Joi > Recent Status Updates

I would say it is definitely good way to present the topics to the general public but things are not that well explained or clarified in detail for someone from within field.

I do find the experiments simplified effectively. Also I think the analogies are helpful. However no answers or potential answers are given. For instance in C1 on love we got no indication as to how make effective switch to H&N.

Very engaging and simple. Full of images.

In this reading session he was discussing importance of pattern as representing nature in art. Some compelling insights. Ofc when he is not bashing individualism.

More poverty fetish. Less consistency between ideas.

Users and used exchanged a vow and the more used object is more beautiful (36). - learning about art from ancestors rather than textbooks preserves something metaphysical (39). - certain locality has certain type of materials that gives rise to original folkart to that space (40).
without exception these art should be made by "nameless craftsmen"(38).

I have to say, so far quite elitist and delusional in the way it proposes this superiority of art over human emotion. In their attempt to make folk art unconscious pursuit, without any of the emotions attached to successful/non successful endeavor-- they deliberately dehumanize the artist. Almost as they are unimportant and can be replaced, and the folkness of their art will be judged by the group.

I have been nourishing some love in anticipation of Magic Mountain. I’ve just finished the first story ‘Little Herr Friedemann’, and at the beginning it had that flavor of Stendhal’s The Red and Black (despite some obvious differences). To characterize the author - very descriptive which allows for poignant (and valuable) questions being identified and answered by the end. Almost like a detective work. Hmm

Still dying slowly. The book is too unpredictable and has no connections whatsoever, it just goes and goes with no ending in sight.

It is a thinking book I’ll admit, so you need to pay attention and care …while everything is so distractingly scattered. Portions about Annushka and Professor Ruysch’s daughter were compelling.

Have completed the first story. The premise is definitely interesting. The language is so underwhelming (beginner English type of translation or writing? Benefit of a doubt here). The first story was emotional for me and I am excited to dig into the rest.

Ugh, really wanted to love this one. Though-provoking? Yes — points out questions. It also oozes with this air of preposterousness that I find distracting. And please, equating your ideas with explicit misinterpretation of philosopher’s whole system. Can we please not? I don’t find you trustworthy, Olga (neither would Spinoza). But to make it fair, the author seems to take on a lot. And this is my first dip.

While it’s hard to differentiate what’s true and what not, it’s really informative and makes for a fun and learning read. You get familiar with many art pieces and cities in somewhat close manner, so googling the paintings and museum and historical events has been the most fun for me.

It’s gripping for sure. Every time I pick it up I end up immersing myself without much effort.

The beginning chapter was whiny and quite recent. It seems no time has passed between his generation and gen Z. But the more the book develops and we slowly get dragged into his progression of schizophrenia, it seems that readers as well get lost in touch with reality. It was definitely a slow start but after 70pgs rather gripping. An easy read too.

I really dislike Yeong-hye’s husband and his behavior. Was the author intending to annoy me this bad? I mean he is blatantly disrespectful and passive. He has an honest disposition in the book and well I appreciate it but also this much of honesty makes one see him for what he is and it’s not pretty. He expects everything w zero sense of responsibility. Also this book hurts. An easy read so far.

I mean, the stories are no less disgusting. Perhaps I have just become desensitized? Isn’t that scary? I could feel myself thinking more about the book and actually getting engaged with the stories. I think Palahniuk is imaginative for sure. Some of the stories he comes up with are simply fascinating because of their (im)probability of happening. Omg I even say that? I’d say Reverent Godless and Director Denial.