McSweeney’s List (8 April 2026)
“The first thought is what you’ve been conditioned to think, the second thought defines who you are.”
One of the more popular anonymous concepts, I've heard this quoted like gospel across various circles. Its beauty is multifold: it reminds us that we aren't guilty for what we've been taught, and that we can move beyond our programming. It reminds us that we are always capable of growth, changing our opinions as we gather experience and new facts, and that it is in fact our responsibility to reflect, considering our opinions instead of just spewing recycled shit.
As is the case with so many truths, it's only half the story. In its defense, I don't think any quip that becomes popular can tell the whole story. The idiom that the customer is always right is so popular we take it as law and say it reflexively. The rest of the statement is in matters of taste, a reminder to the salesman that if the customer wants something you think is ugly, there's no point in arguing with them. They want what they want, even if it's awful. The statement in part and in whole mean completely different things. Customers isolated their perception of truth, and that's what made it popular.
While the popularity of the First / Second Thought concept can be attributed to its truth and the self-reflection it encourages, it leaves out the importance of instinct. Yes, it would be crazy if we ran on instinct alone. We would just take what we wanted, pee everywhere, say shit we shouldn't, and violence each other. But I would argue those are base instincts and not gut instincts. Gut instincts are found in the raised hair on the back of your neck before you realize someone is watching you. It's the queasy feeling you get when you meet someone and don't feel safe, and the urge to check on someone right when they need it. That's the instinct we need to be cultivating, and listening too.
Humans are storytellers by nature. Even if we're not writing them down or holding court, our brains are always running in the background, constructing stories that help this existence make sense. God, who killed JFK, and what that bitch meant by what she said – it's all the same to our brains. Facts are facts, but our brains crave explanations. In reality, it makes no difference in any of our lives who killed JFK, but we hate mystery because we want to know the hows and whys of everything. Even the things that aren't our business, and probably especially those; watching reality TV we get all the nitty gritty behind the scenes of who hates who, who said what to whom first, and suffer no risks.
Craving the whole story means it makes sense that we question why this person makes your stomach drop onto your shoes. When I had fewer plotlines under my belt, I was often the curious one who would run into that narrative tangle to find out where the arc was going. In one particularly ridiculous case, shortly after meeting a man (who was up front about his violent past, but adamant he had changed, and who doesn't love a redemption story), he introduced me to his daughter’s mother. When we were alone, she didn't attack my choices nor try to change my mind, she only told me where she hid the extra house key should I ever need it. Because her instinct was that despite what he said or how he appeared, he wasn't reformed. While I took him at his word, in that moment my instinct was that I would need that key one day. Foolishly, I proceeded into that fire, and just over a year later, I was living with her, and in court against him.
For most of my life the First / Second Thought paradigm was what I ran on. It took me years to realize that in itself was part of my programming, the very same ingrained programming the adage invites us to reconsider. The thing is, we can think ourselves in or out of anything, so we have to carefully investigate why you're trying to convince yourself of something, how that impacts your path forward, and who benefits from your changed opinion.
There will be people who want you to reconsider your instincts solely so they can take advantage. Variations of trust me, baby, said by anyone from partners to politicians should be held under a microscope. Other thoughts like that's a terrible colour on her, don't require a journey to that second thought, because who the hell cares? Why police our inner dialogues more than we with inner dialogues (so weird, right? What do the other brains sound like?) already do.
However, that's all abstract in the moment. There are plenty of times when it's safe and fine to contemplate your baggage and bias in real time, but instinct is designed for immediate responses. Whether or not danger is truly inevitable or immediate, instinct is your built-in alarm system telling you to be on guard, not have a philosophical discussion about why you feel that way.
If your gut tells you to make moves, listen to it. Cross the street away from that crowd, move seats on the metro, do not give that person your contact info just because it's the polite thing to do. Sure, you can ask yourself why this person makes you feel uneasy, but do that once you're safely away from them. Instinct has been built over countless generations for the sake of survival, and regardless of social niceties, we need to get back to listening to it.
ON NOW
Teesri Duniya Theatre is proud to present the Montreal Premiere of Behind the Moon 🌕 A story of love and loss, freedom and faith, the meaning of brotherhood, and what it means to search for a better life.
In a Mughlai restaurant in Toronto, a late-night visit from mysterious stranger, Jalal, rattles the cage and shatters the peace. Ayub, the restaurant’s employee, must now face the decisions he’s made and the family he’s left behind – all while keeping the restaurant shiningly clean for Qadir Bhai, the proud restaurant owner.
From the award-winning playwright and novelist Anosh Irani, directed by Chelsea Dab Hilke.
🎟️ from $10
WHAT: Behind the Moon
WHERE: Teesri Duniya’s Rangshala Studio, Cité-des-Hospitalières, 251 des Pins Ave. W., Montreal, H2W 1R6
WHEN: On now through April 19
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
TICKETS: Teesri Duniya Theatre
CANADI-ART
This weekend the Plural Contemporary Art Fair (formerly Papier Art Fair) will welcome 38 galleries and 7 project spaces from 9 Canadian cities to the Grand Quay. Created by AGAC, Plural celebrates the best of contemporary art in Canada!
🎟️ General Admission: $25
Senior: $23
Student: $20
3-day pass: $60
Free for children 15 and under
Tickets available at the door.
WHAT: Plural Contemporary Art Fair
WHERE: Grand Quay, Port of Montreal, 200 de la Commune St. W., Montreal, H2Y 4B2
WHEN: Friday, April 10: 12 PM - 9 PM
Saturday, April 11: 11 AM - 7 PM
Sunday, April 12: 11 AM - 6 PM
METRO: Place-D'Armes (Orange)
TICKETS: PluralArt
20 SEASONS OF SLAM
We are SO back! Throw Poetry Collective is kicking off their 20th season with an open mic and poetry slam, featuring David Silverberg.
Come to watch or read! Sign up at the door for the open mic or the slam. Poets will be randomly selected at the start of the show.
🎟️ $10
QWF Members $5
No one turned away due to lack of funds!
WHAT: Throw Poetry Season Opener featuring David Silverberg
WHERE: The Basement, 3716 R. Notre Dame O, Montréal, QC H4C 1P7
WHEN: Saturday, April 11, Doors @ 730 PM Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Place-Saint-Henri (Orange
TICKETS: ThrowPoetry
DANCE IT OUT
Renowned Footwork & Juke legend DJ Paypal (Mall Music Inc. / Teklife / LuckyMe / Brainfeeder) is coming to town, joined by fellow Teklife member Slick Shoota with Jamvvis, Melek, and Outback representing our local scene.
We invite you all to a special night dedicated to Footwork, Juke, and Breakbeat music of all kinds. Curated and presented to you by legends & locals in the scene, it's gonna be one to remember. See you there!
Presented by Radio Polyphonie MTL.
WHAT: DJ Paypal x Slick Shoota & Friends
WHERE: Bar Le Ritz PDB, 179 Rue Jean-Talon St. W., Montreal, H2R 2Y8
WHEN: Saturday, April 11, Doors @ 9 PM, Show @ 10 PM
METRO: De Castelnau (Blue)
TICKETS: Universe
THE SPIRIT OF ART
Explore the ties that bind spiritual seeking and art with Artistic Prophecies: Occult Influences in Contemporary Art, a panel discussion presented by Espace art actual and AGAC.
Amid seemingly endless crises, several artists look to the occult in search of alternative ways of engaging with the world. Divination, spirituality, access to invisible realities: it becomes tempting to see the artist as a prophetic figure, tasked with rethinking the future in a present obsessed with projections, speculations and conjectures. This discussion, inspired by the latest issue of ESPACE magazine, "Prophecies", will be an opportunity to explore the scope and implications of the intersection between contemporary art, belief and the occult.
Moderator:
• Fanny Curtat, Art Historian, Independent Curator and Consultant
Panelists:
• Andrée-Anne Roussel, Media Artist and Filmmaker
• Horizon Factory: Erin Hill, Artist, Writer and Birth Support Practitioner & Nina Vroemen, Multidisciplinary Artist and Educator
🎟️ General Admission: $25
Senior: $23
Student: $20
Part of the Plural Fair, Plural Forum offers this, along with other discussions, tours, and workshops. Check out the offerings here to see what strikes your fancy.
This event will be held in English, with interpretation in American Sign Language (ASL).
WHAT: Artistic Prophecies: Occult Influences in Contemporary Art
WHERE: Grand Quay, Port of Montreal,
200 de la Commune St. W., Montreal, H2Y 4B2
WHEN: Sunday, April 12 @ 2 PM
METRO: Place-D'Armes (Orange)
TICKETS: Universe
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.
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.
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
