PURE: The Most Disturbing Work of the 20th Century

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I see this video seems to be blowing up again! Thank you all for all of the support you’ve offered my little channel. This video is years old now, but I hope you all still get something out of it! PS Don’t give Peter Sotos money lol.

[@AmberAmber]

Just found you! This is fascinating to me, & I appreciate all the thought you've put into it❤

[@paroxysm9112]

Your voice is so soothing. Genuinely one of the most soothing voices I watch on KZbin lol. I usually get bored watching long videos (damn you, ADHD!) but not with yours. You're very easy to listen to.

[@Super_Marcey]

It came up in my recommended 😂

[@sisterseeth]

I can't believe I'm just now finding your channel. We were clearly separated at birth. Why, mama, why!?

[@ellipszilonq]

Hope you're getting enough money for therapy!

[@SOBEKCrocodileGod]

Between this, “Buyer’s Market”, and the lyrics to that “why you never became a dancer” Whitehouse song, I’ve always felt like Peter was a little too fascinated with the subject of CSA to a point past morbid curiosity

[@thegoodolddays9193]

Agreed. There's nothing of value in any of this. He may not be a pedophile himself but it's clearly something he puts a lot of thought into, and it's just gross.

[@daniellewillis2767]

​@thegoodolddays9193 it's not for YOU to determine what art has value and what doesn't. Art means different things to different people. It is not required to be safe, moral or pretty.

[@thegoodolddays9193]

@@daniellewillis2767 Actually as someone who viewed the art, I'm the exact person to determine how much value I got from it. Fuck off, pedo. You're going to deny it, but you wouldn't take such personal offense to me saying I didn't like it if you weren't one.

[@thegoodolddays9193]

@@daniellewillis2767 So what gives you the right to tell me how much value I got out of his art? The fact that you're so offended by me saying that raises a lot of questions about you. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and call you pompous, and not the other thing that came to mind. Sorry I didn't enjoy your sadistic violence and child abuse content, dude. Maybe get therapy and learn to enjoy life without trying to tell others they're wrong for not finding the value in horrific human suffering.

[@thegoodolddays9193]

@@daniellewillis2767 I've tried to respond to this three times and my comments got removed, so I'll simplify it down and give it one more attempt. It's not for you to decide how much value I got out of this. I can't tell you that you didn't get anything out of it, and you cannot tell me that I did. I will say that if you're invested in this, you aren't someone I want to talk to and I won't be replying again. Art doesn't have to be positive but you people just enjoy human suffering and I find that gross. I gave this art a fair shake. I watched the video. I got the social commentary you'll insist is the real reason you like it. Fine. But don't presume to tell me that I got value out of it. It made me a worse person, if anything. Lastly I'll note that it's funny how a certain word that starts with "P" gets my comments removed when the video itself is about horrific violence and abuse. Stay away from kids and have a good day.

[@Allen-rv5dd]

Love this! I had copies of Sotos' works and eventually sold them; it's a thing you kinda wanna burn your bookshelf just to purify it...digging your work!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you, Allen! 🙏🏽❤️

[@thebarghestiest]

"With apologies to Eddie Murphy, let's go ahead and use Trading Places in order to make more sense of Peter Sotos" I lost it. Thank you so much for this.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

❤️

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

A brilliant gambit

[@badluck59]

Sotos: This is depravity for depravity's sake! There is no deeper meaning, and any attempt to deconstruct it is futile and goes against the purpose of its existence! Juan: (eloquently breaks down Pure's components in a way that indicates there's a hidden social commentary) Sotos: wait what

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Lol, I think his response would be more like, “Fuck off!” At least I hope so. 😂

[@HTTG360TS]

Every piece of “””art””” has meaning

[@robertferent8913]

I really appreciate how well you broke this down. I’ve been curious about Pure (interest in industrial/power electronics inevitably leads one to Sotos/Pure), but I really didn’t want the prose turning into horrific images burned into my mind. Thanks for taking one for the team!

[@truthhurts79]

Stop being a wuss

[@rylanbailey3993]

what??? how does that lead to this??

[@robertferent8913]

Peter Sotos was in Whitehouse, and Whitehouse is the group that kicked off PE. If you start digging deeper into those around the early days of modern Noise/Power Electronics, you end up looking into the works of every person who was a part of the movement, like William Bennett, Philip Best, and Peter Sotos. I’m not saying that genre of music leads to an interest in child harm, just that it leads to discovering the works of the people behind the music, and if you look into Whitehouse, you learn about Sotos and his books and CDs.

[@AamuAurora]

I also knew Sotos' music but never paid any attention to the people behind Whitehouse. Some time ago, I read "Apocalypse Culture II" edited by Adam Parfrey where I found Paul Lemo's interview with Sotos. I was disgusted but couldn't just let it go. I made the mistake of digging out Pure PDFs. I briefly looked at two or three pages- absolutely disgusting, absolutely not worth it. I want to discuss it, study its social implications and the emptiness behind it without getting myself dirty because that's how I felt looking at Pure. Personally, I'm not afraid or uncomfortable when consuming ugly, transgressive or decadent art but Pure is a journey into the mind of a person who's conditioning themselves to find pleasure in evil and dgneracy, concerned only with a certain edge-lord persona, breaking taboo and basic ideas behind functional society.

[@truthhurts79]

Grow some balls so he doesn't have to take "one" for the team

[@TheMayonakaMidnighter]

Pain is the mirror that reminds us of our humanity. Once it is gone, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual, the scars left behind, can create something other than human.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Yes, pain is what defines the darker sides of ourselves, and that is why it’s so hard to confront and define.

[@SirFooplesTheThird]

I was playing powerwash sim and you don't want to know how fast the time went by! It was informative and you're ability to present is amazing! Amazing stuff dude!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

You were what

[@Caughtintheinterweb]

"PowerWash Simulator" is a simulation video game in which players take control of a power washing business and complete various jobs to earn money. ​@PlaguedbyVisions

[@jennystout8600]

Just wanted to let you know I've been watching your videos for a few months now, and they are so interesting and entertaining. You talk about the darkest recesses of humanity, but with a humor that makes it safe to explore these extremes. Great job! Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much!!! I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the videos! I do think humor is essential to guard oneself before taking a dumpster dive into this grime and muck. 😂

[@BucketOfMarbles]

Wow I love how clearly you explain these concepts, your channel has really helped me think about abject media in a useful way.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

That is my ultimate goal, so this comment makes me very happy. 🥲 Thank you so much!

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

Abject Media is a great turn of phrase

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

Peter Sotos' work is like breaking into a police Evidence Room, subverting the Room's function and purpose, and putting the Evidence back into circulation towards a different outcome.

[@someguy2775]

Lol I bet you think that sounded eloquent in your head.

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

@@someguy2775 well thanks for disabusing me of that notion, time well spent

[@Lmoes]

​@@someguy2775wanna hang out

[@Alexthatdudewhoknows]

Well put.

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

@@Alexthatdudewhoknows ty

[@Shunthesequel]

Your scholarship and commentary in this one is so on point; extremely thoughtful stuff.

[@Quivernipple]

Absolutely amazing as always! Please don't ever stop! You're hands down the one of the most thought provoking, eloquent, and entertaining KZbinrs! Can't wait to see when you hit 1 million subs!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Well, thank you so much, my friend, for such kind words! I don’t know if there’s a million people out there who would enjoy this 😂 but the fact that there’s thousands will never cease to amaze me!

[@jhonni13]

I just discovered your channel and have been bingeing videos. Your commentary is so thought provoking. I have a list of reading recs from watching so far. (And not just disturbing books, non-fiction as well, although I am reading Tampa rn)

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much for your support! I’m glad you enjoy my rambles. 💖💖💖

[@jaredtaylor9775]

Pure is definite proto-edgelord stuff, but to be fair Sotos was putting it out as a teenager. His later books are far more interesting and sophisticated. And if you want to know what he really thinks of Ian Brady, check out his afterword to otherwise unreadable Gates of Janus. One of my favorite literary disembowelments.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

As far as I know, he made it in his 20s, but I’m in my 20s and I’ve done some edge lord shit (not to this extent, thankfully), so I understand, at the very least, maybe that urge to be confrontational in the face of societal disillusion. I’m not opposed to reading more Sotos, but sadly his stuff is near impossible to find. Gates of Janus is widely available, at least, and I do want to read this afterword!

[@FrenchToasted1995]

also related the frontman for devo, Mark Mothersbaugh made a book as his persona Booji Boy called My Struggle, it's pretty bad but it's half as bad as Peter's work

[@RayleneSteves]

Gates of Janus rules, get the heck out of here

[@jaredtaylor9775]

@@RayleneSteves yeah it's really cool to read a child murderer pretentiously critiquing his favorite serial killers for 300 pages.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I have since read that afterword and I will agree: Sotos did the literary equivalent of a sucker punch, and it was hilarious. 😂 And that’s an angle of Sotos I hadn’t considered before honestly, but I feel like it’s true: There is definitely some dark, perhaps the darkest, sense of humor underlying a lot of his writing movements. At least, I feel it must be so.

[@haxan_3567]

I just found this video and haven't looked through your videos yet but based on the strength of this dissection, you get a subscription and I'm going to watch more of your videos. I absolutely love how you didn't just look at Pure as "oh that's fucked up" but instead tried to understand the idea behind it,even if in the end you didn't like it, which I'm glad you didn't. I've seen some of it and it felt like dark voyuerism and even though it's written and designed in a pornographic fashion it struck me as antipornography in a sense. It was incredibly exploitative in the fashion of of porn in many ways, but it felt like you shouldn't be looking at it, like the intent was to disgust you and to feel disgusted with your choice to read and continue reading. I still feel absolutely fucked up from having read what little I did and that was several years ago.

[@PecoPecoHD]

Calling Ronald Reagan "Ronald McDonald" was pure gold. 😂

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

The greatest comedy is accidental.

[@baronvonpenguin6112]

I only became aware of Sotos through his work with Whitehouse, but after learning about the ‘Pure’ controversy it made me intrigued (in a pathologic sort of a way). The CP stuff is undoubtedly abhorrent and indefensible, but outside of that, I think it’s important that someone is studying these social pathologies, these dark corners, through the psycho-social lens he works through. If there’s something I can commend Sotos for, it’s basically exposing porn actor Jamie Gillis as a sadistic manipulator. Edit: I forgot to mention, this is the first video I’ve seen of yours, and I feel like you make content that I’ve been wanting someone to make for so long. Keep it up! Subbed!

[@hericiumcoralloides5025]

I too was only aware is Sotos through Whitehouse. Listening to Mummy and Daddy assuredly gave me mental and spiritual damage. I highly do not recommend it. Pure somehow just adds more to the already repulsive image.

[@olivialauder9207]

This is brilliant. Truly. I love the point you made about (paraphrasing here) how suffering and exploitation is the foundation of capitalist consumerism. Made me think about how even us working class folk engage in exploitation almost on the daily (regardless of conditioning or not) I think this brings to light an interesting point about empathy, and how it is potentially the opposite of power. If power is pure unadulterated selfishness, to fill one’s own desires regardless of any collateral. Empathy and I suppose compassion are the only real opposite concepts. To serve others before ourselves. I feel fortunate to have found your channel today. You’ve prompted me to examine my own bleak post-covid, economic crisis world perspective. Somehow this video essay, amidst all the talk of suffering and exploitation - has been a great reminder to me of the importance of empathy and compassion and all of those beautiful things💞 Thank you for being your authentic self and creating this provocative essay. You seem so beautiful, intelligent and gifted. It has been a blessing stumbling upon you.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I am honestly so astonished by how much you got out of my video, and how well the message communicated to you, and also by how kind and encouraging your words are. I don’t know what else to say, except thank you. ❤️

[@mystari4445]

This has put a lot of my thoughts about violence and pain into words! I really enjoyed this video and im thankful I've gotten into this corner of youtube that is your channel

[@anonymousperson8211]

Couldn't click fast enough!! You are the best, Juan! Thanks for the time you took to entertain and educate us.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank YOU for taking the time to watch this! I hope you found it worthwhile!

[@PaxPanic]

I stand in awe of how you present such topics. amazing. well done!!! Such a good video!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you! These videos are really just, as I said in the beginning, me coping and processing lol.

[@BrandonsBookshelf]

This was so interesting!! You did a wonderful job covering this and the sense of eerie was so strong!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much, Brandon! Sorry. I’m super behind on comments. 😑 But I really appreciate your words!

[@bloodandgutz]

this is the best video essay on youtube ur kidding me😭😭

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@bloodandgutz I LOVE YOU 💖💖💖

[@bloodandgutz]

@@PlaguedbyVisions no i love YOU! im gonna rewatch this now💐LOVE UR WORK!!!

[@faeries292]

I enjoyed every minute of your video, you talk so proficiently and with respect. Excellent example of what good crithical thinking is. Instant subscribe to your channel!

[@mademoisellenseven]

This channel was suggested by KZbin, I was curious. I really like the content.

[@AamuAurora]

I knew Sotos' music but never paid any attention to the people behind Whitehouse. Some time ago, I read "Apocalypse Culture II" edited by Adam Parfrey where I found Paul Lemo's interview with Sotos. I was disgusted but couldn't just let it go. I made the mistake of digging out Pure PDFs. I briefly looked at two or three pages- overwhelmingly disgusting, absolutely not worth it. I want to discuss it, study its social implications and the emptiness behind it without getting myself dirty because that's how I felt looking at Pure. Personally, I'm not afraid or uncomfortable when consuming ugly, transgressive or decadent art but Pure is a journey into the mind of a person who's conditioning themselves to find pleasure in evil and dgneracy, concerned only with a certain edge-lord persona, breaking the taboo and basic ideas behind functional society. Philosophically it's interesting but I'm unable to do the deep dive myself.

[@alz7880]

Damn, this video was much better than I expected based off the intro. Good job.

[@astronoots]

I hope this comment doesn't end up coming across as too brutal, but I felt the need to write it because KZbin will NOT stop recommending this video to me. I am a CSA victim, and I have to say I am not only utterly exhausted, but also sick to death of watching people try to find some deeper meaning in works like this book. The purpose and the meaning of this book is extremely simple, and Soto puts it best: "PURE exists, then, for those who desire extremities and are tired of listening to/or acting like housepets. Pure satiates and encourages true lusts." He wrote this book for the sick individuals who find pleasure in the suffering of others. And to imply that this book does anything more than exploit people who have ALREADY been victimized and exploited enough (first by the perpetrators, then by the media that has come before this book) is just not right. And this is not to shame you for making this video, I really feel that there is some strange desire within society as a whole to find purpose or meaning in tragic and traumatic events. But I am going to say it: sometimes horrible things happen for no reason at all, and sometimes horrible people enjoy digging the corpses up simply because it's fun for them. It's sad that this man made a book about real, actual crimes that impact victims and their families to this day. And I sincerely hope that they don't ever come across Soto's work or any of the discussion surrounding it. Because if someone made a book and put my CSA experience into it as a section, I wouldn't want to come across any of this either. Hopefully this offers some other perspective of sorts.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Hey. I’m a CSA victim, too. I don’t control the algorithm, but I wish I did. I’m so sorry this video brought on unwanted and exhausting thoughts. I truly am.

[@astronoots]

@@PlaguedbyVisions No worries, this comment was moreso to vent a frustration I have with a general trend that seems to occur with works like Soto's (but also other works that are becoming more mainstream like some true crime content). I truly believe that he has no deeper motivation beyond the enjoyment he and his target audience gets from graphically recounting these crimes. It's like there is no rest for the people who suffered, they have to have their trauma dug back up and made a spectacle. Of course, that's baked into his work. Hopefully he never makes money off of this book again.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Can I be real! When I made this video, Sotos was just an unknown whatever. I pray my video didn’t contribute to any reinterest in him.

[@astronoots]

@@PlaguedbyVisions his work is very niche and disturbing to the average person, not something people would spend money to have on their shelves luckily. I think for that reason any interest in him will continue to be small.

[@loadishstone]

Damn, you killed it. I couldn't have said it better myself. It speaks volumes of the not just the creator but the viewers who are so insensible to what art is that they can only be interested in it if it can do some shitty things to catch their attention. This is the nature of capitalism. Market bullshit to an audience who has deafened themselves to any sensibility except that of "shock."

[@morganking580]

Damn this video was fire. I’m sorry I’m just now discovering it. The nature of which you researched and explained anything in detail is what I loved. It’s how I enjoy listening as well as writing a piece myself. People say I “take too long” to explain things so I appreciate this! Also your accidentally saying Ronald McDonald’s was actually hilarious. 😂

[@khyron7582]

thank you for your sacrifice. as someone who has a complicated relationship with their own pain, i look forward to exploring the books you used in this piece. subbing!

[@yep-nope.]

Just stopping by to say thanks for the great work @PlaguedbyVisions - I've been digging your vids for a while now, really appreciate your insights. Keep up the great work!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

This means so much. Thank you and blessings to you!!!

[@dtanaka869-d]

I've noticed Michael Gira touched on similar ideas of power in his literature (equally repulsive, but fictional) and the early works of his band Swans. It'd be cool to see your analysis of his short story collection "The Consumer"

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I have a PDF of The Consumer! I tried starting it, but I honestly was not a fan of his writing. There’s also parallels with David Britton and his work, Lord Horror!

[@nombre743]

​@@PlaguedbyVisions M Gira was never good in writting in any media before his Swans album "The Great Annihilator", so obviously The Consumer is not a great reading, Gira himself admitted he was learning to write correctly when he was creating White Light.../Love of Life with Swans, so a good reading from him is his """recent""" book The Egg, not repulsive, but really nihilistic, enjoyable book in my opinion.

[@mona6317]

@@nombre743Hard disagree. Children of God, Greed and its sister albums, even Cop and Young God all have good writing. Not to mention God Damn the Sun is still probably one of has best written songs to date

[@HesGotaGun505]

Excellent video! Very thorough. I have been visiting WPD for a couple years and it’s fascinating to see how different videos of death are shared, captioned, and commented on. Everything from drones dropping grenades on conscripts in Ukraine, to random accidents and tragedies.

[@heartonfire583]

Love the sense of humor. Your brave man. I couldn’t read some of these books even if I tried my damn best. It’s interesting how books can give us glimpses in to the hearts and minds of people who who wrote them

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

Derrida might say that's the one thing books can't do

[@lukebrown3658]

When I was a kid I stumbled into a dark section of my local public library, I looked through an old world war 2 picture book, I guess it was printed in like the 60s old book. It featured pictures of gore, pits of holocaust victims I mean hundreds, dead soldiers, dead civilians, people who were blown apart in the London bombings, I was like 9 years old I just turned 30 yesterday and I remember it in full detail. All the photos were black and white. Pretty horrifying stuff

[@automatan]

You've transmuted a base and hard to confront subject into a golden, thought provoking work of art - you're an alchemist. Thanks for sharing.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@automatan This is one of the most beautiful things another human being has ever said to me.

[@Epmd419]

This is unreasonably thoughtful commentary on something I'd never expect to see any level of analysis on beyond "this is super fucked up. Subversive for the sake of subversity or perhaps much worse". Excellent work. Subscribed.

[@willsmath]

this was an awesome video 👀 just went down a slight Sotos rabbit hole last night and stumbled across this video, had to save it for the morning haha but I am thoroughly impressed with your analysis!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I am so honored to have been the closing ceremony for your deranged rabbit hole. Thank you for watching! ❤️❤️❤️😂

[@breadmoneymusic]

Andrea Dworkin, Peter Sotos, and Susan Sontag would make for a perfect Freudian trio and a nightmare blunt rotation.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@breadmoneymusic blunt rotation? I’d have to let the vodka talk with those three…

[@suspiciousmadonna8487]

Just found this video & I know it’s 2 yrs old but ur automatically my new fav KZbinr

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

HOLY! What an honor, seriously. 😭 I struggle knowing how to react to such kindness, but just know I appreciate it to no end. 💖

[@lollipopcat967]

your content is incredible, especially taking such depth from this kind of work! keep up the good work

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much! I try to keep things interesting, so this really means a lot. Glad you enjoyed!

[@everyvillainislemons7583]

Hello there, I’m a first time viewer of this channel. I’ve been very fascinated with Peter Sotos for almost two years now, and anytime there’s a video analysis, interview, basically anything about or related to him, I flock to it. I’m not sure how I feel about the man himself, but I’m endlessly intrigued with his life and work. I thought this was a phenomenal video, and definitely the best one about him on KZbin. The strange but very interesting Trading Places comparison was quite smart. Also loved the PJ Harvey transition, haha. Your analysis itself was very well researched and thorough. I was very happy to see a video about Sotos with this length. If you’re curious about ever reading another one of his books, and maybe making a video on it, I’d be happy to lend any kind of Sotos info/references if needed. Instant sub.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

HOLY… You have no idea how much this comment means to me. Your channel was actually so invaluable to me as I sunk into this rabbit hole. Thank you for uploading so much Sotos-related material! And of course, your kind and supportive words mean so, so much to me. Not sure if you’re on any other social media, but I have an Instagram account if you want to get in communication there, or you can email me at [e-mail], since I am definitely interested in exploring more of… whatever this is. Again, thank you so much!

[@RG60Ibanez]

The irony of the word "moist" being in the the content warning, was not lost on me.

[@snakelama]

just got this recommended, you have a very engaged community here. really impressive.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Well, happy you found your way here! Yes, we’re all happy little goblins reading messed up little books.

[@SeasDund]

this was an absolute masterpiece of a video, im glad to see great media critique recommended by youtube for once! a very interesting deconstruction of how culture can birth something like pure - from the deconstruction of dworkin's view on pornography and how it mirrors sotos' own beliefs, to the ways that society and culture revels in humiliation, suffering, and trauma made mundane, and imagery and language exemplifies and codifies it all. it really seems like dworkins and sotos came to the same basic conclusions about pornography, but while dworkins used that conclusion to reject it, sotos used that conclusion to embrace the worst of it. i loved your use of sontag's work here - photography is a fascinating and strange artform, and she's been once of my fav writers on depiction. the comparision between pure and modern true crime media was very interesting in many ways, i think modern true crime comes close to gratification media, especially when it comes from a careless and highly monetized outlook. people go out there and look for extremely violent and disturbing cases for the sake of raking in income (because violence sells) and then presenting the stories of real people as mindless entertainment for a few hours. they go into the gory details. they harrass family members and survivors with their words. killers are psychologically picked apart and lauded as "twisted geniuses", their images sold as merch. even though the language used isnt as crude and edgy as sotos', there is still that sort of narrative gloating over suffering and sexual exploitation. as viewers, when we consume such media, we become part of the "in group" - we derive pleasure from it. and then this links to your exploration of sympathy, the alibi for the rest of humanity. it feels disgusting even saying this, but... ive always been someone with extremely masochistic sexual tastes. a lot of the things i fantasize about would be considered absolutely abhorrent to the average person, and like a lot of others with such tastes, a lot of this likely stems from childhood trauma and abuse. its not really something anyone can cure, although i used to wish it was. acknowleding and respecting my sexual desires has allowed me to understand this trauma and heal my self-image, but having these tastes has also meant that im probably more aware of the inherent violence of pornography than some others - the way violence and sex intertwine, the sexual gratification we gain from revenge, the vulnerability, the power, the helplessness. The discussion here feels very pertinent to these thoughts and hearing them voiced and then expanded on was both validating and challenging. it was great! having said that, sotos and his ilk disgust me... hurting real people like that is horrible, and while i can't say that "fake" porn cannot cause real harm (because it can), theres a real material difference between engaging in an extreme sex fantasy in fiction or with informed mutual consent between adults and actually engaging in sexual violence, or perpetuating sexual violence through redistribution as sotos has. sometimes the wires can cross as you because nothing can be consumed in a vacuum, as you explained very well in the "what is pain" section, but i do think a distinction does exist. i also think it may have to do with his angle when it comes to discussing extreme sexual gratification: it might be that identification with aggressor instead of victim is unrelatable, uncompelling, and overused to me. its glorifed, and that renders it empty. i think that's why i enjoyed your discussion of scarry's book in pain so much - pain is so personal, its private, its something that will always be yours, that nobody else can ever relate to, and you cannot relate to them - and yet its still universal.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@SeasDund Thank you so much for engaging with my video in such a meaningful way as this comment was. I especially loved you describing sympathy as “the people’s alibi”-absolutely! It’s why I cannot stand true crime as a genre/commercial cow. I have heard people say that their perverse relishing of the suffering of others is justified because “they do other good things for victims.” Such an elitist, emotionally dead justification. I do find “pain” as a topic fascinating, especially wondering how real pain can be inflicted by words on page-what is just ink on paper has the hallucinatory power of harming us sometimes. It’s scary haha. Regarding sexual desires, I think for me, as someone who was a victim of SA as a child, while I’m pretty vanilla in the bedroom, it brings me comfort in a weird sense that paraphilias/fetishes at least explain and demonstrate that the pain we feel, even if tied to something as vulnerable and nauseating, is still just human. I hope that makes sense!

[@SeasDund]

@@PlaguedbyVisions I'm really glad to hear that you found value in my comment! thank you so much for the interesting reply. i feel the same about true crime - i definitely think that theres non-exploitative ways to cover crime and violence but the combination of the exploitative components + the ways that tc-oriented "creators" (even such a term feels gross in context) make money off of covering crime really horrifies me. pain is really interesting to me too, and so is the psychology behind "strange" or "extreme" fetishes. for me at least i get you, being in a very extreme situation can feel cathartic, just like how therapy is cathartic.

[@parkerhardan1632]

I enjoyed your words. There is always room for the story tellers .

[@brimphemus]

what are your general thoughts on sotos? i found out about him very recently, on a short vid on tiktok (yes, really) ab buyer's market, the steve albini connection made me look him up and i was just shocked, so im still kind of trying to make sense of it all. cheers from brazil

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

He’s a p3d0 but his work is fascinating from a critical standpoint of transgression haha.

[@rainonsuburbs]

I was looking for information about this zine and came across your video, a decent dose of knowledge, thanks : p

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Nice! Glad to help.

[@TheMightyPika]

A small detail, but thanks for holding the books up when discussing them. That makes it easier to write the names and titles down.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Curiously enough, I’d wondered not too long ago why I like to hold the books up for seemingly no reason. You’ve given me newfound purpose!

[@m0dulegirl]

I thought the conflation of Reagan with the clown was spot on. Funny how the mind works. I had never heard of Sotos ( honestly, Juan, I watch every one of your videos all the way through and then nope right out of reading whatever you are talking about - and wouldn’t have it any other way) and have no intention of seeking him out but as usual terrific analysis of the subject.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

This comment brings joy to my heart, because this has always been my aim. 🥲 My hope is not to sell these works, obviously lol, but at least to show there’s meaning even in the grime and muck.

[@aaronbarkley539]

This is my first video I've seen of yours and I think you did a great job on this, very well articulated and well spoken where the ideas you tried to convey were so clear. Good job!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Blessings and thank you for your kind words!

[@blackgoatearth]

Great video. Great analysis, and I'll definitely be looking into some of the books you cited, and subscribing. I look forward to perusing your other uploads. Cheers 👀

[@ccreel64]

Fabulous discussion Juan! And thank you for, as always, adding to my TBR list.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank YOU for watching! And sorry to barely be replying!

[@l4ur4na]

Great video! Very well produced and Im a new subscriber. I knew about Buyers Market and wondered what kind of person would put something like that together. Now I know and I wish I could go back!

[@WhiteTulip2002]

THIS! This is exactly what I want from video essays about disturbing media, so many people just explain what something is, without going into what it means. The use of scholarly works and Eddie Murphy movies to illustrate the philosophy? *Chef’s kiss*

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Really happy that you enjoyed the vibe! Yes, to me it’s so important to UNDERSTAND our morbid fascinations, not just feed them with content.

[@nessaarandur7740]

Wow, what a breakdown! Very exhaustive. Thank you for reading this and breaking it down so that we are more informed about whether it is something we actually would want to read.

[@BookBlather]

The only thing I’m mad about regarding this video is that I took so long to come back and finish it. Wow. Just, wow. Every time I think you can’t top what you did last time, you prove me wrong. This was such an incredible, in depth analysis. Great job, buddy.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much, Dave! This took me forever to put together, so all the kind words are greatly appreciated. 🥲

[@horrorandinconvenience5036]

Excellent as always. Something about the Sade comparison feels off to me here, but with the number of times I’ve been weirdly inspired to defend him in the comments, I either need to make a video on him or call an exorcist at this point, so that’s not your problem. I love how you bring cultural criticism into conversations about so-called “low” culture without a condescending or distasteful attitude toward your own or your viewer’s curiosity. It has become a trademark of yours and you do it beautifully.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I would love to see you make a video on De Sade! I don’t really like his writing, but I… respect the hustle, I guess. 😂 Thank you so much for such kind words. I honestly don’t know how I’ve found myself being this spokesperson for the grime and muck residue of literature, but I do like it here!

[@joeschmo8755]

More effort is put in the editing and script then most big KZbinrs. Quality over quantity. Love the video!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much! These compliments truly mean a lot. I try to put a bit of thought into my videos, so I appreciate that it’s appreciated! I’m never really sure if there even is a space for hour-and-a-half videos on this platform. 😂

[@tokyohalogen]

Great work. Really appreciate the thoughtful analysis on these subjects of pain, depravity, purity, etc. presented in the works of Sotos. I read his books in high school after realizing he was the guy from the band Whitehouse (an equally visceral noise music band)... But you really contextualized these writings/books/thoughts/ideas in a very profound way. Thanks again for the great vid.

[@mattlarsen7448]

Awesome video. Such an intelligent treatment of this subject matter

[@DendrilopisXaggro]

William Bennet said in a interview long ago that Whitehouse stopped touring on the US because of the constant physical attacks that Peter used to receive.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

That makes me smile. :-)

[@szilva01]

They got his fucken ass!!!!

[@Martin-R-1]

Wow. One of the better uploads on KZbin. I searched for Peter Sotos on YT as I had seen Plagued Moths video on Pseudoscorpion and Buyers Market. I was surprised at the articulation in your work. Pleasantly surprised. Do you lecture by any chance? Oh and I've met Peter Sotos at a Whitehouse LA. Didn't know what to make of him. De Sade's 120 days is his Bible which explains a great deal about his motivation. Its art at the end of the day, albeit the extreme of the extreme but nothing more. Its all affected, it's roots are most likely Freudian. Its lunatic fringe material, it has its promoters and apologists. What we term edgelording amongst the net community. I guess some people have to be the yardstick for bad taste, and Sotos and his associates are just that.

[@JackedThor-so]

This is an EXTREMELY interesting essay. This is the first video of yours I've come across and can safely say, highly underrated! I wasn't expecting and analysis - more a "hey look at this depraved thing" nor one with such spicy takes: acknowledging that the moral disgust we take in the contents of Pure is merely a more depraved and differently framed view of sick pleasure and schadenfreude that we as people already have and exercise in media.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much for such kind words! I’ve always figured there’s enough videos going “look at this depraved thing,” so I try to veer more towards “WHY do we wanna look at this depraved thing?” I figure it at least makes for a spicier discussion, as you said. 😂

[@deluge71]

Great analysis. Thanks for posting.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching.

[@s0urp0wer5]

Downloaded the pdf of this and it was so God damn intense I could barely keep my eyes on the page for more than a sentence or two. Loved it.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

This is what I do this for. ❤️😂

[@Bumontes]

I have a lot of stuff to do tonight. But i can't seem to rip my attention away from your words and critical thinking. Transfixed by your every sentence. Very enlightening, great content.

[@daniellewillis2767]

OMG this takes me BACK!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@daniellewillis2767 To horrible times I bet

[@ITCamefromthePage]

The amount of time and care you put into every video continues to be an inspiration....WHAT A VIDEO. Good work.

[@ITCamefromthePage]

LMAO The Ronald McDonald slip. Also we use the same video editor!

[@ITCamefromthePage]

👀👀👀👀👀👀 (I really should have waited till the end until I commented LOL)

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much, Andrew! Oh, you use Filmora, too? I’ve never heard of anyone else that uses it. 😂 🍔

[@ITCamefromthePage]

@@PlaguedbyVisions Yes! I like Filmora quite a bit, very simple and sturdy.

[@schnick2589]

What a great video! Ur writing is fantastic as always and the conversation and questions abt porn was surprising but very welcoming! The way you blend in jokes in a tasteful way to the horrid media you review, mixed with the insightful commentary always leave me surprisingly feeling well after ur videos :) thanks for another good one

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind and supportive words! I truly believe humor is the most astute way to cover subject matter of this kind. When other KZbinrs cover this stuff in a dead-serious tone, it makes it seem like they’re putting on a spectacle. I believe in covering art and entertainment in a more sobering way.

[@Glassandcandy]

The question about pornography being both universally consumed and reviled simultaneously reminds me of a joke I heard once (though I can’t remember where): “Nickel back has like 12 multiplatinum records, they’re one of the most successful bands of all time, you can’t ALL hate them- some of you have to be lying, the math doesn’t check out at all!”

[@ivan_ivankovich]

Pop culture in general is a kind of mirror we dont want to acknowledge

[@onigireee]

"The hole in my heart is commerce to you" is... painful. And the awesome in-depth analysis of Sotos' work aside, the analysis of pornography as art, in society (and politics) was great, and a lot of the skewed opinions on the 'uses' of women/women-identifying is visible in quite a few young men growing up with almost uninhibited access to hardcore porn these days, hand-in-hand with a lack of social growth and skills. My first time watching your videos, and a rare insta-sub. You're very eloquent, hope to see you blow up! :D

[@jenn6912]

so excited to have found this channel! love this so far

[@terminaldogma01]

I’ve been reading some Carlton Mellick III novels. Easy reads, not that deep, but fun “disturbing” books. I just read The Ressurectionist and just picked up Geek Love and I’m Thinking of Ending Things. I’m starting to get a taste for these novels.

[@rustyshackleford1875]

The Baby Jesus Butt Plug is worth a read man. Love me some Mellick

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

You’ve got a taste for blood! 😂 I’m happy you’re developing an appreciation for this kind of literature that many others dismiss! You’re in good company here.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@rustyshackleford1875 Well, shit, now I have to read that, too!

[@TheBoiBaz]

This is so much more intelligent than most video essays. Well done, this is great.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Oh wow, thank you so much, my friend. I try. 🥲❤️

[@thoth8784]

I remember discovering a copy of Helter Skelter on a table at my friend's house when I was 13. What really disturbed me were the photographs. Though none of them showed any gore, all that were shown were white silhouettes of the bodies found. This scared and disturbed the fk outta me -- so much so that a couple years later I had to buy a copy and learn the details of the story. As the first page aptly notes, This Story Will Scare The Hell Out of You. I must've read it like five times and it did appeal to my survivalist side as to what would I do in such a situation. I did feel sympathy for the victims, especially Sharon Tate who was pregnant at the time of her murder. But the strangest thing I felt was Manson envy. At first I was horrified by his deeds, but then I thought for a man to be in prison most of his life and suffered, only to slowly turn the tables and learn what make people tick to ultimately control them really fascinated me. I put myself in Charlie's shoes and wondered what it would be like to feel such power and make people both bleed and worship at my feet. I'm not saying I love Charlie, not at all. What he did was despicable and I'm sure he did more repulsive things that weren't written about. BUt like Vincent Bugliosi, Charlie's prosecutor said, ""Charlie beat the rap, we merely sent him back to his home."" Here was a criminal who was really unpunishable because he grew up in orphanages, prison farms, jails and prisons. So yeah, that blew my mind while it scared and sickened me too. Like you said, True Crime engenders a lot of reactions, not just shock.

[@felime]

I was prepared to hear a harsh puritanical critique of this zine I knew nothing about, but was interested in learning more of. I'm so glad that that wasn't the case!! I'm new to this channel and certainly subscribing now. Btw, even though I'm not from the US, the Ronald McDonald thing KILLED me.

[@BNK2442]

I feel like I'll be put in a FBI watchlist for watching this. Sotos clearly has... issues...

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@BNK2442 how do you think I feel?!

[@myneighbourjohnturturro]

I think this is your best video to date. Would love to see more deep dives like this.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you! I certainly want to do more like this, but as you can imagine, it takes a lot of time to research and write. 😅 If only this were a full-time job. 😂

[@dashingtherouxthesnow4017]

As soon as I heard Peter Sotos, I knew what I was in for. This'll be quite a watch. Also, have you heard of his album 'Buyer's Market'? Pretty famous, certainly not something that one would typically expect from a sound collage album. His book Lazy influenced Gaspar Noé and you can see it on the main character's bookshelf in the film Love.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I listened to Buyer’s Market back in college, just left it playing as I was drifting to sleep. I got out of bed, unsure of how I was expected to go back to life as usual. He really does distend comfort in a very momentous way. If’s quite appalling.

[@genericonion6255]

Him being a member of WhiteHouse (band) for a period of time makes a lot of sense in retrospect.

[@Tomorrowomari]

This was an interesting video. Very happy I came across your channel

[@AntheanCeilliers]

Phenomenal video essay! I'm an instant fan.

[@gaslight.gatekeep.girlboss6476]

I'd love to share a coffee with you and just ramble about literature, I was an avid reader as a kid but as I got older it got difficult for me to know what genre I actually liked and plus, I just gave it less importance in my life. Now, I'm 18 and I bought Lolita and A Clockwork Orange, and now the same passion I had as a kid for reading has been reignited. Finding your channel has been a great help too, my youtube feed has been too stale and you bring everything to the table, entertainment and knowledge. I always feel smarter after watching your videos. I really hope you get the recognition you deserve, because your analysis are probably the best I've seen yet, take care!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Wow, thank you so much for such kind and touching words! I’m really happy to hear that you’ve rediscovered your love for reading. I myself just read Lolita recently, and… Man, what a ride. I feel bad reading this and realizing I haven’t made videos consistently in so long. I hope to get more consistent with my video-making. Comments like this always inspire me.

[@gaslight.gatekeep.girlboss6476]

@@PlaguedbyVisions yeah, Lolita is indeed a wild ride haha! Don't punish yourself about your consistency though, I'm sure this type of videos are intense to make and take a lot of work, it's understandable to take a break inbetween. Whenever you decide to post we will be eagerly waiting! :)

[@kidcthulhufortney1320]

I never heard of Pure before. This was fascinating.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you found the topic fascinating. If anything, it definitely is that!

[@davidsteece4283]

brain feel dirty now. thank you. weird synchronicity bc i just discovered elaine scarry by way of zadie smith's "on beauty," which i highly recommend. your analysis is quite moving in this video and i love the way you marshalled so many different cool sources

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

An epic Plagued by Visions masterpiece! A work of genius unlike anything since the Macdonald administration! Great video!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you, Michael! 🤡🍔 If the McDonald administration got anything right, it was the secret sauce.

[@saxonkrautz]

Wow, this was a fascinating analysis. Excellent work.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

💖💖💖🥰

[@fiafiafiafia]

fucking top tier content, genuinely one of the best video essays (could i call it that?) i’ve come across

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much! Wow! This comment truly made me smile. I guess these videos always start as book reviews, but they evolve into something else somewhere down the line.

[@hoibsh21]

Ya, Peter Sotos is the GG Allin of literature. Shit in, shit out.

[@DendrilopisXaggro]

What's ironic is that Peter bashed GG allin in his zine Parasite. Calling gg performances a "freakshow", and his fans as "retards with sexual problems".

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@hoibsh21 all over the stage/page

[@girlsaint]

Bravo! The only thing that I expected to hear that you did not cover is the role of those who are satisfying curiosity regardless of their reaction to the material. They may be horrified by what they see, but by simply seeking out the material, they end up supporting the production of same. Lots to think about in this video. Cheers!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I think that course of action lies with the rest of the reactions covered in part 3. I think those who seek this material want to satisfy their own curiosity at the expense of someone else’s pain, and that drive, I think, goes hand-in-hand with those who get a pleasurable sense of outrage from it.

[@ConvincingPeople]

Oh boy, we're about to have *this* discussion in 2022. I'm not sure I'm ready, even as a devoted power electronics fan. Edit: Having seen the Dworkin discussion and now starting the Trading Places section, I think I might be ready. Thank Glob you're the one covering this. This subject is *so* easy to mishandle and I like knowing that I'm actually in good hands here. Edit 2: Finally finished it. Going to leave more extensive thoughts in another comment, but *wow.*

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Well, it seems like you had quite a journey. 😂 I’m just glad you thought I handled this well! There were definitely many moments where I had hesitation as to where to take this discussion, but that’s to be expected given… well, everything.

[@papaversomniferum8508]

👀 this was one of the best and most interesting videos i watched this week. my brain has been tickled. now i have thoughts i can’t type out because i lack the words and philosophical background to out them into actual sentences.

[@JaxXxonSly]

This is an incredible analysis, thank you

[@benadrylcabbagepatch2527]

The fucking camera bit hit me HARD. I’ve traveled a lot with my family, sometimes to places that are pretty poor (the ethics of tourism in such places is a topic which deserves its own video) and I’ve always felt this deep aversion to taking pictures of people going about their daily lives as tourists often do. Never really understood why until I watched this video. This was eye-opening

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Yes, to photograph people is to commodify them as a symbol-in a photograph is where they become poor people, foreign people, etc.

[@benadrylcabbagepatch2527]

@@PlaguedbyVisions yeah, exactly. It's kind of objectifying and dehumanizing. Though I suppose we're all a little guilty of it. One time I saw a guy riding a bicycle and pulling a lawn mower behind him by a rope a few blocks from my house. I took a picture because that's not something you see every day... but thinking about it, is it really any more justified than taking pictures of people doing normal things in foreign places? The guy probably didn't have any other way to get his lawnmower from point A. to point B. (other than pushing it, which would take much more time than it's worth) I really don't want to delete it, though. I like the picture. I suppose that makes me a bit of a hypocrite.

[@jazzwizard2800]

This video is unironically one of the reasons I decided to (double) major in English. This analysis of his work is so in-depth and complex that every time I watch it, I come away with something new. Bravo!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

This is incredible! I’m so proud of you! Guard the threshold of literary knowledge! ❤️

[@williamxb]

Amazing video, Juan. You learned a new loyal subscriber.

[@itsmarthai]

I was sold on your channel within seconds of finding this but bro, the fact that you owned up to the Ronald McDonald being unintentional, OBSESSED, DELIGHTED, CHARMED BEYOND BELIEF

[@gurra991]

Great video. I love how you used Trading Places as a comparison. Very informative. 👍 Subscribed

[@taddybear4244]

Might I ask what your academic background is? I'm extremely impressed by your knowledge and eloquence.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I made it all the way to PhD candidacy but had to withdraw from grad school due to mental health reasons. Now I work as a handyman, but the horrors are still something I must articulate, haha!

[@taddybear4244]

@PlaguedbyVisions I know the struggle. I finished post grad honours and mental health stopped me going forwards with MA or PhD. I'm stoked you have this channel to continue your passion 😊

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️