There were a trilogy of science fiction books that I read back in my high school and university days called the “Requiem for Homo Sapiens” by an American author named David Zindell. I don’t really have a solid gauge on their popularity because (a) I’ve rarely encountered anyone else who has read them, but (b) everyone who I have encountered gushes about having read them — so I ask myself: are they unpopular or just unknown? Likely it is simply that they are not to everyone’s taste: hard, rich, and complex sci-fi, rolling-fantastical and quasi-spiritual-philosophical epics with characters that stretch the limits of believability… but I enjoyed them, for what they were. And have re-read them since. Actually, to be fair, I more than just [...]
I’ve been thinking a lot about writing — why people write and, in particular, why I write — and other such silly navel-gazing-type thoughts, and I figured I’d explore some of those ideas through some (albeit very basic) application of writing rationale to various philosophies, as least as best as I understand them with my intro-philosophy and intro-psychology education. If people seem interested, I might turn this into a series. (Suggestions?) But, just so you know, this is likely all bunk, and should be read as such even if it does make for an interesting exploration of how these theories could be applied to the very modern activity of writing for the web, particularly personal and professional blogging. First up: Freud. What first got me [...]
Posted on Monday, January 12, 02004 under
writing.
I was standing at the bus-stop, reading (it’s what I do, and how you can tell when the book is pretty good — if I’m still reading while I’m waiting for the bus) and this line crossed my path: “Then why are you talking about exhibitionism? It’s a ridiculous term. Someone wants to celebrate their existence and you call it exhibitionism. If you don’t want anyone to know about your existence, you might as well kill yourself. You’re taking up space, air.” – Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius I thought it was an apt reflection on blogging. I hear a lot of comments, off-hand, careless remarks mostly, questioning the wisdom of putting one’s innermost thoughts online for all to see. Two part [...]
