McSweeney’s List (25 February 2026)
EVERYONE HAS BLISTERS
The potential we see in others is what we would do in their shoes.
It sounds trite. In fact, as is so often the case, I saw this gem as a meme, and I stopped in my scrolling tracks.
I ran through all my usual logical steps; checking situations where I'd seen potential, and seeing if it held true. Debating it from different angles, I tried to find the flaw in the statement, and simply could not. As such, I now hold this theory as truth, and pass it on to others.
Today, Y’all are the Others.
I admit, I didn't Google it until now, but when I did, I learned about Elias Canetti.
(Allow me to brag that I do take pride in my fact checking, if for no other reason than giving proper props to those who deserve it. For myself, it was good enough that the theory stood up to my critical thinking assault, but for you, my Dear Readers, I double check things.)
Elias Canetti did a fair bit of writing on this subject. He also won the 1981 Nobel Prize in Literature, "for writings marked by a broad outlook, a wealth of ideas and artistic power", so he arguably knew some stuff.
To begin with, Canetti suggested that saying someone “has potential” creates a burden of expectation. It insinuates that the person in question isn't living correctly, or not doing enough. Saying a child has potential is one thing, but even then, it's a mixed blessing. Having been told at many stages of my young life that I had potential, my optimistic self assumed that I would do big things (of some sort), live an interesting, creative life (whatever that means), and that it would all come fairly easily to me, as I associated potential with inevitability.
The funny thing is that from where I stand, I can't disagree with those predictions. The “big things” I've done haven't lived up to the red carpet award ceremony hopes I had, but they're still impressive: when I tell people I wrote a novel, they don't ask how many shortlists it's been on (uh, that would be zero). They're generally impressed; it's an uncommon feat in itself. My life is certainly interesting, and filled with creative people. Sometimes I wish it was artisier, but I also thought I'd grow up to be more of a communal living type, so it's worked out quite balanced for who I turned out to be. Considering whether or not it was inevitable or came easily is a fun thought experiment, though I haven't reached a definitive conclusion. It's fair to say that a lot of things feel natural and easy for me, but how instrumental that's been to my evolution is harder to pinpoint. Could someone with less natural talent and more ambition have accomplished the same things, and more? I’d bet yes.
Another point Canetti made is that when we project potential onto another, we’re diminishing their agency. We're not taking into account what they want for themselves, or who they are with regard to their motivations and limitations. When I pressed Gemini to explain this more deeply, it said something pretty great: when we put ourselves in someone else's shoes, we do so without feeling their blisters. AI dropping bars over here. It's deceptively easy to isolate someone's skills and talents from the person as a whole. Maybe they're really good at math, and you think they have the potential to follow that to some big finance job, but in their hearts, all they want to do is bake beautiful cakes. If you can't be happy for them and their lovely baked goods, instead choosing to reiterate every chance you get that they should be in finance (but you can still bake in your free time, I can hear you say, as you pass the peas), you're the asshole.
Which leads nicely into the next point: it's easier to dream big when you aren't the one catching consequences. Let's stick with the math whiz / passionate baker that I just accidentally created (she popped into the world as I wrote her, much like Douglas Adams' whale booped into the sky in the process of falling. I wish a longer and more fulfilling existence to the newly created mathy-cake lady, may her icing always be perfect). Ahem. Sticking to her story, if she follows your advice, she’s the one who has to make sacrifices to take the path you envision. She now has to go join a scene she obviously didn't want to, her passion set aside, crammed into the small, leftover spaces instead of taking the spotlight. She trades working with her hands and meeting joyful people, for emails and water cooler chatter. When we see potential in people, we're only seeing how they can benefit, not what they stand to lose. Maybe you thrive in an office, and can't understand why they don't. Maybe you wish you had sat at more, and fancier conference room tables in your life, and you're projecting your dream.
And that dovetails back to the original point, the one that permanently changed my perspective: what you see as potential in others, is what you would do in their shoes. We've all known that guy who could do so much if only he'd get out of his parents basement; if only he had more ambition. You see it that way, because you have that ambition.
When we meet a potential partner, a diamond on the rough type, we're inclined to see what they could be, rather than who they are. Essentially, we see what we want them to be, and disregard all evidence to the contrary. Eventually, once reality becomes unavoidable, we may feel that we were misled, but were we? Or did we simply choose to ignore their words and actions, opting instead to see what might be? We focused on the potential of the situation instead of the facts; we saw what we wanted, regardless of their protests to the contrary. Frankly, it's frustrating for both parties.
So, next time, instead of trying to hang your hat on the potential of others, and before you say in that sing-song voice but you have so much potential, if only…I hope you think of Elias Canetti. I know I will.
PAINT’N’MEET
Dr. Lemco's Creative Club brings you another night of art with this week's Come Solo, Make Friends and Art. Listen, making friends in adulthood is way harder than it needs to be. Painting with strangers strips away the tense handshakes, and lets everyone lean into the sillies. As with all Creative Club events, you don't have to be any good at art: this is about experimentation, experience, and connection, so leave your judgey face at home.
WHAT: Come Solo. Make Friends & Art | A Social Paint Party for New Connections
WHERE: Dr. Lemco's Creative Club
WHEN: Thursday, February 26 @ 630 PM
METRO: Vendôme (Orange)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
CHOKE HOLDS & TUNES
Piranha Bar & Nerdstock present the debut of PFW (Pit Fight Wrestling)!
Wrestling fans, this ain't for the faint of heart! If you loved the days of the attitude era and old school ECW, you definitely want to be at this show!
4 wrestling matches, plus a musical performance by Fatal Switch!
18+
Tickets: $20 in advance / $30 at the door
WHAT: Pit Fight Wrestling Debut
WHERE: Piranha Bar, 680 St. Catherine St. W., H3B 1C2
WHEN: Thursday, February 26, Doors @ 7 PM
METRO: McGill (Green) & Square Victoria-OACI (Orange)
TICKETS: ThePointOfSale
DEVIL HORNS
Radio Patente starts the night in style before throwing it to the powerhouse quartet of destruction, Demonstench. Lace up your shit kickers, ‘cuz this is gonna rock.
$10 @ the door
WHAT: Radio Patente & Demonstench
WHERE: L’Hémisphère Gauche, 221 Beaubien St. E., Montreal, H2S 1R5
WHEN: Thursday, February 26 @ 8 PM
METRO: Beaubien (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
BRING YOUR NEON
The 15th anniversary of Lumière Noire will be an unforgettable celebration of arts and sensory experiences!
5 fluorescent spaces
40 DJs
8 VJs
10 circus artists
30 fluorescent artists
Body painting
Interactive kiosks
Loads of surprises!
You’ll be transported to an electric universe where the night comes alive, and creativity knows no bounds! Bend space-time as you dance to vibrant, trippy music.
The animated projections will be eye candy. Talented circus performers will defy gravity and captivate your attention.
Interactive kiosks will have creative workshops, original gourmet treats, sparkly things to buy, and more!
For a full list of DJs, VJs, artists, and vendors, click the event name below.
WHAT: Lumière Noire
WHERE: Sainte-Catherine Hall, 917 St. Catherine St. E., Montreal, H2L 2E5
WHEN: Saturday, February 28 @ 9 PM
METRO: Berri-UQAM
TICKETS: LePointDeVente
World’s Smallest Comedy Night has so many cool things happening, so here are their events this week in order!
What Do You Know? Like, Seriously…
Tonight! Come to Hurley's for Trivia Night, and get bonus laughter! Enjoy delicious pub fare, and get ready to show off your trivia skills. Grab your team, and enjoy this night of comedy, friendly competition, and great company!
This edition is hosted by Vance Michel, featuring Peter Bowen, James Mancini, and Chris Venditto.
WHAT: Trivia Night at Hurley's
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Wednesday @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
RSVP: Eventbrite
Classic Coke
Beat the Monday Blues with WSC’s OG offering, The World's Smallest Comedy Night!
Enjoy a showcase of the best comedians in the city, hot up-and-comers, national and international touring comics, and surprises!
Hosted by Vance Michel, featuring Matthew Bourjeli, Serag Melatian, David Heti, Steven Ciapanna, Gowthaman Kasy, and Dan Kestler d’Amours.
WHAT: World's Smallest Comedy Night
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Monday, Doors @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
Dirty Monday
The Monday Night Dirty Mic is the place to be! Hosted by Vance Michel, every show is an unpredictable and unique experience as a hilarious collection of comedians from newbs to pros take the stage. See the best before anyone else, and catch seasoned locals doing their freshest funnies!
Comics: show-up, sign-up
WHAT: Monday Night Dirty Mic
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Monday, Sign-up @ 10 PM, Show @ 1030 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
DETAILS: Facebook
