WORDS Pete Eubank ART Kris Haro
Most times, when the conversation turns into any sort of unsolicited advice, I stop listening and the comprehension mechanism in my brain is instantly muted. Nobody likes being told what to do. For instance, think about the last time you were skating and Mr. Bozo from up the street comes up and says: “you could hurt yourself with that thing!” Maybe not in those exact words, but if you have been skating long enough then you know the condescending tone, that pitch that signifies that they know better, and the falsely superior twinkle in their eyes.
It’s a shame because these feelings are not just rendered by pedestrian, on-lookers toward skaters, but similar condescending sentiments are passed from skater to skater and regularly under the guise of “self policing” or “for the greater good of society”. This false premise that this sort of advice is any different than Johnny Ignorant from up the street leads me to the title of this column, “You’re Not My Real Dad”. I don’t need anybody providing a list of all the things I shouldn’t be doing, and I definitely do not need such comments from a fellow skater. As a human, I like to think that we all come hardwired with a certain innate sense of reason. Not-My-Dad, perhaps before you decide to give a sermon you should consider an attempt at leading by example. When others see how well your advice works in practice they’ll come to you on their own looking for answers.
As I sit here pondering the follies of this world—and while eating mocha-chip ice cream—I think to myself why not, instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of advice, just change the conversation entirely. While others bash and hate and come up with reasons why everything you’re doing is wrong, just tune that shit out and keep on skating. And doing your thing. The world ahead of you is full of advice from all angles; seek for yourself, and if you have questions ask qualified individuals whom you trust. Finding truth via experience will prove more valuable than blindly following the pundits. Simply put, turn up the good and turn down the suck. If I or anyone else wants advice we will ask for it.
-Pete Eubank
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