Marcel The Shell > Recent Status Updates

Don't know if this is an edition or a formatting difference, but the version I am reading (the 1888 translation by Andy Blunden ) ends on page 82 including the preamble and prologue from the translator. In both chapter 3 & 4, Socialist and communist literature, and position of the communists on other parties, the organization of communist and socialists are delved into, now venturing from principles and goals.

This book has been tough to break down in terms particularly in keeping a straight timeline, though now we seem to be getting into the main journey of the story. Frodo now has left the Shite with the ring, and comes across many obstacles, most trying to take said ring. the journy continues, picking up more characters, who then form the fellowship of the ring, supposedly in the name of abolition of slavery from Sauron

The rest of these pages focus workers ideals, making concise points about the economics of particularly the valuation of labor. While workers already create more value than they are paid to create capitalist profit, idea of "surplus value" he also claims the word profit itself can only exist from exploiting the worker or taking advantage of the customer, which is objectively wrong, no matter how subjectively ethical.

The past 30 pages or so has been more of a historical reflection of the class struggle, where capitalism drives innovation, it does so from exploitation, inequality and instability. He also notes the reason this has not thrived before (as they did not necessarily "invent" the notion of communism, but rather "coined" it.) was due to greed, where only the wealthy nations survive, colonizing others communaly structured.

"The production of too many useful things results in too many useless people." This quote made me pause, because originally I interpreted it as a counterargument for adaptability into a progressive human nature, adapting to new technology. You may think here marx is supporting traditionalism and discouraging advance. But I also now believe that this is not exclusive of progressiveness of humanity, and complimentary.

After Bilbo’s disappearance, nearly seventeen years pass. Frodo lives a quiet life, but as he approaches his fifties, he begins to feel the same restlessness or need for change/adventure that also came upon bilbo. I feel now that the tone of Tolkiens writing has shiften into a more intense and stark, yet not necessarily scary tone. The new and unexplored sense can be felt through his discriptions of these new senses.

History is defined by class struggle, which capitalism has simplified into the conflict between those in power and those exploited. This part defines that the progress of society should not be one based on wealth or however tall cities become, and the relentless pursuit of industrial expansion and market globalization inevitable creates the conditions for its own downfall through the rise of a unified working class.

I started reading this in supplement to The Communist Manifesto, in order to better understand the economic concepts mentioned. Already, the concepts in this book are easier to explore and grasp. This book is shorter but more direct in addressing and clearing up the exploitative nature of capitalism. So far, In ch1, Production & wages, this book focuses more on the economics faults of capitalism rather than ethics.

I started reading this to aid my understand of points made in the communist manifesto, supplementing my understanding of many of his points. This book is also shorter and so far an easier read, and clearly clears up the problems in capitalistic exploitative behavior in a direct way. Though it is surprisingly not as focused in ethics, and rather more critical of the economic structure in itself,Ch.1 production & wages

In this section of the book, though the progression is still slow, it demonstrates both the flow of the book and author's conveyance of the type of story. I feel as if we are about to be thrown a dark shift in the narrative, as so far everything has been consistently happy and has had an aura of a celebratory mood. This lively community also seems slightly dystopian in the face of a utopia, so we'll see what pursues

For the rest of the prologue, tolkien mainly explores the cultural DNA of the Shire. The story then transitions from the adventurous tone of hobbit backstory to a deeper, "historical" ethnography. I think the emphasis on these creatures' lifestyle and descriptive details of their love and peace helps further set the narrative, than contrast with page 28 and the introduction of the Ring, feel very intense/invasive.

As I am long overdue to finally get to read the closer-to-original and more complete version of this literary and philosophical work, even in the first few pages I have gotten a more comprehensive digest of not only the pretext and scenarios referenced but also a little bit more understanding of the history and a sense of the time period of where Karl Marx is coming from, even if it is supposed to be timeless.

Though the progression is slow overall, this version is much more meticulous and detailed in the background, creating a much more vivid image of the scene, settings/surroundings, and characters. So far, The characters specifically introduced have only been Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, and how their lifestyle is slightly different from most other Hobbits. It's interesting how hobbits do not typically befriend other specie

I have read the lord of the rings series through once before (though a different edition) years ago, but wanted to re-read it once more. So far the prologue covers a summary of the backstory behind the land and history of the inhabitants (including hobbits) of Middle-earth. I find this very interesting because I don't recall having such an introduction to the lore previously, and this actually changed my perspective

A lot of events happen in these 10 chapters, especially regarding the events of the "Vernal Conclave". These tests for the apprentices was more of an action filler than plot and story development. Due to their emotional and conscience-related beliefs, Scythe Faraday immaculately fakes his death to free both of his apprentices from their seemingly unwanted hardships and general associations with the corrupt Scythedom.

Between chapter 11 and 15 of Scythe, Rowan and Citra continue their apprenticeships, focusing on ethics and etiquette. Meanwhile we learn of another "elegy" or clan of scythes, following Scythe Goddard have the complete opposite moral viewpoints of gleaning. They almost mindlessly slaughter civilians by the dozen, often in resulting in violent massacres. Both are affected from dangers of scythedom and their choices.

As the apprentices try to further get used to this new lifestyle, they continue not only their physical training, but their mental endurance, which is arguably more draining for them.One skill they have to learn is to choose the people to glean. this require intensive cross-referencing and researching each individuals lives in great depth. Another hard decision for them to make is the method to commit the "gleaning."

In this point of the story, the Apprentices' are finding out the difference in lifestyle of everyday chores as a scythe. They notice that are 3 different types of people's attitudes towards them. There are the pleasers, who try to crowd around the scythe and offer them gifts, attempting to to try to get on their "good side." Then there are the ignorants, who pretend nothing is happening, and the people who sneak out

Scythe is a book I last read 3 years ago, back in my sci-fi phase. This is something I've wanted to revisit for a while now, and finally get to pick back up. As I reach page 32, I recall the two main characters, 16 year old, Citra Terranova, and Rowan Damisch, Also 16. These two have just been chosen to be a Scythes Apprentice, though they do not know it yet. A Scythe "kills" in an age of immortality instability.