"All that is profound loves a mask. The deepest things in life—thoughts, souls, truths—shrink from exposure; they recoil from the glare of explanation. They do not wish to be dragged into the light of day. They wish to remain veiled, enigmatic, unspoken. Even the truest truths cannot endure without a mask, without the art of disguise; often, they can only live by appearing as something else.
Do not be too quick, then, to tear the mask from the face of a thinker, or an artist, or a statesman, or a leader. There is wisdom in their concealment, a necessary instinct for the hidden. For greatness does not stand naked—it wraps itself in layers of misunderstanding, misdirection, even deliberate falsehoods, not as a matter of choice but as an inner law. What is great must protect itself.
The impatient ones, the shallow ones, demand unveiling. They cry out for “transparency,” for every secret to be laid bare. But they do not understand: life breathes through veils. It dances in shadows. To strip it of its mystery is to kill it, to render it lifeless and pale.
Masks are not mere deception; they are shields. The mask guards the soul from the rough hands of the unworthy. It is not deceit but defense. The profound wears a mask not to obscure, but to reveal—slowly, carefully, only to those who have earned the right to see. For the truth, in its nakedness, is too fierce, too terrible, for most to endure."
Congratulations on the major milestone, Walt! If we could all be so brave. Jeremy was a gay name anyways, though John Ryan III would have been pretty cool. Walt’s definitely the name that suits you the best!
I have been secretly trying to guess your legal first name forever and finally settled on Jason. I thought maybe it could be Anthony, but after the Sopranos conversation that seemed too obvious. Mystery finally solved. Congrats on the self-doxxing and the name change, Walt!
You look like a Jason. I also felt like it had to start with a "J" for whatever reason, but then I started doubting Jason because in an essay you talked about a guy at an old job who had the same common-but-not-common name as you, and I thought Jason was too common to fit that description. Then again, I've known about a million Jeremys, so maybe it was only slightly uncommon in your world.
On a similar note, I don't know a single other April IRL, although I've randomly run into them more frequently in VA than MN. Maybe it's a more southern name.
Respect. The time is coming soon where we can be proud of our legal names and the progressives will lose their last weapon. I'll not be satisfied until those monsters have been rooted out of every nation.
Think harder about changing your name. Doing so would alienate you (even more) from your patrimony.
I’m sorry to hear that you are alienated from your wider family. I am too. It’s painful and you should seek to resolve it by becoming closer. (See my second point).
"All that is profound loves a mask. The deepest things in life—thoughts, souls, truths—shrink from exposure; they recoil from the glare of explanation. They do not wish to be dragged into the light of day. They wish to remain veiled, enigmatic, unspoken. Even the truest truths cannot endure without a mask, without the art of disguise; often, they can only live by appearing as something else.
Do not be too quick, then, to tear the mask from the face of a thinker, or an artist, or a statesman, or a leader. There is wisdom in their concealment, a necessary instinct for the hidden. For greatness does not stand naked—it wraps itself in layers of misunderstanding, misdirection, even deliberate falsehoods, not as a matter of choice but as an inner law. What is great must protect itself.
The impatient ones, the shallow ones, demand unveiling. They cry out for “transparency,” for every secret to be laid bare. But they do not understand: life breathes through veils. It dances in shadows. To strip it of its mystery is to kill it, to render it lifeless and pale.
Masks are not mere deception; they are shields. The mask guards the soul from the rough hands of the unworthy. It is not deceit but defense. The profound wears a mask not to obscure, but to reveal—slowly, carefully, only to those who have earned the right to see. For the truth, in its nakedness, is too fierce, too terrible, for most to endure."
Beyond Good And Evil §40
Maybe could have Jeremy on the podcast to get his perspective
What happened to branding as "Lex Ryan"?
I can't be the second most famous Lex
2025 resolutions: eclipse Walter White for fame
Self-doxxing is best doxxing.
Cheers, Walt. I have the same bump on my nose bridge. Irish brigand physiognomy.
Is that where mine comes from? Maybe we're all cousins.
If you have black Irish or lowland Scots blood, then it’s plausible! All Celtic people are kinda relatives.
Walt and I look alike to an extent that I would be surprised if we don’t have a common ancestor.
I'm Irish and Scottish and Scots-Irish. All my genes were made on those islands except the ones that gave me my German last name, lol
Haha, then yes, we are all probably descended from the same pool of boat thieves, con artists and pub brawlers
Lowlanders aren't Celtic
Cousins for sure
Swashbuckler to the core
Walt you’re too handsome, this will be my first cum tribute
Congratulations on the major milestone, Walt! If we could all be so brave. Jeremy was a gay name anyways, though John Ryan III would have been pretty cool. Walt’s definitely the name that suits you the best!
Congratulations on reaching the self-doxxing stage.
I have been secretly trying to guess your legal first name forever and finally settled on Jason. I thought maybe it could be Anthony, but after the Sopranos conversation that seemed too obvious. Mystery finally solved. Congrats on the self-doxxing and the name change, Walt!
I would have kept Jason tbh, that would have suited me
You look like a Jason. I also felt like it had to start with a "J" for whatever reason, but then I started doubting Jason because in an essay you talked about a guy at an old job who had the same common-but-not-common name as you, and I thought Jason was too common to fit that description. Then again, I've known about a million Jeremys, so maybe it was only slightly uncommon in your world.
On a similar note, I don't know a single other April IRL, although I've randomly run into them more frequently in VA than MN. Maybe it's a more southern name.
Hopefully we get Walt interviewing Jeremy before GTA 6
Waiting on Walt to gnash his teeth and bite the recess lady's breast
*HR Lady's
Ok now you need to write this
Respect. The time is coming soon where we can be proud of our legal names and the progressives will lose their last weapon. I'll not be satisfied until those monsters have been rooted out of every nation.
Heil Walt
Three things.
Thank you for being so honest.
Think harder about changing your name. Doing so would alienate you (even more) from your patrimony.
I’m sorry to hear that you are alienated from your wider family. I am too. It’s painful and you should seek to resolve it by becoming closer. (See my second point).
Walt look skinnier than i thought and little nerdier, good luck i am rooting for you