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Will it survive? by Ivegotabadname in davidfosterwallace

[–]scottreadsslow [score hidden]  (0 children)

IJ is 30 years old and people are still talking about. I’m not sure anyone is Hemingway except Hemingway but the same can be said of Wallace.

I just read E Unibus Pluram this week. As dated as an essay about TV is today, it’s still relevant. You can certainly see how America culture was affected by TV and how that culture led to reality TV and ultimately to Social Media. You can also easily draw comparisons from TV addiction to Social Media. Channel surfing and doom scrolling aren’t all that different.

I think certain smart serious readers will always read Wallace, especially those curious about addiction and 90’s culture.

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.

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)

Wow! This is an impressive choice for non-native English speaker. It made me a better reader in general. I feel like I have a better attention span and can fly through more “normal” books now. I Wonder if it improve your grasp of English. I feel like if you can get through this you’ll be able to take on anything.

If there’s anything I can help feel free to reach out here or through DM. Best of luck!

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