The Necessary Irritant episode artwork

EPISODE · May 6, 2026 · 4 MIN

The Necessary Irritant

from Musings of a Middle Aged Man · host David Olson

I was infused with the attitude of a contrarian in my genetic makeup. I have always existed at odds with the collective. Many in society would consider the trait to be a dross gift, the dregs of Santa's bag, worse even than lumps of coal in the stocking earmarked for the naughty list. However, despite the associated challenges with going against the societal grain, I consider my propensity to embrace the adversarial in the face of lemmings a great gift, bestowed by a universe in desperate need of individuals comfortable with embracing their individuality. Those of us who don't go along to get along tend to be at the forefront of change, of eschewing the status quo to instead seek transformation, to innovate away from the routine, for the obliteration of the mundane plaguing society with mindless conformity.

I was infused with the attitude of a contrarian in my genetic makeup. I have always existed at odds with the collective. Many in society would consider the trait to be a dross gift, the dregs of Santa's bag, worse even than lumps of coal in the stocking earmarked for the naughty list. However, despite the associated challenges with going against the societal grain, I consider my propensity to embrace the adversarial in the face of lemmings a great gift, bestowed by a universe in desperate need of individuals comfortable with embracing their individuality. Those of us who don't go along to get along tend to be at the forefront of change, of eschewing the status quo to instead seek transformation, to innovate away from the routine, for the obliteration of the mundane plaguing society with mindless conformity.

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The Necessary Irritant

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This episode was published on May 6, 2026.

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I was infused with the attitude of a contrarian in my genetic makeup. I have always existed at odds with the collective. Many in society would consider the trait to be a dross gift, the dregs of Santa's bag, worse even than lumps of coal in the...

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