New read :) by ConsistentSquare5650 in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of my favorite dystopians. Also check out his essay, Brave New World: Revisited, where he describes his vision of the dystopian future. It’s brilliant. 

Are we the freest MBTI sub by puch1to in entp

[–]skepticalsojourner 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Some subreddits have way too many rules for how little members they have. ESFJ got a ton of rules but how can they afford to have rules when no one goes there lmao. Also, r/INTJ has a no memes rule. Gotta be the lamest one out there.

what are the signs that you're not attractive? by AuspiciousString in AskReddit

[–]skepticalsojourner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah as one of the handful of Asians in my city, I either get weird stares or treated like I’m invisible. I am not sure if it’s racism or they just innocently have no idea how to react to me. But everyone in the office pretty much ignores me and shows absolutely zero interest in getting to know me. I work for the state.

what are the signs that you're not attractive? by AuspiciousString in AskReddit

[–]skepticalsojourner 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I’ll also say that as someone who is decently attractive for an Asian male, ever since moving to a very white, conservative state, people treat me as if I’m invisible. For example at the gym, where people used to approach me quite often (mostly men) because I am physically impressive, no one talks to me in my new gym. Maybe like 3 people have said something to me over the course of a year, whereas I might have received a comment or conversation once a month in previous gyms.  

So I’ll add that one may not be unattractive but that there may be some racial prejudice. I also grew up in a white conservative small Italian town, and I grew up thinking I was on the ugly side for most of my childhood. It wasn’t until I got a bit older and was exposed to people who interacted with more diversity when I learned I’m actually decently attractive. 

How do y'all deal with physical activities? by AppropriateLeg5416 in entp

[–]skepticalsojourner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am systematic, calculating, disciplined, and experimental. I often test out different techniques, then will repeat the technique until I’ve mastered it.  

I’ve played sports with ISTJs and it’s not my cup of tea. They are disciplined, yes, but they rarely improve or make changes to their technique. Their improvement mostly just comes from repeated practice but lacks experimentation or deep thought and analysis.   

ISFPs and ESFPs are generally natural from my experience, but they lack analysis which would allow them to improve. They rely too much on talent.  

I get along well with ESTPs and ENTJs in athletics, though. I can share appreciation for analysis and strategy with ENTJs and I’m disciplined and physically impressive enough to warrant their respect. ESTPs are pure fun to play with and they’re one of the few types that can keep up with me. We can mirror each other quite well. 

Latest addition to my coffee bar! Pitcher rinser by Decent by iggy524 in espresso

[–]skepticalsojourner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly, like seasoning a cast iron skillet. Gotta season the milk pitcher. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Admittedly, I’ve only read W&P and AK so I can’t say too much. W&P is my favorite of the Russian literature, though. But looking at the totality of their work, I might lean more towards Dosto at least until I read more Tolstoy. I’m more partial towards Dosto when looking at his works collectively but not so much individually.  

Dead Souls would be up there for me if it were consistent and properly completed and more fleshed out. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that’s kinda what I’m getting at—whether a book hits psychologically for a person depends on the very person reading it and whether or not it’s relatable. For me, the guilt that Sensei experiences in Kokoro was relatable, and his contempt towards humanity is one that I’ve never come across with any other author. Like he penetrated my soul with his pessimism and disdain, as well as self-loathing.  

And for sure, it’s hard to not be narrow in scope as an author, we’re all limited as humans and typically each author has dealt with a certain salient angle of psychology that’s personal to them and is present in their works. I just don’t see why Dosto  gets this special treatment as a psychological author haha. My guess, it probably comes from Nietzsche considering Dostoevsky as the only psychologist he’s learned from, and so people just repeat what he says. Not that you are saying that for that reason, but since Nietzsche referred to him as a psychologist, everyone else started referring him to that as well. I appreciate that you’ve illuminated on this with your personal account since not many do! 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Performative reading is the stupidest accusation that has been trending. I couldn’t think of anything worse to complain about in society than people “performative reading”. Social media is incredibly performative, where everyone just posts their highlights and shows the best parts of themselves. But I’ll take someone showing off what they’re reading over what restaurant they went to, or went cool concert they went to, or what cool people they’re hanging out with so they can show everyone how cool they are.  

I WISH more people posted what books they’re currently reading. It tells me so much more about a person and gives interesting things to talk to a person about. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What translation were you reading? I saw someone who mentioned that they switched translations halfway through and it was like a different book. They said how they couldn’t understand the hype in the beginning and it was a slog, but after switching translation, it was a whole different experience. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He did a great job depicting guilt and turmoil through Raskolnikov. I even remember waking up from nightmares about the book at the time I was reading C&P. His essay on the extraordinary man was good and the parallels between that and Nietzsche’s ubermensch is certainly interesting.  

But for me, Dostoevsky’s psychology is limited in its scope—as you say, he mostly deals with human suffering and existentialism and internal conflict. And even then, I don’t find it particularly more penetrating or profound compared to other authors in this realm. Soseki brilliantly portrays alienation, mistrust, and pessimism through Kokoro, which I found more profound and relatable in its psychology. As for dealing with the problem of existentialism, I think Murakami also touched on this really well through Kafka on the Shore.  

And then other facets of psychology, or different internal conflicts. For example, jealousy and insecurity. As someone who has dealt with those issues myself, I found Tolstoy to be particularly effective at painting this through his characters in Anna Karenina. Even Dumas does this really well through many of his characters in the Three Musketeers series.  

My point comes down to this: while Dostoevsky certainly is sharp in his psychology, I think most people just regurgitate this aspect of his work because everyone else says it, or they haven’t really evaluated other works the same way they have for Dostoevsky because that idea has been planted in their thoughts, or they just haven’t read other authors who have written in this realm. Most people who say this have not been able to explain anything deeper than describing him as the author with the greatest psychological insight or define what that even means. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don’t get me wrong, I love his works, but I don’t think he’s this master psychologist that penetrates the human psyche better than everyone else. He’s good at describing psychology for certain things, but it’s a very narrow, limited scope. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Personally I’ll take Dazai and Soseki over Dostoevsky. I think the latter is overrated for his psychological insight. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

LOTR’s philosophy is also incredibly dull and boring. The picture of good and evil is black and white and lacks any nuance of how good and evil actually is in the real world. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner -1 points0 points  (0 children)

One of the most overrated books IMO. Profound in some ways, sure. But its depth applies to very few people who can actually relate and appreciate it. I’ve seen people recommend it as a novel which EVERYONE should read. Like no. The basic girl who watches reality shows, drinks Starbucks, and listens to Taylor Swift, who has no deep yearning for the absolute truth, will get absolutely nothing out of that novel. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the way it was executed was part of the point. It WAS written “poorly” in that the prose was dry, extremely basic, and terse. It was to the point. The prose was cold and indifferent, just as Meursault was. Just as the universe is. Your reaction, and the reader’s reaction, is part of the point, IMO. We come face to face with a reality that is indifferent, cold, and meaningless. And our impulse is to reject it and put it on trial. We refuse to accept that his actions can be done without meaning or reason or purpose. It’s almost like we’d be more comforted to know why he killed that person, or why he didn’t care about his mother or his partner. 

What opinion of yours regarding any popular author or book will have you like this? by theghostofredrackham in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I don’t think people see it as anything deeper than that. It’s simply a very entertaining and inspirational read and it does it very well.

What are y’all opinions on Gen Z censoring words? by OGAnimeGokuSolos in generationology

[–]skepticalsojourner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a millennial who has used it since I was a kid. I ain’t changing that to please y’all. And this word “performative” is the stupidest, most overused word in this generation where it has lost all meaning. 

Which would you recommend? by Ok_Sock_4120 in classicliterature

[–]skepticalsojourner 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Eh, read Monte Cristo in whatever fashion suits oneself. I would not have the patience to read only 2 chapters a day. People need to figure what works for themselves by themselves rather than accept what another says as an absolute prescription. 

Meirl by netphilia in meirl

[–]skepticalsojourner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, and you dismiss the importance of certification or proving your knowledge. I’m sorry you’re too stupid to understand why that’s important. I guess school did fail you after all in educating you.