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eb's avatar

Nice piece brother. Thank you for sharing. I will read again soon. Connected a lot of things that have been floating around my head lately—synchronistically timely. Take care of yourself

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M 💌's avatar

brilliant piece! i’m curious—what do you think about free will in all of this? your “liberalism as carrot and stick” metaphor reminded me of this strange prose piece I once read where an old woman beats trees with a stick and laughs because “they’re beating themselves.” that image stuck with me. it’s like some propaganda-like ideology is pulling the same kind of cruel joke: tells you you’re free, then hands you the stick and dares you to blame yourself for being bruised.

also, your piece had me thinking about how philosophy and self-reflection feel like they’ve split into two extremes: on one end, it’s been a luxury sport for the wealthy (those who can afford time to think because they’re not completely drained by survival). on the other end, it’s monks, who’ve rejected the whole monopoly game. everyone in between is too tired to think clearly like the monkey in the middle. it reminds of winston said that the Victory Gin clouded his thoughts and sedated him for survival. no wonder it feels like so many are outsourcing their morality and complacent in their wit. thinking is expensive.

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Brenden's avatar

i'm glad you enjoyed the essay! i think in overly simplified terms i think of us as having "will" in the more Nietzsche sense. in a way...if we want more of it we must acquire more power.

And yes, I agree with the second part of your note. I was hoping this is something that was coming across in my essay...although i'm being "critical"...I also understand the desire. But I suppose the little bit of optimism i have left in my soul is hoping people see the overarching superstructure that is likely leading to all of these problems....

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M 💌's avatar

ugh i swear everytime we come close to achieving class consciousness some propaganda ruins it lol

also i’ve read beyond good and evil but do you have any other nietzsche recs?

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Brenden's avatar

probably the gay science but if your familiar with Nietzsche already maybe the birth of tragedy

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