Apeman: This Commentary on Modern Society Was Written 56 Years Ago

 

Have you ever felt like life doesn’t matter, or more broadly, like humanity doesn’t matter? We grant ourselves so much importance, but when we look around at the rules of society, our human “rules”, that sometimes rarely make sense. In appearance, we have evolved, but we remain the same homo sapiens found in history books or museums; we have simply changed our surroundings and rules for everything, to govern each other.

The Illusion of Progress

The world’s population has multiplied to the point where many hesitate to even start a family. There are so many of us, and we are all haunted, living in fear that there won’t be enough for everyone to survive.

We believe we are completely free because we don’t live behind bars, yet a part of civilized life is another form of mental captivity. We chase luxuries and strive for sophistication, yet these pale in comparison to the true beauty and luxury of the nature we are currently destroying.  

We feel unsafe, worried, and anxious.  We live in an unstable society, defined by economic hardship and incompetent leaders. We are closer to a global catastrophe, yet many think that progress means building expensive cities and industries that contaminate our forests and poison our water.

The Search for Sanity

At the end of the day, we all want someone by our side on our team, our connection to sanity in a  world that feels increasingly wrong. We want to feel safe and cared for.

In a society that often measures success through productivity and possessions, genuine human connection can feel like a rare luxury. We are searching for someone who reminds us that we are not alone in questioning the direction the world is taking. Someone to face the chaos with. 

Everything you've just read is my personal interpretation of The Kinks' "Apeman." It was released in 1970—56 years ago—yet its lyrics feel as relevant and urgent today as they did when they were first written.

-Do you feel like we’ve evolved as a society, or are we just living in a more complex 'cage'? 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 

Now, listen to this song while you read the lyrics:

The Kinks - Apeman

I think I'm sophisticated 'cause I'm living my life
Like a good homo sapiens
But all around me everybody's multiplying and
They're walking round like flies man
So I'm no better than the animals sitting
In the cages in the zoo man
'Cause compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees
I am an apeman

I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized
'Cause I'm a strict vegetarian
But with the over-population and inflation and starvation
And the crazy politicians
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
'Cause compared to the sun that sits in the sky
Compared to the clouds as they roll by
Compared to the bugs and the spiders and flies I am an apeman

In man's evolution he's created the city
And the motor traffic rumble
But give me half a chance and I'd be taking off my clothes
And living in the jungle
'Cause the only time that I feel at ease
Is swinging up and down in the coconut trees
Oh what a life of luxury to be like an apeman

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I look out the window but I can't see the sky
The air pollution is a-fogging eyes
I want to get out of this city alive and make like an apeman

Oh come on and love me, be my apeman girl
And we'll be so happy in my apeman world

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I'll be your Tarzan, you'll be my Jane
I'll keep you warm and you'll keep me sane
We'll sit in the trees and eat bananas all day, just like an apeman

I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman

Beyond the Coffee Table: Style Your Space with Dark Academia Goth Decor books

 

There is a distinct shift happening in interior design right now. The sterile, ultra-bright minimalist look is quietly stepping aside for something much richer, warmer, and arguably more intellectual: Dark Academia. People don't want to be told anymore how to dress, how to style your closet and your home, we are tired of the algorithm and the trends. We are aiming to be again unique and different.

Centered around a love for literature, vintage details, and a moody palette, this aesthetic relies heavily on layers. And the most critical layer of all? Books. But you don't need a sprawling, floor-to-ceiling library from the 19th century to capture that energy. A curated stack of notebooks with the right visual edge can transform a flat surface into a vignette that tells a story.

Why Curated Notebooks Are the Ultimate "Secret Weapon" for Styling

We’ve all seen standard, mass-produced coffee table books. They are beautiful, but they often lack a certain personal bite. If your style leans toward the alternative, the elegant, or the slightly macabre, standard home decor stores don't always hit the mark.

That is where specialized  notebooks come in. Instead of just buying a book for its size, choosing notebooks with freaky-morbid titles and striking goth imagery serves two purposes at once:

• The Aesthetic Anchor: A bold, edgy cover acts as a conversation starter on a coffee table, a nightstand, or a media console. Stacking two or three horizontally builds height and structure in your room styling.

• Everyday Utility: Unlike traditional luxury coffee table books that sit untouched for years, these double as actual journals, sketchbooks, or daily planners. They look expensive from the outside, but they are fully functional on the inside.

Simple Ways to Style Your Gothic Aesthetic Books

If you are trying to lean into a moodier room setup, a few small styling tweaks can make a massive difference. Try using your notebooks as design accents in these high-traffic areas:

1. The Low-Profile Table Stack

Place a stack of three notebooks on your coffee table or entryway console. Place the largest book on the bottom and graduate to the smallest on top. To finish the look, place a brass candle holder, a small specimen jar, or a dried crystal cluster directly on top of the stack to add texture and variance.

2. Vertical Shelf Breathing Room

Bookshelves don't just have to hold books vertically. Break up long rows of novels by turning a few of your favorite gothic fashion notebooks face-out, displaying the cover art like a framed print. This adds breathing room to heavy shelving and catches the eye immediately.

3. The Moody Nightstand Vignette

Pair a single, beautifully dark notebook with a dim lamp and a ceramic mug. It immediately evokes that late-night, studious dark academia vibe—giving you a beautiful view right before bed and an easy place to write down your thoughts or dreams.

Check out these notebooks ! 

• Get it here:The Single Corpse

• Get it here: Blood Stains

• Get it here:Deadly Tea Time 

• Get it here:Grave Digging

• Get it here:Witchcraft

• Get it here:The Victorian book

How Cosmetics Shaped Beauty, Status, and Female Identity Through the Ages

 

Like this Image? available here:  Shutterstock 

Throughout history, humanity has constantly sought ways to advance through science, medicine, economics, and politics. People have always looked for opportunities to improve their social standing and secure a better future. Yet there is another human history that is often overlooked: the role of personal appearance, particularly for women, and how it influenced their place in society.

Research shows that cosmetics have existed since Ancient Egypt. Historians believe their use began with the discovery of scented oils, which were thought to possess healing and protective properties. These oils were used not only for medicinal purposes but also in religious ceremonies. Similarly, herbs served multiple functions; they were consumed in rituals, and transformed into pigments for bodu decoration.

Both women and men applied colored clays and mineral-based pigments to their faces or bodies, depending on the region and culture. Evidence of these practices has been found in Egyptian tombs, while ancient artwork reveals the elaborate colors, shapes, and designs used to enhance personal appearance. 

The fascination with beauty rituals spread throughout many civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Asians, and Arab cultures, all of whom incorporated cosmetics into both medicinal and aesthetic traditions.

By the 18th century, pale skin had become the ultimate symbol of beauty and social status. The trend was embraced by both women and men. One of the most popular products of the era was Venetian Ceruse, white cosmetic famously associated with Queen Elizabeth I. Members of the upper classes covered their faces, necks, and chests in this powder to achieve a porcelain-like complexion. The mixture made from white lead and vinegar produced a striking effect. While we now recognize lead as a dangerous toxin, it's harmful effects were largely ignored at the time.

During Queen Victoria's reign, attitudes toward cosmetics changed dramatically, the reason? The death of Prince Albert. After his death, Victoria's ideals promoted modesty and restraint. Painted faces were considered vulgar, and a more natural appearance became fashionable. The Industrial Revolution made cosmetics widely available throug mass production, although many women still prepared beauty products at home. Despite their growing popularity, make-up remained controversial throughout the 19th century and was often sold discreetly.

The beauty industry continued to evolve. In 1916, film director D.W. Griffith popularized false eyelashes for the silver screen. Modern nail polish was introduced in 1917, while lip gloss was developed in 1930 and became commercially available two years later. The French manicure, now a classic beauty staple, was created in 1975. 

Between the first and second World Wars, women increasingly embraced beauty products, inspired by glamorous actresses and flawless models featured in fashion magazines. During the 1950s and 1960s, television brought cosmetics advertisements directly into people's homes, transforming beauty products into everyday necessities. 

Mascara became one of the most essential items in a woman's handbag, with brands such as Maybelline leading the market. The 1980's also saw the return of mascara applied to the lower lashes, reviving a trend popular in the 1920s. New beauty tools, including eyelash curlers and eyebrow stencils, helped women recreate the looks of their favorite stars. 

Today, makeup is no longer simply a tool for meeting social expectations. While beauty standards continue to be shaped by trends and the cosmetics industry, makeup has also become a powerful form of self-expression and creativity. Some women prefer a natural look, others embrace vintage styles, and many use cosmetics as an artistic medium to create entirely new aesthetics.

Thousands of years after the first pigment was applied and the debate surrounding makeup continues. Society's beauty standards have changed each decade, but cosmetics remain deeply woven into women's culture and everyday life. As for me, learning about the history of makeup made me wonder how much of what we wear is influenced by society and how much is a reflection of our true selves. 

Tell me about your relationship with makeup, does it make you feel more confident, do you use it to shine or hide? Do you prefer a natural look?  I would love to read your opinion in the comments!

From Canvas to Camera: The Accessibility of Memorial Art

Before the advent of photography, the ability to preserve a loved one’s likeness either in life or in death was a privilege reserved for royalty and the wealthy, who could commission expensive oil paintings to immortalize their lives. When the daguerreotype was first introduced, it remained a significant investment. However, many families who could not otherwise afford a portrait made a rare financial exception upon the passing of a family member.

These memorial images were not always solitary portraits. It was common for the deceased to be included in a "final family reunion" within a garden, around a dining table, or in the family living room, documenting the complete family unit one last time.

The Museum of Mourning Photography & Memorial Practice archive is an investigation into human ritual.

The practice of gathering for a final family reunion became deeply significant, leading families to do so when facing a time of loss/ During the Victorian Era, this custom was culturally accepted and perhaps even expected by society.

As previously explained in other posts, ordinary families could not always afford to hire a photographer to document life, but death was a serious matter. This is why we usually see post-mosrtem photos of older individuals or youg children.

Just as you would if you were sitting for a painted portrait, decisions were made about how the deceased would pose. Looking at photographs from that era, we see some subjects placed inside a coffin surrounded by flowers, others resting on a bed surrounded by family members and some even posed in a lifelike manner. 

When I first heard about Mortuary photography , which was back in 2001 when I first saw the movie: The others ( I would recommend to see it) , I was absolutely fascinated. Throughout the years, I have looked at more and more of these photos, but just everything else in real life and online, there are fake photos out there. I previously shared some of these images because I am no expert and I used to trsut "the Almighty internet" thinking that if it was online, it had to be real. It turns out, that isn't always the case. Please forgive me if I still do so, although I will try to look harder for better examples. 

A memorial photograph is usually legitimate when:

• The mortal remains are inside a coffin.

• The deceased is surrounded by flowers and a cross (or other religious artifacts).

• The deceased is surrounded by people and has their eyes closed and mouth slightly open while laying back (which would look unnatural if they were standing or sitting in a chair like everyone else).

• The people surrounding the departed are dressed in black.

• The subject is in a cemetery or next to a grave, surrounded by a group just before burial.

• The subject has eyelids painted to look like open eyes, but you can easily tell they are not real.

Those are the usual telltale signs when determining if a death photograph is the real deal.Why people lie about which photos are Remembrance photography? Some people don't know, some people are just interested in the story and how interesting these images are and some are just interested in selling these photos as curiosities, even if they are photos of living people. 

Please leave a comment. I love to hear your thoughts. 

Some photography sources: 

https://clements.umich.edu/exhibit/death-in-early-america/post-mortem-overview/