I think Twain was referring to the authoritative power a text has over 'reality.' He was kind of a proto-postmodernist, where he had a suspicion of narrative. When we associate reality to what's in a book, the 'reality' is distorted. If you look at the end of 'Huck Finn,' Tom can't see 'reality' until it looks like a scene in the 'Count of Monte Cristo.' But all along unassociated 'reality' is in front of the eyes...it's very Nietzschean.
Thank you SO much, sir, for posting this video. I've been making the habit to self-educate by reading books--ones that allow people to ANALYZE AND THINK!--at my own pace (that's important as well). I've found that reading a few good books throughly (so far; have tons more to read) that my own ignorance is totally diminishing. Liked and subbed!
Excellent video!!! I have to re-iterate a previous comment in that the hits on your videos truely do not reflect the gems of valuable information that you're putting out. As a person of Caribbean descent living in the UK, I finding it interesting that the self-alienation of reading and further educating oneself seems to be a pandemic in my community. Although there are many factors which have influenced this, your coments have are very relevant. Thank you for sharing.
heheh 0 for me...pick a book and I will read it digest it and live it for a bit until of course my natural state to flight and sheeding of chains make sme go somewhere else...b/c I have to.
Good stuff I think it would be appropriate to distinguish disinterested scholastism and true will to truth which involves perspectivism, and close personal self change, and unchartered seas....why do we learn professor Anton...what is this? what is the point? why that drive that ims ure we both experience...surely not to just know for knowledges sake but to ascend ever higher into the air be able to look down and say I should go back down to the people and help them out...B/c now i have ethos.
I think your argument is specially relevant when you consider the American culture related to arguing and debating.
People like to have opinions and to defend them. But rarely anyone takes the time to read what others have been saying about the topics they are talking about. (It seems to be the case in those endless debates we see in Youtube).
I wonder what your thinking is on the Google book project? As your video points out, a lot of excellent classic books are falling out of print...BUT is the answer to have one corporation reissuing them and by that renewing the copyright? It reminds me a bit of what Monsanto did to seeds...
Sorry I know that this isn't exactly on topic, but it seems like a terrible dilemma to me...
Your point reminds me of an Alan Watts' observation (I think it was in his essay about the world + the body (or maybe it was Merleau-Ponty, but I'm almost sure it was Watts). If I recall, he says something along the lines of thinking as a social activity based on dialog with books, linguistic structures, social and cultural institutions, works of art, etc.
i guess for me its about studying without discounting my own experience of the world. to learn in an empowering context, in the same light of the possibility of "responsibility is freedom". rather than studying out of obligation, guilt, or tradition, etc. i think many who "think for themselves" anyway really do want to read up and learn and be able to converse among those who are well-read (or maybe its just me. haha), and perhaps its just that books have become seemingly unapproachable. *shrug*
each person is born into an ongoing conversation. - yes, totally. nothing is original and perhaps we're just witnessing/observing units sitting and talking amongst ourselves about the movie called life. depending on where your sitting and whos sitting beside you and wether or not your eating popcorn or if the person in front is blocking the view - we'll always interpret things differently and recreate the story. i resonate with your opinions but i can also see why people would also think (cont.)
that "thinking for oneself" is the way to go. i mean, i love learning but there are constraints in the environment i am in (wether its resource, money, etc). so i find myself going both ways. i trust that wisdom was there before me and i truly believe theres so much light and benefit when i bask on the inspired work of others (books, art, etc). but also total dependency and developing an almost fatal certainty by standing behind books and ideas can be dangerous when changes shake things up. hm
We best use this "interwebs" thing to be an alternative. The holons network, you and I, Matt and John... Don't we engage ourselves by engaging others?
I agree with you... "thinking for oneself" misses the point... It's more about relation and connection, and growing from that wisdom. I hope we can have that here on youtube, at least amongst those we know and appreciate.
Meaningful dialogue, heady talk and interesting ideas, articulated possibilities, all of these are among the tastiest fruits for those who have cultivated the appetite and palate.
Yes ! indeed.one does need to stand on the shoulders of the great thinkers to get a grasp about human thought and the understanding of our society,galaxy and the universe.The free system that we have ,but don't use enough is the FREE LIBRARY,that lets you now order a book from a library in a differant state,even another country,thru their inter-library loan system.We the people need to take advantage of this useful service.
1984 was a great book. Made my girlfriend think for herself and turn gay.
JohnOnik3 2 days ago
I think Twain was referring to the authoritative power a text has over 'reality.' He was kind of a proto-postmodernist, where he had a suspicion of narrative. When we associate reality to what's in a book, the 'reality' is distorted. If you look at the end of 'Huck Finn,' Tom can't see 'reality' until it looks like a scene in the 'Count of Monte Cristo.' But all along unassociated 'reality' is in front of the eyes...it's very Nietzschean.
Rattapax 4 months ago
Thank you SO much, sir, for posting this video. I've been making the habit to self-educate by reading books--ones that allow people to ANALYZE AND THINK!--at my own pace (that's important as well). I've found that reading a few good books throughly (so far; have tons more to read) that my own ignorance is totally diminishing. Liked and subbed!
cocogrrl 9 months ago
You don't want to think by yourself, but for yourself.
In "How to read a book", this idea is formulated beautifully.
Forkroute 1 year ago
Excellent video!!! I have to re-iterate a previous comment in that the hits on your videos truely do not reflect the gems of valuable information that you're putting out. As a person of Caribbean descent living in the UK, I finding it interesting that the self-alienation of reading and further educating oneself seems to be a pandemic in my community. Although there are many factors which have influenced this, your coments have are very relevant. Thank you for sharing.
knowcipher 1 year ago
Interesting video. Definitely gives me something to ponder for awhile.
AFairysTail 2 years ago
heheh 0 for me...pick a book and I will read it digest it and live it for a bit until of course my natural state to flight and sheeding of chains make sme go somewhere else...b/c I have to.
f1ghtclub2k3 2 years ago
Good stuff I think it would be appropriate to distinguish disinterested scholastism and true will to truth which involves perspectivism, and close personal self change, and unchartered seas....why do we learn professor Anton...what is this? what is the point? why that drive that ims ure we both experience...surely not to just know for knowledges sake but to ascend ever higher into the air be able to look down and say I should go back down to the people and help them out...B/c now i have ethos.
f1ghtclub2k3 2 years ago
hallelujah!
egoistorms 2 years ago
I agree!
I think your argument is specially relevant when you consider the American culture related to arguing and debating.
People like to have opinions and to defend them. But rarely anyone takes the time to read what others have been saying about the topics they are talking about. (It seems to be the case in those endless debates we see in Youtube).
Flenos 2 years ago 2
Thanks so much
Professoranton 2 years ago
I guess I agree (and for my own part I often like creative misunderstanding) but could you both have been right?
Professoranton 2 years ago
It's so good to see your view counts on the rise.
I wonder what your thinking is on the Google book project? As your video points out, a lot of excellent classic books are falling out of print...BUT is the answer to have one corporation reissuing them and by that renewing the copyright? It reminds me a bit of what Monsanto did to seeds...
Sorry I know that this isn't exactly on topic, but it seems like a terrible dilemma to me...
2bsirius 2 years ago
Hi Corey,
Great vid...using it for my classes.
Your point reminds me of an Alan Watts' observation (I think it was in his essay about the world + the body (or maybe it was Merleau-Ponty, but I'm almost sure it was Watts). If I recall, he says something along the lines of thinking as a social activity based on dialog with books, linguistic structures, social and cultural institutions, works of art, etc.
- Jay
barnyardfun 2 years ago
i agree. there is a lot talk about this new illiteracy these days caused by new technology. people are less and less capable of reading long texts...
jak1428 2 years ago
Very seriously. Reading atrophy on many fronts. People today just skim and glace by web browser.
Professoranton 2 years ago
i guess for me its about studying without discounting my own experience of the world. to learn in an empowering context, in the same light of the possibility of "responsibility is freedom". rather than studying out of obligation, guilt, or tradition, etc. i think many who "think for themselves" anyway really do want to read up and learn and be able to converse among those who are well-read (or maybe its just me. haha), and perhaps its just that books have become seemingly unapproachable. *shrug*
katerinabonvora 2 years ago
each person is born into an ongoing conversation. - yes, totally. nothing is original and perhaps we're just witnessing/observing units sitting and talking amongst ourselves about the movie called life. depending on where your sitting and whos sitting beside you and wether or not your eating popcorn or if the person in front is blocking the view - we'll always interpret things differently and recreate the story. i resonate with your opinions but i can also see why people would also think (cont.)
katerinabonvora 2 years ago
that "thinking for oneself" is the way to go. i mean, i love learning but there are constraints in the environment i am in (wether its resource, money, etc). so i find myself going both ways. i trust that wisdom was there before me and i truly believe theres so much light and benefit when i bask on the inspired work of others (books, art, etc). but also total dependency and developing an almost fatal certainty by standing behind books and ideas can be dangerous when changes shake things up. hm
katerinabonvora 2 years ago
We best use this "interwebs" thing to be an alternative. The holons network, you and I, Matt and John... Don't we engage ourselves by engaging others?
I agree with you... "thinking for oneself" misses the point... It's more about relation and connection, and growing from that wisdom. I hope we can have that here on youtube, at least amongst those we know and appreciate.
thepathlesspath 2 years ago
Meaningful dialogue, heady talk and interesting ideas, articulated possibilities, all of these are among the tastiest fruits for those who have cultivated the appetite and palate.
Professoranton 2 years ago
Yes!
fomenter666 2 years ago
Yes ! indeed.one does need to stand on the shoulders of the great thinkers to get a grasp about human thought and the understanding of our society,galaxy and the universe.The free system that we have ,but don't use enough is the FREE LIBRARY,that lets you now order a book from a library in a differant state,even another country,thru their inter-library loan system.We the people need to take advantage of this useful service.
k9a2g6 2 years ago
Seriously.
Professoranton 2 years ago
MC Escher is the king.
Robinsonero 2 years ago
Mark Twain is awesome, and so quotable.
Mjhavok 2 years ago
Thank you, Corey, for addressing a common misconception and thus contributing to my education and that of so many others.
amoxtlacatl 2 years ago 4
You are too kind. Please do prove to everyone that ideas matter.
Professoranton 2 years ago