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Tao is eternal, one without a second
Simple indeed
yet so subtle that no one can master it
If princes and kings could just hold it
All things would flock to their kingdom
Heaven and Earth would rejoice
with the dripping of sweet dew
Everyone would live in harmony,
not by official decree,
but by their own inner goodness

This world is nothing but the glory of Tao
expressed through different names and forms
One who sees the things of this world
as being real and self-existent

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>>24610842
That's not the true Tao.
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>>24612295
Every time you act when conditions are right, or defer acting when they're not, you practice Taoism.
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>>24612769
"Anthology on the Cultivation of Realization" in the book Taoist Meditation translated by Thomas Cleary.
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>>24615690
Thanks.
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>>24615692
Very welcome, I also highly recommend another of Cleary's translated anthologies "The Book of Balance and Harmony".

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shelf thread
post your shelves
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I don't buy books. I read them without giving (((them))) money. I replaced my doomscrolling with reading, helped me quite a bit.
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>>24614513

My shelf is just the Bible.
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>>24615436
>My shelf is just the Bible.
You need Moby Dick.
And the Illiad.
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>>24615560
You are replying to a mentally ill homosexual
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>>24615580
and now im as well

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Why does Reddit’s top 100 look the same as ours?
>>
Probably because there’s an established list of foundational literature and great works. “Hurr da durr why does Reddit suggest learning from Loomis and Vilppu like /ic/ does? Hurr da durr why does Reddit venerate Tao like /sci/ does?”

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thoughts
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>>24615475
i have read it and understood it. even as a child i understood it. god's monologue at the end. rebuking all the plausible and sensible hypotheses put forth by job's friends. asserting the fathomless mystery at the heart of his designs. this as a child i understood upon reading the book. i wasn't even that smart. it's the plain meaning of the text.
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>>24615475
Elihu is the Holy Spirit and Job is a pre-incarnate appearance or manifestation of Jesus Christ.
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>>24614927
>Scary knives!
Fish hooks, nutcracker and sickle, nothing more. The irony of the image (which methinks OP missed) is that the most essential things are rarely dressed up with bells and whistles. The easiest path is rarely the best, and how you see the world is fundamentally changed as a result. The farmer is not afraid of this image because he sees tools; the ignorant sees only implements of torture. You wanted an easier life, and look at the horrors you conjure.
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>>24615475
The point of Job is that you must not assume that someone has done something immoral or sinful to deserve whatever misfortune they suffer.
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>>24615475
It's the original divine comedy.

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"Classic pulp" edition

Previous: >>24583349

/wg/ AUTHORS & FLASH FICTION: https://pastebin.com/ruwQj7xQ
RESOURCES & RECOMMENDATIONS: https://pastebin.com/nFxdiQvC

Please limit excerpts to one post.
Give advice as much as you receive it to the best of your ability.
Follow prompts made below and discuss written works for practice; contribute and you shall receive.
If you have not performed a cursory proofread, do not expect to be treated kindly. Edit your work for spelling and grammar before posting.
Violent shills, relentless shill-spammers, and grounds keeping prose, should be ignored and reported.
(And maybe double-space your WIPs to allow edits if you want 'em.)

Simple guides on writing:

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>>24614914
>you can't write anything interesting
please stop projecting all over the thread, you're making a mess
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>>24615092
You are most likely not using Thinking mode. ChatGPT is absolutely useless if you are not using Thinking.
>>24615098
Google's AI Studio has a 1,000,000 token context.
>>
>>24610288
>>24610288
>>24613550
>The weather forecast had said they would be, but it was often wrong; the morning newspapers had announced it, but everyone knew those writers were paid to lie; the policeman outside the bank had tipped his hat and started wheeling his bike to let them know he’d soon be chasing them, but he was always given to the strangest practical jokes.
Incredibly clunky writing. You start with a good rhythm: "The weather forecast had said they would be" followed by "but it was often wrong". But you lose this flow completely in the next bit. "But everyone knew those writers were paid to lie" is too wordy and breaks the pattern. And the sentence only gets more unwieldy as it continues.
The same is true for the rest of the excerpt. Are you ESL? Eg.:
>It all could have gone differently just an hour back
>>
I'm looking for alpha/beta readers.
>85K words
>satirical horror-drama
>literary vampire
If these words entice you, send me an email. I'll send back the full description and we'll go from there.
productionblues@proton.me
>>
>~1000 words written, two days in a row
Are they any good? Fuck if I know, but it's (almost) 2000 words of my nemesis

Just finished my first read of Solaris... fascinating book, almost meditative at times, but ultimately it didn't blow me away as much as i had hoped. Still, easily one of the best "first contact" novels; even though it seems the whole point of the book was that it's doubtful whether actual "contact" is even possible, or would make any sense to the human researchers if it was. The long sections about the nuances of "Solaristics" as an established science were a bit dull at times, but overall the book held my attention pretty effortlessly and i gobbled it up in two sittings after work.

But i have an axe to grind with the discussions around Solaris i see online... one aspect that seemed peculiar to me (and after a quick google, seemingly doesn't get talked about), is the overtly sexual nature of the visitors, i.e. "phi-creatures". In case of Gibarian (expressly sexy black amazonian lady) and Snow/Snaut (manifestation of a depraved fetish, he mentions obsession with "piece of cloth", so used panties or similar) this sexual theme is pretty obvious, and in case of Kelvin it's only hinted at (sexualized descriptions of Rheya/Harey, obvious sexual desire/tension between him and her, explicit mention of her age of 19). The most indistinct one is Sartorius, but i get the impression that Lem very obviously hints at a visitor based on some kind of memory or manifestation having to do with pedophilia (cf. "feet of a child" running in the lab, the sheer panic if colleagues might see his visitor, the mention while compiling the report at the end that Satorius will most definitely not agree to share any details regarding his visitation, etc.). It seems pretty obvious that the "most recessed" memories and/or obsessions which the ocean had used as a baseline for the visitors are all in some way sexual in nature, and I was quite surprised that Kelvin and Snow/Snaut did not mention this fact (or seemingly pick up on it at all) during their discussion in the last chapter.

Anyway... overall a great book and a justified (scifi) classic
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>>24615515
OP again, just a little addition: I saw a few mentions of people thinking of Sartorius' visitor as a dwarf, rather than a child... wtf? Is this something coming from the film(s), or how would anyone possibly arrive at that conclusion? Why would Sartorius have such panic over his colleagues finding out about his manifestation of a "dwarf", and be so opposed to revealing it that any statement about his visitation in the final report is basically assumed to be an absolute no-go? To me it was pretty obvious that Lem implied that Sartorius' manifestation was based on a depraved fetish, just like for Snow/Snaut, but in Sartorius' case it was a fetish related to kids... go figure.

Am I tripping or did anyone else read it that way as well?
>>
>>24615515
>The long sections about the nuances of "Solaristics" as an established science were a bit dull at times
That part is meant to establish the theme of the actual nature of human discovery - a slow, plodding, rather dull process of controlled experimentation, paper-publishing and conferential consensus-building, so that we have this house of cards of human science established for it to be later smashed by the curveball that is the alien nature of Solaris.

Lem, with his experience of medical academia, was extremely reactionary to the concept of chisel-jawed laser gun-building xenomorph-grabbing alien babe harem-having zero point field-inverting explorer scientist popularized in the Western sci-fi, and had a point to make about how science is largely the opposite of all things quick badass, and the scientists - the ones peering into the future of human civilization - are themselves rather onions-flavored pencil-necked nerds with countless unresolved and deep-seated issues, whose natural reaction algorithm to being hit with the Big Unknown is
>1. Shit pants.
>2. Scream.
>3. Cry.
>4. Pretend like you did not just shit your pants, screamed and cried really rally hard, because others must not know you a bitch.

Gabaryan, Snaut and Sartorius are meant to emphasize that.

>this sexual theme is pretty obvious
They are all lonely men locked up on a remote station for years with no female company. What else would you have Solaris accidentally find permeating and disturbing their minds?


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>>24615621
>They all know it, know that other know it implicitly, are deeply ashamed of the issue (as befits academic nerds), and know that everyone else is similarly deeply ashamed.
Hence their naturally-emerged protocol of not discussing the personal details of the visitors when they attempt to brainstorm the issue, and politely pretending not to notice whenever those do surface.

Which is overall a part of Lem's denial of total epistemological nihilism, which he was often accused of - Solaris is not
>le scary water
>mr. niggerman I hereby inform you that I am le insane
People ultimately can move towards understanding it, but it's a slow, deceptive and painful process, which fundamentally changes those who undertake it, as opposed to any kind of an "intellectual conquest".

Lem was extremely opposed to the idea of mankind "going boldly" into the unknown and subjugating all of universe's mysteries with our giant-ass brains and indomitable spirit, but he also disagreed with the defeatist perspective. Rather, he believed that humanity continuously "fails forward" by perpetually fucking things up, but somewhat learning a little bit from it.
>>
>>24615621
>>24615638
Damn anon, I hope this doesn't come off as too cock-gobbly, but it's obvious that you are a lot more erudite and well-read then me. Thanks for these posts, I genuinely didn't expect this level of analysis and insight. It seems I only scratched the surface of some of the subtler details of Lem's depiction of both the inner world of the characters, as well as the unspoken implications of their words and actions. I wonder how I will see these themes if and when I reread Solaris in a few years, with your annotations in mind.
>>
>>24615667
It's just a question of reading more Lem and his supplementary writings. It is not a massive undertaking, and this is /lit/ - Lem and Dick are the eternal GOATs of sf here, to the spite of Hugo-gobbling r*dditors.

Like any author, he has persistent themes, preferences, ideas that he reiterates often in his works, a good number of which he explicitly spells out in his interviews, introductions and correspondence, and the rest become obvious with time. As usual, it somewhat demystifies the man, and makes him more flawed and pedestrian that you imagined hiding behind the curtain at first, but also helps to better appreciate what is actually there.

previous: >>24608266
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Anyone have a problem where you think about doing something and need to do it but just...sit there and dont do it?

To he clear, I dont mean something like procrastinating before doing some kind of work or somethongthing like that, I mean little things specifically, like sometimes ill be thirsty as fuck and thinking about how amazing some water would be bit instead I just sit. Sometimes I even do the same thing with having to piss. I can feel I have to piss but I just sit there instead of getting up and relieving myself

Like even with the smallest mother minute tasks I cannot summon the willpower to just get up and do it even, when it its rewarding and pleasurable to do ot. That's the part that really gets me. You would think the pleasure nd relief would drive me to do such simple things immediately, but also, I sit.
>>
Past few months I have been struggling with sleep. So much so that 2 or 3 times a month I would just not sleep at all. Recently my sister and her two young nephews, 9 and 7, slept with us for a week before moving out. Despite the fact these kids are loud and outright annoying I managed to sleep far better than I used to. This morning is the first day they are gone. I have just woken up and first thoughts were how the house feels empty now and now I'm crying. Why am I crying? What is happening?
>>
Orwell was actually so prophetic with 1984 it's actually scary.
With digital ID in UK, and other similar legislation(upcoming), the era of free communication is over, "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU" quite literally.
>>
another beautiful winters day in south central africa
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>>24615683
I'm glad you are njoying your vacation in Zambia. Or more likely, Botswana.

Writing in the 21st century is a lot different from the 20th due to a singular reason— readers do not have as much time.

Due to this you can see a tremendous shift in writing styles of modern day authors where the use of complicated words is going down, sentences are getting shorter, and characterisation is diluting to accommodate the pace of the plot. This has led to many bad (50 Shades) & formulaic (Dan Brown) writers.

JK Rowling’s characterisation is fantastic. There is a reason that my generation loves Harry and Dumbledore as much as Malfoy or Snape. When even your negative characters have got your readers somewhere rooting for them, you know you have done a fine job of characterisation.

I find JK Rowling’s writing to be rich and simple, nowhere pretending to be the prose from a modern-day maestro but ensuring that the story flows seamlessly. The dialogues are good as well with each character having a distinct voice.
>>
>>24615679
In My Empire, one-dimensional reductionists like you will be gulag'ed and consigned to fourteen hour shifts in the chemical factories. People have more time than ever. It is attention spans and self-sovereignty that have been obliterated.
>>
Ravenclaw sitting on my face

I have two volumes of Richard Francis Burton's translation of The Arabian Nights. Is this a decent translation?

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What's your favorite cocksucking scene in literature?
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>>24611949

>p*gan music
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>>24611908
You sre cancer on /film/ and cancer here. You will never belong or be loved, so kill yourself. Best blowjobs are on Atomised.
>>
My diary desu
>>
>>24611949
>She looks like a dude. Nice Burzum shirt though
Literally played a male to female transvestite in a British TV series.
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>>24615541
Impressive flexibility

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Seriously, why are so many writers throughout history sexual deviants, and what makes the literary minded person more prone to sexual deviancy in comparison with others?
Are (you) a sexual deviant, anon?
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>>24612479
Mmm you won't get her wet talking about the philosophy itself but she will get wet at the thought of you being smart and above her intellectually. Even if it isn't true. It's all about framing, in my experience. I've talked to a girl about philosophy and banged the shit out of her that same night. It really doesn't matter as long as she sees you're passionate about what you do and believe in.
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>>24612517
Gross
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>>24612517
You should put up such a sign in the stairwell of your building, not here.
>>
>>24612026
>the modern world's opportunities to be anonymous
lol. you have no idea
>>
IMHO, writers aren't any more sexually deviant than any other artists. The only difference is that when you see Charlie Sheen on a cocaine binge, you think it's a shame; when you see a writer in the same state, you think it's awesome. It's just perception and in-ness. I guess it's a boring answer, but it's also true. That's your people doing drugs, and maybe your people can be cool, too.

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Goethe, personal letters published in English (Goethe J.W. (1950). Gedenkausgabe der Werke, Briefe und Gespräche):
>Pederasty is as old as humanity itself, and one can therefore say that it is natural, that it resides in nature, even if it proceeds against nature. What culture has won from nature will not be surrendered or given up at any price.

>I like boys a lot, but the girls are even nicer. If I tire of her as a girl, she’ll play the boy for me as well.

Voltaire, from his philosophical dictionary:
>It is nothing uncommon for a boy by the beauty of his complexion, and the mild sparkle of his eyes for two or three years, to have the look of a pretty girl: now the love of such a boy arises from a mistake in nature; the female sex is honoured in our fondness for what partakes of her beauties, and when such resemblance is withered by age, the mistake is at an end.
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>>24614675
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>>24614674
Who forced them to write that stuff? I'll bet it was a guy with a big nose.
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>>24615337
>only Jews do things
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>>24615339
only jews rape little boys
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>>24614702
What is Kohl? When I term searched it pederasty was a suggested second word but no search results came up.

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.
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>>24615534
NARRATOR: As it turned out, niggers, were, in fact, here.
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>>24615579
NARRATOR: The california night was warm. Strong voices from West Africa and "urban" music from Atlanta echoed around the run-down service station.
RIPLEY: [Nervously, to himself] It's not safe here.
GLORIOUS TYRONE: [Approaching] Ay bro, got a smoke?
RIPLEY: No.
GLORIOUS TYRONE: [Looking at the stubbed cigarette in Ripley's mouth] What's that?
RIPLEY: It's mine.
>>
>>24615534
surprise motherfucker!
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>>24615534
You can go anywhere, with a car
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>>24615579
>>24615596
never liked this pasta, it doesn't fit the image

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i am a /lit/let but i want to get into reading some poetry to expand my horizons. eventually being able to write a few things myself would be nice. i dont know where to start, but Lord Byron was recently recommended to me. is that a fucking retarded idea or what?
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>>24613672
No that’s a good idea. I also recommend starting with Don Juan
Also, never read Scott.
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>>24613672
read a collection
>>
>>24613750

this haiku is shit, you fucked up the line breaks and syllable count.
>>
>>24613672
Milton
Alexander Pope
>>
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>>24613722
>high IQ poetry is Haiku.

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recently came around this
first publishing date 2006 (self fulfilling prophecy)
it's literally the kremnlin playbook
> isolation form europe
> everything own, made by chinks
> national hubris skyrocketing
It's a wonder the book is not outlawed in RF.
p.s. i read the original, it's mind blowing. don't know about english translation though
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>>24612931
please get press ganged
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>>24612383
Idk he has like 2-3 albums full of "prison songs".
His material mostly circulated in a samizdat form .
The probem for an artist then was " how to be artsy enough to be passable but never cross the point of no return".
His biography shows the idea of walking the close line. Most of his works were rejected by state( mr mckinley, interventsia) in the state controlled attempt for the art to be no more no less that netflix-tier slop, the result of "current thing" methodichka.
He could have been so much more. His life shows kafkaesque struggle in the soviet game which had "the prison" as the dime a dozen game prize.
>>
>>24615322
You're so stupid lmfao. The only problems he had in life stem from him being a worthless drunkard piece of shit.
>>
>>24615322
While Vysotsky had a good amount of controversial material which barred him easy access to state-sanctioned popularity in his lifetime, his overwhelming posthumous success is tied pretty much entirely to his most safe works themed for widest possible appeal - romantic ballads, sportsball songs, and the WW2 topic. I especially love how the romanticizes conveniently forget the absolute shitton of Vysotsky's sports-themed songs, or attempt to find a few dozen hidden layers within them.

The state's pointless kvetching did way more to give Vysotsky an aura of transgression than any of his works ever did, as the 80s investigation showed. This is why his works eventually entered legal circulation, where they proved to be overwhelmingly conventional popular songs, appealing to conventional masses.
>>
>>24615589
>most safe works
>sportsball songs, and the WW2 topic
I've seen the popularity of such videos rising on ((youtube)) in the milieu of "ussr was good" propagondons.
I'll add that he was a singing actor in a 'contemporary' theater and most of his safe songs were work related. Meanwhile most interesting are the bootleg records. There are a couple of huge torrent files on them.
>oh Vysotsky le bad
Then please name artist , writer from 60-70-80s that's worthwhile to listen to. BC you can't. Most of them were state pundits that were toeing the party line methodichka in a manner of 1984.
>>24615452
Then name better one, fag


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