The Next Generation of Nea

Those of you out there who are even remotely familiar with my lifelong friendship with Janek have undoubtedly “felt the wrath” of the Meeshkabae.

What began as a simple, yet irresistibly comical facial contortion evolved over the years into a language and worldview, encapsulating unabashed joy, creative expression and defiance of social norms.

At its core, lies the NEA face itself which, along with OH NA and NGA NGA constitute the “holy trinity” of Meeshkabae. With words or without them, as an exclamation, declaration or interrogation and infused with every imaginable human sentiment, NEA means everything and nothing all at once.

Janek’s thoughts on the matter, 10 years ago:

“If it is agreed that this phenomenon of compressing many simple ideas into a single complex idea does indeed exists, I would propose that this process may be taken to the extreme by hypothesizing that the idea of everything that one ever had the desire or need to express many be expressed through one word: NEA. We have discussed the compressive qualities of Meeshkabean language on several noted instances, but I don’t recall ever having taken it to this level. I suppose you might say that it’s akin to the idea Hawking’s Equation of Everything that which, if ever was successfuly formulated and solved, the solution would reveal the answer to everything, how the Big Bang started, up to every ocurring dynamic process, including this e-mail message I am writing to you now. Until such time, however, NEA will have to suffice. NEA?”

My response:

“The word NEA embraces a truth, but nothing comparable to the Truth science aims for. Meeshkabae, in my eyes resides in the world of art, the world of limitless creative potential and cannot be captured in a language like English that is dominated by exactness and the quest for cogency. It is a formless, directionless yet deeply profound language that creates an accompanying world of ecstatic satisfaction and joy. You are correct in that the word NEA says it all with beautiful simplicity. But I remain convinced that the truth is exposes is in no way inferior to the proposed Truths of a final theory put forth by science. In fact, I view NEA as something far more meaningful than a final theory of everything because NEA speaks directly to my engagement with the world, my lived reality that I create and map out with every person I meet, every thought I have and every decision I make. It tells me the way things are for me, not the way they are to some fabricated, faceless and detached perspective of objectivity. NEA, therefore, will not just have to suffice for now. This is all there is to it, there is nothing left to find. NEA? NEA? NNNNNEEEEEEEAAAA?…”

Having discovered and reveled in our discovered truth for most of my thirty years, I am compelled to share this gift with my Bodhi Boy. Initial exposure to the wrath is usually met with a vaguely disinterested confusion. One does not really know how to react, but one cannot look away. Bodhi was no exception.

While it doesn’t take long to solicit a response, it many not always be positive.

Soon enough, as familiarity grows alongside cognitive and perceptual development, the joyous essense of the Meeshkabae is ultimately conveyed.

As you can see by Bodhi’s reaction toward the end, every truth is shrouded in paradox and confusion often dampens delight.

Either that, or he’s just a little freaked out by his weird, weird dad.