/lit/ - Literature

>>18997585
that usually gives high-school level sparknotes interpretations. are those any good?

>>18997581
here's my understanding of voltaire's candide


First, I’d like to assert that any “best possible world” requires life, as only life – complex, abstract-thinking life, that is – can give judgements such as “best possible,” “worst possible,” better,” and so on. Secondly, I’d like to posit that life is a zero-sum game; that is, in order for one animal to live, another living entity must die to provide sustenance. Even trees compete with one another: the tallest tree soaks up all the sunlight while the smaller ones starve in its shade – and, by this process of painful competition, our planet has evolved such tall plants. We can say, then, that Voltaire dismissing Earth’s label as “best possible” on the grounds of pain existing is silly. Of course, there’s a difference between the bare minimum of pain existing and superfluous pain existing; and, perhaps, Voltaire meant to make the point that too much pain is present, rather than pain itself is present, thereby making “best possible” a shaky title for this planet. But what would we say if a complex-life-sustaining planet existed with a bare minimum of pain? Would we still not find room to complain? Would the citizens of El Dorado really not whine about their lot? Indeed, the “best possible” luxury of El Dorado really only exists when placed in contrast with the privation Westphalia. So, because we must think, and because we must feel at least some pain in order for concepts like “best possible” to exist, we will always have the mental tools necessary to complain. That is, we, of course, don’t live in the best possible world; however, no one ever will. There is no best possible world, only a most possible world, which seems, naturally, to be the one we inhabit.

looks like philosophy's useless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgQEAvEZupY

>write something
>it's good
>read it months later
>it's the most horrid and embarrassing thing I've ever read
why does this happen every single time? don't tell me this means you're making progress as a writer. it looks like i'm morphing from one stupid retard to a different stupid retard

what are your favorite writing/ thinking exercises?
how has deliberate practice helped you become more literate?

what can you write about if
a. you have practically no experience with other people
b. you have no experience with the world
and c. you can't remember the last time you felt a strong emotion

also, can you recommend any novels by confirmed schizoids?

I've only read the savage detectives but i didn't really get the point
am i too midwit for his writing?
i have a copy of 2666 but if i am too midwit i might not read it

>>16611896
>>16611920
>>16611929
shut the frick up about dubs and tell me how to into epistemology!!!!!

anyone else here realize that women simply cannot write and do not have worthwhile insights?