Recommend some must-read literature

[Gilly]

I'd rather you control what you say. I'll simply quote the great Lou Holtz on this one: "Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them."

Wow, you're a douche.

I mean, it's not like I LIKE hearing my girlfriend and friends and people on the forum bitch, it sucks and brings negative energy, but as long as it's not excessive, it's a very healthy practice to vent frustrations and negative feelings. Not doing so is a recipe for nothing but self-hatred, anxiety, and emotional isolationism.

I just removed my first answer, perhaps it could be viewed as offensive. Mind if I ask, Parkster, are you independent, working and paying all your bills, rent etc., have your own place? Your not wanting the world to be a 'horse race' just makes me feel like you're not independent yet, or experienced what it's like.

Lol wow, you presumptuous ass. I actually don't get along with Parkster but I have to stand up for him on this one.

You, my friend, are a relic of the 1950s and what was once again reflected in the 1980s: sterile American success-idealizing who's-the-best-ant mentality and it's rather pathetic. In fact I personally find it repugnant. I can see it in your face in your avatar; you have the glazed look of someone who has been seduced to believe that he will be happy or get what he's looking for as long as he follows a certain formula. It's a lie and it will make you die unhappy and emotionally alone, whether you wind up in an expensive high-rise condo or a bougie mansion with 4 kids. Prescribing a "recipe for success" is what institutions like religions are based upon: setting false expectations in order to encourage compliance and subservience. These values are promoted by the wealthy or those in positions of power or influence to make people feel as though their hamster wheel is going somewhere. You are being jerked around by your dick and I hope you realize it before you wind up with an even emptier look in your eye in exchange for a full bank account.

[Gilly]

If you want to read the most poignant short stories you'll ever encounter, read The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury. Absolute genius.

[Creepy-Snaps]

I mean, it's not like I LIKE hearing my girlfriend and friends and people on the forum bitch, it sucks and brings negative energy, but as long as it's not excessive, it's a very healthy practice to vent frustrations and negative feelings. Not doing so is a recipe for nothing but self-hatred, anxiety, and emotional isolationism.

I can understand where you're coming from. I thought the quote was rough the first time I heard it, but then I realized, anytime you vent to get out negative, it's only a short-term relief. It creates a bad cycle of needing to vent to feel better. It's tough to hold back at first, but when you can overcome your problems on your own, you become more confident and more independent. I don't feel the need to vent anymore about anything, I'm quite relaxed. I feel bad for others who still *need* to vent to overcome, sorry that they haven't discovered peace of mind yet.

Lol wow, you presumptuous ass. I actually don't get along with Parkster but I have to stand up for him on this one.

I asked him a question to confirm my suspicion. I left the door open to being wrong, so I didn't just "presume" I was correct.

You, my friend, are a relic of the 1950s and what was once again reflected in the 1980s: sterile American success-idealizing who's-the-best-ant mentality and it's rather pathetic. In fact I personally find it repugnant. I can see it in your face in your avatar; you have the glazed look of someone who has been seduced to believe that he will be happy or get what he's looking for as long as he follows a certain formula. It's a lie and it will make you die unhappy and emotionally alone, whether you wind up in an expensive high-rise condo or a bougie mansion with 4 kids. Prescribing a "recipe for success" is what institutions like religions are based upon: setting false expectations in order to encourage compliance and subservience. These values are promoted by the wealthy or those in positions of power or influence to make people feel as though their hamster wheel is going somewhere. You are being jerked around by your dick and I hope you realize it before you wind up with an even emptier look in your eye in exchange for a full bank account.

I believe in empowerment, not 'compliance and subservience' which you "presume". In fact, I stand against people feeling like a 'hamster' or running the 'rat race' in life, I encourage people to think and take control of their lives. Any time you change, or step outside your comfort zone, it can be uncomfortable, Gilly. I'm going somewhere in my life, going to be successful financially, emotionally, spiritually, personally, etc., and would like others to come along. But hey, you're entitled to live your life however you want, and if you want to stand on the sidelines and criticize how I pursue my goals, you're more than welcome to.

[Gilly]

I can understand where you're coming from. I thought the quote was rough the first time I heard it, but then I realized, anytime you vent to get out negative, it's only a short-term relief. It creates a bad cycle of needing to vent to feel better. It's tough to hold back at first, but when you can overcome your problems on your own, you become more confident and more independent. I don't feel the need to vent anymore about anything, I'm quite relaxed. I feel bad for others who still *need* to vent to overcome, sorry that they haven't discovered peace of mind yet.

Lol, it's not "rough;" quit coming from this condescending perspective, like you know the road, and oh it's hard, but we must try...what the fuck is that? Stop reassuring yourself.

It's funny that you think I advocate people expressing themselves any time they want; don't misrepresent my position, that's a logical fallacy.

But maybe I haven't elaborated on my position fully. Personally I do NOT believe in expressing whatever whenever; that's selfish and counter-productive to both emotional health and healthy relations with the people you express yourself around. But it's NOT healthy to hold it all in. Any therapist will tell you the same; people go crazy that way. You have to dig down and be real or else you will wind up an empty shell of yourself with a heart burning in self-righteous contempt for the rest of the world. There has to be balance and compromise.

I asked him a question to confirm my suspicion. I left the door open to being wrong, so I didn't just "presume" I was correct.

The self-congratulating quotes in your signature imply otherwise.

*bunch of memes*

You can say whatever you like, but your attitude speaks louder than your words.

[Creepy-Snaps]

Lol, it's not "rough;" quit coming from this condescending perspective, like you know the road, and oh it's hard, but we must try...what the fuck is that? Stop reassuring yourself.

Have you tried calming yourself by doing something other than 'venting' and cursing? I've tried both, and I can compare and see which things have worked, and which haven't.

But maybe I haven't elaborated on my position fully. Personally I do NOT believe in expressing whatever whenever; that's selfish and counter-productive to both emotional health and healthy relations with the people you express yourself around. But it's NOT healthy to hold it all in. Any therapist will tell you the same; people go crazy that way. You have to dig down and be real or else you will wind up an empty shell of yourself with a heart burning in self-righteous contempt for the rest of the world. There has to be balance and compromise.

And how do therapists get paid? By curing people. What if everyone is cured? Wouldn't they lose their jobs and go out of business? It seems they have an incentive to keep people coming back... if you want to talk about 'compliance and subservience', I believe coaches and mentors who have an incentive in seeing you succeed, not holding you back like certain therapists, are the best people to listen to.

Generally, I agree with you. You should never feel like you are 'holding something in', I just found healthier ways of expressing myself than venting. There are specific people in my life I can talk with about problems. I don't dump my problems on anyone willing to listen, though.

The self-congratulating quotes in your signature imply otherwise.

Quotes from other people about me are not 'self-congratulating'.

You can say whatever you like, but your attitude speaks louder than your words.

I agree.

[Gilly]

Have you tried calming yourself by doing something other than 'venting' and cursing? I've tried both, and I can compare and see which things have worked, and which haven't.

Certainly. Have you missed the countless times I've recommended people try meditation and the like? I rarely "vent" or "curse" in real life.

And how do therapists get paid? By curing people. What if everyone is cured? Wouldn't they lose their jobs and go out of business? It seems they have an incentive to keep people coming back... if you want to talk about 'compliance and subservience', I believe coaches and mentors who have an incentive in seeing you succeed, not holding you back like certain therapists, are the best people to listen to.

Oh jesus, really? Do you know any therapists?

Therapists don't "cure" people. Nobody gets "cured" of psychological afflictions, and most any therapist you ask will tell you the same. Therapists help people function. People can be made to be more functional, but real disorders don't just "go away;" you have to cope with them. Seeing a therapist is just like taking medication or hormone therapy. There's a reason people go back to them again and again: it works.

Generally, I agree with you. You should never feel like you are 'holding something in', I just found healthier ways of expressing myself than venting. There are specific people in my life I can talk with about problems. I don't dump my problems on anyone willing to listen, though.

Wait, so first you suggest that therapists are inherently fraudulent, then confess to essentially using their methods. Is this discussion or a circle jerk?

Quotes from other people about me are not 'self-congratulating'.

So true, but there's nothing more self-infantilizingly arrogant than parading it around like a gold star.

[Creepy-Snaps]

Certainly. Have you missed the countless times I've recommended people try meditation and the like? I rarely "vent" or "curse" in real life.

Could have fooled me, since you seem to enjoy venting and cursing here.

Oh jesus, really?

I'm flattered, but I am not your God.

Therapists don't "cure" people. Nobody gets "cured" of psychological afflictions, and most any therapist you ask will tell you the same. Therapists help people function. People can be made to be more functional, but real disorders don't just "go away;" you have to cope with them. Seeing a therapist is just like taking medication or hormone therapy. There's a reason people go back to them again and again: it works.

There's a reason people smoke, to give them that short-term relief, or who drink on the weekends, to take away their short-term problems, both of those things work. Doesn't mean long-term, big picture, that they're going to do any good for actually solving your problems.

Wait, so first you suggest that therapists are inherently fraudulent, then confess to essentially using their methods. Is this discussion or a circle jerk?

My mentors are not therapists, and they do not tolerate problem-dumping either. I go to them for constructive criticism, if I need it.

So true, but there's nothing more self-infantilizingly arrogant than parading it around like a gold star.

I'm flattered for someone with over 21,000 posts on this forum to pay attention to my signature, it's a compliment for you to pay so much attention to me.

[Gilly]

Could have fooled me, since you seem to enjoy venting and cursing here.

Sure do. Doesn't hurt anyone, though; not unless they start in on me first.

I'm flattered, but I am not your God.

Lol what? Could you just...not think of anything better to say?

There's a reason people smoke, to give them that short-term relief, or who drink on the weekends, to take away their short-term problems, both of those things work. Doesn't mean long-term, big picture, that they're going to do any good for actually solving your problems.

True, but people DO actually improve with time in therapy; they learn more about themselves, coping strategies that work for them, the different paths their minds wind down and where they wind up...I could go on for ages. You don't have to take my word for it, though. Go talk to some therapists, find one that you will believe when he tells you he saves people's lives. Hell, I can give you therapy, if you want. I've read slews of textbooks and literature, did half a university degree with a psych major, and have actually helped about a handful of people make serious changes in their lives and worldviews based on the ways they think and giving them prolonged input about their mindset and beliefs. It's actually rather a crime that I'm not pursuing a degree in psychology; I could probably save a good few burnt-out desk jockies like your future self from unnecessary divorces, alcoholism, suicide, abject misery, etc.

Also, therapy is less of a "quick fix" and more about using release to lighten the load. Holding in emotions makes people progressively more alienated from others, because they begin to feel to inappropriate levels that nobody cares about them or what they feel. Also, people with less stress live longer, period. It's not a quick fix at all; it's a TRULY long-term strategy.

My mentors are not therapists, and they do not tolerate problem-dumping either. I go to them for constructive criticism, if I need it.

Lol, you must be REALLY good at taking shit. It won't help you in the end, though; wanna talk about success? If you just keep trying to "do better" and don't make a little space for yourself, you'll just wind up either getting walked all over, or only getting as far as your actual work affords you. And trust me, nobody but a genius gets far on just the strength of their work. And a genius you are not.

I'm flattered for someone with over 21,000 posts on this forum to pay attention to my signature, it's a compliment for you to pay so much attention to me.

Oh please.

[Hot Scalding Gayser]

I believe in empowerment, not 'compliance and subservience' which you "presume".

You do not *truly* empower people because you fundamentally do not respect them. That's what its coming across like to others, it's this core empathy that you lack and any lack of empathy is always annoying no matter who it's coming from. People see your cheesy grin in that avatar and they want to troll you and light your skin on fire so you cry along with the rest of the human race. Sometimes all people need is an ear to bitch/listen to but you go straight for 'advice/fixer upper mode.' It's sort of a narcissistic self-defense mechanism to keep you from having to connect with people. My ex used to do that and it was a form of abuse to me. You become sorta that 'king of anything guy' Sara Barellisas sings about. It's like Buffy Season 7, the only reason why Buffy's empowering speech worked is because she tried for years after doing it the hard way and being a downer/trying to connect but failing. Your big 'advice givin moments' should be earned more or something.

You can't be a business man and this "inspirational person" at the same time unless you somehow make it really big in Hollywood, which actually combines socialism with capitalism. You come off as phoney. Leave the 'advice giving' to the artists who aren't selling themselves out to a company that's known for scamming others and should have been shut down long ago.

If you really want to be this dude that helps people and gives real inspiration, then I think you will listen to mine and Gilly's constructive criticism. Understanding how you emotionally effect others his *huge* when determining your own success. You do not want to piss off your customers after all, they are the ones that are always right because it is they who will make you the star, not the other way around.

I will back off you for now because I don't really like tearing into people even though it's fun in the moment. I like to be gentle but the only way I know how to make you change is to tear into you.

[Ryan]

[Absurd]

Surving Socionics,
Apostles of Socionics,
Monkey Business,
Socionics Harlequin,
I Solved Socionics.

I wrote them all, pretty good piece of literature and available now for free on 16types.info.

[Creepy-Snaps]

You do not *truly* empower people because you fundamentally do not respect them. That's what its coming across like to others, it's this core empathy that you lack and any lack of empathy is always annoying no matter who it's coming from.

I choose who I respect. And no, I do not respect the average person who argues how others should do things for them, and doesn't take responsibility to improve your situation. I can't respect someone who isn't willing to work. So if you get that vibe from me, you're absolutely right.

People see your cheesy grin in that avatar and they want to troll you and light your skin on fire so you cry along with the rest of the human race.

You have issues.

If you really want to be this dude that helps people and gives real inspiration,

That's not what I want.

then I think you will listen to mine and Gilly's constructive criticism.

No. I think you give good advice, if I were truly trying to change your opinions here, or motivate you guys, but I am not.

[mu4]

I believe in empowerment, not 'compliance and subservience' which you "presume". In fact, I stand against people feeling like a 'hamster' or running the 'rat race' in life, I encourage people to think and take control of their lives. Any time you change, or step outside your comfort zone, it can be uncomfortable, Gilly. I'm going somewhere in my life, going to be successful financially, emotionally, spiritually, personally, etc., and would like others to come along. But hey, you're entitled to live your life however you want, and if you want to stand on the sidelines and criticize how I pursue my goals, you're more than welcome to.

You've kinda of wrapped up the mechanism of your own control in the words of empowerment. It's newspeak and doublethink. (Read Orwell)

Terms like empowerment and taking control of your own life is in actuality removing the responsibility and roles played by the rich and powerful, the government, and various other organizations which influence your life. However by placing the full responsibility on the individual, it places all the full blame on the individual as well. It's quite dissocative to think this way.

The truth of one's individual control and sovereignty has always been a non-absolute, one takes upon a role, and performs that role in exchange for good/services/power/influence, and whatever benefit one might derive from that role. Empowerment is understanding your current role in society, and choosing the role you will play or won't. And it's not like you can even escape this role, even the rebel plays a role.

I think Shakespeare puts it pretty well in his work "As you like it"(Read Shakespeare)

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. As, first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Anyways, empowerment always entails a bit of rebellion, a good analogy is the rebellion of Lucifer against God, even through Lucifer was the best Angel, his rebellion against God is necessary. Al-through the conventional Christian interpretation is to remain a slave to God and worship God wholeheartedly without question. The empowering option is to rebel and question the authority of God and to not worship God but find one's own path to goodness. Metaphorically, the great writers have always been more or less on the side of Lucifer, for he is a more apt representative of man and in a way, the correct representative of man. (Read Paradise Lost)

Into this wilde Abyss,
The Womb of nature and perhaps her Grave,
Of neither Sea, nor Shore, nor Air, nor Fire,
But all these in their pregnant causes mixt
Confus'dly, and which thus must ever fight,
Unless th' Almighty Maker them ordain
His dark materials to create more Worlds,
Into this wilde Abyss the warie fiend
Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while,
Pondering his Voyage; for no narrow frith
He had to cross.

John Milton was a writer who was supportive of the deposing and execution of King Charles the I during his time so this story is with Lucifer as the protagonist.
This passage is about Lucifer going on a quest from Hell to Earth. This particular passage is used as the namesake of Philip Pullman's book series(read His Dark Materials).

In many ways, this story is similar to the story of man and the individual, the understanding of our roles in life, which we rarely choose and understand unclearly, and a rebellion against it, for good and ill.

[Creepy-Snaps]

Terms like empowerment and taking control of your own life is in actuality removing the responsibility and roles played by the rich and powerful, the government, and various other organizations which influence your life. However by placing the full responsibility on the individual, it places all the full blame on the individual as well. It's quite dissocative to think this way.

EXACTLY. Take control of your own life, taking full responsibility, you CHOOSE where you're at! If you're don't like where you're at, CHANGE it! Although you seem to want to blame others' power over you, and you seem to want a handout from the rich and powerful.

[mu4]

EXACTLY. Take control of your own life, taking full responsibility, you CHOOSE where you're at! If you're don't like where you're at, CHANGE it! Although you seem to want to blame others' power over you, and you seem to want a handout from the rich and powerful.

What do you mean? You work, you get a job and you think that's being in control? I never complain about other's power over me, I accept that it exists and it drives me to escape it.

If I could extract a handout(without consequence) from the rich and powerful or the government, that makes me in control of them. Of course, nobody gets a handout from rich and powerful, it's always at a price. It's not like I get a handout from anyone in my life, nor have I ever expected one.

It doesn't matter what you do in life, most people's lives are dependent on the service they provide to others, only the very rich and those that inherit their wealth are outside of the necessities of survival. Once you recognize the chains/strings/ties that bind you to others in this world, you will realize that these forces are both the source of our service and empowerment.

I don't think pleasantries like full responsibility, taking control and choice even matter in this conversation, these are just idiotic pleasantries to make it sound nicer and somehow empowering, basically it's bullshit. Power, success, money, fame is the game.

And in the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. (Read Game of Thrones)

How about just calling it like it is, work, do things for others, be decent to them, hopefully get paid and have a few good times along the way.

[Creepy-Snaps]

What do you mean? You work, you get a job and you think that's being in control? I never complain about other's power over me, I accept that it exists and it drives me to escape it.

I'm talking about entrepreneurship, starting your own business to take control of your finances, and not be dependent on others. It seems we're different here.

How about just calling it like it is, work, do things for others, be decent to them, hopefully get paid and have a few good times along the way.

Seems like a passive, submissive way to approach life to me. I'd rather not have my family and I 'hoping' to get paid by another man someday, end up getting laid off, and having our survival be dependent on another man. I want to know my children will be provided for, and I'm willing to work for that.

[FDG]

I'm talking about entrepreneurship, starting your own business to take control of your finances, and not be dependent on others. It seems we're different here.

Even when you're self-employed, your income depends on your clients.

[Creepy-Snaps]

I think being in a state of empowerment and control shouldn't create a blame game within yourself. If you are in control, you can change the outcomes. That's an empowering feel. Now you have the power to change what you don't like. You don't need to wait for others to change it for you. But that most certainly doesn't mean that everything around us is our fault and the government takes no responsibility at all. That's taking it a bit too literally. If education systems are poor, you don't suddenly tell yourself, oh my god! What have I done! But, yes when we ALLOW a system to continue, then maybe that's something to change. What's the saying... it takes good people to do nothing, for evil to survive? I think when you have power, don't fret over blame, just feel good that you can change what went wrong. No power like that power that can change wrongs to rights. Blame and guilt happen when there is no control and no way to make things better.

I like this, but taking control is not something I blame myself for or feel guilty for. 'Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it.' I agree, of course there are factors you can't control. I, however, do take full responsibility for the situation, regardless if it's completely my fault or not.

[Kent Lorne]

Hey sorry I think I deleted the post by mistake. I am sorry I wasn't responding to the conversation between you guys, was just responding to what hkkmr said. Sorry about that. Shall be more careful next time. I didn't realize the context of the conversation. But since I was reading a bit now, if I could just add that taking control of one's life and designing it to the way you wish to experience and live it is the greatest form of creativity according to me. But sometimes the human soul can't always function from a state of " I am gonna take control of my life". When I am low I need to vent, talk it out, just cry and after sometime let some catharsis happen where I feel better and then I enter my tool room (metaphorically) and start recreating and redesigning my life. Sometimes trying to fix people's problems doesn't really work. And they really do need to be heard out. There is a lot that goes from our conscious into our subconscious and allowing the subcon to communicate with the con can be had work. I think Carl Jung mentions that in the Wounded healer... Sometimes it's not about fixing things more than releasing things. Healing happens in different ways. Talking allows the subcon to re-establish it's connection with the consciousness and then suddenly you have these insights and that itself gives you answers in how to fix things. So the outside party need not really say anything. The mind like the body has an ability to heal.

[Morcheeba]

Anything by Henry Miller

[Kent Lorne]

Henry Miller is good... Fanny Hill is good too!
Anyone ever come cross Anne Rice's The claiming of Sleeping Beauty?

[boitsfortian]

As a well-read philistine*, I'd say that most of the literary canon is bumf. Most of it's written for people who like introspective navel-gazing, realism, & lots of gloom, rather than imaginative storytelling. In school & universities, who do we study? Austen (the Mills & Boon of the Regency period), Proust, Beckett, gloomy books by the Russians (interminable descriptions of potato farming), James Joyce going on about potatoes ... (Has anybody written a thesis about the influence of the potato on literature, or the influence of literature on the potato? If you have potatoes with yoghurt, they'd be cultured. Nowadays, though, we're all couch potatoes.) Why is something interesting just because it's true to life, because it could have happened? Surely it means that the writer's got no imagination! And apart from being boring, they're also usually depressing - people leading drab lives & having horrible things happen to them until they die. Such larks, Pip!

*: I have a degree in English - & hate literature (or, rather, the husks whereof the highbrows do eat - usually with potatoes). A literary friend of mine - poet - recently praised Hemingway on Facebook, for being "heartbreaking". Me: "You like Hemingway? Good grief, man! Hemingway's greatest contribution to literature was his suicide." He promptly accused me of trying to get a rise. How well he knows me.

And what do good books have? Storytelling; Lots of incident & imagination; interesting settings with atmosphere; & memorable scenes & characters. A story's improved by larger than life eccentrics, cannibalism, witchcraft, spontaneous combustion, lost civilisations, exploding ostriches, steampunk, & locked room murders. The best books are full of life & energy & humour. In other words, why read something that isn't FUN?

Which is why anything by Dickens beats Austen & the Brontes hands down. Dumas's Count of Monte Cristo has everything you could want: dramatic escapes from prison, treachery, bandits, insane woman poisoners, infanticide, elaborate revenge schemes - and, as Steven Moffat would say, LESBIANS. (The TV series with Gerard Depardieu is great.) I, Claudius is jam packed with megalomaniacs, murders, treason & treachery - & the TV series is a brilliant black comedy, with every British actor in it, & lines so good you could sing them. (Nero probably would, & force pregnant women to give birth in the theatre.) Sherlock Holmes & Father Brown!

Humour - where to start? Terry Pratchett's the spiritual heir to Dickens - a great entertainer who's used his books to say serious stuff about life (& potatoes, mashed or reincarnated) - &, in another century, will probably be looked on as one of the great writers of the 20th century. P.G. Wodehouse, Gerald Durrell, Douglas Adams, Evelyn Waugh (but keep away from A Handful of Dust, unless you like wallowing in misery), Saki, & Tom Sharpe.

At the moment, I'm reading Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy, which is splendid - very funny, great world-building, interesting characters.

[force my hand]

Not a huge fan of literature, but Robertson Davies is fucking fantastic. I'd start with his first novel and go on from there: Tempest-Tost

[Pa3s]

Prescribing a "recipe for success" is what institutions like religions are based upon: setting false expectations in order to encourage compliance and subservience. These values are promoted by the wealthy or those in positions of power or influence to make people feel as though their hamster wheel is going somewhere.

I fully agree. Institutions like the church or the state set up lifestyle ideals in the name of "society" and tell you how to achieve them. However, they always profit themselves from your hard work to reach the said goal. You're better off if you question those ideals seriously and think about if that's what you really want.

[Park]

Wow, you're a douche.

I mean, it's not like I LIKE hearing my girlfriend and friends and people on the forum bitch, it sucks and brings negative energy, but as long as it's not excessive, it's a very healthy practice to vent frustrations and negative feelings. Not doing so is a recipe for nothing but self-hatred, anxiety, and emotional isolationism.



Lol wow, you presumptuous ass. I actually don't get along with Parkster but I have to stand up for him on this one.

You, my friend, are a relic of the 1950s and what was once again reflected in the 1980s: sterile American success-idealizing who's-the-best-ant mentality and it's rather pathetic. In fact I personally find it repugnant. I can see it in your face in your avatar; you have the glazed look of someone who has been seduced to believe that he will be happy or get what he's looking for as long as he follows a certain formula. It's a lie and it will make you die unhappy and emotionally alone, whether you wind up in an expensive high-rise condo or a bougie mansion with 4 kids. Prescribing a "recipe for success" is what institutions like religions are based upon: setting false expectations in order to encourage compliance and subservience. These values are promoted by the wealthy or those in positions of power or influence to make people feel as though their hamster wheel is going somewhere. You are being jerked around by your dick and I hope you realize it before you wind up with an even emptier look in your eye in exchange for a full bank account.

I still think you're a dipshit, but kudos for being honest. And realistic.

[Gilly]

I still think you're a dipshit, but kudos for being honest. And realistic.

thx

[mu4]

Gonna recommend some stuff that you can't find easily and you can't buy in stores. The most well known writers and widely read authors in China/HK/Taiwan. I would say the equal of Dumas/Hugo in Chinese literature.

Jin Yong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jin_Yong

Gu Long
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu_Long

On this site in English(fan translations)
http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/forumdis...a-Translations