Amateur-professional (adjective)
A person who, despite possessing a skill level that is amateur, acquires the
equipment, attire, or tools typically associated with professionals in the same
field.
Everyone is familiar with the distinction between amateurs and professionals. I
propose that there is a third category, the amateur-professional. Take musicians
as an example. Whereas an amateur musician is someone who plays music at an
amateur level, and a professional musician is someone who plays music at a
professional level, the amateur-professional is someone who aspires to be a
“professional musician” yet does so at an amateur level. In other words, their
hobby is focused on developing the appearance of being a professional musician
(e.g. buying expensive gear, using professional jargon) rather than developing
the required skills of a professional musician.
This definition leads one to question the existence of the antithetical
professional-amateur. This could simply be someone who acts an amateur in their
field in a professional setting, but this could equally be described as being an
actor. Recently, I came across a security guard who was allowed to play his
guitar whilst on duty. He didn’t take this playing too seriously, focusing on
learning the chords to classic rock songs. In other words, playing guitar in an
amateur fashion whilst in a professional setting. This is the professional-amateur.
See also: All gear, no idea
Old man dick energy (noun)
A confident, carefree attitude, characterized by a complete lack of concern for how others perceive one’s actions, particularly in situations that might cause embarrassment or self-consciousness.
People may be aware of the term big dick
energy, used to suggest a high
level of confidence and self-assuredness.
I have never been a fan of this phrase. To me, big dick energy, has connotations
of arrogance and bravado. Instead, I prefer the term “old man dick energy”.
This is inspired by the observation that in many male changing rooms, there is
often an old man present who has completely no shame in exposing his genitals
and makes no effort to cover himself with a towel. This unapologetic ease is a
desirable quality, symbolising a broader philosophy of embracing life without
anxiety or shame. It essentially boils down to being totally aware that no one
cares nearly as much about your actions or behaviour as you do.
It is frankly a shame that this sort of care-free attitude is wasted on the old,
and so I try my hardest to channel this energy (not specifically in the changing
room, but with my general approach to life). Examples of this could be
asking a potentially “stupid” question in a meeting or starting up a
conversation with some on public transport; essentially, living life
authentically, free from fear of judgement.
Comedy kink-shaming (noun)
The act of criticizing or judging someone for their enjoyment of dark or taboo
humour, where the appeal lies in the forbidden nature of the subject matter
rather than the content of the joke itself.
I have a theory that, for most people at least, the appeal of dark or taboo
humour does not come from the content of the joke itself, but rather from the
violation of social norms that the joke represents. This is in the same way that
many have sexual fantasies involving doctors or teachers, specifically because
the professional context and power imbalance in which these figures are usually
interacted with makes any sexual dynamic taboo.
The importance of this concept is a reminder that the heavy prevalence of taboo
humour in the darker corners of the internet is not necessarily a reflection of
a rise in racism, sexism, or other forms of bigotry in real life. It also
suggests that an overly-zealous condemnation of dark humour may be
counterproductive, as it was the taboo nature of the humour that was appealing
in the first place.