Max Landis Addresses The Allegations (again)
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- The one thing I haven't done is a video. So here it is. I'm very uncomfortable with this kind of thing, as I've said many times. But this is the one way I haven't addressed this ongoing situation in my life, now five years running. Of course, nothing will ever be enough; still, why not finally just say it to a camera.
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Thank you, Max.
For years I've felt a huge disconnect from you and your work because of this. You were someone that I really loved once. Someone whose work I actively followed. Whose association with projects would give me an interest in them that I would not have otherwise.
I wrote that comment not to shame you or to push a narrative, but to genuinely challenge someone who I once thought a lot of. To look for a reason to like you again. As far as I could tell, you were avoiding it. And I had looked. It's unfortunate that your response to the allegations about you are largely lost in the noise created by those allegations. A video like this is necessary. Whether you like it or not - and whether you deserve it or not, you're going to be defending yourself for the rest of your life. I can only imagine the strain that has had and continues to have on your mental health, and I am sorry for personally contributing to it.
Listening to you articulate yourself, I am reminded of why I fell in love with you and your work to begin with. Your words (like anyone's) will always have to be taken with a grain of salt - but what I observe in this video are not the words or the face of an insincere man.
Not that my judgement matters. I have no delusions. I am not some grand judge of your character who gets to validate you or not. But, as the person who provoked this response (and clearly a lot of pain), I would like to extend whatever amount of kindness or reassurance I can. You don't know me. And regardless of what I might _think,_ I don't really know you. I have nothing to entitle me to your transparency. No right to demand it.
Despite that, you have been transparent. You have been genuine, and thoughtful, and everything that I desperately wanted you to be. You call it a performance, but I think it's anything but. It's the most direct and honest way you could have communicated this. I thank you for that. And I'm sorry for drudging all that pain up again. I'm sorry for imposing an expectation on you that was not my right. I'm sorry for hurting you. To me, you are a giant. Someone I can lob shots at without a thought. I never thought it would actually reach you. I'm sorry for not thinking of you as a real person.
I'm happy for your progress. I don't want to say I'm "proud" of you, because that would be so fucking conceited of me. But that's the only word I can think of. I'm proud of you. I'm happy for you. I feel positive things for and about you. And I wish you the best. And, for whatever it's worth, I'm ready to acknowledge you and your art again.
I can only imagine the last several hours that this has been present in your mind have been taxing. I hope, with this comment, and knowing that there's one less faceless stranger coming at you like thousand needles, that I can give you at least a bit of comfort.
Thank you, Max.
The humility and humanity displayed in this response is frankly humbling, and you are of course completely forgiven. Thank you for responding.
Well bro.. you got homework... have you heard about this thing call Kryptonian Epic??
That was one of the most well written posts I've ever read.
I'm glad to be here for this Internet Moment
@@Rensune - And on youtube, no less.
I appreciate all these comments, but thought I should clarify a repeated misunderstanding: This video is not in fact a capitulation to the commenter I quote. It is instead an overall response to the continued pattern of denial that I've ever spoken about or taken any degree of accountability, which has itself bled over in frightening and dangerous ways into my real life. It's just another brick in the wall.
I should say, if you scroll, you will still find people in the comments saying this isn't enough. That to me is so damning.
Thanks for sharing, Max.
Poor you.
Max, you're super talented and you're doing everything right in terms of accountability. I really hope the best for you and believe your future will prove prolific and inspiring.
Love the youtube content. Keep at it. :)
It's never enough for the jackals and "fight fans" who just want to watch a public spectacle. The apology is for you and the person you harmed, screw anyone else who sticks her nose in.
You will never do enough to appease the online public shamers. They aren't interested in offering you a path to redemption. But the truth is, you deserve to be seen as more than your past mistakes. It's awesome to see your continued growth, Max. Good luck and keep up the good work.
“Innocent people don’t sit quietly”.
Yes they do. Participating in the media storm never convinces people of your innocence. It only further cements their belief in your guilt. This has been researched over and over again. Best course of action for innocent people (at least non celebs) is to say nothing. In the case of celebs, they can consult with their publicist or somebody in charge of their branding and see what the strategic response is.
People think the “strategic response” is proof of guilt too. There’s no winning when the burden of proof is on you to prove a negative.
Innocent people know they're innocent so they do not need to shout their innocence from the top of a mountain.
@@danielplainview2584 It's a Kafka trap, where someone is accused of something and their denying it or not responding is viewed as proof that the accusation is true. It's evidence free, unfalsifiable, and circular reasoning in a nutshell. It's quite a manipulative tactic and it's unfortunate people don't see through it. The only way to defeat it, if that's what you desire, is ask for hard proof of said accusation.
Disagree. If someone accuses me of inappropriate behavior to which there is 0% truth, I would go after that person 100%, with everything I had. There is no burden of proof on me to prove the negative. If I know that there is 0% truth to the allegation I would take them to court for libel and slander and demand actual proof of their case. (Which I know doesn’t exist).
@@gold333 seems reactive… also remember that research shows that the more you fight it in a public forum, the more people believe what you are being accused of
"you learn lessons by losing people you love." that hit different.
I recently rewatched Dirk Gently. It's one of my favorite shows. Thank you for it. I believe in redemption, for anyone. I hope this video helps, even though you had to do something uncomfortable to make it.
The worst thing to do to someone who is trying to change for the better, is to constantly remind them of bad they were. I believe in people being better, I believe in humanity and I believe you. God bless.
That's actually an interesting concept. Berating someone who's trying to figure out why they are the way they are just makes others not wanna go down the same route of facing their own demons.
the best thing you can do if you are genuinely trying to get better is to accept that that is going to be your lot and you have no control over others' behaviour. we tend to be a redemptive civilization but the onus is on the perpetrator.
Hey Max, thank you for this upload. I know it definitely is silly, but hearing your words in this video has helped me to come to terms finally with some private inner discourse I've had over someone who's hurt me very badly during my late teen years. Without going into much detail, all I can say is that I want to forgive them, but have been in doubt over my experiences with their,, honestly rather fickle behavior. What they did has made me have some very cruel thoughts regarding them, but I've never wanted to feel that way. I was rightfully bitter, but I don't want to feel like I'm worse than they are in 10 years time (even if I haven't done anything to hurt or destroy them purposefully, the impulse to do so has been there, as some sort of untouched defense mechanism kept alive by the pain) In a lot of ways you seem like a more positive reflection of them, and I can only hope that they think about their actions in as healthy a way as you do. It might not make much sense, and yeah it's a little projection-y, but seeing you actually talk about it like this makes me feel like there could be hope for them. I can't bear to be hateful forever, but I can't forgive without reason. This gives me hope that I can find a reason, and we can both actually be at peace for once in our equally tumultuous lives.
Max is back! ffs I just logged back into an old account and who should I find has returned to the tube 3 whole years ago but my favorite nepo baby.
Glad to see you're back Max. There was a serious void left without your chaotic energy. Sorry to hear about all the stuff you've been going through and good to hear that you've taken responsibility for the parts of it that you created. Life is about growth and you're not growing then you're not really living.
I watched the Shia LaBeouf on REAL ONES and it was pretty impactful. I wonder if there was any part of it that you related to yourself?
The fact that you did this only shows that you’re stronger and in a better, healthier mindframe. Keep being the you you’re truly happy being and share when you need. We’re not millions but we’re enough.
Sorry, but I will never forgive you for the rainbow sidecut. Unconscionable.
I'll allow it.
I kind of fucked with it, but only because it was so aggressively shitty that it wrapped back around to being sick that someone would so brazenly wear that awful cut.
😂😂😂
Lol! RLM episode was simply amazing & should be revisited back with Mike, Jay, Rich, Jack, and the rest (obvious jokingly snub)…review more Neil Breen with the fellas, please?
This is fair. Dang fuq?
Keep your head up man, some of us love the videos. You're like a much more imaginative version of the people from my LCS that I have discussions with about whatever books we're each reading that week. I was going to say something about people and their amazing capacity for changing but it just comes out sounding like a rocky monologue.
This video was both very heartfelt and enlightening about what if feels like to be at the recieving end of public shaming. You speak from your heart both in videos and in your works, and I'm very glad to see you continue the creative struggle, even though you've lost so much.
I’ve come to slowly realise that Bright, my new script, if made well, could potentially be my Star Wars, and it feels crazy.
This came across as genuine to me as someone who went through something similar as a teenager. I can tell that you are devastated that people would speak about you in such a cavalier way not knowing the whole truth about even one of the stories theyre repeating. I think ultimately you will look on this a decade from now as a net gain. I know thays probably still unconscionable right now, even 5 years out because of how public it all was. I know when i was in middle school (6th and 7th grade specifically) i got bullied relentlessly, to the point where i had to transfer schools. I got so angry and defensive that i would start fights the moment someone said something i didnt like. Then my best friend told me when we were freshman in high school "youre a fucking bully man. You are nasty to everyone, you cant take a joke, while you expect everyone else to take yours." And it was so devastating at the time that i just stopped speaking when i was at school for a good 7-10 days. I had to reflect on the things id done and people id hurt. Id made racist jokes to a fellow student who was black, id made all manner of other mean and insensitive jokes and comments to dozens of other people. Im still embarrassed and ashamed of it to this day.
Anyways, sorry for making this about me. What i mean to say is, dont let outside voices dictate to you what you can and can't do. You can change, you are a human being, and saying you needed to, and have changed is not an admission of guilt to all things. In a couple more years, even the cowards in Hollywood will let you back into their slimy little circle (if you decide that's where you are called) and you will be able to continue doing what you do, just being a better person while you do it.
Im happy for you in the changes you seem to have made. Im sorry for you that something that ought to have been private, was public. Ultimately though im happy for you because im positive it can only get better from here.
I usually don't comment on your videos. But i have to say, you've been truly vulnerable and open about this whole thing and the change and growth and difficulties youve been through. And while none of us know if you'll ever really have what you had, career wise, prior to the shaming (or if you even want that) I'm just glad you grew as a person. I hope you find peace and happiness in whatever you do, max.
Thanks for improving yourself. Growth and change is a scary and tough thing to do. I'm a religious fanatic so I'm all about repentance so I really appreciate those that start and are on the journey. Thanks!
HI Max, this is the first time i've seen you speak on the matter ( I'm not on twitter etc) but came here via the Red Letter Media page. As someone who whole heartedly thinks people grow and change as they age I can only say I see that in you, not only in how you are discussing this but even just from how you carried yourself back then to now. I hope you find the peace you deserve. cheers. Subscribed.
You've always been wonderful to listen to even if I'm not interested in the topic. I could listen to you talk for hours about nothing. I don't know, just wanted to add to the supportive comments.
One day, I really would love to meet you and thank you for not only addressing some of these claims (when really you didn’t have to as the idea of your life being on public display is incredibly vulnerable and terrifying, Ex: Johnny Depp) but for also continuing to pursue your artistic endeavors after this shaming that was extremely painful and undeserved. I have love reserved for you as a fellow artist and much more importantly as a human being (anyone who calls someone subhuman, is subhuman) and I truly hope that I can thank you one day. I can go in depth in the future, but just know your story and your perseverance has helped me in my life greater than you can ever know - Sincerely, SpazticJedi/TommyLovesFood
but you just called a whole group of people subhuman! i appreciate you taking the bullet :(
Subhuman?
@@raynehell1217 thats not how u phrase a question silly
@@obscure.reference What's wrong with it?
@@raynehell1217 whats wrong with what
The reason I fond this encouraging is because when I was reading accusations about you I had been a strong fan already for awhile. But some of the things they said you'd done, I had actually been a victim of in my own ways before. I was in a kind of society where this person had power/popularity over me and I was really silenced and cut away from people I loved because of him. And sometimes the only way to speak out, it felt...was to kind of open up publicly about it. It would explode. I had no world where I felt safe. This is before social media was dialed in.
So when some people read my stuff or talked to me in person they suggested I either just ignore it, while others suggested some kind of revenge.
While I didn't handle myself the best speaking out like that, my goal was never to strip their person of their society or life. I don't want to lose people, but to gain them.
What I'm saying is I wish I had been able to see this side of him that we're seeing of you here. Eventually he and I did make peace. But I always love striving to understand what's going on in a person like him or you.
So this was very cathartic and I (we) sincerely appreciate you sharing it.
The weird thing about this for me, whenever it's brought up, is that I always end up feeling like I'm being intrusive taking in this information, even though you're sharing it publicly. But ultimately I do feel grateful for your trust in us and for the art and passion you gift us with. And I am truly also grateful to know that you have a circle of friends and loved ones who support you and give you love. I could make this comment much larger but I'd only be further repeating things that dozens of other followers are already saying here. Hope you have a good rest of your day.
Max you and you alone are the reason I’m an active and successful part of the tabletop roleplaying games community. I was stuck and just unable to get past a simple and stupid hump. I watched your eat your ashes video around 5am the day it released and by that night the first draft Alpha of my first published game was done. And i continue to watch that video when i start a new project. I recommend that video to anyone who asks how i got started and what helps keep me going.
I owe you bro. You’ve helped so many people you’ll never meet or even will be aware of. Thank you.
I got to this late, but that it turns out, is the reason I think this platform, this type of communication is vital. This was the best apology/non apology to people who don't know you or your life, yet continuously pass judgement. What's the point of demanding an apology if forgiveness is never forthcoming? Who is the apology for? No, it's a demand of capitulation. It's not justice or fairness, it's demanding revenge for an offense that was not given to you. Those that continue to attack, need more therapy. There I said it, Sorry, not sorry.
Apologies can be easy to make and easy to ignore.
What matters most is directly addressing specific allegations: are they true? False? Bit of both? (Give details).
Just keep walking the path to self improvement. You're on to a better place. Stay strong.
p.s... And you need to give a detailed video on this new DC slate.
Dude, your writing and creative brainstorms have fueled a lot of my own daydreaming and creative ambitions, and for that I’ll always be a fan and a supporter.
I’ve gone through my own bullshit, and have had to grow the fuck out of my own previous toxic void; I appreciate you coming out and talking about this and sharing your growth.
Keep strong Man, I hope nothing but continued success and peace for ya’
✌️
I respect you a lot on a professional and personal level. I can only speak on my experience with you personally, but you have built me up when I needed it.
As a person who has been on the outside of this I truly believe what you say and how you feel.
I will always be a fan of your work and your mind. Keep up all your good works and your head up.
I hope this is the last time you feel like you have to do this.
much respect.
I've been rabidly consuming every bit of content on your channel for several years now. Always much more interested in your impossible to pitch film scripts, and the incredible twists and turns in your diegesis you seem to be able to conjure at will. Never cared much about all this drama that the cancellers keep trying to tack back on you.
So it strikes me as particularly tragic because I truly believe you're one of the greatest oral and narrative story tellers alive today. You personally inspired me to form the habit of using my hands and gesture when I talk.
I wonder though, when you talk about how you used to be "toxic," and treated others badly. If none of these character flaws had surfaced publicly, do you think you would have changed as much?
I believe you when you say you've acknowledged your mistakes and you're a different person now. It stands to reason since you were so young when all this happened, obviously with time people naturally outgrow their immature behavior. Then again, lots of people remain assholes their entire life.
My question is, do you think that without, "the cancelling," you would have been as hard pressed to recognize the flaws in your past behavior?
I believe you when you say it's gone way too far, and as far as I've read about it nothing you did is enough to have your life threatened, or your family, or your livelyhood.
I'm not saying you should see some good in being publicly shamed. But if you had only lost those dear friends, maybe there wouldn't have been as much impetus on self reflection.
Sometimes I like to tell myself the rabid cancel culture climate serves as a sort software update to the American cultural operating system. A determined and deliberate moving of the goal posts, so to speak. Redistributing the privilege to those who were forced to remain silent and accept adversity and inequality for too long.
On the other hand I despise the damage that so called social justice has done to free expression, critical thinking, and open public discourse.
I understand the appeal of deplatforming toxic and extremist behavior, but ultimately everyone is just moving to their own little niche echo chambers where their hearts and minds can't be touched.
I want to think it's a good thing... maybe... that there is added pressure on all of us to take more consideration for our words and actions. But it's inhuman the way that people are having their entire lives destroyed for essentially thought crimes.
Being that with modern technology every past version of an individual throughout their lives is being digitized for future scrutiny. People should not only be given the option to grow from their mistakes, but it should be welcomed and encouraged.
Well, as a response to your confusion and annoyance at getting these types of comments, as someone who loosely follows what you're doing and mostly interested in your art, ideas and advice, and not your general life, I'm glad that you've made this video. I never wrote a comment like that, but I did had that type of thought, and I think I'm probably not the only one who haven't read the essays and haven't listened to the podcast. I always vaguely knew the story and that you were probably in the wrong there, but you aren't a monster that cancel culture likes to create and you are working on yourself, but because I only loosely follow what you do (meaning, I just watch your videos), I never knew any details. So I'm glad you've addressed it in a video. Even if it felt for you like saying something that you've said for a millionth time, I think I'm not the only one who've heard it for the first time. And I hope these types of comments will stop. Or at the very least you can now point to this video. And I know, you can say "but before that I could point to essays and podcast", but for people who have just a passing interest in this story (which is a lot of people, if not most), 15 minute video is something that they will actually watch and, hopefully, understand the situation and stop asking the same questions.
I can't comment on your personal life. I mean if we met each other in real life, I'd hate you, your enthusiastic and passionate and I'm English. But for what it's worth I've listened to your content for years, and you have a worthy voice and I've enjoyed what you've had to say.
Thanks man. I believe in redemption. If my life would have been publicly documented 15 years ago I would be 100 times cancelled too. I am 4 years sober now and man I know is not an easy path to make amendments. As an addict in recovery and mental health patient myself I have a hug and a prayer for you. Love from Panama.
Respect Max. I don't want to patronise you by appraising your humility or honesty but it's seems clear to me you've really evolved, and hope folks and industry people can give you a fair shot in the future. A little forgiveness goes a long way. I don't know if you and Josh are still buds (forgive me if any of this is out of touch, I AM out of touch), but given how Fox clearly ruined his career over their meddling with F4, it would be fantastic to see you two get together on a project and put out something that blows my hair back like Chronicle did. It would be the best TEAM comeback in a long time. I also hope we do get to see your American Werewolf one day, the OG is a perfect film to me..... Just promise me you'll have a balloon kid doing terrible line delivery in it too and you will have my full and unconditional support.
I'm sorry you're still dealing with this shyt. Ignore the haters brother, some people just won't hear what they claim to want to hear, they wrote their ending in their head, and want to keep watching it play out to torture you.. No matter what the real script says. Ignore them, you admitted you were an A-hole, that's takes a lot, and now it's over. I too was a different person back 10 years ago.. but I am NOT that person today. It's insane people are talkn about it still to abuse you. Don't let it bother you. ❤ You're an insanely creative individual, that brings joy to many. Keep it up. 🙌🏼
Max, this whole situation makes me sad. I am not where I am at with my tiny channel or my community or my skills without you. Period. 2013 Max reignited my love for writing, storytelling and even wrestling. Without you, I am prolly still stuck in a low key toxic relationship. And despite saying this, I still feel so cowardly because I can’t do anything else but comment how much you mean. I wish I could do more and many of your community feels the same. We want to do more to help you. Stay strong Max. You mean so much to me. ❤️
The thing that always sickens/saddens me regarding parasocial relationships and how we treat “public figures” is this expectation for these figures to never misstep once, as if the people we only know through our screens are not human. And by that margin we can make them superhuman in our eyes if we know none of their flaws but become subhuman the moment any wrongdoing is discovered.
Humans fuck up and make mistakes and treat each other poorly all the time but the response from everyone becomes so disproportionate the more people know who you are. And sure, people with any kind of following do have some responsibility to set good examples but these are personal relationships that can and should be resolved personally but get weaponized against the figures in question.
And on top of that, anything anyone has to say on the matter gets polarized as defending or condemning. You yourself sound like you’re not defending your past actions, and I’m not either. Just lending some empathy, you know?
Bless your heart man. I’m sorry. You are doing better. That’s all any of us can do.
whelp....glad to finally get a bit more context on the situation. the fact that you can admit that you kindof get why people might see you that horribly when what you did was horrible and that they haven't gotten to see your progress since then because they haven't looked is already showing you are leaps and bounds over alot of others when it comes to selfreflection. as a random stranger on the internet I only really know you from you superman clark american alien and h doomsday one from way back when because I kept forgetting to subscribe. and i was worried about trying to look into the controversies because what if i get mislead trying to figure out whats going on so i just chose to not have a opinion on you or the situation...so kindof glad youmade this video and it found my way into my algorithm....I think this gives me enough confidence to check out your work without worrying its gonna be a rurouni kenshin situation.
now i can just judge you on your wonder woman videos because DAMN man X'D
you can definitly feel you get clark on a deeper level than diana
People gave the capacity to change. Unfortunately many people forget that. All you can do is continue to improve and try writing your wrongs by bringing joy when you can. There's a ton of us that are rooting for you. Cheers, man. Much love.
I really appreciated hearing this as well. I hadn't really seen the clear responses before but this was very helpful. Kudos on the work you've done the past decade
Just a silent follower who enjoys your personality and your work!
Good for you for apologizing where you can and where you know you've done something wrong. While also standing up to the bullies who want to keep you down!
It takes a lot of strength to speak about this publicly, and I think the emotion and genuine remorse in your voice speaks volumes. You don’t once try to absolve yourself of blame or shame about what you did do, you merely refuted the false allegations and shouldered the responsibility for what was true. Self work sadly typically comes after great loss or mistakes, I have EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) and made a lot of mistakes in my relationships. I was not physically or emotionally abusive, but I was a pathetic partner and honestly a coward, some of that was caused by traumatic childhood events but the blame for it and for those relationships and friendships coming to a close is with me. It was only after looking myself in the mirror post diagnosis that I became aware of what I was doing and started to work on myself. People like you who shoulder this responsibility with such humility are inspiring and I hope one day people will stop pushing this false narrative and give you the chance to grow
It's been great to see you mature and develop over the years. I was always a fan of your dad and I discovered your "Death of Superman" video and was blown away by the enthusiasm and creativity. Keep your head up Max!
I don't think there was a need for any of this to be publicized. We all know it's wrong to treat others poorly, and all you can do is try to do better. Like you said, she kept coming back. I've been in that same situation to where I broke up with a girl, she'd nonstop text me accusing me of being the most evil person on earth, and then start coming to me when she was going through personal struggles. Any person that won't let you just move on is a major problem. Whether it's in your personal life or taking it public.
Thank you Max, for sharing. As always, you're incredibly thoughtful.
Your channel may be "barely watched", but much adored.
It's quite hard to support someone overcoming bad behaviour in the past without some seeing it as defending or excusing.
I'm glad you've spent a long time introspecting and trying to be a better man.
In other news...I am so glad every mistake I've made in my past isn't public record and scrutinised. I don't think many off us would come off clean in such circumstances.
When I read the title of this video I thought you had had backlash from your horrible take on how they were going to continue the Bloodline story in wwe.
Okay, that's it, you're getting swatted.
@@Uptomyknees Lol!!
To the mob, an apology is not contrition... it's only a confession.
I too am sorry for looking at it in such a black and white way at first, but ever since I heard your initial public response to everything I was on your side. Appreciate your growth.
So I've always been a fan of your work. I've never stopped enjoying your content, or work. When that news came out, I never stop looking at your work or enjoying your videos but I guess I did look at you different as a person. I'm glad you did this video it seems very sincere
I feel your frustration and your honesty. And yes we see the work you've been doing on yourself. I've never heard of or read any of these articles about you, because I take you for you from you. If we ever walk in the same circles I'll re-evaluate how I see you then...as is natural. I wish you luck moving through this.
I love you man.
Self Introspection is a super power I wish more of us had.
The fact that you've come to all these conclusions says a lot about you.
Most folks will always see themselves as victims.
If you are trying to make you a better you , know you are truly fighting the good fight.
I think you’re a shining example of the problem of cancel culture and public shaming on the internet. Random people on the internet just “know” not to like you. They’ve never read into what you were accused of and they’ve never read into the accountability and self improvement that you’ve gone under to make yourself into a better human being. It’s scary that people can be so destructive to others without ever even interacting with each other.
You are right but I think the root of the problem is that a lot of people who have been hurt and are to afraid to confront their real adversaries, use famous people who have shown similar toxic behaviour and then they go wild on that person. When what they should actually do is confront what has been done to them and the person who did it. I would probably call it shaming by proxy. They can not ridicule, threaten or hurt the person who hurt them because they mostly actually lives in their town, know the people they know, so there would be real consequences for them. This way the only consequence is for the victim they choose.
I appreciate your soul, Max. It’s a terrible thing that the public doesn’t allow forgiveness and growth. Thank you for all your creative contributions to the world. It has inspired and aided me to get back in touch with my own creativity and imagination that I distanced myself from a long time ago. Your channel is among my absolute favorites, don’t ever stop making videos!
We are all guilty of something. All without exception. We are all guilty of indifference and misunderstanding of the cruelty of this world. A world in which there is bullying, homeless people, wars and almost no one thinks about why all this happens. This world is terrible. But it could have gotten a little better if, instead of blaming, we spent energy on helping. You're such a talented person. I am very very inspired by your art. It carries magic, it tells about something more. About something important and really meaningful. Well... english is not my native language. I'm sorry for my strange text, if it seems strange. I believe that everything will be fine. I believe in the talent and heart of Max Landis.
I know it’s been a year but I think you were perfectly concise in your writing. I totally agree with this comment 👍
@@jpzarde8734 Thanks dude.
I've been happy to see and hear that you're in a much better place these days mentally. I hope that continues. Your stories have brought me a great deal of enjoyment, I hope kind words from a stranger on the internet make this a little bit less awful feeling
Why do you read the comments? You don't owe them a response. Sure, if you hurt someone, you owe them a response, but some guy who doesn't know you and never met you leaving some comment? You don't owe him a response
It's not about that. it's constantly brought up in scary ways in my real life.
@@Uptomyknees That really sucks. What do they expect at this point? Are you supposed to throw yourself to thier knees and beg for forgiveness to every person who you come across? Even that wouldn't be enough. In a way it feels similar to your dad with the whole twilight zone thing. What to people hope to accomplish bringing it up now, and what can be done that would satisfy them? Nothing. Forgiveness is dead in the age of the internet, and all sins are immortal.
I actually think that the more he engages with this (within reason) and pushes back against this insane narrative the better, in the long run, it'll be.
@@Uptomyknees I like your hair.
I regret not mentioning it on your last video when I had the thought. Obviously, this doesn't mean that I disliked the rainbow hair you had, although I assumed you were signalling you were pan. Not that there would be anything wrong if you were pan. Although, technically one could argue that there are no pan, or that all pan were really bi, or that there were no bi, only bisexual acts of sexual intercourse, such as a dude in a lady whilst another dude is in that dude, or a lady fisting another lady whilst she herself is being fisted by a dude who could be being fisted by another dude. Arguably there is no LGBTQIAP+ but Aromantic and Heteroromantic and Homoromantic and Queeromantic, including Kink. You mentioned pooping on people in relationships without their consent (at least I assume that is what you meant by 'scatalogical'), and I think you shoul apologise to all those individuals about that, even if one of them is the person you don't like who is being toxic with you, as no one deserves to be pooped on by surprise.
I think a lot of your problems stem from you living in Los Angeles. It's a pernicious psychosexual networking culture for many pseudotalented narcissistic wannabes and genuine talents such as yourself become lightning rods for that negative energy as people like you are probably perceived as potentially providing access to The Business no matter how unrealistic that hope may be. I wonder if any of your girlfriends stuck around longer than was rational because they were hoping to get so e fringe benefit out of it. Just a speculation that you might not have considered before. Logically I would expect any hypothetical girlfriend I had to leave me by the second time we got into a serious row, as it would be apparent to her that the previous row had done nothing to fix the relationship and we were just going to be in a cycle of rows that never resolved anything. Yet the comparative hypothetical scenario would need to be worse than that as my imaginary girlfriend (or boyfriend, as I am an asexual aromantic) would need to leave because of my toxic behaviour to them, and then come back, knowing that I was a toxic person, without confirmation I had resolved that character flaw through extensive therapy and was now a chill dude.
I can't imagine why my former hypothetical romantic and sexual partner would come back if they thought I was still toxic. That doesn't make sense.
Unless... they want something out of the relationship other than me... such as the ability to network through my hypothetical friends that they may have otherwise lost contact with assuming that most of the ones that had career advancing utility stayed in my orbit and didn't align with my hypothetical ex because they were wronged. I have no career or connections or friends or even much in the way of surviving family as they all died, but one, by the end of the pandemic lockdowns. My ex died in a motorcycle accident years ago, and my then best friend didn't bother to tell me for two years and then made disgusting remarks about how I got "sloppy seconds" as she had been involved with my school bully first, and I had to restrain myself from punching him in the face, as I just figured he was in a dark place as he had just come from a funeral and was in remission from lymphatic cancer. We are no longer friends. Another came out to me after years of hanging out together and I was all supportive and then the next time I saw them they walked past me without acknowledgement. I gave them a second opportunity in case it was a mistake, or they were clinically depressed, and it was even more obvious I was being deliberately shunned, so I figured that they were frustrated that I hadn't reciprocated by saying "I'm gay too. Let's fuck!" and annoyed that they had wasted time having a crush on me, and assuming erronoeusly that because I wasn't going after girls (my ex pursued me and I went along with it partly out of peer pressure, otherwise I would never have even had the single date I had, which went fairly catastrophically as I respected her boundaries too much and was overly gentlemanly). Then the final friend was fine until he came out to me whilst driving, and I felt vulnerable as if I might get abandoned by the side of the highway if I said the wrong thing, and then I tactically decided to end the friendship as I had asked him multiple times before he came out if he was gay as he seemed so camp, and said it was perfectly okay if he was, and then dropped the line of questioning as I didn't want to be annoying and he had been given every opportunity to be honest with me, so when he did say the truth I felt that he had lied to me (which was probably unfair of me), and I thought the best way to really clear the air was to stop being friends because he had lied, then six months later give him another chance (even though, writing that now makes it sound as if I was training a dog out of bad behaviours). This worked and we had no problems for a couple of years and then he really annoyed me when he offered to drive me to visit my brother who had had to get his face reattached after a car crashed into his Ducati motorcycle and I thought how great it was to have a friend with a car, and then he insisted on bringing his new boyfriend along with him, and then I was concerned that my brother would not know who this Wayne was and would it be possible for Wayne to wait outside the ward whilst I saw my brother, and then I realised I was being too much of a doormat and made elaborate arrangements to travel to see my brother by train where he said "I love you" because I think he thought he might yet die and wanted to leave our relationship on good terms. So, for this accumulation of reasons (probably too personal to discuss in a RUclips comment, but who cares), I avoid making friends as they have all systematically slut shamed my ex, or shunned me, or put their boyfriend first over their friendship with me in the event of an emergency where they offered to help and then made it about them. At some point I had to recognise that I was enabling this abuse of my friendship, and I had been a good friend to them, but it hadn't been reciprocated, and I felt spent giving of myself and never being able to receive anything when I occasionally needed something (like being informed of my ex's death in a timely manner without any sick slant).
It got painfully lonely during the pandemic lockdown as I had moved to a new city so I didn't even have neighbours to say "Hi" to as they were all hiding in their houses afraid of getting the virus off me, which is fair enough, as I did manage to get infected by all three variants. It is kinda ridiculous to write this, but apart from transactions in supermarkets and rare visits to my bank, I didn't have a face to face conversations with anyone for a whole year, started talking to myself, and then made a series of videos critiquing MauLer's bad "objective" critique of _The Force Awakens_ (which isn't finished as he hasn't finished his multipart critique), and which is already twelve days long.
I really needed something to keep me from getting bored and depressed whilst I didn't have a job and the cinemas were all closed.
I hope the lockdowns weren't too isolating for you. I think having a RUclips channel and doing livestreams is a reasonable approximation to face to face conversation, even if the significant contact is deferred to the comments section and is initiatially hostile. It is a refreshingly unpredictable discourse being opened up with another mind (and if you say you are open to persuasion from your viewpoint and the other person refuses to shift under any circumstances, logic, or evidence, yet pretends that they are right, or bizarrely... occupied your position and won the argument on that basis... then you can reassure yourself that you were open to persuasion and behaved fairly and didn't misrepresent the facts to the best of your knowledge), which you wouldn't get out of talking to yourself (unless you are afflicted with a Disassociative Identity Disorder).
Continued...
In conclusion, my situation is very different to yours and I wonder to what extent the City of Angels in which you live and work and network and have romantic relationships is full of fallen angels, and demons then presenting as angels in order to get into the Heaven they assume to be Hollywood - which from my perspective here in the UK has all been about homosexuals who are pretending to be heterosexuals to get in front of the camera, and heterosexuals signalling homosexual inclusive vibes to get a role behind the camera, almost to allieviate the burden of the false life they are living married to their Lesbian "beard", and all of them posting black squares on Instagram when intimidated into doing so by a bunch of Postmodern Neo Marxist scammers, where none of the money raised went to support the family of George Floyd, and he probably wouldn't have died if Biden hadn't stolen the election and President Donald John Trump had been allowed to complete the wall along the southern border and frustrate the supply of Fentanyl into the United States so it wasn't cheaper than candy.
That said, even with your country heading into Communism. I don't blame the industry you work in for this. I have seen many grifters make RUclips channels complaining about how Hollywood is making content that is "woke" (i.e. deconstructing the established values established in the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence in order to erode a stable society that aspires to be fair, by guilting it with its history of slavery and segregation and suffrage and homophobia and police brutality and couple that to race and sexual orientation and queerness, and weaponise that Identity Politics to divide the liberals so that they stop asking for material benefits like collective bargaining through unionisation, as that is expensive and it is cheap to get people to squabble over nonsense rather than unify to demand more of the profits made by the tax avoiding corporations they work for), as I just haven't seen much evidence of it in movies, and every example these indignant superchat fuelled grifter channels cite as "woke" can just be attributed to the writer not following the reliable pattern of the hero's journey and having a character annoyingly and inexplicably be a paragon prodigy without backstory or even a later flashback reveal that excuses their bizarre exceptionality.
I get sick of seeing another Jor El put another Kal El in a basket like he is saving baby Moses from Herod, as the _Superman_ story gets reset to zero by another storyteller, rather than be progressed to new adventures. Where is the 1930s Clark rushing off to remove his suit to expose his costume hidden underneath so he can lift an automobile off someone? Why can't his abilities be a mystery investigated by Lois Lane? Why can't Clark "help her" in the investigation to ensure his identity as a superhero isn't exposed? Why can't Clark be using the Daily Planet to investigate his own origins as he doesn't know where he came from, because his parents haven't told him that he was adopted, or that they have hidden the alien ship that he came to Earth in? Why can't the arrival of General Zod and his goons be the first he learns of his alien origins? Why can't Zod be nice to begin with? Why can't the public arrival of these extraterrestrials prompt Clark to confront his parents and then admit he isn't their son, but they found him in a field, and arranged to adopt him as a foundling, and then show him the ship they have been hiding all these years for fear the goverment would try to dissect him? Why can't Clark take one of the crystals that guide the ship and fly to the artic to use it to grow the Fortress of Solitude? Why can't his real father show him how Zod doomed Krypton and how they had no powers under their red sun but he should expect to have some under the yellow sun of Earth and reveal his true name to not be Clark Kent (chosen by Martha and Johnathan Kent) or Superman (coined by Lois) but Kal El? Why can't this be at the midpoint? Why do we have to waste an entire movie for set up? Why can't the third act be confrontation over Zod's destruction of Krypton and his real parents, and Zod no longer pretending to be nice to stay in Superman's good graces, as he realises his strategy of gradually winning Superman over to Zod's way of thinking, which is man is ruining his planet with pollution, and the threat of chemical and biological warfare, following the use of mustard gas in the Second World War, to push Superman to his way of thinking, which is man is not kind, and can lot be allowed the freedom to continue to develop new ways of killing itself, as it will ultimately lead to the eradication of all life on Earth, not just humanity, which is far from humane? Why can't Zod realise that the son of his nemesis wants revenge for killing his father through the destruction of Krypton through his over exploitation of its geothermal energy, and mining of the crystals which grew in moist hot caves deep beneath the surface ravaged by nuclear war that only mutants survived, a destruction that took place after Kal El put Zod on trial and imprisoned him in the Phantom Zone, a destruction that would create an expanding resonating wave through subspace as the crystals that were used to warp space-time for interstellar colonisation eventually hit the Phantom Zone and freed them in the vicinity of a nourishing yellow star? Why can't we have Superman fight these three Kryptonians in the final act of the first movie, and fail!
Then have the sequel be how Clark has to live under the benevolent tyranny of Zod and keep a low profile, as Zod is searching for the son of Kal El who has blended in with the crowd, with Clark using his intelligence and the knowledge held in the Fortress (which he has to walk to), in order to devise a way to trick Zod and his Lieutenants to witness him having his powers stripped from him, when in actual fact the red light depowers these interlopers whilst the chamber he feigned pain within was protecting him, and then because this is the midpoint of this sequel, as you didn't take most of the movie getting to this point, it isn't over yet, and Superman doesn't push them down a conveniently placed, inconceivably deep hole that happens to be there for no reason other than plot convenience. Superman has to fight all three in a depowered state, where he is no longer overwhelmed, and then take the fight outside, knocking one out, only to be incapacitated by the actions of the remaining pair, as the sun is recharging them back to some of their former abilities, just not as strong at first, and then when Zod is repeatedly punching Superman into a crater, and then readying to snap Superman's neck and end the "House of El" the moon moves in front of the sun, just as Clark had expected would happen at this time, and distracted, Superman slips free, only to be caught by his cape, forcing him to use his heat vision not on Zod, but to cut the cape and fly away up to the surface of the moon, where Zod alone barely manages to follow, whilst the other Kryptonians struggle with the lack of sunlight during the eclipse and slip into a comatose state. Then Superman fights Zod on the moon by the dim illumination reflected off the Earth below, where the shadow of the eclipse can be seen streaking across continents as the planet rotates beneath, until Superman prevails fairly quickly over a depleted comatose Zod, and buries him beneath the surface so the light of the yellow sun can't reach him, before heading back to Earth to bury the other two deep beneath the permafrost of the Artic.
Then in an after credits sequence Superman can be seen dragging ropes tied around three opaque coffins as he leaves the solar system, and travels across the galaxy, approaching a black hole that is consuming its neighboring star, before passing that by at a safe distance and continuing on until he finds the spatial anomaly that is the Phantom Zone, and tosses his comatose prisoners into that pocket dimension, where they crash land on the planet that Kal El originally sentenced them to spend the rest of their lives on, with another red giant rising to nourish the fruit bearing trees that grow in this Eden made for snakes.
Note: I deliberately made you work to get to the Superman plot outline. Conservative Trump supporters have reasonable ideas too.
My God, friend, you were in your 20's when the bulk of this happened. NO ONE should be indicted in the court of public opinion for the actions we take or the thoughts we have in our 20's. I was a colossal douche of the highest order in my 20's. I also alienated some really wonderful people in my 20's who will never speak to me again and I get it - if the person I was in my 20's is the person I was to be for the remainder of my days, I'd be a walking wasteland of hubris and depravity. I wish you nothing but peace. God knows you've earned it.
Here's the other part - no matter how much of a villain you've been cast out to be - you were one helluva writer. Presumably you remain so. Your art mattered. No one can ever take that away from you. Or us. I had a little Max Landis script reading festival recently - man, your gift f'in' glowed on the page. And if anything, at this point, I'm just irked that we may not get a chance to see that gift manifest itself again. Being robbed of great art doesn't sit well with me.
Cancel culture stems from weak, bitter people wanting power, and their confused followers who choose not to think for themselves, or are afraid to. It’s incredibly exploitative, and I really don’t know how to fight against it since everyone involved is incredibly narcissistic. Only thing I feel I can keep doing is making sure I personally continue having a balanced and empathetic attitude towards everyone.
Please don’t ever let these people win Max. Continue to create and do what you love. Even if it’s just for a few hundred people on RUclips, you’re having a more positively productive impact in the world than the entirety of people involved in cancel culture.
It was nice to check in with this. When everything happened I didn't engage. I don't like to watch people at their lowest moments. It's nice to hear where you're at, even if you've done it before. I'll need to see what's been happening on the channel lately. Sounds like you've been busy since I last took a look.
Max, this was such a humble and incredibly human video, and it served as an excellent reminder of why I always push the philosophy that we should normalize growth. There's such a culture of public shaming and dogpiling at the first sign of any perceived "slight" on the internet today, and it's just such a a damaging and dehumanizing way to treat people. It absolutely DOES NOT facilitate real change in ANY meaningful way, and the ostracization that people can often feel as a result has demonstrable consequences in terms of radicalizing vulnerable individuals and worsening existing mental-health crises. The ONLY viable path forward is to normalize the idea that we are all flawed human beings, and that it is okay to make a mistake - even if that mistake causes harm. It does not absolve anyone of responsibility for OWNING that harm and making AMENDS for it, but we should approach that from a standpoint of "you fucked up, here's how to fix it and do better" rather than "YOU ARE AN EVIL DISGUSTING MONSTER WHO DOESN'T DESERVE TO LIVE!" Because the former is MUCH better at actually making people feel motivated to change their behaviour. To sum it up I'll quote from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who is often misquoted or misappropriated to make points that disagree with the majority of his worldview, but hopefully I'll do a better job than most of accurately representing his views: "Hatred cannot drive out hate - only love can do that."
Who are these people and where are all these glass houses they live in? What's the point of asking for accountability, regret if you're not going to accept them? Are we really meant to believe that if you screw up you can't move on? You can't make amends? Have fun on your high horse guys, we'll be here enjoying one of the greatest storytellers of our time.
We all go through things and you've been dealt a pretty rough hand all things considering. A lot of your behavior really bothered me at first and really left a sour taste in my mouth, along with your old, more arrogant personality. But after actually digging into the articles and hearing your side of the story I understand that the headlines were pretty innaccurate and decieving, and that your cancellation was quite an overreaction. You have a lot of my sympathys max, even with some of your troubled history, (besides the allegations as well), you remain a big inspiration to me. I'm really happy to see you staying strong, healthy and creative in these very trying times for you. Just keep up the good work and creativity max, it means a lot to me and definitley a lot of people to many people out there. Whenn you decide to make a return, or get another big shot, I'm definitely gonnna be there to see it and support it, and I have a feeling you're gonna be proving a lot of people wrong in the future. Much love Max! thanks for all interesting stories and especially all the cool youtube videos.
Lord knows if I called out all of the toxic behavior of my ex's in public, it would sound horrible. I think we all have similar stories. People are random, broken, and even just inexperienced. We treat each other badly sometimes. We all have bad days. Publicly shaming each other though really needs to stop. You have my support, as much as that means nothing.
I believe in accountability and taking responsibility for your past actions, and that carries on to present actions, who you are now is more important than whoever you were before.
Christ. You're human. You have been presented w/ temptations most of us will never go through. u seem like a great dude & someone who's recognized they didn't make the best decisions in the past. Who freaking has? My god. Ppl need to get over themselves. Not everyone u meet is gonna be Prince charming, appreciate when those in your life show personal growth whether u like them or not. It does the world good when ppl advance themselves, a whole lot better then crapping on them for the rest of their lives. Be Nice to each other & show forgiveness. Max didn't stomp on puppies or anything
This was an incredible response. To echo what Loch Ness Hamster said, I was a huge fan of yours that was really hurt hearing the allegations. Seeing this and seeing how much you have changed really makes me happy. I am happy for you Max.
I've treated people very poorly in relationships & when I was younger. I've also been accused of unconscionable things that cross a line I could not have remotely ever done, under any circumstance or under any interpretation of events. Things that have gotten people locked up for many years. So I am in no place to condem Max, but I also think we live in a society that puts celebrities on a pedestal, where if they make a mistake, society feels personally affronted and now must tear them down.
No one should care if a Max Landis or Britney Spears or whomever is perfect or not. It's your own fault for thinking another human being is without fault.
Mira Max, todos fuimos jóvenes y tontos, aquí nadie es un santo; yo te admiro por tu mente y tú trabajo creativo; tu vida personal es eso, tu vida y es completamente privada.
Todo el tiempo que estuviste "cancelado", te extrañe... Te extrañamos porque amamos lo que haces y te amamos a ti, cómo creador en toda tu imperfecta gloria.
Idk I've never commented on a video of your before. I've been subscribed for years I've even watched a few live streams but I've never said anything before. I want to say something to you now though. You're a better man than you were and whatever changes you've made and whatever work you've done on yourself, it shows. Hope you have a good day Max, looking forward to your next project.
I have continued to follow you because you're open and honest communication on the subject. Everyone deserves forgiveness, and opportunity to grow. I like your channel and it's absolutely weirdness, between some really cool Superman stories, and you're wrestling ideas.
I'm sure you don't need a random internet person to say this, but you matter, we appreciate you, and I look forward to your next video.
A random reporter tweeted out the other day since Louis CK played MSG, cancel culture isn't real. The years in exile and inability to work didn't matter. People like that are the people harassing you. They want you dead or homeless. The way you win is acknowledgement and then working on what you like. Work on something and then go on a few podcasts to promote it. Be happy and don't acknowledge people who would throw you an anchor if you were drowning.
Anyone who would say what was said in that comment has never been falsely accused of anything serious.
Commenting not so much on this video, as I have read your Medium articles before and they do an excellent job of detailing where you were and how things are doing currently. Just makes me sad that someone with so much to offer as a writer and someone who just has some really interesting ideas be stuck in this weird career limbo. Unfortunately, as your Pen Name article explains, this unholy union of those perpetually miserable folks that will never forgive, and the empty suits that won't even take a chance because you aren't valuable enough to them to be one of the "Uncancellable."
Max, did not know about your turbulent past, and as a complete stranger projecting a false social relationship based on the little content I’ve seen you in, I admire your honesty & see a wonderful human working through their issues as you miraculously age into an ageless state. Lol! I must also point out that your RLM episode was simply amazing & should be revisited back with Mike, Jay, Rich, Jack, and the rest (obvious jokingly snub); review more Neil Breen with the fellas, please?
I'm not excusing anyone for anything, though I also think people need to allow for the capacity to learn & change. A lot of people have been the worst version of themselves at some point & they eventually grew past it (normally because of some consequences). You genuinely seem different these days Mac & I for one will give you the benefit of the doubt that you've changed. For whatever that is worth.
I'm always one for owning your mistakes but when its the internet, and especially if you have even a modicum of fame, no one ever lets you live anything down. You're beholden to something you may have said when you're a toddler (joking ofc, or at least I hope thats never happened), as if time hasn't passed, and as if you've not grown or learned since. It's extremely frustrating to watch, what is essentially, online bullying play out time and time again. Listen Max, I know, and definitely have seen you've changed for the better despite our parasocial relationship. Despite the loud vocal minority, there are still people who actually do care about your wellbeing, myself included. So while I definitely appreciate you going out of your way to clarify things ad infinitum, I hate that you even have to deal with this so constantly.
I believe in growth and change.
If we don't allow that from people then what is the point of any of this?
I appreciate your art and the way in which your imagination inspires me as an artist. You get me excited about the act of creating.
I don't know you as a fellow human being. All I know is what you've chosen to share and from what I've seen I'd say you've done the work and continue to do it and that's all we can ever ask or expect of others.
I never comment on here but I just wanted to say i've always admired you as a person and your work for many many years. We all make mistakes and owning up to those just shows how much of a great person you are. I hope you know many people really care about you as do i! keep being you dude x
You do have people that have supported you throughout your journey Max. I am one.
Everyone is an ass when they are young. We make mistakes because our toolbox isn't full and we are trying our best to build a life with what we've cobbled together so far. You make mistakes, own up to them, and hopefully you learn and grow from them. That's called wisdom and you show a great deal of it here and elsewhere. Keep on keeping on Max. You are loved and respected. Focus on the love not the hate.
A genuinely hope more people see this. Possibly a good idea to reupload this same video every 6 months or so instead of creating a new one. Well done hope all is good or just getting better
The fact that all it takes is an ex girlfriend, or friends of an ex girlfriend, to talk shit about you on Twitter to completely upend your life is terrifying. What drives me absolutely mad is that these people parroting the hate don't know anything about the situation, just like the person you addressed in this video had no idea how many times you addressed these allegations and how much of them you've acknowledged, they don't know anything beyond a tweet or a headline they saw once, but it's enough to condemn a man forever.
I recently introduced you to someone I know through American Alien. She loved the book, and then when I mentioned your name, she looked you up and likely saw one of the very top articles that painted you in a horrific light, and decided to base her assumptions of you off of that. I told her I can understand why she would feel off-put, but that I had followed your story over the years and invited her to do the same so that she could see all sides. Sadly, she wasn't interested in doing so, and instead wants to stick with her assumption of you rather than taking everything in as a whole. And now I'm pretty sure she'll never engage with anything with your name attached to it (she was also a very big fan of Dirk Gently when it was airing, FYI).
I'm just curious what you might say to someone (generally speaking), who, when given new information about a seemingly controversial topic, refuses to take in said information, in order to have a more fully formed opinion? I know that this person in particular has reasons to hold to her assumptions, and they're definitely valid ones. But if anything is true of both life and people, it's that rarely are things every completely black and white, and people especially are deserving of enough grace to at least be heard. And while I don't put you on a pedestal or anything, I'm definitely happy that I get to hear you, both in your story-telling and in topics such as this. I know for certain that if something similar were to happen to me, I would hope people would do me the service of at least hearing me.
Please don't feel like you have to respond at all! I'm a very big fan of your work and I look forward to what you have in the pipeline. I guess I just wanted to say that I hear you, and I'm happy that I have, for whatever that's worth!
I was watching some of your videos, not knowing who you are, and I really enjoyed them; then I found this one and all I have to say is that I feel really bad for you. I'm not saying that you didn't deserve to be called out for what happened but perpetual public shaming (especially when someone has changed) isn't right morally or productively. Not that you care what an anonymous youtube commenter thinks or knows the situation well enough to have a valid opinion on it, but I sincerely hope that you'll eventually get over this.
There's a quote I love that goes "recurring problems in our lives are not problems but solutions to deeper problems".
"...Cancelled like a TV show, bc I am entertainment, I am not a person..." Good summary on the dark side of cancel culture.
Oh, people are still on that.
“Innocent people don’t sit quietly bla bla bla”. Not true. When you’re dealing with shrill idiots determined to pick a fight, sometimes ignoring them and quietly walking away is the thing to do.
I think the world is in a desperate need for a deeper look at rehabilitation and reintegration. Max does not need forgiveness, nor does he necessarily deserve it. Max may never get to work in Hollywood again, and he may never deserve it. But the endless punishment cycle does not heal victims, it just perpetuates further harm. I hope Max has actually learned, and has done deep healing. I hope he finds peace.
Most importantly, I hope his victims find peace and can move forward in life. I think the constant social barrage only reopens these wounds.
We love you, Max. We have all made mistakes in our lives. Just do you man. You got this 👍 💪
I'm sorry you've had to go through this. Please keep making cool stuff, man!
Just want to put another comment of appreciation out into the aether. I appreciate you Max and the journey you are on. I love your work, i miss Dirk Gently so much, i want to read more comics written by you (the kryptonian epic is scratching that itch though thank you!) and i think constantly about Wrestling isnt Wrestling.
Thank you for sharing, remaining sincere, and continuing to push forward
It boggles my mind that the very people who go on about "being better" seem to think that it's impossible to actually get better over the course of a decade.
It's not some great mystery. There is a real life shortage of bad guys. If movements against abusers, nepo babies or unearned white privilege ever forgave anyone or accepted the nuance of edge cases, they'd run out of steam real quick. The Good Fight demands Giants, but wind mills will do during the dry stretches.
"Social Psychology Says" that Everyone Thinks that all of _MY_ problems are due to My Circumstances, all of _yours_ are due to faults within you. So when a person talks about some social issue they want to change, it becomes "theirs" & they think they can overcome it by trying to be better. (Jimmy Dore is such an idiotic example of this, pointing out the problems with how we allow bought politicians to make all decisions, then stating out loud that "we" need to vote better. So he thinks he can improve & then make anything he cares about better by sheer force of willing it).
Another obvious fact is that people change the narrative of what happened when they retell it. Often. Some get so good at this that shifting the narrative becomes so natural because they convince themselves that this shifting isn't wrong.
What Jimmy Dore _does_ for instance is exactly this. He *wants to retain a belief in* the systems of governance so he shifts everything to us being the problem. & when things go to _that_ extent where they're lying to themselves every second of their lives, well, what you pointed out is kind of minor.
I appreciate your response. I've never heard you talk about it. I knew about it, but just assumed it was just people jumping in on cancel culture. It sounds like you've owned up to your failings, but forgiveness should be extended, though the people pointing the finger might be incapable of doing that. Which says a lot about them, not you.
A mistake is never a mistake if you learn the lesson it teaches. We're all students in the school of life. We were all young and the it's absurd you have pander and beg forgiveness from complete strangers. All you can do is make amends to the people in your life, continue to grow and screw the criticism.
Things will blow over man, that's the one good thing about the instantaneous delivery and dissemination of information, people tend to forget quickly.
Best of luck Max.
Thank you for being so open. I is obvious you have grown a lot....not something many people can say.
I miss Dirk Gently sooooooooooooooooooooo much.
This is a tremendous video. As a fellow writer, sometimes it can be hard to express our true feelings outside of storytelling. Good for you Max. Keep living, and I hope to see success coming your way.
I've watched your videos since WIW and i'm proud of you Max. I know you've changed you're quite frankly a hero of mine. Your story telling legimately saved my life during covid thank you for being such an awesome content creator/film wirter. Don't forget that regardless of the shaming, you matter man.
But he didn't see my comment about making a Roman Reigns "Wrestling isn't Wrestling" sequel.....😒🤔
It takes courage, bravery, maturity, and transformation to publicly admit toxic behaviors demonstrates change. Personally, I don't think Max should have to apologize to the public for his personal relationship but to tell the world he was unmedicated and suffered emotional turmoil and was immature takes humility and courage. Apologizing over and over then the apologies are tossed out and the other person weaponized the relationship to try and destroy you is unconsciounable. Keep your head up Max and basicaly fk everybody else they are as bad as you were in your early 20's. You learned from your mistakes, you matured, you paid a high price!! Peace to you!! MOVE FORWARD!
we were born into this world without an instruction manual.
i always kind of resented that.
We all have dirty laundry. No man under the sun is innocent. But some of us lead more public lives than others and it’s easy to throw stones. I thank you Max for your honesty and candidness. Your writing has inspired mine and hopefully someday we could even work together on something. Keep up the good work and keep improving on yourself. I’m doing the same by mending the sins of my past.
I don't know why I thought this was going to be clickbait for the Kryptonian Epic.
But man, this is a somber video.