Related Recs
With the recent passing of David Lynch, I felt it necessary to explore his works in totality in tribute to the loss of a brilliant artist. This is a journey that I have not yet completed, but it has been a tremendous self-actualizing experience.
I am not alone in this journey. Last week, I watched Blue Velvet for the first time. Not long after I finished the film, analysis videos appeared on my Tiktok feed. It was a fine video and a sound analysis of the film, but not long after I felt as though I had been mentally visited by David Lynch's ghost; shaking his head in disappointment at me. For many years I had been happy to listen to reviews, video essays, other people's analyses, etc., sometimes even before coming to my own conclusions about them. I think the point of David Lynch's works — and indeed art, media, etc., broadly — is to keep asking questions about them. The second you come to a conclusion at all, you stop thinking about the work, and that magic of exploration is lost.
David Lynch believed that within every human being is a vast ocean of consciousness, a creative force within us all or — in a word — magic. When you sit, think, ask questions, and catch your own unique ideas, this is a scrap of magic from that creative ocean within you. It's what makes you human.
So please, put down your phone and log off of your computer a while. Go to a museum and stare at a painting that catches your fancy for a long, long time. Watch a weird artsy film and then take a walk in a park and argue with yourself. And never stop doing that. You are beautiful and capable of making ideas that no one else has had before. And that is magical and should be celebrated.
Thank you for reading this kind of rambling post. I hope you have a nice evening. RIP David Lynch.
Jan 23, 2025
i love art i love art i love art i love art
when i feel like shit i turn to my favorite pieces of art for answers. sometimes the answers you need are found in your favorite album. sometimes you have to go to a marina abramovic exhibition. sometimes you have to just sit with it and with yourself. i’m an atheist but this is what i imagine people read scripture for and like i get it! this shit’s crazy!
Jan 20, 2025
Interesting video essay on the nature of art today and what is/ isn't subversive - while I don't necessarily agree with every point made, its certainly something to think about and a great way to spend 45 minutes
Jan 18, 2025
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLE—This is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODY—This supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title 👆
IMAGE—No rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINK—I highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.—(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLE—This is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODY—Provide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title 👆
EMOJI—No rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASK—Recs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLE—Lists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODY—Free reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGE—Optional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINK—Add your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJI—Whatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024—Clarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025—Moved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
🐸
This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025
🥯
i will eat one every day i do not give a fuck anymore
Jan 30, 2024