Angury
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Posts posted by Angury
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I've just finished watching Season 3. I was worried that it wouldn't live up to the previous two seasons but it certainly did. It is a harrowing experience watching the episodes, and I feel like this season captured our internet obsessions in a far more accurate (and therefore more scary) way.
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Still reading Volume V of Proust's In Search of Lost Time. Am beginning to falter now - the writing is beautiful but I feel overloaded with his writing now.
Am taking a short break from his writing to read Kant's Prolegomena. It's a nice change from Proust, but just as taxing I would say.
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The British philosopher R.G. Collingwood once made a distinction between the types of art that we enjoy, defining them as 'Amusement Art' and 'Magic Art.'
Amusement Art is described as art that we use as a type of escapism, a distraction from our day-to-day lives. Magic Art, on the other hand, has the ability to transform our lives and the way we see the world around us.
I can see where this division comes from and have read several books that have changed my life. But I would argue that there are some pieces of work which you can use both as a distraction from the real world, and also change the way you see the world around you. For example, as a fantasy fan I read a lot of fantasy series for fun and as a way to alleviate stress, but there are some series that have stuck with me years down the line and changed the way I think, speak and act. Likewise, I have gotten into many discussions with people who believe that fantasy books are 'just for kids' and that there is little you can learn from them. I would argue that these two types of Art aren't mutually exclusive.
I would be curious to hear other peoples thoughts and was also wondering what books have changed peoples lives. For me (in no particular order):
- Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
This novel stimulated my interest in Forensic Psychiatry and the idea that people who have committed horrendous crimes have their own emotions to battle with and deserve help just like everyone else. Sounds obvious, but I think we live in a very blaming culture and dehumanise criminals in our society.
- In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
I haven't even finished this series yet, but the deep insights that you get from narrator made me see human life from a different lens. These little obsessive thoughts and mannerisms that we all have, and the irrational thoughts that trail all of our minds are put to the forefront in this series. It just allowed me to take a step back and appreciate that we all suffer from irrational and at times disturbing emotions throughout our lives.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
As someone working in science and healthcare I found this story to have some very deep and dark lessons. I felt there were some underlying lessons that are particularly relevant in todays society where we are very much obsessed with science and the idea that we can do whatever we want. The story highlights the dangers and the need for humility and self-reflection when going down a scientific path. I have become more mindful and questioning in my career since reading this book.
These are just three examples, I'd love to hear everyone elses.
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I have heard so much about this book over the past few weeks, culminating in the release of the new film starring Emily Blunt.
It has been repeatedly recommended to me and several friends have told me that they couldn't put the book down.
I am curious to hear other peoples thoughts on this novel. I generally try to avoid books that are in the 'popular' sphere so to speak. Not because I'm snobbish or anything, but simply because I've had a bad experience with them in the past.
It would be great to hear what other people think though. I have almost been tempted to go and buy the book given how much my friends have gone on about it.
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Interesting. I remember seeing a one off drama last Christmas with that name by Charlie Brooker. It was about the future. It was really good but quite dark. Have they made it into a series now?
Yes, there are two series and a Christmas special. Definitely worth watching.
Also, exciting news:
Not so exciting: I don't have Netflix.
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I have to admit the Nobel Prize winner is always an author I have never heard of. So I am hoping that at least this year it will be an author who sounds familiar.
I have heard a lot of people say that Murakami should win the Prize. I do think he is very a good writer and would be happy if he did win, but I have no idea what the 'criteria' are so to speak. There are so many brilliant writers out there - how do you choose?
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Most of the way through Never Alone by Elizabeth Haynes, another meh 'thriller' that consists mostly of sex and making tea. Wish I was as non-selective as all these people who keep raving about all these thrillers I think are bad!
Also just over halfway through The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories, by first foray into the world of Lovecraft. For the most part, I'm finding the stories likeable or dull, with the odd exception I love. His writing is spectacular and his descriptions of place are stunning, but the actual plots can be underwhelming and there's nothing scary or disturbing about any of them. I can see how they might have been, a hundred years ago, but these days not so much. Happily, the title story about Cthulhu was one of my four-star ratings in the book, so maybe I'll enjoy reading other Cthulhu stuff. I've jumped around a lot, and left the longer stories til last, but I think his longer stories may actually be where he shines. Either way, I'm glad I finally gave him a go.
Interesting to hear your perspective. Lovecraft is one of those writers who I have been meaning to read for a long, long time. I have heard so much about his writing, and as a Fantasy fan I've been told that his stories are a must-read.
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Wow! That's wonderful, to get so far with Proust!
Haha, thanks. I do think it is worth it though - the man is a genius.
I'm not sure if you're speaking sarcastically or not, but some of those things you list are things I'm personally not quite so keen on.
I'm being entirely serious. I know all of these factors make the series sound like an awful ordeal, yet bizarrely these books are some of the best I've ever read. They give you an insight into humanity and makes you question your own thoughts and behaviour.
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I have now started Volume 5 of Marcel Proust's 6-part series, In Search of Lost Time. I'm hoping to finish the entire series by the end of this month.
For those who haven't read it, it is a beautifully written series filled with flowery language, exquisite metaphors, sentences with very few full stops and a story in which nothing happens.
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Black Mirror is a British TV series that examines the impact of technology on modern society. It is very dark and satirical, and every episode leaves you with a horrible feeling at the bottom of your stomach.
Some of the episodes are not that far fetched, and that's what makes it so scary. The acting is fantastic, and the stories really grab you and hold you to your seat.
The episodes have received critical acclaim which is why I decided to give them a go (I very rarely watch TV) and I cannot get the series out of my mind. The next series is beginning in October this year, and I just wanted to start this thread to see if there were any other fans waiting for the new episode to premier.
I also find it interesting that Charlie Brooker (who created the show) chose the name Black Mirror as it describes how technology looks when we turn it off - TVs, iPhones, iPads, laptops etc. We are all really just staring into black mirrors.
"If technology is a drug – and it does feel like a drug – then what, precisely, are the side effects? This area – between delight and discomfort – is where Black Mirror, my new drama series, is set. The 'black mirror' of the title is the one you'll find on every wall, on every desk, in the palm of every hand: the cold, shiny screen of a TV, a monitor, a smartphone."
- Charlie Brooker
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Amazon purchased Goodreads in 2013 and the community was in an uproar. Most people did not like the announcement.
How come?
There was also some trouble with deleted reviews without notifying the reviewer. . Goodreads changed the FAQ but deleted certain reviews before doing it and without any notice.
I read through the FAQ, and it sounds like the staff were aware of their mistakes and it doesn't sound like something that will happen again.
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I gave up on Goodreads a few years ago when the scandal with deleted reviews and the Amazon deal was up. The site was awesome and I read some great books due to some of its book clubs but the new policy made me delete my account. There are several alternatives but sadly none are QUITE as good.
I still lurk there from time to time but it's just not the same.
I did a quick Google search but didn't come up with anything - what was the scandal about?
Also, what new policy? I feel very much in the dark here.
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I'm thinking of signing up on Goodreads as it would be nice to have a log of all the books I've read. I've had a good look at random people's profiles and it looks like some people tend to just log books when they've read them whilst others update multiple times per day with their reading progress. Overall it seems like it's a good community though.
I would recommend it. I often check the reviews on Goodreads before buying a book. I haven't always agreed with the reviews, but I often find myself agreeing with some of the comments.
Given the ridiculous length of my to-read list, I find the website to be a very useful way of keeping track of all my books, which I can often divide by categories. I also find it interesting to look back at the end of the year and see what books I have read, what ratings I have given them and how quickly I completed them. It's a good way of analysing ones reading habits. There's also a satisfaction in finishing a book and updating your bookshelf on the website.
Oh, and setting the challenge of reading a set amount of books in the year (in my case, 50) also motivates me.
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I found the sentences difficult, I believe. I usually ended up googling 'Kant for dummies' and seeing if anyone other than Kant could tell me what he was trying to say. I'm not sure you need a good knowledge of other philosophy, but I really don't remember much about it. It was one of my least favourite parts of what I studied and I'm pretty sure I did the bare minimum to scrape through that module, so I really can't tell you much. We didn't study any other philosophers in relation to him, so I don't know what other ones are out there.
I'm virtually no help, I know, sorry!
Don't be sorry - you've been very helpful. I've had a look at some beginner books into Metaphysics which I have found very easy to read, so I am hoping to work my way up towards Kant. It may take me a long time, but I am determined to give him a go.
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It's a problem. I don't feel quite so cavalier about disposing of a magazine in the same way I do a newspaper, but I also don't feel it's a "real" book, so more often than not a stack of magazines builds up beside the bookcase or something.
Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. My parents think its ridiculous how difficult I find it to throw out magazines. But once I've read them I feel like they're mine, and throwing them out just feels like a betrayal.
Oddly enough I don't mind borrowing books from libraries and returning them as much - I don't feel as much ownership over them. Unless of course it's a book that touches me deeply, in which case I simply must go out and buy my own copy.
I love both formats. I do use my tablet more tho. I got lots of magazines by doing the free trials
Country Living (UK and USA)
Britain
Victoria
Southern Lady
LandLove
American Scholar
Oxford American
Lets Travel
National Geo
Southern Living
American History
Essence
Ebony
Country Life
BBC History
and several others
Other magazines I have as printed copies because I can't find them on nook or Kindle.
My tablet goes with me most places so it definitely helps keeping the magazines on it for easy reading.
Interesting list. I wish I had more time to read magazines - there are some great ones out there.
At present I have had to dwindle my list down to four:
- New Scientist (which I think I will have to stop, as I just don't have the time)
- Scientific American Mind
- Writers Forum
- Philosophy Now
I was in a bit of a dilemma about getting either the Writers Forum magazine or the Writing magazine. After reading both I felt that the articles in the Writers Forum struck more of a chord with me, but I still feel that in some way I have missed out by now getting both..
I also used to subscribe to the New Yorker mainly for their stories and poetry. I have to admit though that a lot of their stories didn't really stand out to me, which is a pity, because I have heard so much praise about the magazine.
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One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a very good book...Magic Realism? I do not think so..
What makes you say that?
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I just started using my iPad to subscribe to two magazines I buy - Philosophy Now and Scientific American Mind - and I was pleasantly surprised.
The articles are very easy to read on the screen, and in a way I find it much easier to flick through than a hard copy. The aesthetics also seem to stand out for me more.
I just don't like having a pile of magazines lying around, and this is a good alternative I think.
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Oh yes, I am a fan of Alain too!
. I find that his writing style is beautiful! If you haven’t read of his philosophical books, I recommend The Consolations of Philosophy, as that was the first book I read about philosophy, when I had no idea to start on the subject, and this one was ideal.
This little blurb was just great, just what I was looking for.
“ Alain de Botton, bestselling author of How Proust Can Change Your Life, has set six of the finest minds in the history of philosophy to work on the problems of everyday life. Here then are Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer and Nietsche on some of the things that bother us all: lack of money, the pain of love, inadequacy, anxiety; the fear of failure and the pressure to conform. “
Philsophy: A Guide to Happiness is basically his TV series on Channel 4 of this book, and all episodes are free to watch online through their All 4.
His book Essays In Love is another good read too.
Hope you enjoy reading Alain's works.
Thank you for the suggestions. I didn't even know Botton used to have a TV series - I checked out some episodes online and goodness does he look young.
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We visited Hay in March. Only on a Sunday though. A nice small town but most shops weren't open when we visited. The 2 that were open - 1 was fine, 1 was awful - the worst bookshop I've ever visited. Terribly snotty staff and "we saw you coming" prices for the most average of things. Quite possibly the largest shop in the town too. A sense that most of their clientele are tourists who are there to buy books, so let's milk them a bit". It did rather put me off attending the festival. Lovely part of the world, though I have to say. We stayed in Ross on Wye which has a very good old bookshop.
Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. Please don't let it put you off - I think the festival is a wonderful experience if you're a book lover, and hopefully that was just a one-off experience.
I have been researching other literary festivals across the UK, and there are tons of them around. I see the Edinburgh International Book Festival cropping up again and again. I'm curious whether anyone has attended any other literary festivals, and how they found them.
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Just curious, do people buy hardcopies of their magazines or subscribe on an iPad/Kindle etc?
I currently buy hardcopies but am tempted to subscribe on my iPad as I think it will be much cleaner. I also move around a lot, meaning that I can't buy a subscription long-term.
Then again, I can't imagine myself sitting in a park or a coffee shop flicking through my iPad so to speak. It's not like I carry my iPad with me everywhere I go, whereas I do generally carry a magazine in my handbag which I can whip out at any time.
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I have fallen in love with this man. Alain de Botton is a British/Swiss author who aims to make art and philosophy more accessible to the public.
In 2008 he founded the School of Life, which offers 'emotional education' through a series of talks and videos. I personally have been using his Youtube Channel to learn more about different philosophers - the videos are short and succinct, and really encourage you to try and apply philosophy to your own every day life. He has also created videos on Psychology, Sociology, Literature and Art - they are generally short videos that give you an overview yet encourage you to read deeper into an authors work.
However, I am ashamed to say that I have not yet read one of Botton's works. The book I am planning to start with is A Week at the Airport, described below:
'In the summer of 2009, Alain de Botton was installed in the middle of Heathrow's Terminal Five on a raised platform with a laptop connected to screens, enabling passengers to see what he was writing and to come and share their stories. He provides an extraordinary mediation upon the nature of place, time and our daily lives.'
I also want to read his book, How Proust can change your life, which is described as:
'A vivid portrait of the eccentric yet deeply sympathetic author is built up out of extracts from his letters, essays and fiction and is combined with a commentary on the power of literature to change our lives.'
So, I wanted to start this thread to find other fellow Botton fans. Has anyone read any of his works? Is he a good writer? From his talks he comes across as very eloquent and humorous, and his ideas really go deep and make you think.
Just to illustrate how wonderful Botton truly is, below is a link to his talk about how we can use Art as Therapy in our day to day lives. I would highly recommend watching it if you have the time - Botton is a fantastic speaker and he has certainly changed the way I think about Art:
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I struggled with the book in my third year of Philosophy with a lecturer guiding me through it, though we all agreed it was his way of expressing his ideas rather than the ideas themselves, that were difficult. It's been years, though, I don't even remember what those ideas were for the most part.
However, I did read a book recently called The Thing Itself by Adam Roberts, which is a sort of thriller based on some of Kant's ideas, such as his categories of experience/understanding and the fact that due to the nature of human perception, we can never truly view or know the world 'as is', unperceived, including what else might be out there. The 'what else is out there' is the thrilling part of the book. Slight sidebar, but you may find it interesting. It does explain a few of his ideas in layman's terms, though it's primarily a thriller, not sci-fi.
Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check it out.
Regarding Critique of Pure Reason, are the sentences themselves difficult to read (a bit like Foucault)? Or is it more just trying to get your head around his ideas? ..Or, would you say you need a good knowledge of philosophy prior to reading Kant?
Also, if I were interested in the sort of ideas Kant expresses in this work, are there any other philosophers you would recommend, who are perhaps a bit more easy going?
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I am very interested in self-studying Philosophy, and have read a number of general overviews about the subject including Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy.
I recently undertook an online course on Modernism and Post-Modernism on the website Coursera, and have since become rather interested by Kant's work. I have since watched several videos on Youtube regarding his work, Critique of Pure Reason, and am just about to finish a course on iTunes U which summarises the work.
My plan is to read his initial work, Prolegomena before delving head first into Critique of Pure Reason.
Anyhow, my question is - as a beginner, would Critique of Pure Reason go completely over my head? I have made a list of vocabulary that Kant uses and have made some notes based on the summaries I have read of the work so far. I plan to read through the work very slowly, making copious amounts of notes on the way. However, I have heard several people say that Kant's work, particularly Critique of Pure Reason, is a very difficult undertaking, and would be beyond the level of a beginner.
Has anyone read Critique of Pure Reason? What were your thoughts on it? Do you think I would need to have a bit more of a background before delving into this work? From the summaries I have read so far, I find the ideas within this work to be incredibly thought-provoking, which is why I want to give it a try. However, I am worried that the work might go way above my head.
If I do need more of a background first, what philosophers and their works would you recommend I try first?
Thanks for the help.
Black Mirror
in Music / TV / Films
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What did you think of the San Junipero episode?