>>25614828Nice rec. What's it about. I'm reading these two, picrel.
It's okay, IMO
>>25614794
>>25614963i found his book very, very, safe, but at least it has helped popularize some tech regulations for children.
What do you guys think of this?About halfway through it and it makes sense.
>>25614970I agree, and I find that half of his argument reads like boomer pandering in a 'back in our day' type reasoning. As an educator, I found the play-based-learning sections interesting, but his own data shows that the lack thereof is not the issue or explicitly relevant to the topic at hand.
>>25614971Oh, I've been meaning to read this. I fear that it could be American-centric, though, where personal opinions and ideologies are treated like sports teams or competing armies - not a simple contestant of ideas or perspectives, but a dichotomous ideological 'war' over popular narrative where social cohesion and conformity matter more than truth.
>>25614794A mind of its own - A Cultural History of the Penis by David Friedman. You straight bros are missing out because I doubt there’s any woman out there who cares about dick.
>>25614794Midwitcore. >>25614828Pseudcore>>25614953Lame/Based. >>25614963>>25614971Reddit. >>25614967Performative.
>>25614794What's up OP, this is weird, but I just spent 10 days at an old lady's house taking care of her cat while she went on at trip. I watched Twin Peaks: The Return for the first time, but anyways, the book in your image was sitting on a shelf under her wall-mounted television. I didn't read it, I was reading Chuang Tzu, but isn't it, like, synchronicitous, man?
>>25615021it happens
i’m never not reading montaigne.>>25615016american
>>25614989It is 100% american centered, and constantly compares and contrasts the american left and right. The author is a leftist jew who writes the same way a Christian apologist losing his faith while writing a book on comparative religion would. It also leans heavily on evolutive psychology so you'll come across several paragraphs long talks about how chimps and early men did this and that. On that regard it's reddit as fuck like the other guy says.Even though that sounds pretty bad, it does go beyond american politics and conventional morality (or what he calls WEIRD morality for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic societies) and never roots for or condemns either side (he just keeps bringing them up cause that's what he's most familiar with). Everything I've read so far checks out, there's some interesting points I hadn't thought about, and the author's pretty sincere about his biases and misconceptions and so far seems to be humble about it.
Currently reading "Fear City: New York's Fiscal Crisis and the Rise of Austerity Politics" by Kim Phillips-Fein, which is about the nyc government financial crisis in 1975 when the city went bankrupt after a rather dramatic moment when after years of profligate spending it made a standard bond issue where no banks made a bid to buy them, causing the city to run out of money. While president Ford was initially hesitant to allow a bailout (which after a speech to the chamber of commerce where he essentially said he would veto any federal bailout the NY Daily News famously ran the headline "Ford to City: Drop Dead") ultimately it was decided NYC was simply too big to fail, and it was bailed out in exchange to very painful austerity such as gutting city public hospitals, getting rid of free public universities, and cuts to the police, sanitation, fire dept, and teachers, causing the city to become dirtier, poorer and more dangerous for decades, as well as breaking some very powerful public sector unions.The subject is very interesting but the book is not as objective as I had hoped. She is up front that she thinks austerity was wrong, and that the financial crisis was not a morality play of socialists running out of other people's money, but rather a consequence of federal policies that on the one hand caused nyc to lose its manufacturing industrial base which went overseas (hard to imagine, but nyc had been the heart of a massive garment industry) and on the other hand encouraged people to move to suburbs with mortgage tax breaks and federal highways. She also feels austerity was morally wrong and gives many sad examples of people whose lives were ruined by it.Nonetheless I've been left unconvinced that city leadership was as blameless as she insists. Mayor Beame genuinely did fail to rise to the moment and seemed unable to grasp the city's finances despite having been comptroller, and Governor Lindsey, who had been mayor for the prior decade before letting the house of cards collapse on someone else's watch, refused to raise state taxes or even to let nyc raise its property taxes. Meanwhile aristocratic public sector unions jealously guarded their privileges.
>>25615110This has been in my backlog for years. Is it good?
>>25614970Recently read Coddling of the American Mind and had the same take
>>25615113Yes.
>>25615113no
>>25615110>>25615113>>25615117>>25615118It's quite literally a horror novel. Nothing more.
I'm reading Bruce Campbell's autobiography
>>25615121>Confessions of a Movie ActorWhy don't they come out and call them what they really are? Actors are just adult pretenders.
>>25615042Nope but you're in the Performative Pseud category.
>>25615042any interesting observations in this?
>>25615138none whatsoever.
>>25615137i’m in no category.
>>25615150The goal of every performative pseud is to be seen that way.
417 paragraphs into the Phenomenology of Spirit. I feel like I'm simultaneously learning a lot and nothing. Sache selbst
>>25615153i know i’ve asked you this already, but are you absolutely sure you’re not an american?
>>25615158>performative pseud can't think of anything better than assuming I'm an American Lol.
I just finished this.
>>25615189yeah lol. now: will you lay your hand on your heart and swear to me that you’re not an american?
>>25615372The author has a fantastic name
>>25614982i think the book was meant as a digestible popular parenting/child educator "how to" book, so he's going to placate and simplify it for the audience to not stress them out too much. and most books for popular audiences are centered around offering a solution, almost always very surface level and naive, so it can appear to accomplish a purpose. so i didn't find those parts especially irrelevant given who i realized the book was for, they would've probably criticized it if it was any other way.
>>25615376>>25615189
>>25615372please provide review and evaluation thank you
>>25614971I read it, its where I copped my theory of sentimentalism along with After Virtue.>>25615016I have that Lifton book but isn't he a bit sus?
>>25615042>muh AmericansFrance is black
>>25614990What alternative universe are you from?
>>25615376American message board
>>25616737I find the penis interesting. I'm gay so that might explain it. However, shouldn't straight males also show some interest. After all you have one.There's lots of interesting info. Did you know that for the longest time people thought erections were cause by some kind of wind or spirit coming from the liver. Leonardo Da Vinci realized otherwise when we dissected dead bodies and in particular some hanged criminals who happened to die with an erection. He realized it was actually blood inside.Or how about circumcision is thought to be symbolic of your slavery to God.I'm only a few chapters in but it's a great book.
>>25616798>I find the penis interesting. I'm gay so that might explain it. However, shouldn't straight males also show some interest. No. Being gay constitutes a perverted fetish that occupies the mind to such an extent it should (still) be regarded as a mental illness. You're weird. You're a pervert.
>>25615110the christopher walken movie of this is such a goofy flick. One might even call it... a goofy movie.
>>25616809That's how God made me. And I consider it a gift. Unlike most men - I can't find myself hating other men. To near and dear to me. I'm blessed with a different perspective.
>>25616798Tell me about why men across all cultures, across time, are obsessed with the size of their dicks.
>>25616733
>>25616821Sometimes a group of straight men will play gay chicken where the goal is to behave as gayly as possible at each other and the first one to balk loses. Sometimes in 2026 there is an actual gay man in the group and gay and then the actual gay man will say something that indicates he sucked off 14 guys in a row in a gay bar in Miami when he took his first "gaycation" at the age of 22 with some graduation money, and for a while the thought of entering into a gay chicken contest between the straights is suspended. Gay chicken isn't so fun any more when there's an actual gay rooster about.After writing this post and realizing it didn't turn out very good, I additionally wonder if the straight passing gays I have known ever got involved in gay chicken with their straight acquaintances and just kept quiet about themselves and enjoyed the ride, possibly inadvertently exiling themselves from the group in the long run. Or if gay chicken is already well known in the gay world and certain day men lament never having been able to slip into an event.
>>25616828I'm not sure that's 100% true. In particular the book mentions that Greeks valued smaller dicks. Artists would show their contempt by painting slaves or foreigners with big dicks.By Roman times I think a big dick had become more popular. My personal take is that it aligns with the idea of power and dominance. And this is what becomes reflected in the culture. Of course this is what we see today which again aligns with the idea of Empire (U.S culture) and domination.Most cultures are barbarian. I would guess more civilized cultures probably don't care. Unfortunately most cultures have been absorbed by the Empire.
>>25616828Because women judge us for it. Women shouldn't have opinions at. Period. Menstruation.
>>25616821>I'm blessed with a different perspective.Being coombrained by way of a sexual fetish that increases your likelihood of carrying parasites, infections, and cancer is a perspective alright.
>>25616849I've never played it, but I noticed some difference with my straight friends after I came out. Like before people would change clothes in front of me but then afterwards they wouldn't. I think straight men get uncomfortable with the idea of another dude liking them. But on the other hand gay men will talk about their dick size on the first date. It's a really strange situation because among other gays I've learned to be very comfortable around myself. But straight men get really uncomfortable around gays even though a gay man has seen probably a million dicks. For me it feels "rapey" to hit on someone who is straight.
>>25616819Motherfucker!
>>25616896I love how you play rhetorical games. You remind of this one poster who wrote that gays don't have sex instead they masturbate into one another.That's what you're doing. It's a backhanded way to marginalize people. I don't even have sex that much but when I do I use protection. I have no cancer, parasites or infections. Your comments don't apply to me.The main reason for promiscuity which you hint at is because straights who made and conceived gay children ABANDON them to the wolves.
>>25616946Whats wrong with marginalizing people? If you were in charge, every heterosexual would disappear. Its a matter of perspective as you say.
>>25616946>rhetorical gamesJust plain statement of fact, anon. No rhetoric necessary.
>>25616913I don't think it's rapey for gay guys to hit on straight guys but it does require a measure of tact that hetero passes don't, that's for sure. I like to hit on lesbians when I can do it and not set them off or make them feel cornered about it. Occasionally it works out. Whatever.
>>25616975I have nothing against straight people. In fact I bet I like straight men more than you.>>25616989It's not a fact. If you have safe monogamous sex then there is no risk.
>>25617059>safe monogamous sexAh, yes. Exactly what the gay community is known for, lol
>>25616828They're like antlers. Think of dicks as antlers and if makes sense. Just like being tall as a guy is like having big tits as a woman.
>>25617139I'm making more progress in this book. Here's what I learned today.
>>25617139White boys in trouble.In all seriousness this is one of the most fascinating books I've ever read.
>>25619228If I read that passage I'd throw the book in the trash no need to sully my mind with such petulant garbage.
>>25614794What's the name of a genre where "leftist thinkers having a somber experience with the average joes not aligned with their views"? Leftist realism?
>>25614963This book is cancer.>>25614970And so are you.
>>25619524Leftist pessimism.
>>25619524"Graduating from college"
>>25614794>183x276
>>25614971>181x279
>>25619577/thread
>>25619524Frank sounds a wanker. typical leftist jew (I'm assuming who is mad that the increasingly culturally leftward drifting Democrat Party isn't garnering votes by people who would rather not let the state chop their daughter's tits off and turn out their sons. Of course I could be wrong, and the book was written before that period. In any case, from the synopsis he wants flyovers to care about the economy but doesn't realize his leftist compatriots come with a lot of baggage in order for the region to get "free health care"
>>25619623should've closed that parentheses but its too late now.
>>25614794It's October 29th here in the States - and I'm continuing my reading of "A Mind of its own - A cultural history of the penis" by David Friedman.So I closed off yesterday's reading with some sad historical anecdotes of how when Black people were lynched in the South - the mob would often castrate the victim especially when there were allegations of rape. And reflecting on this fact this morning - I realized why straight White males are sometimes fearful of Black and Gay men. Here's the rationale :1. Fear of being cucked because black man may have bigger and better penis. In actuality all attempted studies of penis size have been either self reported or fraught with error. So it's possible this isn't even true. Even as a gay male who has seen more cocks than McDonald's hamburger sales - I'm kind of unsure whether this is true or not. But as the book points out it doesn't matter - it's just the perception that matters.2. I think straight males are somewhat afraid of gay males because they don't want to be perceived as gay and straight males seem to always be a little insecure about their own penis especially if another male is eyeing it. Of course now since Blacks and Gays have gotten uppity in demanding basic rights and we can't just be bashed Straight males are feeling a little second place.
>>25620116Here's some consolation for you straights. You may already know this. But in case you don't - really should work on that finger action (but like wtf how does this even work nothing to hold on to- again thank God I'm gay because it's really nice to work with the same type of body).I'm going to keep this thread going - because let's face it most of the books in this thread are BORING. Why even care about politics - here in the U.S Fascists vs. Communists...no point in voting. Just time taken away from reading.
>>25620122My adroit finger technique has kept me afloat vs. the ballast of my poverty and my aggressive, annoying personality. I have been called a pussy wizard. I've been told I should teach a class. I've been barred from professions because I would corrupt the ethical contract of them and give them a bad name as a result of fingerings. There exist many distraught texts about my lack of communication, forgiving me numerous rudenesses because of the sex. It still is pleasant and entertaining to think of these things on balance but there is a gloomy cast to it as well as women simply do not value an aesthetic experience like men do, and given time, despite them having praised how you make them feel to the sun, having been told that before you they thought they were frigid, they will tell you they never want to see you again because you were unwilling to break into your savings to give them six or seven thousand extra dollars to fix the leaky roof on their house.
>>25616975your victimhood is showing again, little timmy
>>25616835kek based
>>25620156Every fucking Commonwealth expat sniggers "Are you American?" at Americans the same way, it's a cliche. And half the time they say it they say it to a Canadian, which admittedly is important for keeping the most central part of Canada's identity alive (NOT being AMERICAN).
>>25615016>THE DARK PSYCHOLOGY OF Xnormie book for wannabe machiavellians. enjoy the new dragonball, tyson.
>25620163didnt read
>>25620167Why'd you feel the need to tell him that? Note that any answer other than "I didn't," which is impossible given you taking the time to respond and take away the (You) as if it were an updoot, means he won. I shan't be replying to your post.
>>25615042Montaigne is and always will be the goat of nonfic writing. I first encountered his work at university and continue to revisit it over a decade later, just an absolute treasure trove of insights.With that said:>reading the penguin and not the everyman edition
>>25617059>If you have safe monogamous sex then there is no risk.Down the road, much sooner than you think, reflect on that statement when you're changing your Depends after shitting yourself. >>25617081Kek
Maybe the best modern reader of Heidegger. RIP
>>25620164Naw, it's more like a limited hangout regarding MK Ultra.
>>25620133I feel sorry for straight males. It seems like women care more about being taken care of financially than any appreciation of the male body or even how the male body makes them feel.>>25620188You're such a meanie. Since this is an anonymous forum - let me cut to the chase. I'm like a 3rd sex. I'm not like you - my brain is wired differently..some woman component or something. To be blunt - I'm guessing you need pussy...well guess what I need dick. I like it a lot - and for me - it doesn't hurt at all. So there you go.
>>25620222Women are basically just spiritual jews. Its really fun when you dress them up in striped pajamas and starve them to death so they look fuckable enough.
>>25614794>Nonfiction you are readingIm working my way through this one rn. The logic is sound, but the science is outdated. Wouldnt recommend it to anyone not interested in Evolutionary thought
>>25620222They care more about being taken care of financially than anything, with a very occasionally exception.
>>25614794I started Herodotus and got distracted by my novels near the start of book 2 when he's talking about Egypt. Now I feel no impetus to continue with him, but more so with the first-source documents on Thugs/Phansigars or Bowden's work on mystery cults, but in all likelihood will continue with David McCloskey's spy novels alternated with ER Eddison's works.
I keep an audio book to listen to on the bus because I get motion sick. Working through kitchen confidential right now.The passage about artists being annoying because they'll probably have a billion excuses to not show up to work on time and end up being masturbatory egomaniacs instead of focusing on making a product people will enjoy really resonated with me I've been learning to draw and holy shit do a lot of people who can't even get out of bed in the morning have their head up their own ass about how good their work is.
>>25621978That's one good looking man right there. I mean I swear - German men are the best looking in the whole fucking world. The real reason why real gay men like me (not the fake gays) shouldn't be in the military is because how on Earth could someone take a gun and want to kill them. Just taking up weapons and killing random beautiful men....and you straights think I'm weird for liking up the ass. You all more fucked up for thinking random killing is a good thing. I hate ALL wars. Ok - so I finished my book on the cultural history of the penis. I've reported my findings..including some stuff in that other thread on that penis hating bitch, Andrea Dvorkin. The last chapter was on Viagra and curing erection disorder. This is not a problem I currently face and honestly I'm not into penetrating others anyway - so I just skipped over it. But although male pattern baldness is cured - all you straight men should be relieved there are solutions for you when you get older.So I'm not sure what to read next. I already read the book enclosed in the picture. Truthfully I picked this book up the first time because Harry Crosby is hot - or at least in this picture. Do you all read books just because there are beautiful women on the cover? Crosby was straight and I would love to have been his wing man. He had a really interesting life. Anybody have some good gay recommendations or at least adjacent with beautiful men. I don't need this bullshit about the occult or stupid fucking politics. I need something with aesthetically pleasing and/or interesting.
>>25620182nietzsche said shakespeare was montaigne’s greatest reader.you can pick it up at any page at any moment in your life and feel lighter. the guy is incredible there’s no two ways about it.>shilling the everyman and not the floriolightweight.
>>25622629Bourdain was Epstein-class btw.
>25620175didn't read
>>25622768This guy is a good example of fag misery in action. He started off his little game by posting in a way that he new would cause consternation amongst anons and then upped the stakes consistently while maintaining a facade of well meaning interaction. Purely for the joy of upsetting the thread and the men who he resents.
>>25615137Pseud cannot fathom himself (correctly) ever reading philosophy, so those that do must be performing. It is, from his perspective, a valid argument.Picking up Kant is even that difficult. Thousands of undergraduates do it every year.
>>25620222>I'm a mentally ill faggotThis is what we've been trying to tell you.
>>25623588>performative pseud meltieLol
>>25623578meanie>>25623633meanieEverything I wrote is genuine (with a little humor). And frankly I've discussed the book I read (in 3 days) more than everyone else uploading a mere picture. So don't write I'm upsetting the thread when I'm the one contributing.You want to play a game? How bout one of you two breeders give me one recommendation and I'll read the first chapter and tell you something you didn't know.
>>25620222
>>25623676
>>25616835is like asking if someone is Indian in /pol/ or twitter
Rereading this after trying it for a year. It’s gay, it’s reddit, it’s normie, and it pains me to say it’s actually been working.
books are gay lol
>>25623642t. failed (the only one in his cohort) his first-year Kant paper.
>>25624309sort of yeah. but there’s part of me that would rather be intellectually indian than american (only part of me though).
This has been provoking pretty bad existential dread while reading it.
>>25615016Run down on this book?
>>25623972Sorry being gay, schizoid and having ADD does not constitute major mental issues. I'm sorry my writings annoy you. I'm trying to bring value by pointing out some interesting books. And writing is very cathartic - you should try it more instead posting your memes. This place has too many normies on here. I mean "Getting Things Done" - WTF. To that anon - I recommend "The right to be lazy" by Lafargue.I'm saving the Harry Crosby for later (when I need some soothing images before bed) and instead have spent last night and this morning browsing a few books on the Taino people in the Caribbean. I'm glad I'm really fucking apathetic on Indigenous People / Columbus Day. Both of these groups were a bunch of crazies.When an important chief (Cacique funnily also the name for a women's plus size bra brand) died they would take his skull and preserve it and basically make like a doll that they would call a Zemi to then be worshipped by future generations. This is the kind of shit you're not going to find out on a Carnival cruise to Montego Bay.
>>25624954obviously nta but being ADD, schizo, or (even) gay isn’t your real flaw; rather it’s ‘trying to bring value’ that’s genuinely horrible. humanity has been savaged and trampled by that mindset.
>>25624954Sorry, I have 2 kids to support and love. I have made choices that don’t allow me to be lazy to my kids the life they deserve. I agree with the premise, but the practicality of that philosophy is not compatible with my reality.
Stop giving it the attention it wants.
Is this any good?
>>25626180Brush stroke calligraphy and the phrase "Japanese phenomenon" are signs that point to no.
>>25626180yeah its very good its about alfred adlers psychology
