/lit/ - Literature

>>1572932
Posts like these are why I keep on coming back to this board.

You sir, have a great goddamn sense of humor. If I could shake your hand, I would.

>>1572920
Bah. I find that Usefullness to Society is a rather dangerous barometer of one's character. If one goes down that road, you might find sick justifications for telling a man what he ought to do for a living, rather than what he lives to do.

Usefullness to one's self is much more important. I don't mind the hermit who grows his own food. It's only when he comes after my pocket book that I resent the bastard.

Believe me, there are plenty of useful (to both themselves and by extension to others) and enterprising fellows who will provide for society's needs. And if there isn't--well hell--now you've got a market to break into should you consider yourself a potential entrepreneur, eh?

>>1572842
Touché. I agree that personal experience is often the best teacher. A person need not read philosophical literature to develop values, but I wouldn't discourage his interest in doing so.

So there is no objective right or wrong, you say?

I can't say that I share your cynicism. Right--in my mind--is that which aids man's life. Wrong--is that which destroys it. To attempt to justify a wrong to another person by advocating an argument that it appeals to one's own self interest is a disgusting shade of hypocrisy.

I'd have asked you what your particular philosophy is, as I'm curious. Though I suppose you've already given me an answer.

I'm not sure if it's so much the stigma of anti-socialization as much as the culture we live in and it's emphasis on certain values over others. I mean, take the bus/train/subway sometime. The number of people you see that have an iPod surgically attached to their skull is overwhelming--such a stigma doesn't exist in my opinion.

That said, if people do read more as a result of the introduction of the E-Reader, good for them.

>>1572828
Keep your chin up--You can get what you want out of life if you work hard enough on it.

>>1572817
Perhaps I read too many books and watch too many movies. I like to think that people--in certain parts of the country and of certain persuasions--used to leave each other alone for the most part. More pressing matter to attend to and whatnot. Though you do bring up a good point--I forget about our ancestors tendency towards involving themselves in the affairs of others, even to the extent of killing people to relieve their superstitions.

>>1572792
Philosophy as a degree is an entirely different ballpark, but the idea that a person may develop ideals and values as a result of an interest in philosophical literature is something to mock? Perhaps I misunderstand you. Then again, perhaps you're something of a nihilist.

>>1572772
Please elaborate.

A lot of people will tell you that they live by the ideal of "Live and Let Live". Unfortunately, a lot of people are full of shit.

Restricting access to ANYTHING makes it more appealing for the young. The Bubble Boy mentality that parents have these days is rather pathetic.

Whatever happened to the US (I'm presuming you're American, correct me if I'm wrong) being a country of Rugged Individualism?!

It's a false Dichotomy, in my opinion. A rational fellow will choose whatever is most important to him and be satisfied with his decision. A rational wife will understand if her husband has ideals that he is willing to fight for.

>>1572743
Why so Cynical? Sure, there are simple or weak-minded people out there. And when I was young I'd champion intellect over intention. Certainly a lot of good can come from those with incredible mental faculties. But I find that well-meaning, hard working, honest individuals are much more rare and much more valuable.

As far as "The End" is concerned--I find the fact that I'm going to die to be incredible motivating. Else, I have wasted what may be my only shot at existence, no?

>>1572744
Bah. The most inspiring people I've met are the ones who have undergone the most hardships. Attitude is everything, my friend.

>>1572685
Oh, FFS!

The fact that people will parrot philosophers, to say nothing of religious leaders, celebrities, pornstars, etc--says nothing of philosophy as a means to find out what you want to get out of life.

Enough with the Cynicism!

>>1572739
Agreed! Any time I meet an Apathetic person, I feel as though they've turned off their mind. It's pretty depressing, to be honest.

>>1572724
Awesome.

Bravo!

Conviction.

I admire any sort of man who knows where he wants to get in life and is working towards getting there. Apathy is perhaps the most irritating personal quality, I find.

>>1572709

Restaurant worker (Read: Delivery Driver/Barback), middling entrepreneur and aspiring aviator/radio personality/United States Marine. I aim to become something of a Jack of All Trades when all is said and done.

To be honest, it depends on the introduction. Introductions to classics written by (what I would call) modern hacks are often about as interesting as watching paint dry and I either find myself completely lacking fulfillment after reading them, or they give away the following story, which pisses me off.

As a rule, I'll give an introduction 3 or 4 paragraphs. If it hasn't caught my interest by then--then the piece of literature will speak for itself.

Yes, it would matter.

If you were alright with them being robots, that's one thing. Some people are hermits by nature and do not feed off of human interaction. That's perfectly fine--to each his own.

So far as if you didn't know--for one, it's deception, which to be honest is kind of fucked up. For two, it's fairly depressing. If you're looking for general human interaction, I know of no better medium than face to face conversation. Don't get me wrong, I like posting and conversating via an electronic medium as much as the next guy, but you can't replace facial expressions, vocal tone, or body language.

United States of America

American

Male

Some College (3 Years of Engineering, likely going to Philosophy/Poli Sci)

The Virtue of Selfishness, Mind Hacks, How to Stay Alive in the Woods, The Stand, A Case of Need.

The Godfather, Moon, The Usual Suspects, Instinct, Jaws

LSD Roma (Nino Rota), Requiem For a Dream Soundtrack (Clint Mansell), The Fat of the Land (Prodigy), Double Bubble (Stereo MC's), Shipwrecked Soundtrack (Patrick Doyle)

Woot!

>>1537971
Kindle Enforces DRM?

It takes PDF's, and I've downloaded a few dozen books on the format so far.

Why not?

Read Survivor. It's terrific.

I kind of want a movie made out of it, but I'm afraid they'll butcher it.

How about this one: "The Best Boards to Troll for Bored Douchebags". I've heard it looks magnificent.

As much as I like to consider myself a philosophical connoisseur, I tend to agree with the statement that actions speak louder than words.

Right now I'm reading Examined Lives: From Socrates to Nietzsche. It's basically an critique of how they lived their lives compared to the rhetoric they championed.

Personally, I found The Fountainhead to be very inspiring to me. I had no idea of what it entailed, and I would recommend that if you aren't familiar with it and do want to read it to simply pick up a copy and enjoy the ride.

You mention we live in " a godless universe filled with chaos and suffering". Yes, this is true. But there is plenty of good in this world, there are hard-working well-meaning people out there that will help you along the way. There are goals, ambitions, and challenges for you to undertake and conquer if you have the will to do so. There is an availability of knowledge today that no single individual could ever experience firsthand. We truly live in interesting times.

There are questions we haven't answered--and shouldn't try to shortcut via religion. There is a great unknown as far as death is concerned. But rather than gaze into the abyss, and risk losing your will--realize that you have an opportunity here and that you'd be a fool to squander it.

In essence, the question of why we're here doesn't matter as much as what we do while we're here.

Take action. As you pursue your ambitions, you'll find yourself less anxious. Examining the nature of our existence and the universe is a noble act, but take care to separate examination from obsession.