Top 5 Tyler Durden Truisms, still going strong in 2023

"Those aren't your F88king car keys!" I would shout at Tuula as she would reach for the keys to my Landrover with one foot out of the door. It's a thinly veiled reference/twist to the most infamous quote from both the film and book, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. Of course in the book the anti-hero Tyler Durden bellows, 'You're not your F88king car keys,' as a statement of how our material possessions are a direct indication of what we are like as human beings beneath the surface. 

I thought it would be an interesting theme today to return to some more famous quotes from one of my favourite films, and find out if these are still relevant today as they were back in 1999. 

"It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything."

Technically this isn't inaccurate, because I did manage to lose the keys to the rental van the other day, and with all our worldly possessions, (wallet included) inside said van, it stymied our freedom nearly ten-fold. 

However, we were free to play games of 'would you rather' as we waited for the AA man to arrive. 'Would you Rather have radio tuners for nipples or piano keys for toes.' For example. I thought about releasing all my witty Would you Rather's in a disposable but potentially lucrative eBook format. But Richard Herring beat me to it. 

Maybe self-improvement isn’t the answer, maybe self-destruction is the answer.

This is one I find interesting. It's a nihilistic approach to life meaning you can eat what you want, drink what you want, say what you want at all times. Although, ironic when Brad Pitt says it, as he clearly has a regimented diet, grooming, and work out regime or else he simply wouldn't look like that with his top off. 

This does hold true in terms of speech though. You should be able to say what you want without fear of being cancelled or ostracised by your own community. You shouldn't apologise if you don't mean it, because the all-woke, no-joke crowd will not end at your apology. They will only stop until you are de-platformed. 

Although if you're in your early 20s, perhaps be a little more guarded or get someone who hasn't had 5 pints of Stellar to proof read your political/ homophobic tweets. Digital footprints are a thing, and you have your whole career and many important job interviews ahead of you. 

Only after disaster can we be resurrected.

See quote 1. 

We’ve all been raised on television to believe that one day we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact.

This is the one Tyler Durden truism that TRULY holds up today. How much more inflamed are the pageantry shows. The Voice, X-Factor, America's Next Model, Love Island, Britain's Got Talent, Big Brother, Antiques Road Show, they all promise fame and fortune, but at what cost? Even the ones that make it, the suicide count of housemates on Big Brother alone have been well documented by The Daily Mirror back in 2012. 

(Although, technically I don't think anyone that has appeared on The Antiques Road Show has attempted suicide, please correct me if I'm wrong in the comment section). 

What about the kids growing up watching Marvel movies. The nerds portrayed in the films all conveniently have super powers. What about the nerds in real life that aspire to be special, but have no super powers to lean on? They could learn a card trick or two, but it's about matching expectations dictated by super hero nerds we see on the big screen, not by a 12 year old with acne asking you to 'pick a card any card' whilst wearing a makeshift cape from his mother's tablecloth. 

You are not special. You’re not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You’re the same decaying organic matter as everything else. We’re all part of the same compost heap.

This has to be my favourite. And again, along with the mantra of 'you're not past your prime at the age of 29,' is what I tell Tuula everyday over breakfast. Trust me, the lower I can keep her self-esteem, the more conditioned she will be to face the world. 

And it's never been more true. Especially with everyone now having their own Instagram, their own podcast, their own place to vent their thoughts and feelings to the world, people are now more than ever convinced they have a voice worth listening to and a life worth watching. 

If only they could be told uniformly, they're not doing anything remotely creative, original, interesting or funny. And THAT'S why they can't get a sponsorship, perhaps they'll go back to studying how to become a doctor, learn how to play an instrument, or build a bridge. Something that will serve society better than simply reviewing skin cream. (There are obvious exceptions of course). 

For more on the style of Fight Club, and there are some highly sought after screen accurate clothes and costumes still available to buy, check out the From Tailors With Love YouTube and Podcast episode here. 

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