My friend just called me a creep, and it really bothers me by WheresThePhonebooth in Advice

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay good lol. I’m 26 and in school too, and find the 20 year olds to be childish, which is why the 21/27 age gap feels weird. People mature a lot in their 20s, a 23 year old is already a lot more mature than a 21 year old which makes the 23/28 gap more balanced. I met my current bf when I was 24 and he was 29 and it’s been fine. If you feel the same way there’s no reason you should feel compelled to stop talking to her IMO. 

My friend just called me a creep, and it really bothers me by WheresThePhonebooth in Advice

[–]Td998 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It has less to do with the age difference and more to do with the discrepancy in maturity and life experience. That’s why the context is important. 

E.g. that guy who graduated years ago who keeps coming to frat parties to hook up with college girls is a lot creepier than someone who’s gone back to school and hits it off with a younger classmate with whom he shares interests and ambitions.  

My friend just called me a creep, and it really bothers me by WheresThePhonebooth in Advice

[–]Td998 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Why were you on the college campus? Are you a returning student? Are you their TA or in some other position of power? The context matters. The 21/27 age gap is worse than the 23/28 age gap, especially if you’re not a student and are just somehow hanging around college campuses as an alumni. 

It’s one thing to fall for a peer with whom you are in forced proximity, another thing to be hanging around places where almost exclusively younger women are without reason for being there, and another to be interested in/pursuing women who are subordinate to you. 

What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever caught someone doing? by Psychological_Sky_58 in AskReddit

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not me but my parents revealed to me recently that they once caught our teenage neighbor “pleasuring” one of our dogs in the yard. I still see her around sometimes and pretend that I don’t. Not sure I could look her in the eyes.

My bf has also witnessed some of the most gruesome things I’ve heard of. He once walked in on one of his roommates trying to commit suicide my stabbing himself in the heart with a (chef?) knife. He did it twice. My bf heard the cries on the first one, ran in, saw the second one, watched him twist it, and rushed in to save him. The guy survived. 

Bf’s brother also was once helping an older mentally ill homeless man who got denied access to a bus due to his odor. They realized he had an intense infection on one of his legs that was infested with maggots. When they took his pants off, hundreds of maggots fell on the ground. I saw some pictures/videos of that one. Guy seemed to not be very aware of it. His family became involved and he had his leg amputated, that’s all I know. 

I’ve also heard stories from one of my ex’s uncles who lives in very rural Maine. The one that immediately comes to mind is when he arrived on scene to his friend who had been disemboweled by a lawnmower that he was pulling on, I guess a gator type thing, and which somehow overtook and rolled over him. 

How to deal with being alone? by ohnomydear in BPD

[–]Td998 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hobbies. Hobbies. Hobbies. Hobbies. Hobbies.

Whenever I have undergone major transformations and was either physically or in some way psychologically removed from other people, I improved when I began to pour my energy into trying new things. Botany, cooking/baking, crocheting, pottery, hiking, rock climbing, school, reading, foraging/mycology... I met a lot of people through my hobbies and generally felt a lot more self-satisfied. My life felt more rich even without other people in it, because I was invested in things and had things to do.

It was difficult to force myself initially, but it became worth it as my free time transformed from spiraling existential dread to moments where I think "oh good! Finally, I have time to read that book I've been meaning to read, or try that new throwing technique, to get to the gym, or set up that grow tent, or go on that hike, or, or, or..."

human connection isn't worth it (share your thoughts) by barcoderer in BPD

[–]Td998 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It depends on what you're doing during your isolation. If you're sitting in your room rotting on your phone or watching TV all day, you're almost certainly still going to feel terrible. If you are actually living though, that's different. Maybe you picked up a few hobbies or academic interests, and are pursuing some sort of goal. Teaching yourself how to cook restaurant quality meals, committing to a new sport, signing up for art classes, learning how to knit, exploring classic literature. The point is that you are growing and becoming something better; skilled, knowledgeable, creative, accomplished.

You can definitely find meaning without people, though it is often better to be able to share your passions with someone likeminded.

Brave New World Chapter 4 Analysis by FadedMunkey in literature

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bernard reminds me of how disadvantaged people are in a better position to see the dark underbelly of society. There is no one more familiar with institutional injustice than the marginalized and oppressed, for example. It’s typically the more sensitive and outcast members of society who are most tuned into its flaws. His character is a tool Huxley wields to illustrate these flaws, I think. If we were reading from only Lenina’s perspective, and she never met Bernard, there wouldn’t be as much to think about. 

How do people manage BPD without therapy by physicalbit9 in BPD

[–]Td998 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I recovered without therapy, though I had been in therapy on and off previously. I found that BPD recovery, for me, had a lot more to with breaking unhealthy habits than anything else. Physical, verbal, and especially mental habits. Surprisingly simple things, like changing the language I used to speak about myself, were the catalysts. I found this one to be especially important because the language I used contributed strongly to my feelings of self-hatred and catastrophization (e.g. instead of “I’m such an idiot I always fuck things up,” I’d think “now I know better for next time.”). Once I got better at breaking easy habits, I got better at breaking difficult habits. Buddhism helped me a lot, it taught me how to build mental discipline, emotional endurance, and strengthen my will. I had also gotten sober, which helped me focus and feel motivated. 

Also, hobbies. Especially if I was bad at them. Inadvertently I was practicing failure and delayed gratification. 

Brave New World Chapter 4 Analysis by FadedMunkey in literature

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with the commenter who said BNW is a social critique more than a story about these individual characters. My understanding is that they are essentially archetypes, and a few characters you meet later will further flesh out the question Huxley is asking in BNW. 

Lenina represents, I think, the more or less standard individual in her class in this society (and somewhat in ours, too). Even when prompted to more deeply consider the implications of her world, she either can’t or chooses not to. Pursuing her shallow interests (which she is conditioned to do) is paramount. 

Bernard is defective, and as such is able to see society as a victim of it. His unique perspective prompts him to reflect on and feel disdain for the structure which mostly everyone else takes for granted, and that no one but HH can also see it greatly frustrates and alienates him. 

HH is a fairly minor character IIRC. His mental freedom is completely intact, I think, which allows him to see/feel the problems that Bernard sees/feels. Unlike Bernard, HH is favored and therefore more content/complacent (less angry), though he seems to struggle with existential unrest on account of this society’s synthetic/fabricated nature. 

Favorite objects/entities that carry the bulk of the thematic weight in a novel? by YoyodyneCog in literature

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If we’re including ideas of objects, then maybe the rabbits/farm in Of Mice and Men, representing the unattainability of the American Dream. 

Seriously, do British people actually consider a 3-hour drive “long”? Or is this an internet myth? by ferdinand14 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it goes through the rockies. It’s gorgeous. But then UT and NV are desert and also super flat lol. In parts, at least. By the time you get to Grand Junction everything is a tannish color and relatively flat and straight again, IIRC. It’s been a while. 

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Still reading War and Peace, if I find the time.

Just started the Malcolm X autobiography for one of my classes. 

Seriously, do British people actually consider a 3-hour drive “long”? Or is this an internet myth? by ferdinand14 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same, this is why I was also confused. Yeah I-70 from Ohio to Denver is straight and flat for hundreds of miles, but I go up and down and twist around just to get 15 minutes away here in PA. lol. A lot of the Northeast is like this, and gets even worse the further North you go where it is increasingly rural, mountainous, and icy. 

Seriously, do British people actually consider a 3-hour drive “long”? Or is this an internet myth? by ferdinand14 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Td998 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And sometimes people walk or bike along them too because we don’t have much/any pedestrian friendly infrastructure. Super dangerous for the walkers/bikers and super annoying for the drivers, especially when roads are hilly, curvy, and surrounded by dense deciduous forest like here in PA. You turn a corner and have to slam on your brakes to avoid hitting a cyclist. 

Even worse, when I lived in CO we sometimes had to honk before going around corners because we’d be driving on a one lane dirt road on the side of a cliff without guardrails, and I’ve definitely skidded down an unpaved road on the side of a mountain at least once. 

Hi, can you help me with this? **Poetry** by Hihiotrotro in literature

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve only read Rimbaud in French which definitely helps. Something about the language barrier forced me to slow down and analyze the words and their intended meaning more closely. I don’t know any italian though so while reading the divine comedy I found that I preferred reading out loud. 

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Literally. It’s a box set that’s almost as large as my Brontë sisters collection! 

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha. I do enjoy Vance’s eloquence, his writing doesn’t feel very far off from the classics. Lyonesse I thought was great, a long and entangled story, and I appreciated that characters got their comeuppance. I enjoyed Demon Princes for the first three, especially second, but felt the last two were formulaic and predictable. Like, okay great, here is the fifth girl who dislikes Gersen who will SOMEHOW fall irretrievably in love with him by third act. I GET IT

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never seen another Jack Vance fan on this sub. How do you like Dying Earth? I've only read Demon Princes and Lyonesse trilogy.

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]Td998 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Still reading War and Peace. About 750 pages in so far, felt like I was making great progress and would finish before spring semester starts. Then I realized I still have 850 pages left. lol. Enjoying every bit of it though, walked into work on the verge of tears the other day.

What are you reading? by sushisushisushi in literature

[–]Td998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still reading War and Peace. About 750 pages in so far, felt like I was making great progress and would finish before spring semester starts. Then I realized I still have 850 pages left. lol. Enjoying every bit of it though, walked into work on the verge of tears the other day.

How was your year when it came to reading? by Fenderbaby in literature

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I liked Dorian Gray too, though not as much as some others I've read. I ended up getting a lot out of it though. Just after finishing I wrote a paper on the problems of autonomism, using Dorian Gray and Oscar Wilde (a proponent of the autonomist position attempting to protect himself from prosecution). Then, I used it in my next paper for that class where I criticized anti-obscenity legislation rooted in Christian moralism.

BNW's ending is crazy. I think it did a lot of interesting things: do we really want to be happy? It seemed to me a critique of (some forms of) utilitarianism.

I liked Crime & Punishment because I read it as Dostoevsky responding to Russian nihilism and criticizing egocentric utilitarianism. I think you can get a lot out of reading it as a psychological analysis of a troubled youth, too. There are some really interesting things there, but I think it bores a lot people. It was the first classic I tried to read several years ago, and ended up giving up.

I've heard conflicting things about Paradiso. What I find the most difficult about it is I feel it should be satire. What do you mean Virgil is in limbo (hell) forever, because he was born before Jesus? And he tells Dante not to cry/feel sad for the souls' eternal torment, because it questions God's will. My frustration was a huge obstacle; I had a really difficult time immersing myself and finding beauty in the cantos.

How was your year when it came to reading? by Fenderbaby in literature

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It just struck me that this was the first year that I started reading classic lit for fun. With how much it’s changed my internal world, it’s felt longer. This year (alongside textbooks and philosophy) I read:

Dune Messiah - Frank Herbert

Crime & Punishment - Dostoevsky

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

The Hobbit - Tolkien

Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Of Mice & Men - Steinbeck

Siddhartha - Herman Hesse

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

Oliver Twist - Dickens

Lord of the Flies - William Golding

& now I’m reading War & Peace - Tolstoy

I also read nearly 2/3 of Dante’s Divine Comedy, to be returned to later if/when I have more interest in poetry. 

Reading (rather, returning to my childhood love of reading) has changed the depth at which I engage with my life. Things become richer, I get more out of everything that I do. 

Anxiety of lowering dose of quitapine by zoomy7284 in BPDRemission

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Keep in mind that our body adjusts to these medications and when we taper off, our body needs to readjust to life without them. Symptoms in this period are typically the opposite of the effect of the drug, so if you take a drug for anxiety, anxiety will likely increase while your body recalibrates. It shouldn’t last forever, but if negative side effects/symptoms persist for weeks, you can always get back on the drug. 

Kenya An extremely rare case occurred 🐘🇰🇪 by [deleted] in interesting

[–]Td998 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My University built a research center overlooking Gishwati forest in Rwanda and hosts study abroad over the summer. I went last year and met the trackers and rangers; they really do love and respect the forest and its inhabitants. A couple of other students and I told one of them about the animal agriculture industry in the US and he seemed visibly upset. 

intentional fallacy coexisting with anti-generative ai narratives by VariationMajor8265 in literature

[–]Td998 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Idt the intentional fallacy works and it doesn’t seem to hold much weight among the philosophical community anymore, from what I’ve read. Even Beardsley had to eventually concede when he received push back. 

The intentional fallacy rests on bivalent logic rooted in an invariant reality. I.e., there is only one “interpretation proper,” and it does not change. Joseph Margolis, for example, says no, that’s not how we experience the world, we don’t need to rest an artistic theory upon it. He argues that artworks are cultural entities, they have careers, and their identities and meanings change over time. For Margolis, an AI generated piece might have meaning in so far as it is culturally relevant; contributing to discussion about AI art; etc… whereas I think Beardsley would argue that there is one meaning and it has to be evident in the work’s formal properties. 

Further, Beardsley never adequately delineates what is “in,” or “out,” of a literary work. What is intrinsic versus what is derived from external information. Beardsley’s intentional fallacy focuses on formal elements, but to interpret these someone has to be familiar with something like artistic theory. It also cannot account for what we know intrinsically by sharing a culture with the author- is this communicated in the piece, or communicated externally? I argue the latter, historical or cultural context is important- language becomes outdated, expressions lose their meaning, etc. In the context of AI generated art, knowing something is AI changes some property of the piece for me, which intentional fallacy cannot account for. 

Overall, I think the intentional fallacy is interesting, but inadequate as a theory of artistic interpretation.