Barely Human

Quick recap of some things seen and heard over the last while to get some motion going on a more regular writing front. I was trying to do this via a Substack column a couple years back, but felt the strange sensation of being sucked into the voice of the platform that grossed me out then froze me up. I'd seen it argued that Substack was just a renewed form of 'the blog', but I don't know if I'd agree with that, particularly after it became a networked platform that was soon driven by discoverability via the algorithm (the now-inevitable shift where the good stuff goes to die). 'The blog' as we knew it 15+ years ago had a voice too of course, but it was sloppy, first draft, hammer it out and post voice...one that had variation between attempts, where (usually) the most interesting thoughts and ideas and styles gathered snow. That energy has been lost in the informal writing of recent years. I miss real 'the blog' is what I'm trying to say! And am...

UPDATE: I'm in over my head with subscriptions for cassettes and CD-R's so I'm closing those off to stay sane! Zines are easy as though, so please free to sign on for the $30 zine subscription which will be live and ongoing.  A notice for those who missed it! BARELY HUMAN is deleting all social media and algorithm-driven platforms going forward in favour of a traditional email list and postal subscription service. Those who subscribed back in 2021 or 2023 via whatever horrid platforms I gave in and used at the time will be familiar with this... but the long short of it is: typewritten zine on DIY matters, with optional accompanying mixtape in cassette or CD-R form (more info below...kinda).  If that sounds like something you're interested in, you can print and post the below form, or email an equivalent to max@barelyhuman.info to sign up.  The zines will deal with some thoughts on subcultural theory, how that ties into the lost notion of counterculture, some research up...