This Is The Crux Of My whoismarkdenome Crusade!
Hi folks!
Find here my third and final TEDex-style talk, describing more than a few essential reforms We The People must compel our legislators to make so that we might one day break the connections between congress and corporations that promote profit over freedom and justice for all. Seven exactly, along with seven keys to forming a great society, which reminds me of one of my late father’s favorite drinks, a 7&7. Happy Birthday, Dad. With this talk, released intentionally on Memorial Day, I have now spoken into existence forever, the crux of my whoismarkdenome crusade. I hope you find it filled with wisdom, beauty, and love – a nice contribution to Mental Health Awareness Month!
I started this month by playing volleyball 13 times in 12 days, thanks to phenomenal weather and friends. I play volleyball like it's my job coz it never disappoints in bringing me joy. My actual job the past year has been in public health, but I really am unable to derive joy from government work anymore, only re-wounding that prohibits me from maintaining 40hr/week of it. So, it's time for the next stage of my ego death, which requires admitting that I have to be mentally strong enough to put up that boundary and only work jobs that involve small social investment. I'm not ashamed to say I might go deliver for Amazon, even though my financial advisor has shown me these delivery jobs are not financially sustainable long term. Please pray with me that our legislators can take hold of this runaway train of an economy that forces us to choose either integrity or dignity, and not both.
This is my life now. This is millions of people's lives actually, which happens when large portions of the population become disillusioned with government, or with knowledge work. Forever remember that most people doing low-skill work are in that situation because of traumas and barriers, and not because they are lazy or inferior. Also never forget that broken minds CAN heal. Broken minds CAN achieve great things. People like me CAN (and should!) feel great, in spite of the hell humans create, that we chose what was hard over what was fun, fast, easy, and self-serving. The dog-eat-dog ways of the world can beat on us, but we don't always let it beat us. We are literally stronger than hell.
So yeah, I'm either going quietly into the night living a meager existence, or this talk might somehow propel me back into government reform on new terms as some sort of part time consultant or lobbyist with a government accountability organization like ACLU, DemocracyNow!, OpenGovHub, Project On Government Oversight, Public Citizen, RepresentUs, Transparency International, etc. I am now better prepared and eager to join more in the work of other activism groups, and when appropriate, maybe share some ideas too. I know I have seemed to some to be driven by “going it alone” individualism, which is one of the classic behaviors of white supremacy and patriarchy. I know that has jeopardized my suitability and trust with fellow activists. All along, I have been committed to “go far by going together.” I was asking for help to be on my terms, knowing that is not how movement work usually works. I felt I had to, because I knew I needed to sprint to develop my own methods and messages, and grow, in I wanted to be effective in team.
For now though, I’m going to take some time to wander a while and be lost with myself and this feeling of victorious exhaustion. I leave you though, with another set of noteworthy feedback that helped motivate me in my endeavor. If I were stronger, I wouldn't have needed any external validation along the way, but I did. I’m only human, and I know it, don't forget.
“Mark is an incredible human.”
“I am binging your Youtube channel today and I effing love your heart Mark! Happy tears streaming, I am sending you hugs and high fives!!!!”
“I think I would have a break down if I had to do 40-hrs. My goal is no more than 30-hrs/week and ideal is 25hrs. No shame or judgement from me at all on it! I’m right there with ya and think it shows your level of strength and motivation to do it. Stronger than me for sure!!”
“Reminded me of Noam Chomsky.”
“Stop with the deep conversations. You aren’t a psychologist.”
“You’re a weird dude. I get a chuckle out of your holiday messages.”
“Described you to my mom. I said you wrote a whistleblowing book under *rump about leaving the federal government, like my dad did, and that resonated with her.”
“This [poem] is amazing. I felt like I was watching a movie. Espionage, intrigue, love story, morals challenged. Deep feelings and spiritual. Beautifully written. Very thought provoking. You are so talented.”
“1985 poem dramatic! I can really empathize. Have you ever read "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" by Coleridge? I just gave that to [my girlfriend] as my own version of your 1985 poem.”
“I really love your soul Mark... you are filled with wonder to learn and grow in areas that are too dark and painful for most. The world is a better place with you in it.”
“POTUS material.”
“I love what you’re doing and I know how taxing it can be on your brain and body to be a content creator. Please take rest when you need it and continue pushing out this information...our world needed it!”
“You are a selfless example of answering above and beyond the calls of duty, empathy, and continuous commitment to excellence and leadership.”
“I remember when I first hired you... someone said, “Are you okay with that? He is kind of different.” I do not regret my choice of hiring you. You match the very thing I most value in a colleague. You are a good, honest, and true person. You never did the work “just” for the money. You are humble, hardworking, and thoughtful. I see you on this personal growth journey, trying to be better than yesterday.”
“I will remember always your uniqueness by being; kind, fair, positive, brilliantly supportive. You are a great human being. Never stop doing these gifted qualities. May all the angels be with you in everything.”
“You are a person with many qualities that you must share with the universe. Keep going! We’ll see you on the way.”
“You are one of the most courageous young men I have ever met.”
“Thank you for your resistance.”
“Super ambitious… It’s clear that you really have a heart for this, and that you’ve read widely and thought carefully about how to actually make a better (or another) world possible.”
“In terms of the format of the talk, it seems to me that each of the slides could be its own smaller talk. If you want people to understand the nuances of what you are saying, they might need a bit more time to digest and a bit more explanation.”
"I think you were just raised different. You know you aren't special, right?" Me: "Yeah, I've read that book too... You Are Not Special by David McCullough." Her: *shakes head and walks away.
As always, if you felt a certain way about something I said, do let me know. If your reaction to my conscientious objecting is delight, or even guilt that you have a more comfortable lifestyle than you might deserve, well then do something about it. ABD... Always be donating! You'll hear in my talk that tithing less than 11% is weak sauce. Do better. If folks with food insecurity can share their scarce resources with others in need, you can devote $11,000 of your $100,000 a year salary for the good of humanity. I recommend government accountability organizations I mentioned above. Maybe consider donating a smidge to help establish Mark's List™, through patreon.com/whoismarkdenome. If you’ve gotten anything out of my message or my efforts, please fuel that flame or that learning into meaningful action – if not by donating, then by engaging in hard conversations, joining civics groups, or doing something else that helps bring about the better world you want to live in. A fair first step may be just sharing this talk. A better world is possible. I’m asking you to help create it.
Mark