Anyone watching fountain pen video reviews has to be mildly eccentric. Not to mention those who create these! 😂 Just wanted to let you know that I’ve watched your videos for years without ever commenting. But today I thought I would. This was a refreshing video, spanning the gamut from fountain pens to life.
I practice street photography, wear sandals in the wintertime along with t-shirts I sometimes design myself because why the hell not, have an elaborate tea-making setup and make blackout poetry from my pharmacy receipts. I gave up on comparing myself to normalcy a long while ago.
Wow, what a fantastic message, and an enlightening story. I need to share this with my son in law. He has a very serious daytime job. In his leisure time, he is a roller derby announcer. He would agree with everything you said. Yes, I would say you are eccentric but that's why I like your channel. I was delighted with your GOAT video.
Thank you! All of us who use fountain pens are eccentric in one way or another. You are the best version of you and a treasure to this community. Keep on being you and never change, unless it is for the better!
Thank you for the video. Totally agree. Being a slight eccentric/different myself, it is important to tell the younger ones not to be afraid, even if you feel to be the only one. From the outside, I don’t wear a robe or a bow tie, but inside I’m different, and proud of it. Not because I’m different, but because I bring different things to the discussion table. And that is good. I once had a travelled teacher that approached me and asked how come I live here and why I don’t leave? I asked why and she answered (maybe paraphrasing here) “Your thinking is different from the others, it looks like you are from Northeastern state, Canada or even a Nordic European country”. I thanked her for the comment and she summarised what I had been feeling all my life. I always assumed what I was and took some risks and got some bruises in the way (there are mean persons) but it made me what I am today and proud of it. And guess what, who knows me prefer that I’m that guy that among other things, knows more about some subjects (some weird like FPs in 2024). The difficult part is to balance our quirks and our environment so we drive a better ecosystem and not drive pure hate from the ones who are afraid of embarrassing themselves.
Excellent video! I too have been known as a bit eccentric. I spent most of my career in management positions (all the way up to CEO of a multi-national corporation) and fashioned my (somewhat quirky) management style from two of my early bosses, one brilliant and the other the worst I've ever had (some of our best learning comes from the negative example).
The RELIEF that is found in humbling yourself enough to ACCEPT embarrassment, is a decisive marker in the growth of a truly honest human IMO... unfortunately some never overcome it, never knowing what they are missing (being eccentric).
Thank you, as always Stephen, for a thoughtful perspective. Your quote, from the Hagakure: "Matters of great concern should be treated lightly. Matters of small concern should be treated seriously." Reminds me of Lao Tsu. While I am most fond of the Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English translation, the following quote, taken from chapter 63 is translated by someone else: "All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small." Thank you Stephen. Have a wonderful rest of your day.
On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is completely conformist, and 10 is so far out there you are on another planet, I'd mark you down as a 3 or 4. But then I ran away from home at 16, became a punk, worked in the fringe theatre, evolved into a goth and was surrounded by a lot of "eccentric" people. At my height, I was about an 8, now probably a 5. Testing high for autism, add and dyslexia may have had a hand in it. In life, whatever you do, someone will always find fault. It's also a bit difficult to stay inside a box when you are not quite sure where the box is. So I decided to go with love, not fear, and wear the clothes I love, consume the media I love, and on the whole, nobody really minds.
I am British so by default everyone thinks I am eccentric . I remember once an actor who played Doctor Who said it's not a costume. I just wear my normal clothes .
This was as enjoyable as your pen reviews. Eccentricity is liberating because we truly don't care what others think about us. Maybe your bow ties gently remind others that they can be more free, and that's why they smile.
SBREBROWN, you are who you are and this is why I like you and your channel. I agree with all the points you bring up. Great message and great content. 💖💖💖💖💖
One of the fantastic general talk videos. I find myself having an ideological identity with your thought process. Great. It really would make one feel alive when you dont become too mechanical thinking what others feel or judge you.
Since 'normal' differs across cultures and background with personality, likes and dislikes, preferences, morals, experiences all thrown in as common variables, I think that would mean that each person has their 'eccentric' side, at least. Some more than others perhaps. Thank you for reminding us all that we have a right to unapologetically be ourselves. You may be eccentric but I'm glad you are you too, Stephen. Thank you for your informative, honest, humourous, eccentric and entertaining videos. God bless you, sir
If you're a non-eccentric UA-camr, you're doing it wrong. I love these little side-quests into philosophy and stoicism. Fountain pens led me to journaling (what better way to enjoy them?), which led me to stoicism (The Daily Stoic - what better way to journal?).
I think this video has nailed why I enjoy and respect you. I’ve been off social media for nearly a year because everything has just become too serious. I’ve been trying to recalibrate and reinvigorate the fun of fountain pens and I’ve been having a tough time doing that. 🤷🏻
I think being eccentric is a compliment. Most people try to conform, individuals who stand out are just being themselves. We should embrace our uniqueness. I also had an influential teacher in my life, actually my primary school principal. She was an elegant middle aged woman who always wore black clothes and hats. Some kids were scared of her, I thought she was cool. She came to my rescue several times when I was being bullied and I have never forgotten her. She made me feel okay about being different and gave me the strength to remain unique and not care about what everyone else said.
But that's what attracts us to people....their eccentricities.....we all have some and that's what makes us US. Keep doing just what you do Dr Brown as you will attract the people who enjoy watching and listening to you. Bravo!
Absolutely, conformity is drilled into people, as soon as they can comprehend. Schools are little more than, advanced daycare. For parents, on the treadmill of 9-5. Conformity has become the second opiate of the masses after TV. Breaking people out of, societal norms, which are driving us over a cliff at breakneck speed is essential. Humour and lampooning authority figures, who always take themselves too seriously is essential, as well. Great episode...
I think your humour and quirk interplay so well. At first, I almost missed some of your jokes because I mistook them for your style. The more I become familiar with you, the more I appreciate the humor. I would love to take one of your classes.
In my student years, I went to lectures in a 3-piece suit, pocket watch and chain. Eccentric? I just felt comfortable that way. At a literary do in London, someone once said: 'You really are one of a kind.' Biggest compliment ever.
Hi Steven, another thought provoking video. It has taken me a long time to be comfortable in my skin. Currently i am a very happy individual. In 2019 I was introduced to Church Bell Ringing. How my world has changed. I am still a novice/improver ringer, however I have been elected as "ringing master" for thr last 4 years. With my friends, we present to the public the craft of Church Bell Ringing a few times a year. All of this I would never have thought to be part of my competency. Thank you, Ray
I stopped feeling embarrassed (mostly) when I realised that 'feeling embarrassed' is about what I think of what other people think of me. I still care what other people think of me, BUT only the people I care about. It fits with that saying 'don't take criticism of someone you wouldn't take advice from'. I care about the opinion of my friends, my loved ones, about me. But not some random stranger on the street that yells 'hey muts' to me when I proudly wear my knitted hat when it gets cold. As a 14yo I crocheted myself a top. and I happily wore it to school, which ended me with the nickname 'doily' (tafelkleedje) and for some reason it did not occur to me that NOT wearing it would probably stop that, so I kept wearing it despite feeling discomfort with the name-calling. I wore it because I was proud of what I had made. For years after I was beating myself up for just not wearing it, until I realised that 14yo me did exactly what I needed to do for myself. 14yo me stayed true to herself, even if 20yo me couldn't see that. And that is okay too. Do I wish I had seen it at the time and ever since? Yes. Were my circumstances supporting me? Absolutely not. I got there eventually, and am still making leaps towards staying true to myself, and my desires. I am not harming anyone, so I get to do that. And by 'that' I mean wearing Shrek ears while I clean because it makes me happy!
Great video SBRE Brown. I have always enjoyed your pen videos, and wondered about how you stand out from the crowd. What I especially appreciate is how you reveal here who you really are, sharing your beliefs and concerns. Thank you for sharing who you are and "staying true to your beliefs". Re being serious, as a hospital chaplain I at times said to the people I worked with and served that "some things are too serious to be taken seriously all the time. Awesome video ,indeed! Many thanks!
Hi Stephen, and welcome to the eccentric club :). I have been called eccentric and finally realized it was a compliment as some of the words synonymous with it are uncommon, unconventional, extraordinary, nonconformist, atypical, unique, and a plethora of other adjectives. When I was younger, being different bothered me. But after 40 years of work, interacting with so many different people and types of personalities, I realize that I did not and do not want to fit in, and am content with my personality traits. You have a skill, a gift, and there are few people anywhere who can match your talent. There will always be naysayers to be ignored. Thank you for what you do for the fountain pen community!
Eccentricity is a refreshing quality. I've been similarly complimented, and to my great amusement those flinging about the term usually think it's an insult. Here's to the eccentric to those who follow eclectic interests and vocations and who are not afraid of stepping lively to the tunes most cannot hear.
Sorry to tell you, but I don't find you too unusual. You are a little light hearted on occasion , but not overly so----especially when one rambles on about a fountain pen. Or Stoic. (after all how can one not be). Just enough to keep it interesting and fun. I like the jacket you are wearing in this video. I have often thought, "wouldn't it be a great coat to have: the smoking jacket". Who in the world needs a smoking jacket? Or who in his right mind needs five Viscontis just because....well, I do. Keep up the pen videos!!!!!!!!!! But next time with a bow tie. please,
YB Norml? It strikes me that anyone who loves fountain pens these days is somewhat eccentric! Your humility and lovable eccentricity is what makes you my favorite UA-camr. Even the more serious videos on Stoicism are fascinating. Speaking of eccentric, who but Hamish can make disassembling a fountain pen so understandable and fun? Now I've got myself craving some haggis!
Stephen, this video reminded me one phrase: "He followed in the footsteps of great people, so he left no traces of his own". Well, this phrase is definitely not about You. Cheers! ;)
You are preaching to the converted.... I write with an ancient inefficient messy unpredictable tool, I obsess over nibs, inks, paper and UA-cam comparisons of all the above. So I am the eccentric one, looking for fellow eccentric who just happen to have a sense of future and half a brain. It's good to know you find super expensive fountain pens "grotesque", please continue with your individualistic videos, we know you and the world over we love you. We wouldn't have you any other way. Interest peeked about stoicism. Can tell you're a natural born teacher.
Yeah , authenticity and sincerity is eccentric for the time being. Being present is too if one is consistent. I find your perspectives properly passionate and intriguing. Some people envy those who are comfortable in their own skin, but hey, haters gonna hate. Eccentricity has its own spectrum, I suppose.
I absolutely love those videos where you get into character. Perfection. This was a great video, really good advice in general. Am I eccentric? Would an eccentric person make a solo game about a mysterious grail fountain pen, designed to be played with a fountain pen and make a video about it on their channel? LOL, I've been able to embrace my weirdness pretty well I think :)
Greetings from Australia. Brilliant video. We are all eccentric!! We are mad about fountain pens, inks, and cool journals. But a sad part of modern-day life is that society has totally accepted mobile devices. They have lost the art or writing and, in some cases, can not spell or form a sentence. I teach classical piano, and all my students are well aware of my fountain pens and inks. I use them all the time. A different pen and ink for each student as they arrive. On occasion they write with my pens. I have penabled a few, too. I love your videos.
Stephen, whether you are eccentric or not is up for debate, I enjoy your videos because they are to the point and and frank. I think we are all taught to "conform" to the norm and I was glad that a teacher influenced you such a positive way.
Oh! Yes! You are eccentric AND oh so charming and funny in the most entertaining way. AND, yes, sincere. Just thinking back-I’m remembering and missing the funny puppets! Where are they? Be you-stay you-you’re just what the doctor ordered for lots of us. 😁❤
Dearest Doctor Brown, so glad to see you are still nailing life fully in the ass with your eccentric ways, don’t you ever go changing!!! 😂😂😂 Neither of us are eccentric, certainly on the outside,but do think it would be nice to not worry so much about what other people would think. This is a lesson I think we could both learn from. Are you planning on doing a more personal update anytime soon, as you used to? With our kindest regards, as always, Andy & Kelli UK (Jelliweazle).
Great video. Probably your best video. I would love to sit down with you and a cup of tea, pint of beer, glass of wine or whisky or whatever and talk about this issues. It must be very inspiring and enlightening.
I'm the most boring man in North Dakota, but I still endorse this message. What's the harm in being yourself and doing what you like, as long as you're not interfering with others? And the reality is that more people spend their focus on themselves, not on others. In my day job I work with teenagers, and that is a lesson most haven't learned.
Well said, Stephen. It's kind of a tough one, or can be. (By the way, I don't know if you're eccentric. I would be more likely to call it "offbeat.") You're quite right about people being discouraged from being "different" from a young age, and this is unfortunate. On the other hand, society does need to put up "guardrails" to keep people from doing stuff that's sort of beyond what is acceptable--and perhaps more to the point, such guardrails communicate to people as a whole the limits of acceptability--and it seems to me that one consequence of this is that a lot of non-harmful eccentric/offbeat behaviors get slapped down in the process. The trick is how to throw out the bathwater while preserving the baby. Plus there are a lot of things that people need to do more or less habitually without spending too much time and effort thinking about them, and teaching people a common or generally accepted or possibly regimented way of doing things frees up one's mind to do other stuff instead. (For instance, wearing a uniform daily eliminates the need to decide each morning whether to wear the velvet cape or the organdy one.) But this, too, has its own pitfalls and can tend to grind people down. It's tough. The primary thing is to stay aware of it all, to think, and not to be afraid. Which can be hard.
Wonderful short video Dr. Brown. Bow Tie I do know a professor who loves to wear one, he is formal, grew up with structured boys schools in Asia. But it is part of his identity. As to you your authentic traits celebrate them….I will suggest you embrace the local Bolo Tie maybe for exam day….. or end of semester final lectures…. just a suggestion. You be you.
I am Greeek, with a few Turkish roots, born in Switzerland, had a British education in the Middle East, add to that Swiss influence and a linguist. What would you expect? By the way excellent video Steven, and I love your bow ties.
It cannot be better explained. I do not care if you are/arte not eccentric. Who am I to criticise someone? I like the way you are, and that's why I've been watching your videos for the last 7 or 8 years. That's all. Regards!
Fellow excenric here. Rheumatologist, loud socks enthusiast, quirky eyeglasses user, lifelong metalhead and fountain pen user. These are not intentional affectations, they are truly who I am.
Well, shit; that does put things into perspective, doesn't it. I'm possibly more eccentric than I realise -- I thought that my pen collection was one of my more-normal interests ...
Why be normal? I've said that most of my life, jokingly, but still - sincerely. I guess I have always been a bit weird, odd, quirky to other people. I never realized that I might be odd when I was a kid, and I suspect it's because there were always a lot of creative and often eccentric people around me. This was in the 70s, btw. The area where I grew up and went to school was filled with creative types - artists, actors, musicians, photographers, etc. Everyone I knew had creative hobbies and many of us as kids were just kind of weird in general. At school there were many interesting characters and while there were "normies" it was not unusual to know people who expressed themselves differently in the way they presented themselves. The guy in high school who wore a top hat and cape, comes to mind. For me and my peers, it was often just odd clothing or accessories, and our choice of music that set us apart. But - we weren't trying to be weird, we just gravitated to things that the not-weird did not. So my whole life I feel like I've been marching to my own beat, so to speak. The older I get, the less I care what others may think and I have told friends that I plan to get weirder (only half joking). I often refer to the folks that appear in the books "Advanced Style" and the follow up "Older and Wiser" by Ari Seth Cohen. The first time I ever saw his blog, I knew I had found some kindred spirits. Something as simple as a fountain pen seems very exotic to a lot of people, whereas I am so immersed in the FP world that it seems perfectly ordinary to me to have and use FPs. I once had a boss who asked me about the fountain pen I was using one day at work and said, "Oh wow, they still make them? I had no idea!" And she is many years my senior, so also old enough to remember when FPs were common every day pens! I remember saying something to the effect that yes, they're still a pretty significant product around the world, thinking how could anyone not know that? But that's just it - so many people are so limited in their scope of awareness these days, even with the internet and social media creating more content than ever!
That's why your fountain pen reviews ar so appealing, you have a sense of humour, and don't take it too seriously. Am I ecccentric? I have 50 fountain pens, and gifted everyone I know fountain pens, and use and breath fountain pens, so I guess it makes me eccentric in a stand out and peculiar way with people in my life. Stand out in a good an unique way I think.
the " Normal" people I know are boring ... when I was younger I worked for 20th century fox as a make up artest and a fellow artest came into the studio all gussied up like she was going to a ball or something and I asked her , "why do you do that? ,and she said " You gotta be different to be noticed otherwise nobody will remember you " and that stuck with me for my whole life. Being different makes you memorable to the people you interact with and they will remember you for it :)
Somewhat surprised that you didn't mention Freud in all of this -- 'Civilisation and its Discontents' and whatnot. As a fellow eccentric person, I love everything about your channel -- I don't necessarily agree with you about every pen, and isn't that fantastic!?
You are scaring the straits. Love it! I love being eccentric. Could not stand the black turtlenecks and grey suits of the serious architects standard uniform , I wear crocks, cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirts to work (Tom Selleck, Charlie Sheen style) and if the clients can't take me seriously, I really wouldn't want to work for them anyway. I do on occasion wear a suite but it usually has color in it unless going to a funeral.
At 75 years of age, it is only now that I'm beginning to believe that I'm probably neurodivergent. On the autism spectrum, in other words. So it's no surprise I've also been seen by many as a bit eccentric or quirky. Perhaps the first clear evidence was in high school when we were required to memorize a poem and recite it in front of the class. I chose Jabberwocky. You should have seen the looks of my teacher & classmates when I finished without missing a single syllable! Got an "A, too." But what in the world would anyone perceive of as eccentric about having 60 fountain pens & using several of them every day? You mean everyone doesn't? That's what is wrong with the world, then! 😉🤔🤣
Perhaps not so much eccentric as true to my self. An example. When in a conversation, I've come to dare saying, "Let me think about this for a moment." when the situation warrants it. Don't rush with out of the box answers or to be quick to impress. This may and does irritate some people, and they may think I'm making fun of them, but it gives me confidence to, perhaps, come up with a better answer. Took some courage the first time or so.
I hate being embarrassed, but luckily half the time I don't even realize when I should be embarrassed. I wear a one-handed decimal watch that I never set , so it is entirely impossible to convert it to actual time. I bought it because I couldn't find a tide watch I could afford. The only pen I write with is a ludicrously slim Sailor Candy (with a #1 nib), out of sheer contrariness.
Bravo 🎉Bravo 🎉Bravo 🎉my hair is multi-colored the hair dye must be redone every couple of weeks. I say my hair is like a fountain pen as it has to be re-inked when the ink runs out. I am a chartered accountant or cpa in the states. My irrational colored hair does not belong in the conservative accounting profession but I don’t care. Thanks for making my day.
At a much younger age, I decided it was silly to take the opinions of others as gospel while they paid no attention to mine. You--yes, you--are free. How boring it would be if we were all the same.
Sincere eccentricity comes naturally, effortlessly. It cannot be forced, nor flaunted, nor self-conscious.
Just say “I’m not eccentric, I’m Dutch…”. lol.
I would take eccentric over banal any day my friend. It is a true complement. Bless
Anyone watching fountain pen video reviews has to be mildly eccentric. Not to mention those who create these! 😂 Just wanted to let you know that I’ve watched your videos for years without ever commenting. But today I thought I would. This was a refreshing video, spanning the gamut from fountain pens to life.
It’s only life and none of us make it out alive.
I practice street photography, wear sandals in the wintertime along with t-shirts I sometimes design myself because why the hell not, have an elaborate tea-making setup and make blackout poetry from my pharmacy receipts. I gave up on comparing myself to normalcy a long while ago.
Wow, what a fantastic message, and an enlightening story. I need to share this with my son in law. He has a very serious daytime job. In his leisure time, he is a roller derby announcer. He would agree with everything you said. Yes, I would say you are eccentric but that's why I like your channel. I was delighted with your GOAT video.
Thank you! All of us who use fountain pens are eccentric in one way or another. You are the best version of you and a treasure to this community. Keep on being you and never change, unless it is for the better!
Thank you for the video. Totally agree.
Being a slight eccentric/different myself, it is important to tell the younger ones not to be afraid, even if you feel to be the only one.
From the outside, I don’t wear a robe or a bow tie, but inside I’m different, and proud of it.
Not because I’m different, but because I bring different things to the discussion table. And that is good.
I once had a travelled teacher that approached me and asked how come I live here and why I don’t leave? I asked why and she answered (maybe paraphrasing here) “Your thinking is different from the others, it looks like you are from Northeastern state, Canada or even a Nordic European country”.
I thanked her for the comment and she summarised what I had been feeling all my life.
I always assumed what I was and took some risks and got some bruises in the way (there are mean persons) but it made me what I am today and proud of it.
And guess what, who knows me prefer that I’m that guy that among other things, knows more about some subjects (some weird like FPs in 2024).
The difficult part is to balance our quirks and our environment so we drive a better ecosystem and not drive pure hate from the ones who are afraid of embarrassing themselves.
Excellent video! I too have been known as a bit eccentric. I spent most of my career in management positions (all the way up to CEO of a multi-national corporation) and fashioned my (somewhat quirky) management style from two of my early bosses, one brilliant and the other the worst I've ever had (some of our best learning comes from the negative example).
Being a little weird is just a natural side effect of being awesome!
The RELIEF that is found in humbling yourself enough to ACCEPT embarrassment, is a decisive marker in the growth of a truly honest human IMO... unfortunately some never overcome it, never knowing what they are missing (being eccentric).
eccentric or not, I've always found you to be a rather impressive person. keep doing what you do.
Thank you, as always Stephen, for a thoughtful perspective. Your quote, from the Hagakure:
"Matters of great concern should be treated lightly.
Matters of small concern should be treated seriously."
Reminds me of Lao Tsu. While I am most fond of the Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English translation, the following quote, taken from chapter 63 is translated by someone else:
"All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small."
Thank you Stephen. Have a wonderful rest of your day.
Thanks for being sincere! Been watching your reviews since you first started. Keep up the good work.
On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is completely conformist, and 10 is so far out there you are on another planet, I'd mark you down as a 3 or 4. But then I ran away from home at 16, became a punk, worked in the fringe theatre, evolved into a goth and was surrounded by a lot of "eccentric" people. At my height, I was about an 8, now probably a 5. Testing high for autism, add and dyslexia may have had a hand in it.
In life, whatever you do, someone will always find fault. It's also a bit difficult to stay inside a box when you are not quite sure where the box is. So I decided to go with love, not fear, and wear the clothes I love, consume the media I love, and on the whole, nobody really minds.
I am British so by default everyone thinks I am eccentric . I remember once an actor who played Doctor Who said it's not a costume. I just wear my normal clothes .
This was as enjoyable as your pen reviews. Eccentricity is liberating because we truly don't care what others think about us. Maybe your bow ties gently remind others that they can be more free, and that's why they smile.
I would like to see more similar videos. Well done!
SBREBROWN, you are who you are and this is why I like you and your channel. I agree with all the points you bring up. Great message and great content. 💖💖💖💖💖
Delicious video. When one can use a cheap pen stolen from a hotel, we use arcane fountainpens. I'm eccentric, outside of the circle. 🤓
One of the fantastic general talk videos. I find myself having an ideological identity with your thought process. Great. It really would make one feel alive when you dont become too mechanical thinking what others feel or judge you.
Since 'normal' differs across cultures and background with personality, likes and dislikes, preferences, morals, experiences all thrown in as common variables, I think that would mean that each person has their 'eccentric' side, at least. Some more than others perhaps.
Thank you for reminding us all that we have a right to unapologetically be ourselves. You may be eccentric but I'm glad you are you too, Stephen. Thank you for your informative, honest, humourous, eccentric and entertaining videos. God bless you, sir
If you're a non-eccentric UA-camr, you're doing it wrong.
I love these little side-quests into philosophy and stoicism. Fountain pens led me to journaling (what better way to enjoy them?), which led me to stoicism (The Daily Stoic - what better way to journal?).
Getting into fountain pens has been a fantastic way of exploring and feeling comfortable with my own quirkiness...
This is brilliant and I couldn’t agree more!
I think this video has nailed why I enjoy and respect you. I’ve been off social media for nearly a year because everything has just become too serious. I’ve been trying to recalibrate and reinvigorate the fun of fountain pens and I’ve been having a tough time doing that. 🤷🏻
"When I got Tenure, I thought I should act like an adult." That' is great. I love it.
How very eccentric, eh? Most people stop caring *when* they become tenured.
I think being eccentric is a compliment. Most people try to conform, individuals who stand out are just being themselves. We should embrace our uniqueness. I also had an influential teacher in my life, actually my primary school principal. She was an elegant middle aged woman who always wore black clothes and hats. Some kids were scared of her, I thought she was cool. She came to my rescue several times when I was being bullied and I have never forgotten her. She made me feel okay about being different and gave me the strength to remain unique and not care about what everyone else said.
But that's what attracts us to people....their eccentricities.....we all have some and that's what makes us US. Keep doing just what you do Dr Brown as you will attract the people who enjoy watching and listening to you. Bravo!
Absolutely, conformity is drilled into people, as soon as they can comprehend. Schools are little more than, advanced daycare. For parents, on the treadmill of 9-5. Conformity has become the second opiate of the masses after TV. Breaking people out of, societal norms, which are driving us over a cliff at breakneck speed is essential. Humour and lampooning authority figures, who always take themselves too seriously is essential, as well. Great episode...
"Conformity has become the second opiate of the masses after TV." - I TOTALLY agree!
I think your humour and quirk interplay so well. At first, I almost missed some of your jokes because I mistook them for your style. The more I become familiar with you, the more I appreciate the humor. I would love to take one of your classes.
In my student years, I went to lectures in a 3-piece suit, pocket watch and chain. Eccentric? I just felt comfortable that way. At a literary do in London, someone once said: 'You really are one of a kind.' Biggest compliment ever.
Hi Steven, another thought provoking video. It has taken me a long time to be comfortable in my skin. Currently i am a very happy individual. In 2019 I was introduced to Church Bell Ringing. How my world has changed. I am still a novice/improver ringer, however I have been elected as "ringing master" for thr last 4 years. With my friends, we present to the public the craft of Church Bell Ringing a few times a year. All of this I would never have thought to be part of my competency. Thank you, Ray
This was oddly therapeutic. Thank you Dr Brown.
I stopped feeling embarrassed (mostly) when I realised that 'feeling embarrassed' is about what I think of what other people think of me. I still care what other people think of me, BUT only the people I care about. It fits with that saying 'don't take criticism of someone you wouldn't take advice from'. I care about the opinion of my friends, my loved ones, about me. But not some random stranger on the street that yells 'hey muts' to me when I proudly wear my knitted hat when it gets cold.
As a 14yo I crocheted myself a top. and I happily wore it to school, which ended me with the nickname 'doily' (tafelkleedje) and for some reason it did not occur to me that NOT wearing it would probably stop that, so I kept wearing it despite feeling discomfort with the name-calling. I wore it because I was proud of what I had made. For years after I was beating myself up for just not wearing it, until I realised that 14yo me did exactly what I needed to do for myself. 14yo me stayed true to herself, even if 20yo me couldn't see that. And that is okay too. Do I wish I had seen it at the time and ever since? Yes. Were my circumstances supporting me? Absolutely not.
I got there eventually, and am still making leaps towards staying true to myself, and my desires. I am not harming anyone, so I get to do that. And by 'that' I mean wearing Shrek ears while I clean because it makes me happy!
Great video SBRE Brown. I have always enjoyed your pen videos, and wondered about how you stand out from the crowd.
What I especially appreciate is how you reveal here who you really are, sharing your beliefs and concerns. Thank you for sharing who you are and "staying true to your beliefs".
Re being serious, as a hospital chaplain I at times said to the people I worked with and served that "some things are too serious to be taken seriously all the time.
Awesome video ,indeed! Many thanks!
Hi Stephen, and welcome to the eccentric club :). I have been called eccentric and finally realized it was a compliment as some of the words synonymous with it are uncommon, unconventional, extraordinary, nonconformist, atypical, unique, and a plethora of other adjectives. When I was younger, being different bothered me. But after 40 years of work, interacting with so many different people and types of personalities, I realize that I did not and do not want to fit in, and am content with my personality traits. You have a skill, a gift, and there are few people anywhere who can match your talent. There will always be naysayers to be ignored. Thank you for what you do for the fountain pen community!
I've been enjoying you for years. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Great one, Great One! Looking back on nearly a lifetime of doing my own thing…. But let’s celebrate the joy and not focus on the attacks. Go guy!
Eccentricity is a refreshing quality. I've been similarly complimented, and to my great amusement those flinging about the term usually think it's an insult.
Here's to the eccentric to those who follow eclectic interests and vocations and who are not afraid of stepping lively to the tunes most cannot hear.
Sorry to tell you, but I don't find you too unusual. You are a little light hearted on occasion , but not overly so----especially when one rambles on about a fountain pen. Or Stoic. (after all how can one not be). Just enough to keep it interesting and fun. I like the jacket you are wearing in this video. I have often thought, "wouldn't it be a great coat to have: the smoking jacket". Who in the world needs a smoking jacket? Or who in his right mind needs five Viscontis just because....well, I do. Keep up the pen videos!!!!!!!!!! But next time with a bow tie. please,
its the effects from breathing the fumes of the resins in fountain pens and the fumes from the inks :):):):):). DO NOT CHANGE who
you are!!!!!😀
YB Norml? It strikes me that anyone who loves fountain pens these days is somewhat eccentric! Your humility and lovable eccentricity is what makes you my favorite UA-camr. Even the more serious videos on Stoicism are fascinating. Speaking of eccentric, who but Hamish can make disassembling a fountain pen so understandable and fun? Now I've got myself craving some haggis!
Stephen, this video reminded me one phrase:
"He followed in the footsteps of great people, so he left no traces of his own".
Well, this phrase is definitely not about You. Cheers! ;)
You are preaching to the converted.... I write with an ancient inefficient messy unpredictable tool, I obsess over nibs, inks, paper and UA-cam comparisons of all the above. So I am the eccentric one, looking for fellow eccentric who just happen to have a sense of future and half a brain. It's good to know you find super expensive fountain pens "grotesque", please continue with your individualistic videos, we know you and the world over we love you. We wouldn't have you any other way. Interest peeked about stoicism. Can tell you're a natural born teacher.
Yeah , authenticity and sincerity is eccentric for the time being. Being present is too if one is consistent. I find your perspectives properly passionate and intriguing. Some people envy those who are comfortable in their own skin, but hey, haters gonna hate. Eccentricity has its own spectrum, I suppose.
I absolutely love those videos where you get into character. Perfection. This was a great video, really good advice in general.
Am I eccentric? Would an eccentric person make a solo game about a mysterious grail fountain pen, designed to be played with a fountain pen and make a video about it on their channel? LOL, I've been able to embrace my weirdness pretty well I think :)
Greetings from Australia.
Brilliant video.
We are all eccentric!!
We are mad about fountain pens, inks, and cool journals.
But a sad part of modern-day life is that society has totally accepted mobile devices. They have lost the art or writing and, in some cases, can not spell or form a sentence.
I teach classical piano, and all my students are well aware of my fountain pens and inks. I use them all the time. A different pen and ink for each student as they arrive. On occasion they write with my pens. I have penabled a few, too.
I love your videos.
Stephen, whether you are eccentric or not is up for debate, I enjoy your videos because they are to the point and and frank. I think we are all taught to "conform" to the norm and I was glad that a teacher influenced you such a positive way.
Thank you
Oh! Yes! You are eccentric AND oh so charming and funny in the most entertaining way. AND, yes, sincere. Just thinking back-I’m remembering and missing the funny puppets! Where are they? Be you-stay you-you’re just what the doctor ordered for lots of us. 😁❤
I appreciate you
Dearest Doctor Brown, so glad to see you are still nailing life fully in the ass with your eccentric ways, don’t you ever go changing!!! 😂😂😂 Neither of us are eccentric, certainly on the outside,but do think it would be nice to not worry so much about what other people would think. This is a lesson I think we could both learn from. Are you planning on doing a more personal update anytime soon, as you used to? With our kindest regards, as always, Andy & Kelli UK (Jelliweazle).
Worthy video.
Great video. Probably your best video. I would love to sit down with you and a cup of tea, pint of beer, glass of wine or whisky or whatever and talk about this issues. It must be very inspiring and enlightening.
I'm the most boring man in North Dakota, but I still endorse this message. What's the harm in being yourself and doing what you like, as long as you're not interfering with others?
And the reality is that more people spend their focus on themselves, not on others. In my day job I work with teenagers, and that is a lesson most haven't learned.
I've enjoyed watching your FP reviews, usually the compare and contrast
rodeos!✍️👋👍
I like your eyeglass frames. What brand and model is it?
good video , great outlook on life
Well said, Stephen. It's kind of a tough one, or can be. (By the way, I don't know if you're eccentric. I would be more likely to call it "offbeat.") You're quite right about people being discouraged from being "different" from a young age, and this is unfortunate. On the other hand, society does need to put up "guardrails" to keep people from doing stuff that's sort of beyond what is acceptable--and perhaps more to the point, such guardrails communicate to people as a whole the limits of acceptability--and it seems to me that one consequence of this is that a lot of non-harmful eccentric/offbeat behaviors get slapped down in the process. The trick is how to throw out the bathwater while preserving the baby. Plus there are a lot of things that people need to do more or less habitually without spending too much time and effort thinking about them, and teaching people a common or generally accepted or possibly regimented way of doing things frees up one's mind to do other stuff instead. (For instance, wearing a uniform daily eliminates the need to decide each morning whether to wear the velvet cape or the organdy one.) But this, too, has its own pitfalls and can tend to grind people down. It's tough. The primary thing is to stay aware of it all, to think, and not to be afraid. Which can be hard.
Wonderful short video Dr. Brown. Bow Tie I do know a professor who loves to wear one, he is formal, grew up with structured boys schools in Asia. But it is part of his identity. As to you your authentic traits celebrate them….I will suggest you embrace the local Bolo Tie maybe for exam day….. or end of semester final lectures…. just a suggestion. You be you.
I am Greeek, with a few Turkish roots, born in Switzerland, had a British education in the Middle East, add to that Swiss influence and a linguist. What would you expect? By the way excellent video Steven, and I love your bow ties.
Bravo!
Bedankt.
It cannot be better explained.
I do not care if you are/arte not eccentric. Who am I to criticise someone? I like the way you are, and that's why I've been watching your videos for the last 7 or 8 years. That's all.
Regards!
Fellow excenric here. Rheumatologist, loud socks enthusiast, quirky eyeglasses user, lifelong metalhead and fountain pen user. These are not intentional affectations, they are truly who I am.
Yes, I am eccentric: I use fountain pens!
Well, shit; that does put things into perspective, doesn't it. I'm possibly more eccentric than I realise -- I thought that my pen collection was one of my more-normal interests ...
Why be normal? I've said that most of my life, jokingly, but still - sincerely. I guess I have always been a bit weird, odd, quirky to other people. I never realized that I might be odd when I was a kid, and I suspect it's because there were always a lot of creative and often eccentric people around me. This was in the 70s, btw. The area where I grew up and went to school was filled with creative types - artists, actors, musicians, photographers, etc. Everyone I knew had creative hobbies and many of us as kids were just kind of weird in general.
At school there were many interesting characters and while there were "normies" it was not unusual to know people who expressed themselves differently in the way they presented themselves. The guy in high school who wore a top hat and cape, comes to mind. For me and my peers, it was often just odd clothing or accessories, and our choice of music that set us apart. But - we weren't trying to be weird, we just gravitated to things that the not-weird did not.
So my whole life I feel like I've been marching to my own beat, so to speak. The older I get, the less I care what others may think and I have told friends that I plan to get weirder (only half joking). I often refer to the folks that appear in the books "Advanced Style" and the follow up "Older and Wiser" by Ari Seth Cohen. The first time I ever saw his blog, I knew I had found some kindred spirits.
Something as simple as a fountain pen seems very exotic to a lot of people, whereas I am so immersed in the FP world that it seems perfectly ordinary to me to have and use FPs. I once had a boss who asked me about the fountain pen I was using one day at work and said, "Oh wow, they still make them? I had no idea!" And she is many years my senior, so also old enough to remember when FPs were common every day pens! I remember saying something to the effect that yes, they're still a pretty significant product around the world, thinking how could anyone not know that? But that's just it - so many people are so limited in their scope of awareness these days, even with the internet and social media creating more content than ever!
Thanks for this. Yes we need humor and authenticity especially south of Canada to cope with the surreal election results here. Hang in there.
I love your style as much as your more philosohical musings. We`re talking about the intricacies of fountain pens here, isn´t that eccentric per se?
Teachers ❤
I think being sincerely eccentric can only happen once you’ve fully accepted and can be true to yourself
That's why your fountain pen reviews ar so appealing, you have a sense of humour, and don't take it too seriously. Am I ecccentric? I have 50 fountain pens, and gifted everyone I know fountain pens, and use and breath fountain pens, so I guess it makes me eccentric in a stand out and peculiar way with people in my life. Stand out in a good an unique way I think.
the " Normal" people I know are boring ... when I was younger I worked for 20th century fox as a make up artest and a fellow artest came into the studio all gussied up like she was going to a ball or something and I asked her , "why do you do that? ,and she said " You gotta be different to be noticed otherwise nobody will remember you " and that stuck with me for my whole life. Being different makes you memorable to the people you interact with and they will remember you for it :)
While academia has its ups and downs, it is full of delightful eccentrics. (And good and bad people, like anywhere else.)
You’re interesting in a world full of interesting people. ❤️
“You cannot be serious!”
Amen!
Somewhat surprised that you didn't mention Freud in all of this -- 'Civilisation and its Discontents' and whatnot.
As a fellow eccentric person, I love everything about your channel -- I don't necessarily agree with you about every pen, and isn't that fantastic!?
Being weird is the best defense.
The first time I saw a Parker 51 it reminded me of Audrey Hepburn.
so glad you worry you’re different: join the club!:)
You are scaring the straits. Love it! I love being eccentric. Could not stand the black turtlenecks and grey suits of the serious architects standard uniform , I wear crocks, cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirts to work (Tom Selleck, Charlie Sheen style) and if the clients can't take me seriously, I really wouldn't want to work for them anyway. I do on occasion wear a suite but it usually has color in it unless going to a funeral.
I think I’ll do something eccentric today. I think I’ll write with a fountain pen.
The best answere ever
The best ever
_ "To thine own self be true ..." .
Goed zo!
At 75 years of age, it is only now that I'm beginning to believe that I'm probably neurodivergent. On the autism spectrum, in other words. So it's no surprise I've also been seen by many as a bit eccentric or quirky. Perhaps the first clear evidence was in high school when we were required to memorize a poem and recite it in front of the class. I chose Jabberwocky. You should have seen the looks of my teacher & classmates when I finished without missing a single syllable! Got an "A, too."
But what in the world would anyone perceive of as eccentric about having 60 fountain pens & using several of them every day? You mean everyone doesn't? That's what is wrong with the world, then! 😉🤔🤣
Perhaps not so much eccentric as true to my self. An example. When in a conversation, I've come to dare saying, "Let me think about this for a moment." when the situation warrants it. Don't rush with out of the box answers or to be quick to impress. This may and does irritate some people, and they may think I'm making fun of them, but it gives me confidence to, perhaps, come up with a better answer. Took some courage the first time or so.
I hate being embarrassed, but luckily half the time I don't even realize when I should be embarrassed. I wear a one-handed decimal watch that I never set , so it is entirely impossible to convert it to actual time. I bought it because I couldn't find a tide watch I could afford. The only pen I write with is a ludicrously slim Sailor Candy (with a #1 nib), out of sheer contrariness.
Eccentricities do emerge in visual arts, performing arts, scultpting, musicians, etc…..creativity is often confused for eccentricity
You've just spent 18 minutes not being quirky or eccentric .Interesting and enlightening video.
That’s Richard Wagner’s jacket.
You’re not eccentric, you’re just scholarly Jack Sparrow!
Bravo 🎉Bravo 🎉Bravo 🎉my hair is multi-colored the hair dye must be redone every couple of weeks. I say my hair is like a fountain pen as it has to be re-inked when the ink runs out. I am a chartered accountant or cpa in the states. My irrational colored hair does not belong in the conservative accounting profession but I don’t care. Thanks for making my day.
The jacket looks more like a smoking jacket than a dinner jacket to me.
You're not eccentric. Now Professor Dangleberry and Lord Windermere.. well, that's a different matter.
At a much younger age, I decided it was silly to take the opinions of others as gospel while they paid no attention to mine. You--yes, you--are free. How boring it would be if we were all the same.
Careful, a smoking jacket isn’t necessarily uniform eccentric honesty.
Eccentricity simply means being unusual. There is nothing wrong with that.
Bowties are cool 😉