14 Comments
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WeirdcoreMoon's avatar

"Oh, I just want to cry when I think about that rat. Think about my darling boy, his soft little face and his tiny gentle paws." WINTER BREAK REFERENCE?! (Or is it just me... 😭?!) ALSO I LUV YOUR WRITING PENELOPE SCOTT!!! KEEP IT UP!!!

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Nat's avatar

Gonna have to start treating myself with the same love and compassion you show this hypothetical bar rat I think. I really appreciate how much emotion and care your writing shows, both here and in lyrics, even when working on ideas based more in reason. There's something so comforting about it.

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Penelope Scott's avatar

Might fuck around and let the soft animal of my body love what it loves

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David's avatar

Babe, wake up!! New Penelope Scott substack just dropped!!

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Ed's avatar

This was a beautiful way to be taken on this journey through philosophy and vibes. I have struggled with things that are unknown to me and understanding whether they are knowable or not.

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Gray's avatar

I’ve always made the assumption that “Mystery’s for Rats” was a play on a rat stuck in a maze, symbolizing human life and limitation. I interpreted all these things as claiming humans have created a world we can not interpret without having gone through it once, which parallels a rat in a maze, once solved once they can do it again; once gone through life experiences humans can do it again. Of course this is the wrong interpretation, but still thought it was interesting . I really loved reading/listening to your writing, your writing is super engaging, while also thought provoking. Can’t wait for part 2 :)

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salt's avatar

i'm in my final year of a linguistics and computer science degree currently taking a philosophy class on language. your bit on chomsky and the music faculty really resonated with me, enough that i might actually mention it in my final essay, but in classic student fashion, the essay i'm writing is due at midnight tomorrow. i figured i'd mention it here anyway, just as a "i really resonate with the way you think" thing, but if you see this before the next 30 hours are up, i'd really be interested in seeing the actual paper you wrote, if you're willing to share it.

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rhyme sprague's avatar

ITS HERE !!!!!

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Raven's avatar

I find it fascinating both that you’ve perfectly articulated a feeling i’ve experienced and thought unexplainable, and even moreso that you’re not the first to have accomplished it in a very similar way. Most notably, the connection to the Biblical story of Job, has been directly referenced in works by two of my other favorite music artists as well. Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest weaves the subject into the song “Times to Die,” writing the lyrics:

Job lying in bed while all his friends chant

“You must’ve done something wrong!”

But he just keeps singing this song

[Job's Song]

We’ve all had better times to die

We’ve all had better times to die (x a lot of times)

and Will Wood also mentions it in the track “ Suburbia Overture / Greetings from Mary Bell Township! / (Vampire) Culture / Love Me, Normally,” writing:

Well Lot he had his lot in life, Job his job and I guess you'll too, and die

The Lord looked down, said, "hey, you're only mortal"

Giveth and taketh away 'till things come out a certain way

Leave you wondering when they might go back to normal

Just wanted to point out that odd connection, idk it probably doesn’t make sense lol

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Raven's avatar

(ps penny no pressure but if you take the time to listen to either of the tracks/artists i mentioned please tell me what you think, i’d be very interested to hear your opinions of my other favorite artists)

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Spectre's avatar

Id so pay for a history lesson from you, idk why i just feel like id understand so well.

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The Grinch's avatar

I LOVE ITTT (free Palestine🤍🍉)

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Kyra's avatar

I could listen to you talk for yearssss about Chomsky don’t ever back down on your prolific knowledge of vibes. As a budding socialist activist, Noam is somewhat of a legend in my household 🥹 we all have much to learn from him

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Evcia's avatar

I love references like that, gotta go read Chomsky now lol

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