/lit/ - Literature

>>20526024
>contemporary society which celebrates failure
lol wut
Do you even go outside?

>>20526024
Pic rel is literally me

>>20526045
Thank you for posting in my thread

i read 70 books last year, don't lift, and have run 5km in under 25 minutes THOUGH

>>20526024
This is my favorite for a framework on how to think about behavior change generally.
A lot of the strategies in the second half of the book are things you can find in other self help texts, but I like the behavioral economics framework of looking at things as a matter of expected utility with a hyperbolic discounting factor.
For the dorkier improooooovers among us, I suppose.

>>20526024
>to protest contemporary society which celebrates failure
By creating such a shitty thread, you have firmly cemented yourself as part of that society.

Jokes aside, you have to be more specific. What do you want to improve?

>>20526024
asceticism is the same thing as hedonism

>>20526115
Here is your (you), now elaborate

I was at the barber shop today and the music was literally OOGA BOOGA UNGA BUNGA NIGGA NIGGA UH UH UH UH EL CORAZON EL CORAZON OOGA BOOGA OONGA BOONGA and there was a small company of young white people who spoke in a slurred speech, cussed like sailors, and were overall extremely unpleasant, only distinguishable from niggers by skin colors and the fact that they didn't steal my shit. To get there I walked through a screen that was broadcasting lesbians and niggers and faggots kissing in the spirit of Christmas, of course while buying consumer products that serve no purpose except a literal few seconds of dopamine thrill, because nothing has any real utility anymore. Kids are completly braindead consumer cattle by the time they can walk, there is no way to protect them from the brain cancer of TV and urbanized homonigger propaganda. Every second I spend in contact with the urbanized world is like my soul is getting raped with a sandpaper replica of Grond. I have to leave, by the love of all that is holy I have to leave. I'd rather shit myself to death in the quiet of a forest like Chris McCandless within a year from now than live the rest of my life in this disposable nigger faggot world. I've long ago stopped giving a fuck about "culture", culture is meaningless by the simple fact it can only be distributed through the industrialized press, true culture is religion and folk stories that are transmitted orally from father to child for a number of generations. God I fucking hate the human world so much, literally every sight, every sound, every slurred wigger word I hear from strangers, everything wounds the most tender, innermost parts of my soul. It's fucking unbearable, it's literally impossible to live like this unless you have the brain of a cow. God fucking damn it it's getting difficult to do basic tasks like getting my hair cut, I'd literally rather endure medium-high physical pain like chronic exploding haemorrhoids, unable to sit, than hear a single fucking negrotune song while I am trying to achieve something in a cold lifeless consumer store. God I fucking HATE human beings, at least these human beings, I don't know if somewhere in fucking Siberia I can still find something that is not this but this shit is the worst. Morally, aesthetically it is the fucking worst, the urbanized landscape is a slaughterhouse for the soul. I have to leave.

>>20526115
Lol

The only “self improvement” books that have ever changed my life were religious and spiritual books/texts, and psychology books that elaborate on how to repair your emotions. If you feel good in your body, so much of these other ideas and tribal shit becomes irrelevant

>>20526129
>I have to leave.
If you're not a larper, than why haven't you?

>>20526125
NTA, but unless there's a deep, controlling, belief under it, asceticism is a form of intellectual hedonism, an aesthetic pursuit of the second highest degree, as there is more refinement and virtue in being an ascetic than a conventional wine soaked sot or Parisian café/art gallery/opera frequenter. The contemplative life is not the good life and is as base as the sensual life. Only the pleasure is not derived from the savour of meat and drunkeness but from the plainess of the stale bread and lukewarm water, the itch of the hair shirt, the monotony of the hovel, and the smug satisfied sense of superiority it brings, and the masochistic pleasure of quashing such base and ignoble thoughts, of course.

>>20526045
Are you a nigger?

>>20526487
Halfwit. Do you even know what asceticism is? It's denial of pleasure outright. What your dumb mind is conjuring up is not even asceticism and isn't even a real thing. So again, if we play make believe for the sake of your idiotic "argument", what you described would not be asceticism.

There are also precise techniques of asceticism in esotericism to reach higher states of existence, granting divine powers, immortality through God, etc. Perhaps the demons controlling you don't want others to learn this, and you will help others to stay trapped in a magic circle with you if they are foolish enough to put stock in what you say.

>>20526515
I'm not the anon you are arguing with, and I don't know why you get so pissy when you get opposed, but I'm pretty sure that "denial of pleasure outright" is not achievable. Yes, under asceticism you may deny yourself immediate pleasure, but you're only doing it for the promise of "divine powers", "immortality", and whatever. Aren't these things that you are supposed to gain through asceticism pleasurable to possess?

>>20526529
If you are comfortable relegating supra-human states of being, divinity, gnosis, immortality, whatever we call it, into the same category as mundane sensory pleasures, I will not bother arguing much further with you, that is your choice. I will just say that even purely theoretically, these legendary goals are by definition ontologically superior to passing pleasures, which will never be satisfied and are usually harmful.

>>20526024
>contemporary society which celebrates failure
lol wut
Do you even go outside?

>>20526707
Wtf is up with these repeating posts? I’ve noticed at least 3 instances now. Bots?

>>20526024
Nigga just visit your local church or mosque

>>20526487
I cannot blame you for your misunderstanding, for it is very common. But the true essence of asceticism is to subjugate the ego. Yes, it comes with rewards, but the idea is that the ego is subjugated, and so one worships not for his own sake, but in a transcendental, detached sort of way. Asceticism would be hedonistic if asceticism were done purely for the rewards, but then it would cease to be asceticism. Every religion has already understood this and talked about this.

>>20526082
Your have weird pec insertions

>>20526024
society doesn't celebrate failure. it really just depends on whether you're a man or a woman. a woman who gains 400 lbs and keeps it on is seen as someone who should be emulated but if you're a guy who has trouble getting pussy or has trouble with charisma society calls you cancer. women need to be told they're ugly and deserve to die alone because society is too busy stroking their egos because vagina these days.

>>20526735
I think the same way about "depression posting"

Wtf is it with NEETs, robots, and other faggots that makes them think learning a second language is self-improvement when half of all people couldn't even define a fucking gerund?

(I.e., they barely grasp their own language)

>>20526024
Read this chart and browse WesternMan.org. That's it. You will be done with the internet.

>>20526024
asceticism is the same thing as hedonism

>>20527256
Not OP but this looks like a list I'd enjoy. Thank you anon

>>20526129
Read the Bible

>>20526045
>be white man
>from day 1 work your ass off at school to get into good college
>work from 8 to midnight six days a week so you can keep making six figures and supporting your wife and kids
>meanwhile your congress is run by rich bureaucrats, Jews and diversity candidates who are united in hating you for how easy you have it

>>20528223
Jesus you people have a worse victim complex than feminists

>>20526024
the classic. one book done, AH, already changed my life. OC currently and changed my perception about weight loss

>>20528223
because you have no purpose, that's why. Align everything you do to your values and you don't have to work a day in your life.

>>20526102
post a pic

start to finish i have read 6 books this year, smoking & drinking more, don't lift, left is from dec, 24 in august, ash trees in the lane, red campions in the ditches: white and yellow stars all over the meadows: the hedges and the animals and the birds.

>>20527183
Hilariously ironic.

>>20528229
Aint he right, though?

>>20527183
They may not be able to define a gerund, but they can use it. If you'd ever learned another language you'd realize that remembering grammatical rules is easy, but applying them in a conversation is much more difficult.

>>20526024
Pic related will give you insights into the alchemical processes required for you to elevate yourself out of the dreadful dead existence you lead in order to reach a burning, golden existence.

>>20528392
No, he's been brainfucked by polshit

>>20528357
how old are you?

>>20526024
>>20526045

Contemporary society celebrates cruelty and animal aggression. But it's always been that way. How hot is your gf? Do you cum hard?

How do I discover my purpose?

>>20526045
It's true. Culturally, weakness and hardship has become more popular than strength and success. You can notice this by what trends are appearing in discussions about oneself: "taking care of" yourself (not trying hard), talking about depression, binging Netflix all weekend, skipped workouts; these are common threads of conversation. There is social bonding over failure and ineptitude now that would have been merely shameful some decades ago.

If you were to meet someone new, now, and talk truthfully of your successful life, how you're happy and healthy and improving in various ways, they would likely think you arrogant or fake, rather than being inspired or envious as they should be. Outside of corporate and high societies, this is absolutely the trend.

>>20529779
Look within

>>20528963
24 in august

>>20526024

>>20530545
how lost do you have to be to write this

>>20530545
Having the organizational ability and drive to improve on things that make you more likely to get laid can also have a basis in genetics, which can then make the person's genes valuable. Not even doing genetic determinist arguments well.

>>20526024
the koran stands in direct opposition to modern society

>>20528392
Right about what? A white person who
> Went to a good college after a succesful schooling
> Makes six figures and supports a nuclear family
Is by no means in a relative position to claim to be oppressed for his endeavors. He is rewarded amply for it - a six figures income puts him easily in the top 10% of Americans by individual income.

> meanwhile your congress is run by rich bureaucrats, Jews and diversity candidates who are united in hating you for how easy you have it
Congress is 77% white, U.S voting population is 60% white. Congress is 24% female, the voting population is 51%. An average congressman is rich, because running a campaign that consistently pulls +100 000 votes in competive districts requires wealth, connections and skills usually possessed by the very wealthy.

>>20526024
>quite drinking
quite what?

>>20530948
>Congress is 77% white, U.S voting population is 60% white. Congress is 24% female, t
what proportions are jewish?

>>20530575
You have to remember it's r9k. The place where people delude themselves into not taking showers, brushing their teeth or any personal hygiene in general.

>>20526024
why yes I am quite drinking

>>20530981
7% of congress members

>>20531004
they don't brush their teeth?

>>20527256
Solid list, but I would change some of them. Meditations is okay, but very overrated. Read the Essays by Montaigne instead. The Bible as well. Thus spoke is not a solid piece for beginners; read some Aristotle first.

>>20528906
>Western governments and corporations are full of Jewish people and minorities who hate white people
>Polshit

Is this some kind of bizarre bait? Is it the Jewish thing? Wikipedia often lists ethnicity, you can check for yourself.

>>20528223
you should kill yourself you disgusting loser

>>20526487
I have a giant Benis.

>>20526024
Weird pec insertions
Ngmi

>>20528342
Ok but it will take a while to get all the 70 books in the picture

>>20528206
this

>>20531093
I've plenty enough stories of r9k-ers complaining about shit teeth, while others give anecdotes about not needing to brush and still having 'healthy' teeth. It's honestly surreal.

>>20528434
Evola was a fascist btw

>>20534491
This. So much this.

>>20526024
Reddit

>>20526045
Is he wrong tho? The cult of envy is in power. They hate anyone who is excellant. Govt taxes the hard workers of the nation and gives gibs and affirmative action to achieve diversity, equity and inequality blah blah.

>>20526024
self-improvement is the internalization of of the bourgeois capital accumulation imperative. you're being your own HR manager and you're doing it for free

>>20530545
just so you know, if you have ever met one of those high school sports players irl you would know that they actually invest a lot of effort practicing to the point they have to sacrifice their free time and relationships; which can become a source of anxiety for them. Of course, the mongrel who made this pic (and his fellow mongrels that repost it) probably got 90% of his knowledge of human relationships from Disney Channel shows, and it shows.

>>20534776
>self-improvement is the internalization of of the bourgeois capital accumulation imperative.
t. Lazy worker who doesn't get promotions and always blames it on favoritism

>>20534776
>Socialism is when workers don't accumulate capital
Why do you choose to embarrass yourself

>>20534684
cherry picked propaganda. though it is true people are a lot more open with their struggles these days.

>>20534684
>muh cult of body
Read Junger.

>>20526024
How do you do quite drinking??
Like you drink, but don't tell anyone?

>>20535972
It's quite drinking, not quiet drinking.

>>20534782
Maybe if they want to go pro, otherwise no.
Chad doesn't work himself to death, he doesn't break his body and mind, yes he might work hard but it's easy on his body because he has that potential, that's why you can see guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger smile in every photo.

>>20535992
Oh okay makes sense. Been drinking so I read it wrong.

3. to a considerable extent or degree:

Makes sense. A righteous man shouldn't moderate their drinking.

>>20526103
Have you read the vastly more erudite "Picoeconomics"? It goes far deeper into HBTD

>>20526024
>4km in 20 min
I can walk 4 km in 20 minutes

>>20530545
some other anon made a really good response to this, anyone have it?

>>20536285
>Casually walks at 12km/h

>>20536013
>The proof is in the SMILE! People only smile when they’re happy.

>>20527256
Really nice list, any tips for further reading? I'm looking to expand my bookshelf.

>>20536432
I can dump a few more lists

>>20536432
>>20537133

>>20536432
>>20537140

>>20536432
>>20537150
Last one for good measure

Reminder that 4k in 20 min is a joke. Any able bodied man under 40 should be able to run that with minimal training.
18 min 3 mile is a reasonable fitness achievement.

>>20526024
Ride the Tiger, Sex & Character, Rhetoric & Persuasion, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Either/Or

>>20530545
Most people are good and inherently have worth but they are fucked because of their shitty parents/role models/lack of leadership growing up.

>>20537889
everyone is solely responsible for everything good and bad in their life.

>>20537167
>>20537150
>>20537140
>>20537133
>>20527256
This is all good, but no reading list is complete without Plato. He is the key to self-improving and the foundation of Western thought.

>>20537911
THE key to self-improving? THE foundation of western thought?

>>20537893
There'a a point in your life where you aren't responsible before becoming responsible. The anger comes from after you 'realise' responsibility and process your disadvantage to those whose parents were better in their child's dependant stage. You're supposed to get over it and fix yourself then. That pic is just some nihilist not wanting to overcome challenges because he has it harder or just different ones compared to others. While it is upsetting that others didn't have to deliberatly fix their lives to just achieve status quo, it doesn't invalidate your work towards so and actually makes it greater in some regards. The /r9k/er doesn't get that other's own lives are irrelevant to yours or that everyone has their own story to struggle in.

>>20529863
my anus

>>20537167
>>20537150
>>20537133
>>20537140
Thanks I'll add this to my list.

>>20534491
Uh oh, Evolabros..

>>20538189
One of the few non room-temperature iq posts in this thread

>>20526103
I refuse to read a entire book when the answer is adderall.

>>20526129
one the best posts I've read all year. keep writing

>>20526487
>intellectual hedonism
Stopped reading

>>20527183
>knowing a language is memorizing random grammar rules
Are you retarded?

>>20528301
>weight loss
My problem is weight gain though. Should I try gomad?

>>20530545
Lol this is such bullshit. It’s so obvious the guy who wrote it derives his views about the world from movies.

>>20529797
it's just the end point of christianity. if u wanted to celebrate excellence should have stayed pagan. nietzsche covers this.

>>20537167
Wait, Nazis are Lutherchads?

>>20536013
>that's why you can see guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger smile in every photo.
Your views are informed by people smiling in photos. Jesus fucking H Christ that's stupid. Of course Arnold worked hard to get his body. Sure he used steroids and sure he had genetic advantages. But you don't become Mr. Olympia by working out once a week while doing half hearted sets. The advantage of steroids is actually that you recover faster and can work out even harder. And even further to the point, while not everyone who works out with the ethic (and juice) that Arnold did would develop his kind of body, everyone can develop an impressive physique with that kind of attitude.
r9k types really just suffer from low self esteem. They tell themselves they are failures, so when they try something, they barely do, and because they barely try, they fail. Their failure is then seen as proof they are generic failures, which lowers their self esteem even more and makes them try less. And while they aren't doing anything, they indoctrinate themselves with dumb shit like you said to make sure to learned helplessness keeps going and they don't have to go through any efforts to get their shit together.

>>20539795

>>20540670
the learned helplessness*

>>20528301
Thats 5 books bro

>>20541907
6*
Holy shit im a retard

>>20537893
Uh.. no. Never heard of privileged? If not, your responsible to know that.

>>20526024
na they're all shit desu, the whole premise behind self improvement is a scam

>>20528223
Kys whitoid

>>20541909
I forgot I already read the meta book, that's 3/6 now since I just finished OC. I congratulate myself.

>>20528223
How does it feel when the dog bites back? 21st century is gonna be the century of the black and LGBT and there's nothing you can do about it. You are alone, we are legion.

>>20528357
Youre hot. For the love of god stop smoking and moderate drinking

>>20542282
Cringe, my dude.

>>20530545
Caring about any of this is the antithesis of "self improvement". You just do the "self improvement". Day one instead of one day.

>>20534684
Loser

>>20537167
Why are you invading lit?

>>20526129
Based

>>20536307
>>20530545

>>20537140
No starting strength?
>pseud