Archived threads in /lit/ - Literature - 802. page

File: adsfasdf.jpg (226KB, 1173x681px) Image search: [Google]

226KB, 1173x681px

Couple of questions for you literati...

1) What's the best cyberpunk I should read? I read Neuromancer and Snow Crash. Both were good, but not amazing. Are there masterworks in this genre? The aesthetics of the genre are god-tier, but are there any works that live up to the aesthetics?

2) What are people doing in the genre nowadays? I'd imagine that with how key tech is modern civilization, there should be all sorts of offshoots of the original genre.

File: F846FE58-2C1A-4EFA-BEA5-31076EA18A2C-2233-000003B26D1A755C.jpg (8KB, 189x267px) Image search: [Google]

8KB, 189x267px

Prose is the ultimate pseud magnet, the most middlebrow, mediocre form of art. There is a reason why the best prose writers have been failed poets. Prose writers neither have the aesthetic/artistic refinement of a poet, nor the intellect of a philosopher, so they confine themselves to the easiest, most accessible form of art. Poets can easily transition to become amazing prose writers, usually creating better works than most prose writers. But have you ever seen a prose writer easily transition to becoming a poet? It's almost like comparing a theoretical physicist (poet) to an engineer (prose writer). Poets simply have a better aesthetic feel, a better grasp of language. And have you ever read a book that gave you the same intense emotional response as did a symphony of Beethoven's? The same feeling of artistic depth and concentration as the best poets? How often do you shiver from the sheer beauty of a novel? More than when listening to Mozart's Requiem, to any musical work of note? No, but that is not the point of prose, you might say. Because prose has ideas, of course. Yes, I might admit that prose has ideas where music does not, where poetry often does not, but these are the most meddling, shallow of ideas, when compared to the ideas of an actual thinker. What is the point of trying to convey an idea within the context of a story, when it could be approached, what do you know, as an idea? Prose plays around with ideas on a shallow level, is the playground of pseudo philosophers unable to think deeply about concepts, making broad handwavy literary observations about the world that can be easily taken apart by the most average of philosophers. But prose helps to change the world, it has a social value that the other arts do not! one might protest. In response to this, I reject the premise, seeing that art should have artistic merit based on its artistic qualities and not on the political effects of it, but will also like you to think about this: if you want to change the world, why don't you just try to change the world instead of write books about it? who do you think changed the political and social landscape of France more: Stalin or Tolstoy? Prose excels in no aspect: it is always mediocre, the most mediocre of all arts. There is a reason why prose attracts the least talented of all people, why you don't see quite so many untalented wannabe classical composers, but see a ridiculous amount of talentless MFA students and "writers," not to mention the absolute trash that people write on this board. Just take a look at pic related. A failed philosopher, too afraid to even approach poetry or music, and a prose writer. The absolute worst, most cringey, pseudo-intellectual, shallow, pretentious conversations that I have heard in my life, have been from people talking about prose. The lack of artistic sense, the lack of intellectual ability, and arrogance from the cultural capital inherently engrained in this mediocre art is a travesty.

File: 1411436875082-1.jpg (227KB, 1200x1600px) Image search: [Google]

227KB, 1200x1600px

http://4chanlit.wikia.com/wiki/Philosophy
Are the recommendations made in this article good ones?
Should I just jump into the pre-socratics starting with Heraclitus, or should I read a book summarizing western thought first, such as Bryan Magee's?
Also, are the Histories, Iliad, and Odyssey required? I've read the Odyssey, and the Iliad. Are they only recommended to give you an understanding of mythology, history etc?

File: IMG_3586.png (283KB, 587x448px) Image search: [Google]

283KB, 587x448px

>last 5 books you read
>age
>other anons r8

File: BS.jpg (225KB, 960x1200px) Image search: [Google]

225KB, 960x1200px

SHES MINE LOSERS
I'd been thinking about sharing my friends' blogs and yt channels on here but today has solidified my choice in not ever doing that, which is a shame because I think many of you would appreciate the content. 4chan has again proven that it's the exception to the rule of "any publicity is good publicity."
Why does this board tend to go, well, overboard? Is it just the memetic nature of 4chan? Is it because we're filthy degenerates? I'm actually a pleasant person irl
Or is it perhaps because most people can't handle the unfiltered thoughts of others, and a direct confrontation with it forces a reaction and leads them to feed the trolls? I'd bet if that girl's circle of friends were given the same mask of anonymity we have, she'd see much the same kind of shit posted here, and for most people, to be confronted with that seems to be a little traumatic.
Are we weaker or stronger for engaging with this sort of content every day?

File: orgy-of-the-will.png (113KB, 270x401px) Image search: [Google]

113KB, 270x401px

We had a thread about this text up yesterday, but the mods deleted it. Why, I don't know. The author is a lunatic, but the text (http://orgyofthewill.net) is certainly literature/philosophy.

I was a bit annoyed that the thread got nuked because I was enjoying making fun of the narcissistic sociopathic thief Anthony Zyrmpas, aka "icycalm", who wrote the text, and his ridiculous pretensions to be some sort of genius despite the fact that he has accomplished nothing in his life that would qualify him for such a title.

Can we has thread again?

File: john_meme.jpg (169KB, 662x1000px) Image search: [Google]

169KB, 662x1000px

The madman is back!

File: 1497434643022.jpg (15KB, 466x467px) Image search: [Google]

15KB, 466x467px

"OMG I love Edgar Allen!"
Cool cool, my favorite story is The Cask of Amontillado, wbu?
"The what?"
Ummm what about the Tale Tell Heart?
"..."
>only forced read The Raven in HS

Anyone have similar experiences?

File: skin masks.jpg (357KB, 1080x1350px) Image search: [Google]

357KB, 1080x1350px

Is "Lovecraftian" an overused term and how do we replace it?

File: paulo.jpg (116KB, 315x475px) Image search: [Google]

116KB, 315x475px

After reading Paulo's Alchemist, I feel like a new person. I generally prefer a rather simplistic way of life overall, and Paulo's simplistic way of writing ( I know the importance the translator plays) I kindly ask /lit of recommendations of books and writers similar to writings of Mr Coehlo . Thank you ^^

File: HarukiMurakami.png (210KB, 381x313px) Image search: [Google]

210KB, 381x313px

should i read murakami?

File: slavoj-zizek1.jpg (22KB, 255x364px) Image search: [Google]

22KB, 255x364px

Always keep in mind that if a retard like this succeeded, you can do anything

File: bookclub.jpg (114KB, 960x882px) Image search: [Google]

114KB, 960x882px

>Come join us anon, we're about to discuss The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy!

File: sneaky doggo.png (212KB, 324x289px) Image search: [Google]

212KB, 324x289px

Time for /lit/erary confessions:

- Dog-earing and cracking your book's spine is A-OK and shows the signs of a well-read book and/or person.
- Poetry translations are fine, a similar impact can be had if the translator understands the rhythm and melody of the piece he or she is translating.
- 1984 > Brave New World > We
- Buying bundles and bundles of books while your backlog is large enough as it is is great