True Definition of "Feed the Monkey"

[thevideoartist]

This may have been apparent to some of you dudes but nevertheless I thought it was a cool thought.  I realized today I've only ever heard the phrase "feed the monkey" in TBL.  We generally use it in a monetary context such as "paying the bills" or "making a living" but I took to googling and found this alternate definition on the always reputable (HA) urban dictionary:

"Feed The Monkey refers to a fuelling of desire.

Usually this desire is something one doesn't want to do, but is addicted to it because of the way it makes him/her feel about himself/herself.. like getting high.. or playing poker.. or going to a strip club."

I never thought about Feeding the Monkey as being addictive but it makes sense.  I guess I never really thought of "The Monkey on your back" as being the monkey you feed.  Feeding the monkey is any behavior that we don't want to do but keep doing it anyway out of real or imagined sense of obligation.  I never before thought of paying bills as being like an addiction but man it's kinda true.  We don't always get to choose our monkeys.  With this new shit coming to light, I've got to take a look at myself and figure out which things I just do habitually even though I hate them or they bring me no joy.

The other thing I like though in thinking about this definition is when inserted back into the movie it's like the dude is saying "look she might be strung out or tweaking or fucking or gambling or taking bad loans from pornographers and running off to palm springs without telling anyone but I don't really care... it's just a part of how people are... and that's cool... that's cool.  I'm saying she needs money."  No judgement, no condemnation.  He's almost looking TBL in the face and saying "Dude, she's your wife, you didn't know what you were getting into here?  Why the fuck would you blame me for this outcome?"  He's like passively calling out the bullshit even though at this point his thinking is still too uptight, even though he failed at the modest task which was his charge, he recognizes that he's got nothing to do with other people's behavior or other people's monkeys and the dude lets go of those desires... those things that try to ride his back and demand his wealth and resources... he says fuck it, but in a way that doesn't pass judgement on any one else's life choices.  Very subtle and very balanced way to react to all that.

idk I thought that was far out.  I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that.

[Reverend Al]

Is that some kind of Eastern thing?

[thevideoartist]

Is that some kind of Eastern thing?

Far from it ;)

Seems more pervasive in capitalist societies.

[BikerDude]

It's a reference to heroin addiction which used to be commonly referred to as  having a monkey on your back.
In the vernacular of our time.
Actually more the vernacular of past times.
I'm old enough to remember the old public service commercials.
You know "this is your brain. This is your brain on drugs"
They had a monkey one also

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AegsJYtwccw

[delmiss]

I have always been interested in how webcam models work. Can you please tell me if there are any force majeure situations do they have different payment options? Do webcam models get guaranteed their earnings on demand? Can you be absolutely sure about your honestly earned money? Or you can earn nothing at all, if suddenly something goes wrong? How to be in this case?

[Masked Dude]

I have always been interested in how webcam models work. Can you please tell me if there are any force majeure situations do they have different payment options? Do webcam models get guaranteed their earnings on demand? Can you be absolutely sure about your honestly earned money? Or you can earn nothing at all, if suddenly something goes wrong? How to be in this case?

I guess if you use a reputable cam site and don't break the rules, you're probably good. I've known a few who sold images and things. Don't remember if I know any cam models.

[BikerDude]

I've noticed this happening more and more.
It is concerning.
Earlier there were people who never heard "Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you".
This necessitated a long discussion about whether it was "Bear" or "Bar".
But the truth is that I'm noticing that younger generations are mystified by many random things from older generations.
It seems small but in reality this all is manifesting in very weird ways.
Our media has fractured into a million sources and we have lost a common ground.
The gyre is widening. And the center may not hold.
It is my style to over dramatize but when I see the level of delusion from the most extreme views I can't help but feel it.

Turning and turning in the widening gyre   
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere   
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst   
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.   
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out   
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert   
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,   
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,   
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it   
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.   
The darkness drops again; but now I know   
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,   
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,   
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

[HnauHnakrapunt]

I'm noticing that younger generations are mystified by many random things from older generations.

When your peers sit bored in the middle of a university lecture that you are trying to listen to because you like the subject - you start to look elsewhere for a bit of inspiration. Sounds a bit harsh but I happened to listen to some lectures where the air was dense with a general sense of boredom.