Burn the Soothsayers! Kill the Storytellers!

version

version

Well-known member
There's a lot of talk of 'narratives' these days, particularly when it comes to politics, and it's often quite jarring to have one crumble before your eyes, so my question(s) is: how helpful do you find them? Are you setting yourself up for disappointment and failure by ever really investing in one? Is it better to hold back and just observe things as they occur? Is that even possible?
 
version

version

Well-known member
I've lost count of the number of times I've read an account of something then seen it come crashing down within the space of a few minutes -- it can feel like an endless process of rushing from one collapsing building into another at times.
 
mvuent

mvuent

Void Dweller
version said:
Is it better to hold back and just observe things as they occur? Is that even possible?
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even if you assume that it is possible to some extent, it seems like a very psychologically uncomfortable position to occupy? maybe stoicism advocates something like that. do you think it's possible? or at least a good ideal?

I guess I'm somewhat in that position. following national politics is a waste of time if you're in the US. it's such a farce and you can't do anything on that level.
 
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version

version

Well-known member
mvuent said:
even if you assume that it is possible to some extent, it seems like a very psychologically uncomfortable position to occupy? maybe stoicism advocates something like that. do you think it's possible? or at least a good ideal?

I mean, politically speaking. I'm somewhat in that position.
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I think you'd have to be vigilant and exceptionally disciplined, but even then I'm not sure it's possible. You'd probably have to completely eliminate curiosity and somehow stop yourself from seeing any sort of patterns and associations, both consciously and unconsciously.

I notice it quite a bit with even trivial things. You see an article posted on Reddit and people will leave comments saying "let me guess" then detailing what they assume is in the article when they could just read it and find out. They have to preempt it for some reason.
 
mvuent

mvuent

Void Dweller
I was just going to say that always happens. most people on reddit believe they are "smart but lazy" and don't ready the actual articles. but the ones who do...
 
other_life

other_life

bioconfused
can i take this thread to talk ab how wild and wacky ginzberg's 'legends of the jews' is re:Narrative more generally. the type of the storyteller
 
mvuent

mvuent

Void Dweller
other_life said:
can i take this thread to talk ab how wild and wacky ginzberg's 'legends of the jews' is re:Narrative more generally. the type of the storyteller
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no because I haven't read it. you'll have to stick with references to either ender's game or thomas nagel's what is it like to be a bat?
 
pattycakes_

pattycakes_

Can turn naughty
As impressive as that would be o_l, I think it would take away from what is set to be another classic thread by version
 
version

version

Well-known member
One that annoys me at the moment is the line about technology and social atomisation. It may well be true, but it feels as though it's become received wisdom in some circles rather than something genuinely felt by everyone deploying it. You say it because it sounds sort of right and other people recognise the talking point.
 
sufi

sufi

lala
version said:
One that annoys me at the moment is the line about technology and social atomisation. It may well be true, but it feels as though it's become received wisdom in some circles rather than something genuinely felt by everyone deploying it. You say it because it sounds sort of right and other people recognise the talking point.
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& tech/online creating atomisation is the exact opposite of its original intention :(
storification has destroyed reality
 
T

thirdform

pass the sick bucket
"There is a community of the spirit. Join it, and feel the delight of walking in the noisy street and being the noise. Drink all your passion, and be a disgrace. Close both eyes to see with the other eye."
"Dance where you can break yourself up to pieces and totally abandon your worldly passions."
"Make peace with the universe. Take joy in it. It will turn to gold. Resurrection will be now. Every moment, a new beauty."
"All your anxiety is because of your desire for harmony. Seek disharmony, then you will gain peace.”
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Jalal al-din Rumi.

Sorted.
 
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