Vita. Veritas. Vox Populi.
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I’d like to talk a moment about slowing down.
Even though this is coming from me (hypocrisy bordering on the hysterical), I am the last person to ever be able to talk about slowing down. That’s probably the best indicator that you should listen to me.
As soon as I draw awareness to the fact that I am going at 100 miles an hour without even stopping to take a piss or eat food, I realize that I need to slow down. It’s something I’ve been working on for the past week.
The timing of this commitment could not have come at a better time, because it’s been a roller coaster of a week. I was able to slow down at various parts of it. I was able to show up for the people who benefit from it most. The work I was meant to do benefited from it tenfold. And I stopped making concessions, which is something I’ve been aiming to do.
Once upon a time, I would have used large language models to shit out whatever bullshit copy I could, just to keep up with the many, many things I think people need to see from me. It’s all a lie. It’s all this entitled, insane striving, entirely craven in its form.
With the ability to slow down has come a special type of peace that has been an unlock. It’s something Gonda has been saying to me for, honestly, years at this point. Now that I’m able to access this honest-to-God slowing down, I’m making fewer mistakes. I’m using large language models less, and in ways that actually serve me.
(As an aside, I’m reading The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI by Cory Doctorow, and it is eye-opening. It’s exactly the kind of thing we all should be reading, not just because of his incredible prose, but because it is such an unlock for anyone who has to interact with large language models on the regular, whether in a work capacity or not.)
So I would urge you to slow down. Not just because it’s working for me, but because taking our time, slowly, methodically, is an actual act of resistance in this day and age. It’s refusing to play by their rules.
People talk about joy as an act of resistance. That’s fine, but my type of resistance is slowing down. I’m refusing to go by the speed with which this society of ours is always trying to speed us up. I say fuck that. The book takes as long as it needs to. The album takes as long as it needs to. Not fast enough for you? Too fucking bad.
As we head into this weekend, whether you’re working or not, taking a goddamn minute for yourself is not some sort of unreasonable thing:
feel how tight your shoulders are
be aware of how tight your jaw is
take a fucking second to understand what you’re up to and what you’re doing
If you’re not a stress hound like I am, this probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to you, and that’s fine.
Let’s do this.
// TRENDING
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In our latest Cover Story, Peter Bjorn and John’s Peter Morén reflects on 20 years of ‘Writer’s Block’, international success, touring and the band’s future.
With the release of their brand new album ‘Long Story Short,’ Chasing The Fall join us for a Stereo Six feature.
Chris Swinney of Fire Sale and Danny Garrison of The Corps join us for a Track-by-Track rundown of their split EP ‘Split Decision.’
Paula Jeanine Bennett discusses the sculpture and artwork that inspired the artwork for her album with Richard X Bennett, ‘Amaryllis 2.’
V13 Media Group hosts regular Weekly AMAs, answering questions in real time from anyone seeking industry guidance or insight. Join us on Wednesdays!
// PODCASTS
In this episode of Ampocalypse, Damian FitzGerald is joined by Butcher Babies vocalist Heidi Shepherd to talk about the band’s new album ‘Nightbloom.’
// PLAYLISTS
We’ve got over 30 Spotify playlists brimming with the freshest and most exciting songs that need to be heard now. FOLLOW US on Spotify.
Help support independent music! Share our Spotify profile or playlists - find all assets (images, links, etc.) here: https://mediagroup.v13.net/spotify/
// PHOTOS
Along with Canadian singer Madelline, Emei brought her “Night at the Opera Tour” to Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre for some uplifting pop spirit.
Despite some inconveniences along the way, Shaky Knees 2026 delivered enough great artists to personalize your weekend around.
// VIDEOS
// K-ALL
Xdinary Heroes breaks down their latest mini album, ‘IMPULSE,’ with V13’s managing editor, K-Pop, and K-ALL podcast host Angel Polito.
// REVIEWS
Joyce Manor deliver an anthem-filled performance at London’s sold-out Electric Ballroom, mixing fan favourites with new tracks.
On ‘Patina,’ The Underhills capture assorted moods and experiences, delivering a cohesive album that’s somehow wonderfully familiar.
// THE GREEN ROOM
> Some of you make the records instead of just loving them.
> If that's you: The Green Room is free artist development from the same people who write this thing. 64 lessons, no charge, no pitch waiting at the end of it.
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