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A review done by me, Gray, who is a zillennial which adds very little to this review (but I feel compelled to say it). I am someone who is of no importance which is why I think my take is IMPORTANT.
"Health and Safety" covers the years from 2015 to 2020 in the topics of politics (rise of Trump's first term and the Black Lives Matters protests) and a crumbling personal relationship all with the back drop of NYC techno nightlife being at the center of the book. Personally, I don't like reading about anyone falling in love or breaking up because I can go ahead and do that myself and I don't like to read when people do it better than me. Having the techno night life as the forefront kept my attention and I have never read a book or article that has captured my same shared feelings about the feel of techno music. I personally have been out of my cities electronic music scene for about a year and a half and this book single handedly made me buy tickets to three different events in my area to head back into the scene. I also picked up some K on my way home from work from a college kid which made me feel sour and slightly agitated for reasons I just want to suppress right now. The writing was so well done that it wasn't a good track that took me back to the dance floor, it was this book. I read it in two days and I haven't polished off a book that fast in months.
Talking about taking drugs was also a large part of the book which I felt was a bit excessive at times. I'm not sure if millennials are too sincere for my early Gen Z taste but I find it should be a given that you are taking various drugs at these shows and if you are not, I'm more interested to see your take on going to these events sober. But this is what Perfectly Imperfect is for, my little dumb opinions.
I lately have been looking through this lens of "Get Z vs Millennial" and it's getting me nowhere but I felt this book gave somewhat of a connection. The years that Emily was writing about, she was describing her early and mid thirties and during those same years, I was doing the same activities in my early and mid 20s. I found it a fun comparison to see what someone was doing in an upscale part of NYC in their mid 30s in the techno scene versus me in my 20s in the PNW. To my surprise, a lot of it was the same.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about American politics in an easy, digestible way as well as techno and raves. Perfect book to read for fun and a bit of introspection. The author also gives great recommendations on other books to read as well. I find it very timely now since we are in our second trimester of Trump (and the demon baby will be born soon...just in time for my 30s!)
-Gray
Feb 20, 2025
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By Emily Witt
Read this for an article Iβm writing and it was surprisingly very self-aware and informative. Itβs about drugs, early 2010s NYC rave scene, protests, and an incredibly bizarre breakup.
Jan 26, 2025
I wrote this book back in 2017-2019, but only recently published it (because unfortunately it is once again relevant). Its a funny but thoughtful satire about the 2016 election, and is available as both an eBook and a paperback at the attached link. More detailed information can be found at my website (in case the title is too concerning/off-putting lol).
Also, hello everyone, it has been awhile. Life, ammiriiiite?? Sorry to come back and start hawking my wares right away, but alas, such is existence in 2024.
Dec 11, 2024
A classic older millennial recco.
π Published during VICEβs golden days
π Arfin gets raw and real.
π Itβs like a modern day Go Ask Alice, but with the happy ending of recovery.
Feb 21, 2025
Top Recs from @BennyLiquid
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and wonder why the hell they asked you to hang out? Like I just hung out with someone and they looked at their phone half the time and then asked me the most minimal stuff ever and then after 45 mins said βI have to go!β Like, damn girl you beat me to it
Mar 3, 2025
I was so tired and could barely stay awake for my friends DJ set but it ended up being really good and Iβm so proud of them :)
1d ago
isn't it crazy how when you get a drink in this cup it tastes 100% better than any other type of drinking vessel? You can have the same diet coke or whatever but if it comes in this cup it's going to be much more crisper and tasty. Shout out the Cambro 2000P156 much love
Mar 10, 2025