Current theme: “Perspectives of transitional twenty-somethings”
Editors:
Brian Baker (bb200005@gmail.com) - head editor and oral historian
Jon Spannhake (spannhakej@yahoo.com) - essays editor
Now introducing the “Shallow Ideals” nonfiction literary magazine!
We want to help tell your stories. We’re looking for writers to contribute personal essays and enthusiastic non-writer participants for interviews. Our current theme is the various perspectives of people in their mid-twenties, a "coming of age," if you will, all over again.
Two categories:
1) Short non-fiction – Personal essays or Poetry (pertaining to the theme), 1-20 pages
For now there is no deadline, but early submissions are more likely to be accepted. Don’t worry about having a perfect final draft. We’ll work with you on revisions.
2) Oral histories (tape-recorded like an interview), 30-60 minutes
These informal discussions are to be recorded and transcribed, aimed at capturing good conversation. If desired, we strive to conceal the identity of the speaker through name changes and obscured specifics (locations, people, events, etc). Nothing will be published without the consent of the participant.
** NO FICTION – short stories will not be accepted
** Embellishment and narrative invention are grounds for disqualification
With that aside, thanks for showing an interest! Let’s get started…
THIS ISSUE’S THEME
This issue’s theme is various perspectives of the mid-twenties age group – like starting a family, discovering new meaning in life, or struggling to find meaning. For better or worse or something more mysterious, our paths shift from youth and we are forever changed. For some, a carefree lifestyle and youthful idealism is transformed to structured responsibility or comprised dreams. For others, helplessness becomes empowerment, and responsibility yields great intrinsic reward. Social circles dwindle and new alliances form, family members become more human, or less.
In any case, we enter a new chapter. Life doesn’t stop changing even if we cling to what is lost and hopefully as we continue to grow we become wiser. We make sacrifices for something better – like starting up a family, or quite simply paying the bills. Some of us have trouble with this transition and, as youth slips by, begin to fear loneliness, or inadequacy, or a mundane and monotonous existence, or a life without meaning. Could we be left behind? Was that the best it’s going to be? At some point we have to brace ourselves and come to terms with the road ahead…
"Impermanence does not necessarily lead to suffering. Without impermanence, life could not be...What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not."
-Thich Nhat Hanh
GENERAL CONCEPT OF SHALLOW IDEALS
We want to know about your life. If you have an experience or perspective that you believe others need to be aware of, then we want you to share it. If you're interested, we would love a chance to sit down and discuss options with you.
The beauty of the concept lies in the passion and wisdom of ordinary people, in giving a voice to those who otherwise wouldn’t have one, and in openly sharing our feelings.
We really believe this project can create a better understanding of society, if only a little. It doesn't have to be anything “big picture” – just different perspectives: good times, tragic times, meaningful times, whatever. Tell us about being overseas, or losing a close friend, or deep-seeded guilt, or loneliness, or addiction, or sex, or a failed relationship, or a successful career, or playing in a band, or your religion, or your personal philosophy. It's all golden. We think everyone has a story to tell, and they all seem to amaze us. We’re open to ideas and suggestions. All we’re really looking for is passion.
So many stories are ignored due to lack of academic or social prestige, linguistic eloquence, contact with the right people, hereditary chance, or controversy. And many issues are hotly debated, creating arguments and enemies when we need discussion and communication. It seems in politics or general debate, truth is often overshadowed by clever rhetoric or deceptive arguments techniques, so let’s get back to basics!
Although this will not reach a large a significant audience, we want your stories told anyway. If one person could read this and be moved by the richness of life, we will have accomplished our goal. Therefore, for anyone who finds it worthwhile to give a couple hours of their time, let us know. Let's make some magic!
SUBMISSIONS
To explore this topic, we’re hoping you can share your perspective. What was that transition like for you? How did you feel about changes in your life? Tell us about becoming a parent, or committing yourself to another, or otherwise leaving your childhood behind. Is there nostalgia? Fear? Pride? Bitterness? Doubt? Despair? Clarity? Hope? Everything at once?
We all have our own paths to take. Hopefully it will be worthwhile to learn what makes us so similar, and what makes us so different. We are not better or worse than others – we’re just people. . . and for those who feel disillusioned, here’s your chance to vent, share, open up, and communicate.
If you’re interested, let us know. It would help to compile some ideas that you’d like to explore. You can write an essay (1-20 pages); or you can arrange for a one-on-one discussion, when we’ll help guide you through your thoughts. Not all submissions will be accepted, but writing skills will not necessarily make or break you. Passion is all we’re looking for.
ORAL HISTORIES
If you decide to contact us, we’ll give you all the information needed to make a plan and then get started. It will be styled similar to an interview with a tape recorder. We will facilitate the discussion topics and transcribe audiotapes. Everything is to be completely confidential, within our utmost abilities, and nothing will be made public without permission.
So hit us up, let us know what you think. Send us your ideas and we’ll arrange a time to get together to talk about it. We can meet up for a beer, or coffee, or however you feel most comfortable for meaningful conversation.
BTW, THE MEANING OF THE TITLE, “SHALLOW IDEALS”
I have often been asked about the meaning of the title "Shallow Ideals." It’s hard to say. I’ve carried the phrase in my head for many years, and though I feel some deep meaning in it, I mostly enjoy the way it sounds. I feel some irony in it, as though it’s a rebellion against the meaningless shallow things people seem to idealize.
This attempts to be an exercise in the real and genuine meaning in life, beyond the escapism of entertainment, the bias of the media, the corruption of politics, the greed of materialism, the superiority of the socially-elite, and the need for a “normal” life. This is the bare-bones, uncut, real stuff of life – the parts that really matter.
Perhaps it’s self-congratulatory or presumptuous to portray meaningful discussion as being above the importance of entertainment, the media, politics, materialism, social influence, or the need for a “normal” life. But at least we’ll point out the obscurity in the title.
