🚀 Do you want help finishing Infinite Jest? Or want a complete guide to follow while reading? Join my Infinite Jest Course and Book Club here: writeconscious.substack.com 📚 Explore over 400 of Wallace’s favorite books in my free guide to his favorite books Access here: writeconscious.ck.page/8956ce90fc 📖 Want to WRITE better? Join my free writing school: www.skool.com/writeconscious Insta: instagram.com/writeconscious 📕My Best Books of All-Time List: writeconscious.ck.page/355619345e 🔥Want to READ my wife’s fire poetry? Go here: marigoldeclipse.substack.com 🤔David Foster Wallace’s Favorite Book on Writing amzn.to/4eVmjAI
"Demonizing a billion people of a different faith". This confirms my suspicion, that he's brilliant and rarely talented, yet doesn't truly certain question some core assumptions that just happen to be prevalent in the time and place he happens to have been born into. I have actually lived in a Muslim country, and one that is of the most liberal (in the original meaning of that term) Muslim countries: Morocco. Now, most anybody would love spending time there. It feels very similar to other places around the Mediterranean, like coastal towns in Spain or Italy, but with some differences, like the romantic and rather dramatic morning prayers sounding out from the minarets. The most I've ever felt like a hero in a fantasy adventure was approaching Marrakesh at dawn. Picture it. Primary colors. Golden desert made more golden by the rising Sun. Bluish shadows. Contrast with deep blue sky, waning orange tinge near the horizon. Below that, the huge Atlas mountains in grayish azure, with glowing white snow-capped peaks. And between blue mountains and gold desert, the red city, Marrakesh. Every major city in Morocco has been given a dominant color, as if a painter created the land. Casablanca, white of course. Fez, burnt sienna. Tangiers and Rabat, blue and white. Marrakesh, red. I could continue this celebration of Morocco with enthusiasm - from the seriously staggering beauty of so many of the women, the delicious food, the Arabic courtesy that I find very appealing, to so much more - so why am I complaining about that one line from Wallace, and what has this to do with Morocco? Well. Because of the other side of Morocco. I have been served by slaves. Actual slaves. In Morocco I had dinner with everyone from poor local fishermen, serving delicious seafood in their cozy little seaside hut; just me, Nour-Eddine, his wife, and their children, to the Arabic equivalent of the local Duke, a very friendly man who ran a local photography store that did not make a profit, but which he kept open and worked in every day just so that his town could have such a shop. One of my best friends there was another aristocrat, a beautiful woman who spent many of her evenings educating local prostitutes about staying safe from violent men and diseases. Such girls and women have practically no rights in that society. It was at the aristo photographer's mansion that I noticed extremely shy servants popping out from little doors, wordlessly adding and removing dishes and glasses as we dined. I discretely asked my friend about them. Slaves. Formally, under Moroccan law, they were not literally the property of our host, but in practice they were. That whole family of seeming mutes had served that aristocratic family for generations. They live in the basement, receive no education, and are paid so little they have no real chance at setting up an independent life outside that building. The young woman assigned to my corner of the table, she avoided my eyes as I ventured a friendly smile. It's the most horrifying situation I have ever found myself in (and I say that as someone who was randomly attacked on New Year's Eve in Norway, where I fought off two men that for some reason wanted to strangle me with my scarf. One ran away, the other was crying and gasping in the snow after I had landed a hard blow straight to his solar plexus.) In the capital city Rabat, we saw a huge palace surrounded by 20 feet high walls. My Moroccan friends told me behind that wall lives a Saudi Prince who is a pedophile. Wealthy pedophiles from the West, from Asia, from Israel, from other Muslim countries, attend parties there. They told me "the children are buried in the garden behind that wall." And my friends were intellectuals and filmmakers, not gullible gossipers. But the main darkness I am referring to is not even the slaves or the monster behind that wall, but the Islamic laws upheld by a Moroccan king who is claimed to be a direct descendant of Muhammed. There's a Christian minority there, but Christians live under extreme conditions. Only foreigners who are not citizens may convert to Christianity. No Muslim may. Christians are not allowed to discuss their faith in public, much less attempt evangelization. Bullying of and violence towards Christians is common, and especially with Christians who also belong to the Berber minority, and I know Berbers who converted to Islam just to achieve safety and peace. Being a European artist and writer, I naturally and automatically became part of their intellectual demimonde. At their parties, gays were as open as here (but without the fake victim complex that seems to have become the norm in the West AFTER they achieved everything they wanted). One guy there was the son of a famous Moroccan socialist who was tortured to death by French intelligence in the early 80s, as a favor to the King of Morocco. Most of them were Socialists, and many were openly Atheist in such private circumstances. And several of them asked me “Why is the Western Left defending Islam when they spent decades opposing Christianity?” and “Don’t European socialists know what will happen to their societies when Islam is allowed to become dominant in cities and eventually whole countries?” I always answered with some variant of “because the Left in Europe are superficial people who care more about impressing other superficial people than they care about their own children’s future.” I am a man largely of the Right today, but I am more compatible with these Arabic Socialists than I am with “conservatives” in Europe and the USA. I have ex-muslim Arab friends here in Norway who are depressed to see the irresponsible, smug naivety of the politically correct. They tell me once Europe falls, there will be no serious pressure on the Islamic world to secularize. So before bemoaning the “demonizing of a billion people”, one ought to look up rape and other crime statistics in Europe and which group just happens to be highly represented wherever those statistics are worst, and one ought to investigate what is happening to our famous status as the Libertine capital of the planet, and to our principles of free speech and unrestrained debate. Three groups are desroying European society: The Left, Islam, and Zionists (including Christian Zionists.) By the way: Long live the Palestinian people! As Jim Morrison sang: “The West is the best.” And that is true in spite of our history of war mongering and colonialist theft. (Yes, I used to be a Socialist, and have not cast aside any of the truths the Left does possess.)
Appreciate your authenticity Ian. Been building back a consistent reading habit the last 5-6 months and I’ve gone from Lovecraft short stories to tackling moby dick this month. I can feel my brain becoming pregnant with original thoughts waiting to be born and synthesized. Godspeed
I’ve been struggling for what the business model for a fiction writer on BookTube might be, and you’re the only person I’ve seen actually discuss and work that out on camera. I’ve considered coaching but I worry about opening yourself up to attacks of “parallel inspiration” from clients. A course seems like a good alternative. There have been some things you’ve said in videos previously that I vehemently disagreed with, and yet yesterday (DFW Tips for Modern Authors), I subscribed. Been taking many notes on this binge I’ve been going on your channel. Keep going. Let us know where we can find your fiction. I’m curious!
Hey, I’ve been watching your content for a few days now and it’s been a big contributor to my general heightened sense of mindfulness recently. There’s a lot to think about! However, one major thing I noticed that I thought you should read is the use of the word “on” in the title. I think because of the nature of the videos (how often you talk about yourself and your opinions), no matter how valuable they are, the word “and” is a better replacement. It just is a strange contrast to see an opinion piece when the title seems to advertise something that is exclusively a summary.
Yo I don't follow along with Jake Paul or anybody related, but boy it's been a while since I heard that high brow critique of a movie - "it was just a lot of talking" Back in the days I would hear this a lot was high school & it more than always came from a.... modern hip-pop fan type. It's the dumbest way iv ever heard someone break down why they didnt like a movie. Its a rejection of of the story telling experience & lame excuse to avoid focusing. I loath those low effort individuals & now Thanks to Jpaul & social media herding I expect to hear that comment a lot more moving forward. This culture does not deserve quality media. "It wasnt any good. It was just a lot of talking" goddammit I'm triggered. Thanks.
I listen to Rogan when he has on someone from the Innocence Project, Neil DeGrasse, Brian Cox (astronomer), directors Oliver Stone or David Mamet, any AI researcher, someone talking about sustainable farming, an author talking about Native American history, someone who works with the homeless, Bernie Sanders, someone with a PhD in religion, etc. Rarely I will listen to someone who I know I will disagree with. Usually infuriating to listen to though. The MMA stuff. Nope. His comedian friends. Nope. Hunting. Nope. If he has on someone with their own podcast I don't listen because I have enough hosts that I already listen to. And it's funny that the host of this channel just mentioned echo chambers.
🚀 Do you want help finishing Infinite Jest? Or want a complete guide to follow while reading?
Join my Infinite Jest Course and Book Club here: writeconscious.substack.com
📚 Explore over 400 of Wallace’s favorite books in my free guide to his favorite books
Access here: writeconscious.ck.page/8956ce90fc
📖 Want to WRITE better? Join my free writing school: www.skool.com/writeconscious
Insta: instagram.com/writeconscious
📕My Best Books of All-Time List: writeconscious.ck.page/355619345e
🔥Want to READ my wife’s fire poetry? Go here: marigoldeclipse.substack.com
🤔David Foster Wallace’s Favorite Book on Writing amzn.to/4eVmjAI
“I’m not losing to Robin Hood and some jew.”-Write Conscious
There was also a ginger. I would die before losing to them!
"Demonizing a billion people of a different faith". This confirms my suspicion, that he's brilliant and rarely talented, yet doesn't truly certain question some core assumptions that just happen to be prevalent in the time and place he happens to have been born into.
I have actually lived in a Muslim country, and one that is of the most liberal (in the original meaning of that term) Muslim countries: Morocco.
Now, most anybody would love spending time there. It feels very similar to other places around the Mediterranean, like coastal towns in Spain or Italy, but with some differences, like the romantic and rather dramatic morning prayers sounding out from the minarets.
The most I've ever felt like a hero in a fantasy adventure was approaching Marrakesh at dawn. Picture it. Primary colors. Golden desert made more golden by the rising Sun. Bluish shadows. Contrast with deep blue sky, waning orange tinge near the horizon. Below that, the huge Atlas mountains in grayish azure, with glowing white snow-capped peaks. And between blue mountains and gold desert, the red city, Marrakesh.
Every major city in Morocco has been given a dominant color, as if a painter created the land. Casablanca, white of course. Fez, burnt sienna. Tangiers and Rabat, blue and white. Marrakesh, red.
I could continue this celebration of Morocco with enthusiasm - from the seriously staggering beauty of so many of the women, the delicious food, the Arabic courtesy that I find very appealing, to so much more - so why am I complaining about that one line from Wallace, and what has this to do with Morocco? Well. Because of the other side of Morocco.
I have been served by slaves. Actual slaves. In Morocco I had dinner with everyone from poor local fishermen, serving delicious seafood in their cozy little seaside hut; just me, Nour-Eddine, his wife, and their children, to the Arabic equivalent of the local Duke, a very friendly man who ran a local photography store that did not make a profit, but which he kept open and worked in every day just so that his town could have such a shop. One of my best friends there was another aristocrat, a beautiful woman who spent many of her evenings educating local prostitutes about staying safe from violent men and diseases. Such girls and women have practically no rights in that society.
It was at the aristo photographer's mansion that I noticed extremely shy servants popping out from little doors, wordlessly adding and removing dishes and glasses as we dined. I discretely asked my friend about them. Slaves. Formally, under Moroccan law, they were not literally the property of our host, but in practice they were. That whole family of seeming mutes had served that aristocratic family for generations. They live in the basement, receive no education, and are paid so little they have no real chance at setting up an independent life outside that building. The young woman assigned to my corner of the table, she avoided my eyes as I ventured a friendly smile. It's the most horrifying situation I have ever found myself in (and I say that as someone who was randomly attacked on New Year's Eve in Norway, where I fought off two men that for some reason wanted to strangle me with my scarf. One ran away, the other was crying and gasping in the snow after I had landed a hard blow straight to his solar plexus.)
In the capital city Rabat, we saw a huge palace surrounded by 20 feet high walls. My Moroccan friends told me behind that wall lives a Saudi Prince who is a pedophile. Wealthy pedophiles from the West, from Asia, from Israel, from other Muslim countries, attend parties there. They told me "the children are buried in the garden behind that wall." And my friends were intellectuals and filmmakers, not gullible gossipers.
But the main darkness I am referring to is not even the slaves or the monster behind that wall, but the Islamic laws upheld by a Moroccan king who is claimed to be a direct descendant of Muhammed. There's a Christian minority there, but Christians live under extreme conditions. Only foreigners who are not citizens may convert to Christianity. No Muslim may. Christians are not allowed to discuss their faith in public, much less attempt evangelization. Bullying of and violence towards Christians is common, and especially with Christians who also belong to the Berber minority, and I know Berbers who converted to Islam just to achieve safety and peace.
Being a European artist and writer, I naturally and automatically became part of their intellectual demimonde. At their parties, gays were as open as here (but without the fake victim complex that seems to have become the norm in the West AFTER they achieved everything they wanted). One guy there was the son of a famous Moroccan socialist who was tortured to death by French intelligence in the early 80s, as a favor to the King of Morocco. Most of them were Socialists, and many were openly Atheist in such private circumstances. And several of them asked me “Why is the Western Left defending Islam when they spent decades opposing Christianity?” and “Don’t European socialists know what will happen to their societies when Islam is allowed to become dominant in cities and eventually whole countries?” I always answered with some variant of “because the Left in Europe are superficial people who care more about impressing other superficial people than they care about their own children’s future.” I am a man largely of the Right today, but I am more compatible with these Arabic Socialists than I am with “conservatives” in Europe and the USA. I have ex-muslim Arab friends here in Norway who are depressed to see the irresponsible, smug naivety of the politically correct. They tell me once Europe falls, there will be no serious pressure on the Islamic world to secularize.
So before bemoaning the “demonizing of a billion people”, one ought to look up rape and other crime statistics in Europe and which group just happens to be highly represented wherever those statistics are worst, and one ought to investigate what is happening to our famous status as the Libertine capital of the planet, and to our principles of free speech and unrestrained debate. Three groups are desroying European society: The Left, Islam, and Zionists (including Christian Zionists.)
By the way: Long live the Palestinian people!
As Jim Morrison sang: “The West is the best.” And that is true in spite of our history of war mongering and colonialist theft. (Yes, I used to be a Socialist, and have not cast aside any of the truths the Left does possess.)
The algorithm has blessed me as I have just begun to run and also get into Cormac
You should subscribe, dude. WC’s videos are great.
@@M_i_s_o_H_o_n_e_y I already have 😁
This is now officially my favorite channel, Ian, and all the good folks also down here in the comments are also part of the reason why.
today i’m a papaya
Appreciate your authenticity Ian. Been building back a consistent reading habit the last 5-6 months and I’ve gone from Lovecraft short stories to tackling moby dick this month. I can feel my brain becoming pregnant with original thoughts waiting to be born and synthesized. Godspeed
Well done. Rebuilding the book habit is so crucial in today's vortex of banality.
Inspiring stuff.
Self aware enough to point out the problem but not enough to realize he's part of it.
I'm subbing for the Jack Edwards smoke
I’ve been struggling for what the business model for a fiction writer on BookTube might be, and you’re the only person I’ve seen actually discuss and work that out on camera. I’ve considered coaching but I worry about opening yourself up to attacks of “parallel inspiration” from clients. A course seems like a good alternative.
There have been some things you’ve said in videos previously that I vehemently disagreed with, and yet yesterday (DFW Tips for Modern Authors), I subscribed. Been taking many notes on this binge I’ve been going on your channel.
Keep going. Let us know where we can find your fiction. I’m curious!
Hey, I’ve been watching your content for a few days now and it’s been a big contributor to my general heightened sense of mindfulness recently. There’s a lot to think about! However, one major thing I noticed that I thought you should read is the use of the word “on” in the title. I think because of the nature of the videos (how often you talk about yourself and your opinions), no matter how valuable they are, the word “and” is a better replacement. It just is a strange contrast to see an opinion piece when the title seems to advertise something that is exclusively a summary.
Write Conscious leading us down the golden path of thoughtful and aware content. Your hard work is not underappreciated here!
This and Yaron Brook show are the best on UA-cam aka the earth
Reality TV and FRIENDS was the Rubicon
Yes
I’m a Wendigoon and Joe Rogan spiritual.
Honestly that's way better than the average person lol.
But Write Conscious is my religion.
Yo I don't follow along with Jake Paul or anybody related, but boy it's been a while since I heard that high brow critique of a movie - "it was just a lot of talking"
Back in the days I would hear this a lot was high school & it more than always came from a.... modern hip-pop fan type. It's the dumbest way iv ever heard someone break down why they didnt like a movie. Its a rejection of of the story telling experience & lame excuse to avoid focusing. I loath those low effort individuals & now Thanks to Jpaul & social media herding I expect to hear that comment a lot more moving forward. This culture does not deserve quality media.
"It wasnt any good. It was just a lot of talking" goddammit I'm triggered. Thanks.
I listen to Rogan when he has on someone from the Innocence Project, Neil DeGrasse, Brian Cox (astronomer), directors Oliver Stone or David Mamet, any AI researcher, someone talking about sustainable farming, an author talking about Native American history, someone who works with the homeless, Bernie Sanders, someone with a PhD in religion, etc.
Rarely I will listen to someone who I know I will disagree with. Usually infuriating to listen to though.
The MMA stuff. Nope. His comedian friends. Nope. Hunting. Nope. If he has on someone with their own podcast I don't listen because I have enough hosts that I already listen to.
And it's funny that the host of this channel just mentioned echo chambers.