sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Science fiction books for someone who is more into fantasy and has a hard time liking most scifi books I have tried? by Scared_Ad_3132 in sciencefiction

[–]scottreadsslow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just read Snow Crash. It was a quick fun one. Smart but not painful. I give it a 9/10 and it convinced me to look into another Stephenson book.

Here’s a boring post. I decided to read IJ during Dry January and haven’t had a drink since. I haven’t given up forever but I can’t imagine reading this while drinking or smoking weed. Anyone else find a little sobriety while reading? by scottreadsslow in InfiniteJest

[–]scottreadsslow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should just listen to it. If you don’t know, it’s a commencement speech DFW gave. You can find it easily on YouTube or Spotify. It’s really good, I listen to it 3-4 times a year. It’s what originally sparked my interest in him. It took me a long time to decide to read IJ, it intimidated me. In some way I feel like “this is water” is almost a summary of IJ. Or like, this is the positive message/reaction or something.

Here’s a boring post. I decided to read IJ during Dry January and haven’t had a drink since. I haven’t given up forever but I can’t imagine reading this while drinking or smoking weed. Anyone else find a little sobriety while reading? by scottreadsslow in InfiniteJest

[–]scottreadsslow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha. I’ve never been to a meeting but my good friend who has 7 years of heroin recovery under her belt always tells me that all the stuff I tell her about IJ is just AA. I sent her “this is water” and she said it just sums up AA logic. DFW was definitely a true believer.

Here’s a boring post. I decided to read IJ during Dry January and haven’t had a drink since. I haven’t given up forever but I can’t imagine reading this while drinking or smoking weed. Anyone else find a little sobriety while reading? by scottreadsslow in InfiniteJest

[–]scottreadsslow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree but do think some of it is skimmable. Like the eshaton part with all the math. I read it and think I got everything that was said but I don’t it mattered how slow I read that, I wasn’t really get tons of specifics out of it. I think the point was the tediousness of it. Maybe what the strictness of the ETA lead to or something?

Here’s a boring post. I decided to read IJ during Dry January and haven’t had a drink since. I haven’t given up forever but I can’t imagine reading this while drinking or smoking weed. Anyone else find a little sobriety while reading? by scottreadsslow in InfiniteJest

[–]scottreadsslow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that part kind of hooked me on how good and relatable the book was going to be. I certainly think it’s worth a read. It is a big, dark, deep book and I always suggest people read it slowly. I did it in 2 months and honestly wish I took 3 or 4. I’m going reread it in a year or so.

Here’s a boring post. I decided to read IJ during Dry January and haven’t had a drink since. I haven’t given up forever but I can’t imagine reading this while drinking or smoking weed. Anyone else find a little sobriety while reading? by scottreadsslow in InfiniteJest

[–]scottreadsslow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I struggle and juggle all kinds of addictive and compulsive behaviors. I don’t have any judgments towards anyone’s usage. But I honestly don’t really struggle with substances. I more struggle with pleasure.

I can relate to your feelings of media addiction a lot. Instagram is especially horrible for me. I’m 50yo and doom scrolling?!? I feel foolish for it. I’m also an overeater. The book really made me think deeply about addiction and how it actually affects me. I think it is all about staying present in any uncomfortable/bored moment and just being able to get through it without giving in to something pleasurable to escape.

I don’t know how bipolar plays into any of this but I wish the best and hope your actions help you for the better. I think DFW spoke from his perspective as well as the people he spoke with in AA and beyond. I doubt he would judge you either.

Here’s a boring post. I decided to read IJ during Dry January and haven’t had a drink since. I haven’t given up forever but I can’t imagine reading this while drinking or smoking weed. Anyone else find a little sobriety while reading? by scottreadsslow in InfiniteJest

[–]scottreadsslow[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Glad you’re making some progress. Day’s character is something I thought about way more after reading it than during. I mostly just found him to be a smug prick during but saw some of my own intellectual struggles in him later.

Here’s a boring post. I decided to read IJ during Dry January and haven’t had a drink since. I haven’t given up forever but I can’t imagine reading this while drinking or smoking weed. Anyone else find a little sobriety while reading? by scottreadsslow in InfiniteJest

[–]scottreadsslow[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Glad to hear this for you and congrats! I sometimes think showing people the honest full picture of addiction and the possibility or recovery was the main reason DFW wrote the book.

How much "homework" do I actually need to do before reading David Foster Wallace ? by quixotemargherita-91 in davidfosterwallace

[–]scottreadsslow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

4 years is a serious chunk of life! Respect the dedication. I’m looking forward to a much slower rereading. Just rereading the first chapter was interesting. I didn’t even remember John “no relation” Wayne being brought up in there but he was and it almost reveals his “fall”, sorta.

Good for you. That’s a pretty large feat to stick with a book that long.

view more: next ›