house accounting for the thousands of times she walked the same streets. I have fraternal twin boys ( at nearly 22 they are no longer children ) and they are very different in many ways including how they respond to stressors and conflict. Whereas Jenny wanted to escape ( Flight response) , James/ Screech never backed down (Fight response). Jenny lost her life to the lawless ; James lost his life to the lawful. Violet ( just one letter, like just one street) is so close to VioleNt and it is her Tale that really makes this Trilogy a Trilogy rather than 2 Tales of Tragedy - in parallel and on one night.

[@nichooper7]

Some lovely analysis there that I hadn't thought about myself. I agree with you totally about Ren's story telling ability though. It's such a privilege to hear stories in music, rather than just formulaic rubbish. Think of the discussion of the human condition that Ren has spurred here. It's incredible. Thanks loads for the comment! Nic

[@pyewacket24]

I'm not sure that we are desensitised to violence. I'm nearly 60 years old and I find that the sheer amount of violent crime in every part of the media is overwhelming. Literally overwhelming. I turn away because I cannot deal with it, not because I don't care. I recognise that does not make me any more worthy than those who do not care. Less worthy perhaps. But the motivation is different.

[@nichooper7]

Thanks loads for the comment - I can empathise with this. In my case, I think I've seen so much violence in the news over the years that I 'other' it. Do you get me? I mean that it's something that happens in other peoples lives and not my own, and so the travesty of it doesnt quite reach me. Im not sure that makes any sense!

[@pyewacket24]

@@nichooper7 Yes, I think I see what you mean. I think as you get older (not in all cases I recognise that some young people have to deal with personal tragedy at a very young age), it's usual to have had to deal with significant grief multiple times. And you do deal, it's the only way to survive.But I think it leaves you with lower reservoirs of resilience for pain that is "not yours", that is "other". I'm glad I am not speaking this comment otherwise I would have had to have done air quotes😁. I suppose what I do not know is how we are to hold on to our empathy for other people's suffering when we are exhausted with our own. I'll get back to you if I find an answer.

[@nichooper7]

@@pyewacket24 Oh gosh, let me know if you figure out that last bit because we can bottle it and make millions! You've hit on a lot of the nuance of it there. There is a KZbin ted talk by Pat Friman about his work in the US for an organization called Boys Town. It touches on some of this stuff. Let me know if you manage to watch it.

[@seth1455]

@@nichooper7 "human behaviour built from context" I don't disagree but it sure asks a lot of us the observer and as Pyewacket says it's overwhelming. I used to think I had it all worked out, but as I fast approach my 66th year I realise "I forgot how to be me" Bloody hell Ren you're a thought provoking little bugger. Well said both of you😀

[@nichooper7]

@@seth1455 The older I get the less that I know. I feel like I was so confident about the way the world was when I was younger. Maybe this is the way though, maybe this is what wisdom is. Thanks Seth!

[@Dragonartykay]

It’s a pity your videos are not viewed more. These things need to be bought into the open. That’s why Ren Wrote the tales.

[@nichooper7]

Ah thanks loads, and I really appreciate the positivity and agree with the sentiment. Nic

[@WhisperWolfe]

Spot on. ❤

[@nichooper7]

Thanks Sabrina and I hope all is well! Nic

[@vinchinzo594]

By this logic you don't get to judge people for judging. Merely saying "you don't get to judge" is itself a moral judgement. This is self-defeating and illogical.

[@nichooper7]

Thanks for taking the time to comment here! I have a different perspective from you on this, and that's fine, we get to have different perspectives and still exist in the world together. Very best wishes, Nic.

[@vinchinzo594]

@@nichooper7 Don't you think if a view is self-defeating it is incorrect? Or do you disagree that this position is in fact self-defeating? If you don't want to engage on this, that's fine and I wont push the issue. I like to argue, but I don't want to be argumentative. As you said we still get to co-exist and have different perspectives. I hope you have a great day Dr. Nic.

[@nichooper7]

@@vinchinzo594 Thank you for the respect Vinchinzo! So here's the deal: 1. It turns out that thumbnails and titles are really important in the KZbin game, and I'm pretty bad at them! This title was chosen primarily to try to get people to click on the video, and so it was pragmatic more than 'true'. 2. If you watched the video, you'll see that the central message concerns how attributing people's behaviour to inner character rather than context is unfair, which I dont think is a radical claim. 3. About the title, I don't think I'm making a moral judgement when I say 'we dont get to judge'. I meant it as a fact or a piece of advice i.e. judgement is often made devoid of contextual appreciation, and we shouldn't do that. It was never meant as a 'I am judging you as a bad person for judging others', Im not judging anyone because I don't who is watching this video or anything about their behaviour. That's my quickly typed perspective anyhow, which I hope gives you some insight to how I reached that title. You'll know that time is hard to find time these days and so a long discussion like this is better saved for a pub! Best wishes, Nic

[@vinchinzo594]

@@nichooper7 I did watch your video, but even if you didn't restate the title in the video, I assumed the title was still your central perspective on issues like this. Sorry if that wasn't right. I still would like to discuss point 3 of your reply if we ever meet in a pub, because even after clarifying further you're still talking about a moral judgement even though you say you aren't. Calling it a fact is fine if you can support it, but if true, it would be a moral fact. I also felt you also tacitly agreed with me by saying "because I don't know ... anything about their behavior." So then we agree. You can make moral judgements about behavior. Anyways I understand you don't want to have this long, centuries old debate in the KZbin comments, and I respect that. Best wishes.

[@nichooper7]

@@vinchinzo594 Yes, it's a time thing but like I said above, I dont feel I am judging people by saying 'we dont get to judge', because there is no one person standing in front of me to judge. How can I judge a nothing? Instead, I'm building an argument about why we don't get to judge, because we haven't lived in the shoes of other people. Now, if someone were stood in front of me, and were giving horrible labels to a naughty boy, then I might well judge that person in some way. I might think 'the person isn't good at appreciating context'. But that judgement in itself would be made with the understanding that that persons history led them there and so it isn't their fault, the judgement holds no value. Not sure that all made sense but best wishes and hope to catch you again! Nic

[@feralhuman8790]

Nice analysis. We are all creations and reflections of the sum total of everything that we have experienced from the moment of our biological conception, up to and including every real-time moment of Now. Nuanced by our unique individual capacity to process, integrate with, and detach from each and every experience imposed upon us, which of course varies based upon level of maturity, and the order in which these experiences occur. Bottom line is that we do not, we cannot, create ourselves. The universe imposes upon us, shaping and molding us. If you analyze the external world within completely rational detachment, you see that every stupidity, every pathology, everything judged by every society as being bad, wrong, harmful, immoral, unjustified...is in fact directly woven into the functioning, operational structures of every society itself. Violence, hunger, cruelty, racism, sadism, hypocrisy, judgment, pride, caste system, exploitation, bullying, all of it is exalted and openly practiced by every society, only under cloak. For example: War, the death penalty, abortion. sport hunting, these are pure forms of the most cold-blooded, unjustifiable type of murder. Yet society dares to judge individuals to be wrong or bad because they carry out acts of murder, which are merely pale reflections of the institutionalized, systemic, and officially sanctioned structures of murder that society chooses to practice. No matter what any individual does, his actions can never be legitimately judged by a society, a government, or any official social structure, because it is these structures that both create the individual, and that impose upon him systemic traumas and harm as public policy mandates. And society reserves its most intense condemnation, for those individuals whose actions threaten to expose this Truth. If you feel up to it, you can try to gain more such insights from my texts, here is one you may find particularly intriguing: www.forbiddentruth.blog/what-is-the-1-environmentally-external-cause-of-mental-illness-among-humans/

[@nichooper7]

Absolutely excellent analysis. Puts more specificity into my thoughts on this. I took a look at the link and liked a lot of what I saw. I think the mind blowing nature of death is something I actually touched up on my analysis of How to be me (about 20 mins in I think). Thanks loads for your comment here, I do appreciate it. Nic

[@feralhuman8790]

@@nichooper7 I wonder how much of human dysfunctionality is rooted within universal, internal, meaning genetic, weakness and malformation of the human brain, versus the universal external traumas that each of us is subjected to? Very hard to judge, partly because both are intricately woven together. Consider: Other animals seem very capable of psychologically coping with the true facts and reality of death. But not the human animal. The "herd" will say this is because other animals lack the "higher" consciousness that is necessary in order to intellectually and emotionally process such a "complex" issue. But how can you claim human consciousness to be higher, if it can only cower in terror at the very thought of dying as it pathologically creates and imposes upon all other humans absurd mythologies that serve no purpose beyond allowing the masses to "cope" with the illusion of life via delusional belief systems that would, in a sane species, be clearly recognized as pure mental delusions symptomatic of and manifesting as mental illness? I perceive the human brain to be malformed, mutated. Lots of evidence that humanity actually came to exist because a primate with a mutated brain, a birth defect, mated with another primate, who possibly also had a mutated brain. Unnatural evolution, if you will. Because if the human brain in general, as a collective whole, within the parameters of "normal", possesses the "higher" consciousness necessary to possess clear awareness of the implications of death, it should also possess the coping skills to squarely face up to and deal with these implications. And if that was the case, the problem of mortality would already be dealt with and solved. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

[@nichooper7]

@@feralhuman8790 Nice thoughts. I stopped grappling with this a while back. I felt like a problem that couldn't be solved and so I tried to re-direct my attention elsewhere!

[@feralhuman8790]

@@nichooper7 Consider this: When a problem is judged to be unsolvable, the solution becomes impossible and invisible only because it is rendered unthinkable. Because logic says that EVERY problem has a solution. The real issue is how to IMPLEMENT the solution. But this is a progressive step. Implementing a solution cannot be fathomed unless and until the solution is recognized, consciously accepted for what it is. From this grounded platform, the issue of implementation, how and whether it is feasible given the human condition, can be analyzed and deciphered. For example, a primary topic of my texts is the issue of Universal Child Abuse. Each and every human child on earth is subjected to systemic and crippling abuse, harm, and victimization, within core public policy mandates and immovable social, cultural, and legal doctrine, decrees, and laws. This is denied, concealed, cloaked from human perception, by the designations of "illegal" forms of child abuse. in other words, the Forbidden Truths of Universal Child Abuse as public policy mandate, are completely hidden from the consciousness of the vast majority of people, via various legal definitions and cultural decrees of what constitutes child abuse. If you strip away these diversionary illusions, and probe what child abuse actually is and how it is universally inflicted upon all children, an entirely new mindscape is uncloaked, by which you can consider real solutions to the actual problem. A primary solution is: The elimination and eradication of the family unit, this system of random child distribution which empowers all biological creators to reflect upon "their" children, the traumas, injuries, abuse, destruction of mind potential, that they were subjected to. So then we can arrive at the real issue, of HOW could such a radical shift within a "core" element of human existence be actually implemented, or is it a complete impossibility due to human emotional and intellectual dysfunctionality of the brain? Regardless, to SEE a problem for what it is, is to open a gateway to see the solution to that problem.

[@nichooper7]

@@feralhuman8790 Really interesting perspective. Have you read Walden 2 by BF Skinner? You might like it based on some of the things you've written above, which I can definitely understand.

[@mehere6865]

When I watched that video, something made me think that Violet was perhaps impregnated by her father since she left home at 16, she got a council flat paid by welfare, - who gets a flat at 16? - unless she was already pregnant . So she was housed as a protection case. Meeting Steve in work might have been nice until for her until he discovered she was pregnant which is why he suddenly changed into the violent abuser he was, jealousy and increasing paranoia would be like petrol to a flame when confronted with someone who was pregnant but silent (secretive?) (who was she with to get pregnant?) (why doesn't she talk about it?) surely this would build into the violent accusations that she was perhaps a slut like he called her in the song. its all conjecture of course but I have seen it happen before in real life and the person in question didn't say anything until her step father died, and then she felt safe enough to seek counseling help. what do you think sir?

[@williamalexander7481]

I wondered the same thing. Thank you for putting it so eloquently.

[@nichooper7]

Yea that all could certainly have been the case and would 'explain' Stevie's behaviour more. Everything event seems to bounce into the next doesnt it. And that's what I mean when I say that experiences matter - they each change our experience of the next event. Great comment and many thanks for making it.

[@user-ju2lr6mk8k]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZDLpGt7oLyYkMk Hi Dr Nick this is a live version that I love. I feel like you will love it to. You are spot on with exactly everything he is trying to portray. In this vidio he sheds light on some of this and as you would expect from Ren in a very wonderfully worded way. Love your work on this as always. I personally feel like Jenny's life is also a hard one. I feel the way Ren described her their is fair chance that she is a prostitute. Which also again ties the theme of the story together even more. Thanks for your reply on my last post it made my day. I really enjoy your work and appreciate all your insights. Thanks again, Rebekah:)

[@nichooper7]

Oh man that live version is something special isn't it! Thanks for sending it over to me Rebekah! Thanks so much for your lovely words, and no problem at all. What a lovely thing that Ren has done with his music by bringing people together.

[@belindamelville2270]

Ren❤❤❤

[@luukkuwet]

A Clockwork Orange

[@nichooper7]

Ive never watched it! But now, Im thinking that I probably should. Thank you!

[@luukkuwet]

@@nichooper7 It has many layers and is based on that shortened version of the book lacking the last chapter.

[@nichooper7]

@@luukkuwet Ah right, I might get the book instead then. Thanks loads for this. Nic

[@luukkuwet]

@@nichooper7 I think that the US version is lacking that last chapter. It is a shame.

[@nichooper7]

@@luukkuwet Im going to get the UK version then!

[@crainfamily9494]

Its a tale of generational trauma. When I heard violets tale it was a punch in the gut. Im years removed from my personal experience. What he says in the song IS what happens. They tend to do it when your asleep in bed, they do call you a liar and a slut, they do blame you. And unfortunately you do react the same way you reacted to survive previously.