I got that book a few years ago and it quickly earned a place on my bookshelf (being in an apartment means limited space so this is a big deal.) It's also a book I have recommended to others because it says things we all need to hear.
Based on this post, I was going to recommend Story Club to you. But I checked your profile first, and sure enough, there it was in the list of Substacks you're subscribed to! "What is the point of existence? Of literature? Of deep thought?" I see us trying to answer these questions every week in Story Club. I'd love to see you chime in there.
Great! There's something deeply corrosive about 'positive propaganda.' Completely agreed with you that the way to fulfillment is about radical acceptance, 'dancing with your shadow,' taking in 'darkness' as well as 'light.' Nice post.
"owning the fact that anger, rage, fear, resentment, desperation, depression, etc etc etc are ENTIRELY HUMAN AND NORMAL and should not be pathologized."
You mean it's ok to have a full range of human emotions? Who knew? Haha. But seriously, it does seem like this extreme positivity movement, whatever its name, wants to abolish so many of the messy, complicated things that make us most human. What's left when all that's stripped away?
Right?! It’s sad (and bizarre) that in so many areas of politics, culture and sociology nowadays we have to defend the most basic concepts. But in the fiery woke days of purity it’s not so simple. How dare you think impure thoughts! Wait, what does that remind me of? Oh yeah: Religion!
I got that book a few years ago and it quickly earned a place on my bookshelf (being in an apartment means limited space so this is a big deal.) It's also a book I have recommended to others because it says things we all need to hear.
Based on this post, I was going to recommend Story Club to you. But I checked your profile first, and sure enough, there it was in the list of Substacks you're subscribed to! "What is the point of existence? Of literature? Of deep thought?" I see us trying to answer these questions every week in Story Club. I'd love to see you chime in there.
Love Story Club! I have chimed in there and will continue to! Thank you for reading and commenting 🙌🙌
Great! There's something deeply corrosive about 'positive propaganda.' Completely agreed with you that the way to fulfillment is about radical acceptance, 'dancing with your shadow,' taking in 'darkness' as well as 'light.' Nice post.
"owning the fact that anger, rage, fear, resentment, desperation, depression, etc etc etc are ENTIRELY HUMAN AND NORMAL and should not be pathologized."
You mean it's ok to have a full range of human emotions? Who knew? Haha. But seriously, it does seem like this extreme positivity movement, whatever its name, wants to abolish so many of the messy, complicated things that make us most human. What's left when all that's stripped away?
Right?! It’s sad (and bizarre) that in so many areas of politics, culture and sociology nowadays we have to defend the most basic concepts. But in the fiery woke days of purity it’s not so simple. How dare you think impure thoughts! Wait, what does that remind me of? Oh yeah: Religion!
Exactly. It's crazy :-|
Love this!
Thanks Winston!
Great last line!
Woot woot! (says God)
So well said! And maybe I’ll give the orange book another shot.
Do it! It’s honestly a great read.