Author | Lightnews

Derek S

@thecontraire.bsky.social

830 followers 1.4K following 1.7K posts

"My greatest wisdom is the knowledge that I do not know." —John Steinbeck • Mostly music, photography, & art • Sometimes books, business, marketing, news, and technology • No DMs • inquiries@thecontraire

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Apr 6

How social media and billionaires broke the #LongTailTheory —and why the future of fulfillment isn’t in your feed, but in your #community. A personal theory on #culture, capitalism, and connection.
#socialmedia #econsky #sociology #psychology #econ #tech #HandsOff

thecontraire.com/2025/04/long...

From Long-Tail Theory to Community Revival: The Evolution of Culture and Commerce - The Contraire

The Contraire By: @thecontraire.bsky.social / A Road Back: In Exile and Out of Exile Sunday, April 6, 2025 Introduction The following is my personal theory as to how and why certain societal, economic...

thecontraire.com

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · 27d

A home office corner with music and art displays. The wall features a grid of CD album covers including The Beatles, Sum 41, Gym Class Heroes, multiple Eminem albums, Linkin Park, Paramore, and more. Below them, a wooden shelf holds a collection of CDs. On the right, another shelf displays a large Hamilton vinyl, Funko Pop figure, and small collectibles. On the lower wall, colorful paintings include a Vespa scooter by a doorway (artwork by @jimmusilpainter.bsky.social) and a scenic river landscape. A small collection of books can be seen in the bottom right corner. Credit @thecontraire.bsky.social. September 2025.

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

"Consistent purpose is not enough to make life happy, but it is an almost indispensable condition of a happy life."

— Bertrand Russell

#quotes #philosophy #bertrandrussell

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

Here we go again
With all the things we said

And not a minute spent
To think that we'd regret

So we just take it back
These words and
Hold our breath

Forget the things
We swore we meant

#HereWeGoAgain #Paramore

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

Are we on the same side?
You put up the hearts
And I'll put up both my aces

Not very far apart
Still on different pages

#BigBlind #TheStorySoFar

The Story So Far "Big Blind"

YouTube video by Pure Noise Records

youtu.be

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

It's getting colder here
But I still feel you
Pulsing through
The threads of my veins…

#Gravity #TheDangerousSummer

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Jul 20

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

I'm crashing
Through the walls now
I feel the gravity
Rush back to my legs
…
I lost touch
I lost blood
In my mind
I gave up
And my eyes
They just flood
Like I'm fine
But I'm done
And I'm sure
Cause I tried
And nothing's ever
Gonna take that light away

#Gravity #TheDangerousSummer

The Dangerous Summer - Gravity (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by The Dangerous Summer

youtu.be

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

The waves crash
On and on and on
...
When you feel
The water pull you down
You're caught up in the gravity
Don't let it take you out to drown
Just hold your head above this

#OnandOn #HitTheLights

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Apr 25

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

Do you believe that you’re in control?
Of the things that you say you want?
Laying awake watching tv shows
And get the feeling that we are the products
Of generations out searching for gold
They did their best just to stay afloat

#OnAndOn #HitTheLights
youtu.be/3EieDw3u8Fw

On and On

YouTube video by Hit The Lights - Topic

youtu.be

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

And we never
Had it better
In the faithful
Summer weather

But we can't
Stay here forever
And time rolls
On and on

#OneFootWide #GoodHangs

One Foot Wide

YouTube video by Good Hangs - Topic

youtu.be

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

🎶 #NowSpinning 🎶

We're doing fine
And it gets
Better every time

We're doing fine
But I'll let you decide

There's something wrong
Cause everybody knows
That we can do this
On our own…

#Woah #Paramore
#AWKIF

youtu.be/oOj35ta7GQ8

A cozy vinyl corner with a turntable on a wooden stand, a Paramore “All We Know Is Falling” album displayed on the wall, and more records in a wooden shelf, including Paramore’s “After Laughter” and a Hit the Lights CD cover. A colorful ceramic turtle sits on the stand next to the turntable. Credit @thecontraire.bsky.social. September 2025.

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Reposted by Derek S

Jon Bilous @jon.framer.art · Aug 1

Aztec Shawnee Theater

Prints: https://jon.framer.art/s/image/212858?source=bluesky

Aztec Shawnee Theater vintage sign in Shawnee, Kansas

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

The Birds Don't Sing @ The Vatican
Clipse (ft. John Legend, Voices of Fire)
www.youtube.com/live/UFixHZE...
——
#TheBirdsDontSing
#Clipse #JohnLegend #VoicesofFire
#LetGodSortEmOut

LIVE: ‘Grace for the World’ Concert from Vatican City ft. Pharrell, Andrea Bocelli, Karol G & more

YouTube video by ABC News

www.youtube.com

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 15

Sullen pupils
Sunken
Accost
Or lost

Freely wandering
Well-worn roads built
By calloused soles
But long forgotten

Found in
Seeking discovery
A fragile meaning

Slow sealing and soldering
Hell-torn holes ripped
Through imbalanced roots
Below frail ground.

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 12

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

Where it goes now
You know it's anyone's guess
I got the lay of the land
It ain't that hard to accept
…
It's like we're dying
Some days we're dying

We all navigate it
Barely day to day

And sometimes we take it
Only a fool would waste it

#NAVIGATE
#Headstones #CityandColour

Headstones - NAVIGATE FEAT. CITY AND COLOUR (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by Headstones

youtu.be

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 12

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

I can't remember
When the Earth
Turned slowly

So I just wait here
With the lights
Turned out again

I lost my place
But I can't stop
This story

I'll find my way
But until then
I'm only spinning

#Spinning #JacksMannequin

Spinning

YouTube video by Jack's Mannequin - Topic

youtu.be

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 12

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

I'm everything I have become
From all that's been before
I've never really known a lot

But one thing
I am sure that I know
Yes, I know
That the road is long

#TheRoadIsLong #Passenger

The Road Is Long

YouTube video by Passenger - Topic

youtu.be

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Reposted by Derek S

Kirpal Singh @kirpalsingh.bsky.social · Sep 12

Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what's left and live it properly.

Marcus Aurelius
🪷🪷🪷 🌊

(Photo by Kirpal Singh)

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 10

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

I'm laying low
A stray dog in the street
You took me home

I was just mange
And skin and bone
You took me
Into your home

Kept warm on
A blanket from your
Worn out winter coat

#SisterCities #TheWonderYears

The Wonder Years - Sister Cities (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by Hopeless Records

youtu.be

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 10

🎶 #NowSpinning 🎶

We are so far
From you
Burning on
...
Can you hear me?
Are you near me?
Can we pretend to leave
And then

We'll meet again
When both
Our cars collide?

#Helena #MyChemicalRomance
—
#MayDeathNeverStopYou
youtu.be/UCCyoocDxBA

A cozy corner featuring a record player with a clear dust cover, a colorful turtle figurine, and framed artwork on the walls. A My Chemical Romance vinyl record, “May Death Never Stop You - Greatest Hits 2001-2013” is displayed above the player. A wooden shelf holds more records and art pieces. Credit @thecontraire.bsky.social. September 2025.

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 10

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

Go walk upon the water
Go on and set yourself free
You can do whatever you wanna
And you can be who you wanna be
...
You can walk on water
If you just believe.

#WalkUpontheWater
#Passenger #TheKingdomChoir

Passenger | Walk Upon The Water (Featuring The Kingdom Choir)

YouTube video by Passenger

youtu.be

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Reposted by Derek S

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Apr 2

Warped Tour 2009.

You used to be able to see all of your favorite bands/artists for less than $100... and get this close.

I can't believe I'm turning into a "back in my day" guy before 40...

#HitTheLights #Thrice #Valencia

#TheCallOut #InExile

youtu.be/6-K3qwXbtGw?...
youtu.be/RDrTkd1618Q?...

The band Hit the Lights performing on the Smartpunk Stage at Warped Tour 2009. The lead singer, Nick Thompson, wearing a red checkered shirt and black cap, stands confidently at the front while the guitarist raises both arms in the air. The drummer and other band members are visible behind a vibrantly painted bass drum.

Thrice performing on the main Warped Tour stage in 2009. The band’s lead singer, Dustin Kensrue, and guitarist stands center stage with a black guitar, surrounded by bandmates and a cheering crowd in front of a large Warped Tour ‘09 banner.

Hit the Lights performing on the Smartpunk Stage, joined by Shane Henderson, lead singer of Valencia, during Warped Tour 2009. Multiple band members sing together at the front of the stage, including two vocalists sharing a mic. The crowd watches enthusiastically as the stage bursts with energy.

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Reposted by Derek S

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Jun 5

My Chemical Romance
Las Vegas, NV — October 2022
When We Were Young Festival

#photography #concerts #wwwy
#mychemicalromance #mychem #mcr #lasvegas #stratosphere #nevada
youtu.be/RRKJiM9Njr8

The image captures a vibrant concert scene at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas in 2022. The stage is set against a backdrop of tall, illuminated buildings, with the iconic Stratosphere Tower visible in the distance. The stage is named "Black Stage," as indicated by the signage above it. Large screens on either side of the stage display images of the band members, featuring prominent visuals of skulls and dramatic lighting effects. The crowd in the foreground is densely packed, with many attendees capturing the moment on their phones. The atmosphere is electric, with colorful lights and a sense of excitement permeating the scene. Credit to @thecontraire.bsky.social. October 2022.

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Reposted by Derek S

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Jun 21

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

The sky's not gonna fall
Maybe it will
And even though you never call
I hear you still
And even if the papers say
To stay inside all day
I'll take my chances with the rain
With the rain

#ItDontExist #Bayside

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 10

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

We won't make it out alive
When you burn down these bridges
And you build up these walls
And you've torn out these pages
And there's nothing left at all

And when that day comes
And we're all still here
Will you be waiting?

#UntilWeGetCaught #HitTheLights

Hit The Lights - Until We Get Caught (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Triple Crown Records

youtu.be

Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 10

🎶 #NowSpinning 🎶

Salt, sweat, sugar
On the asphalt
Our hearts
Littering the topsoil
Tune in and
We can get the last call
Our lives, our coal
…
Sign up
It's the picket line
Or the parade…

#BleedAmerican #JimmyEatWorld
youtu.be/Ag8yc8yx2LU

A cozy corner with a turntable on a wooden audio stand, a colorful turtle figurine on top, and framed art and vinyl records decorating the wall, including Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American album cover. Credit @thecontraire.bsky.social. September 2025.

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 10

🎶 #NowPlaying 🎶

The lights went out
And darkness
Filled the house
On a tiring night
Under Long Island sky

I thought I'd known
The consequence
Sweetness
Can you believe this?
…
Here lies the destiny
Of two hurt souls
Afraid to be cured again

That could be our epitaph.

#Montauk #Bayside

Bayside - Montauk (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Victory Records

youtu.be

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Derek S @thecontraire.bsky.social · Sep 9

Hit The Lights - Until We Get Caught (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Triple Crown Records

youtu.be