The GBAT (greatest book of all time)
All Tolstoy's stuff is great, but he really transcends all art with this one. It's just so majestically and painstakingly human.
He makes the ineffable effable. Like staring into the face of god, prepare to be awestruck.
Feb 18, 2024
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Tolstoi knows everything about every situation in life. And what does he do with this in that novel: he tells us, that mostly we are not at all in control and that is good so.
Jun 11, 2024
Sep 10, 2024
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if you've ever experienced existential depression this book is for you. Possible argument that anything Tolstoy wrote prior to this is a throwaway once you understand his personal history (yes, that includes war & peace *gasp*) ... read and find out why
Nov 8, 2023
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I don't know how well this actually answers your initial question, I think it's more of a counterpoint to some of the stuff people have already said, but here it goes.
In the past (prior to social media or search engines) specific styles, specialized knowledge, and niche awareness actually took effort. You had to go out into the world and find a scene, be accepted, participate in it, contribute to it, and learn from others with specific knowledge within the specific sub- or counter-cultural scene. It took time, effort, and experience to craft an identity. Nowadays people cycle through various identities and trends like commodities because it takes no effort (they're sold to them by social media algorithms, influencers, brand accounts, etc.). It comes to you in your phone without you ever even having to leave the house or put in the time to discover it or participate in it (you just follow specific people or subscribe). You can be a passive observer or consumer, not an active contributor. As a result, you're not invested or tied down and committed to that core identity. You can cosplay depending on your mood or who you want to momentarily convey yourself as, because it's easy. Essentially, being a poser has become normalized. An identity is now something to be momentarily consumed and affected, rather than grown, built, and developed over time.
Granted, it's always been different in regards to "mass" culture and popular trends (both in the past and now). Those are impossible to miss and were always monopolized by specific trend setting institutions, but always by the time it gets to that point, the actual initial counter- or sub-culture that inspired it has already been coopted and has started to disintegrate under the weight and attention of mass consumption.
Feb 18, 2024
It's an action deserving of its own nickname. My cat's name is Gomez, but when he crosses his paws like this, he turns into Hodgkins Plumpersocks.
Feb 2, 2024
Oatmeal raisin cookies don't get enough love. As a kid, my palate couldn't appreciate their subtle flavor, but thankfully oatmeal raisin cookies we're rehabilitated for me later in life. I now see the error of my ways, and am trying to evangelize about them, and rehabilitate them for others, by making this recipe.
They're great cause they're not too sweet, so they feel appropriate for both dessert and breakfast. They're also like a blank canvas of oaty brown sugar goodness that you can then imbue with whatever add-ins you want (thus turning one recipe into a plethora of variations). My personal favorites are semi-sweet chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and roasted cashews.
Feb 26, 2024