Three and a half. Watts is great, his recognizeable voice can be heard behind his words. The collection is a little clunky, redundant at times, but maThree and a half. Watts is great, his recognizeable voice can be heard behind his words. The collection is a little clunky, redundant at times, but makes sense as they weren't meant to be binded together in a book.
I must admit I got sucked in to buying this book not only for Watts but the self help-ish angle of the title. It's definitely not self help and is often quite interesting, though as stated before, often repeats the same ideas....more
This was so much better than I expect it to be. Its not merely a self help book to conquer time management, but rather a one sided discourse on it. BuThis was so much better than I expect it to be. Its not merely a self help book to conquer time management, but rather a one sided discourse on it. Burkeman reads the book with zest and makes the experience of listening to the book as if you're at a coffee shop with him and he's had one too many espressos, and is focusing all his energy on downloading into your brain all he knows about time management, a topic he is extremely knowledgeable in.
For those looking for specific help, there's a list at the end for ways to help you focus your time management better. Or at least, be less anxious about how you spend your time....more
From an agnostic perspective, this book has a lot of practical advice that is similar to stoic philosophy. And the film “The Matrix”. I’ve always likeFrom an agnostic perspective, this book has a lot of practical advice that is similar to stoic philosophy. And the film “The Matrix”. I’ve always liked the idea that what you get is the same as what you put out; do good in the hope of receiving good in return. That when we speak honestly and without fear we feel better, and so do others that receive our positive words, unhindered by fear. At work I remember giving honest feedback whenever I could, if critical I would mix it would a compliment. In time the entire attitude of my team improved.
Glad I picked up this little book on a whim. ...more
My best advice is to read this as slow as possible. Especially the later half of this very thin but dense book. What is written sounds more simpler thMy best advice is to read this as slow as possible. Especially the later half of this very thin but dense book. What is written sounds more simpler than what is actually meant underneath.
I read the book while recuperating from an operation, which was perfect as I only had energy to read a few pages at a time. The book is from the early 50’s and in the light the pages have the paper company logo visible near the bottom.
At times I felt the writing pretentious, but only a few times. More often than not I felt there were wonderful snippets of wisdom, of course written in that poetic/riddle-like manner.
This is a book meant to be picked up again and again, starting from anywhere, and unearthing a new understanding each time. A lot of the wisdom in this book isn’t inherent only here but in other religious ideas as well. If you’re searching for a book such as this I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. ...more
I read a majority of the book all pent up and anxious awaiting my operation for my hernia. My frantic anxiety evened out with the pace of FerlinghettiI read a majority of the book all pent up and anxious awaiting my operation for my hernia. My frantic anxiety evened out with the pace of Ferlinghetti’s rant. Though I had to underline and scribble some parts still, to keep myself focused. I finished the book while recuperating at home, laying on the couch eating soda crackers.
I wanted to like the book more but the ranting middle of the book goes nowhere, which is probably the point. A large portion of the text is wonderful, playful and interesting, as to be expected, but I couldn’t help but feel this emotional outburst was like hot air, nearly reaching a new level but not quite getting there. I think at the end of the book he is saying, i have lived this long and I am just as lost as you are. He complains frequently about overpopulation and Twitter. He also name drops classical music compositions, books and movies, which I added to my to watch list.
Anyway, I wanted to read Ferlinghetti’s books since I heard about his passing. I obtained my copy of this book from his 100th birthday celebration at City Lights books, and its stamped on the inside. Thank you for all you’ve done for us, Lawrence Ferlinghetti. ...more
A very slim volume trying to encapsulate a large topic. I read the book in an evening and left feeling like I read chapter summaries of a much larger A very slim volume trying to encapsulate a large topic. I read the book in an evening and left feeling like I read chapter summaries of a much larger text. However, I found quite a large majority of what Johnson has to say very interesting, the connections he makes. I think one should read this, then go and read Jung, as this makes a good introduction to ideas more fully explored by Jung.
In everything, there is a duality. A balance is the goal. ...more
Though a critic may say it's mostly an ad for transcendental meditation, I think Lynch has provided enough personal examples to make the book more thaThough a critic may say it's mostly an ad for transcendental meditation, I think Lynch has provided enough personal examples to make the book more than simply an ad. He goes into his personal examples of how meditation has boosted his creativity, and in the process how he perceives the shape of each of his films. I enjoyed reading what fascinates him, what draws him in to film and art. I would read a whole second book on that subject.
Also: the new Twin Peaks is amazing. Just sayin'. ...more
i purchased this copy for 9.71 at a downtown bookstore. It's a first edition, fairly beat up, but in good condition. I saw the City Lights logo first,i purchased this copy for 9.71 at a downtown bookstore. It's a first edition, fairly beat up, but in good condition. I saw the City Lights logo first, then I read the back and who this Artaud guy is.
And now i now. This guy is fascinating. At times it was hard to plow through because it read as you would assume it would read: someone with mental health issues, writing about their torment. Granted it is a fascinating read, sometimes frustrating, sometimes insightful. Sometimes bluntly hilarious. The way his images and ideas jump is a form of hilarity, and i found myself uncertain if he meant to be so funny, or if humor itself has changed overtime and NOW it's considered funny. Then again, there's fart jokes in Shakespeare.
The piece on Van Gogh was worth the purchase alone. I also found his ideas on reality and consciousness to be intriguing. Even dreams are reality? WHAAAAT? ...more
While reading this I googled names and terms constantly. I would write info in the margins. I think if I had done more reading into Zen buddhism I wouWhile reading this I googled names and terms constantly. I would write info in the margins. I think if I had done more reading into Zen buddhism I wouldn't have needed to do that and would have understood what ol' Jack was getting at. I got the basics though, and I enjoyed the assortment of ideas he presented and the many connections and references provided, but I think I need to do more reading before I reread this text a second time.
Everything eternal and everlasting, everything "so". ...more
My first time experiencing his work. There is so much personality to it, truly the work of a mind racing to express every thought, before the possibilMy first time experiencing his work. There is so much personality to it, truly the work of a mind racing to express every thought, before the possibility would cease. Facing death in such a slow fashion provided a window to a person who faced his own mortality, describing the losses, little by little. But he never stopped writing and thinking. Like Socrates, Hitchens doesn’t care who is upset with his endlessly curious mind. A rebel with a cause. The cause of reason.
Hitchens has a sharp wit, even to the end. As a Humanist myself, Hitchens has put into words for me mere abstract thoughts that I had, or speculations, pondering notions about death with nothing afterward. He expressed his true fear: no longer able to Write. To communicate himself. I can’t help but share this fear, I wouldn’t know what I could do if I couldn’t express myself.
He even jokes about the irony of having cancer in the esophagus, as if God was dooming him for his blasphemy. Yikes. What a loving God indeed.
The book ends so quietly, almost cryptically, but so perfectly (as it is, not ideally, of course). A man who wanted to be heard to the last breath, and heard he definitely is. ...more
This is a truly fascinating book. I was entranced with its language and humor, and after every time I set it down I would find myself eventually thinkThis is a truly fascinating book. I was entranced with its language and humor, and after every time I set it down I would find myself eventually thinking over the material and the greater implications. I think a lot of the bigger stuff flew over my head in the end though, but that's the wonderful thing about rereading a book, right? I think while reading I was too absorbed in Grendel's story, picking up all the pieces through verb choices and the like. I felt empathy for him as well as disgust, as well as one should I suppose. He is after all a man-eater and destroyer of meadhalls. What a way to crash a party.
This is a book that is not one to just read and then toss aside, this is one you have to sit on for a little bit. But, my God, if you do you will find yourself enjoying it far more immensely. ...more
I did enjoy reading this book, though part of me was annoyed because every single chapter was essentially the same sequence of events. If that sort ofI did enjoy reading this book, though part of me was annoyed because every single chapter was essentially the same sequence of events. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, then this can be a great read. It has a lot of interesting viewpoints on the world and such, and some wit to it that will at least amuse you. I haven't read any of the other books, which might have hindered my enjoyment of the book a little, but the writing was clear so I didn't have a hard time following it at all.
1. I wanted to read this a lot slower, and succeeded, for the first thirty or so pages.
2. The rest I gobbled up, eagerly, and was left both satisfied1. I wanted to read this a lot slower, and succeeded, for the first thirty or so pages.
2. The rest I gobbled up, eagerly, and was left both satisfied, yet desiring more.
3. From the start I loved the format, the tone (at times personal and other times humorous), I loved pausing between each point or putting the book down between pages.
4. Then to have the next point continue with or building upon the previous number’s idea.
5. I love the exploration, the fascination of color.
6. I picked this up during a reading Maggie Nelson gave at USFCA while I was there.
While reading this I kept highlighting all the main points. My niece, watching me do so was puzzled at me and asked why I was doing such a thing. I toWhile reading this I kept highlighting all the main points. My niece, watching me do so was puzzled at me and asked why I was doing such a thing. I told her that I wanted to understand what the text was about, clearly and for ease of future reading.
A lot here is exactly what i believe in, particularly when it comes to eliminating poverty and enhancing free will for all, and viewing the world as one ecosystem instead of just one singular nation on its own. Because, it might not be apparent to those who have it bludgeoned into their brains, but it really is one giant ecosystem, and we are all connected, and a doom for one is a doom for all.
How can a philosophy that believes in the freedoms for all and the bettering of tomorrow be such an evil thing? I've read many reviews for this here on Goodreads and was shocked by how many people compared this to communism, which i find utterly hilarious. Especially since a majority of these people don't seem to properly understand the humanist text they apparently just read, or the communist ideas they are apparently so against. Because anything that is different is Marxist, right? it is evil and should be banished. Which is utterly ridiculous and without any merit. How on Earth can we progress forward if we don't embrace more open minded ideas, instead of old, outdated ideas?
anyway, i hope reading this will lead me to a lifetime of working hard for the betterment of humanity and life as a whole. ...more
After reading the Humanist manifestos, I was given this, as a follow up. It says mostly the same things, and of course is signed by a bunch of importaAfter reading the Humanist manifestos, I was given this, as a follow up. It says mostly the same things, and of course is signed by a bunch of important people, but I thought one part of it was new to me, which I think is pretty important:
"Free inquiry requires that we tolerate diversity of opinion and that we respect the right of individuals to express their beliefs, however unpopular they may be, without social or legal prohibition or fear of sanctions" (page 11). In other words, people should be a right to believe what they want to believe, just not force it on others, something I strongly believe in. I didn't get this kind of idea from the manifestos, the previous Humanist book I read, but now I feel like we're on the same page.
In short, this was a quick read, a nice little summation of what Humanism is all about and what they generally believe in. As it also says not all do agree on every little thing, which is fine because what Humanism is all about is the freedom for individual thought, etceteras.
i didn't agree with every single little thing, but i'm surprised by how much of this I have discovered are already part of my beliefs on humanity and i didn't agree with every single little thing, but i'm surprised by how much of this I have discovered are already part of my beliefs on humanity and it's role in the 21st century. I do however feel that its already a bit outdated, I feel the need to have included into it the issue of renewable energy and the realization that relying on fossil fuels is stupid. Among other things (like having a rule that no government should spy on its own people, for example). Of course these issues have become bigger this century as opposed to the last (it was drafted in 1999), so i guess that makes sense.
Overall though I found it good and glad I picked it up. it's important to be optimistic for the future, and above all, to fight for that future, not just for ourselves and our offspring, but for each other. ...more
The literary or scholarly I guess equivalent of “drugs are spiritual and good for your brain, m’kay?”. Even goes on to say how its superior to alcoholThe literary or scholarly I guess equivalent of “drugs are spiritual and good for your brain, m’kay?”. Even goes on to say how its superior to alcohol and tobacco. ...more
so far most of what I've read about Buddhist thought has been in textbooks, so it's quite refreshing to read from the inside. Though I am not a Buddhiso far most of what I've read about Buddhist thought has been in textbooks, so it's quite refreshing to read from the inside. Though I am not a Buddhist, I find their beliefs fascinating and very influential. Though honestly I don't think i'll be spending my time meditating from now on, the book has given me some food for thought and I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a way to open their heart and be a truly compassionate individual. ...more
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