🚀 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
Probably your best video. I am sick to death of this cult of advertising. There's a complete recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations here on UA-cam that has been totally corrupted by adverts, and I am furious about it. I was trying to sleep, and I had to find a recording that wasn't on UA-cam, so that the ads wouldn't run. Even in this video, UA-cam didn't even let me get over two minutes in before hijacking my attention with yet another bloody advert. The price to attention spans is ruinous-- and that ruin is deliberate. It's to stop us from thinking deeply so that we just buy whatever without thinking. This is why I am consciously spending more time offline and reading books. Be that as it may, this channel is better than 90% or more of the BookTube channels I have followed. Great stuff.
I think SEO marketing also impacted humanity on some subconscious level. There used to be creative advertising, that still holds some ghostly semblance in our culture, like 'Where's the Beef', the 'Got Milk' Campaign (which was just a lobby for the US dairy industry), and 'Raid Kills Bugs Dead' created by a poet, but now instead of serving or marketing to the collective consciousness, companies serve algorithms which market to the collective consciousness, which, I feel, negatively impacts creativity and the feeling of community and with it our ability to communicate.
You’re entirely genuine, Ian, and I think that’s the most admirable thing about you, even more than your apparent intelligence, talent, and unsentimental kindness.
I am SO HAPPY to this you and this channel. I was curious about that “British Guy” (no cross advertising here 😂) and he seemed like the type to give a “proper” analysis. But I totally Grok with you as an American. Heck, I’m from NYC and you speak as fast as we do - so there’s even that! I like how you’re open to learning along with us showing that you value us as your tribe. I hope to be able to afford your Substack…I am currently wading between Infinite Jest AND 2666 at the same time 😅
Hey, thanks for the support! Yeah, Benjamin McEvoy holds down the square proper analysis lane of BookTube. Over here in the outskirts, anything can happen and may be said 😂
Congratulations on your channel; your comments are genuinely inspiring and spot-on. May I say-and I hope this does not come off as European arrogance-that I am appalled at how much of a transactional society the US has become? I lived in the US for many years and still travel there extensively. I always feel a lack of sincerity in daily interactions, as if people are always trying to sell you sth or get something in return, as if the concept of gratuitousness would not exist. And I find this initial "niceness" that most people show as a barrier to authentic communication. What you describe happens worldwide, but the degree of manipulation that one experiences in daily life in the US is unparalleled, contributing -I guess- to high levels of anxiety and desperation. Thank you for fighting against this trend! Ciao from Italy, a country with many, many problems, but luckily, less existential ones. Federico
I hear this a lot from Europeans. I think it’s just a matter of perspective. Americans are attuned the difference between a ‘how are you?’ from a cashier and one from a friend or family member. I think many Europeans mistake the question from a cashier as genuine and are disappointed to find out it wasn’t a sincere question. This doesn’t mean Americans don’t have authentic communication or share how they feel with those they trust, they were raised to use those manners of speech as a form of politeness (especially if they were raised in the South).
@@M_i_s_o_H_o_n_e_y Thank you for that comment and I can see your point on perspectives may explain part of the difference. I still believe that in general the American society is much more profit oriented and that this orientation affects relationships among acquaintances,, work colleagues, and even friends and family members.
@@ferg439 American here....I think you are essentially correct in your summation of US culture and am similarly dismayed by the myopic focus on selling and making money. I am no communist either, I just think there are proper times and places, right and wrong ways to conduct business. This being said there is one glaring blind spot that many Europhiles have, which is the fact that Europe (and the Western world at large) is dependent on the US for its security- of its physical borders and global trade routes. The ramifications of this in terms of quality of life and culture on both sides of the Atlantic cannot be overstated. It does seem to me that Europeans are generally more refined, intelligent, and healthy than the average American, however (if I may use an analogy) Europe is like the pampered children of America who acts as their father, going out into the world every day to make a living so the kids can live a life free from want or worry. Then the kids complain to each other that "dad is grumpy," "dad works too much," or "dad doesn't look so good" when he gets home at day's end- while their day was spent relaxing, playing games, going on holiday, filling their stomachs, and any other leisurely activity they want to indulge in. Also, because the US plays this role the Europeans can more easily get along with each other. If the US were to abandon its current role and become more isolationist then there would be a huge power vaccum in Europe which someone would have to fill (probably Germany) which would trigger the other EU members to freak out and there goes the "union." There would be ongoing sanctions, trade wars, and fighting amongst Europe's nations not to mention the increased threat from invading forces and third world immigration. Add to all of this the fact European nations don't even pay their proper share in return for the protection and peace America provides, which means a greater financial burden on American citizens, which means more work for us while the Europeans enjoy their leisure, socialized health care, and year long maternity leave. Over a hundred years ago the US decided to take on this role and I fully recognize the absurdity of American foreign policy and the stupid, wasteful wars the US has provoked over the years, but the nations of Europe largely go along with it or play "neutral" until a threat is close by, in which case they suddenly want to join American military alliances (eg. Sweden). Sorry this response is so long but there is so much to consider. To sum up- European culture is more refined and humanistic than the US, but the US plays a big role in making that possible. If Europe took full responsibility for its sovereignty the way of life there would more closely resemble the US, and perhaps vice versa. Sincerely.
Lol, I'm sorry! I do agree the ads are getting out of control. However, it's out of my hands. Even if I switch ads off UA-cam will still show them unfortunately. That policy changed during the pandemic.
@@QEsposito510 Absolutely getting out of control. I resent the fact that when I am trying to watch something of great cultural or intellectual value, I am immediately shunted off to some banal modern crap in the middle. Totally hijacks attention, and research shows that it can take a long time for the "residue" created by that distraction to dissipate.
Please pardon me for posting an original poem here, but it so coincides with this vid. Great to see this topic being presented here, and well done! Target Fascination ( The Dreams Stuff is Made of ) The mystery's in the marketing, The alchemy of our current time - Our dark obsessions with beliefs and possessions Take all shapes and sizes, are of all type and kind.. Transfixed or even hypnotized do we all now seem to be By the very same illusions that will tell us we are free; Rushing right on headlong, while searching outwards endlessly - Reality as metaphor for a literal-minded hyperbole. Approaching all the limits now - Marking the event of some singularity, To usher in a time so impossibly sublime Or a grand Cosmic Joke of sheer jocularity.
I liked it! But, I'm really into Native American Fiction. Also met Tommy Orange at a book fair also and talked to him for a couple minutes. Very down to earth and funny!
🚀 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
Probably your best video. I am sick to death of this cult of advertising. There's a complete recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations here on UA-cam that has been totally corrupted by adverts, and I am furious about it. I was trying to sleep, and I had to find a recording that wasn't on UA-cam, so that the ads wouldn't run. Even in this video, UA-cam didn't even let me get over two minutes in before hijacking my attention with yet another bloody advert. The price to attention spans is ruinous-- and that ruin is deliberate. It's to stop us from thinking deeply so that we just buy whatever without thinking. This is why I am consciously spending more time offline and reading books. Be that as it may, this channel is better than 90% or more of the BookTube channels I have followed. Great stuff.
I think SEO marketing also impacted humanity on some subconscious level. There used to be creative advertising, that still holds some ghostly semblance in our culture, like 'Where's the Beef', the 'Got Milk' Campaign (which was just a lobby for the US dairy industry), and 'Raid Kills Bugs Dead' created by a poet, but now instead of serving or marketing to the collective consciousness, companies serve algorithms which market to the collective consciousness, which, I feel, negatively impacts creativity and the feeling of community and with it our ability to communicate.
Bill Hicks: by the way if any of you are in marketing...........
Mr.Jones & me...
😂😂😂😂Bill Hicks indeed
You’re entirely genuine, Ian, and I think that’s the most admirable thing about you, even more than your apparent intelligence, talent, and unsentimental kindness.
I like Ian. But no human being is entirely genuine. I figured that out the hard way in my life.
@@maxhill1827 You’re right. Please read my superlativism as enthusiasm.
Enjoy the topics and your presentation.
Do feel like you constantly veering the conversation into selling a course which dilutes your point
I am SO HAPPY to this you and this channel. I was curious about that “British Guy” (no cross advertising here 😂) and he seemed like the type to give a “proper” analysis. But I totally Grok with you as an American. Heck, I’m from NYC and you speak as fast as we do - so there’s even that! I like how you’re open to learning along with us showing that you value us as your tribe. I hope to be able to afford your Substack…I am currently wading between Infinite Jest AND 2666 at the same time 😅
Hey, thanks for the support! Yeah, Benjamin McEvoy holds down the square proper analysis lane of BookTube. Over here in the outskirts, anything can happen and may be said 😂
I know you’re a fan of Baudrillard, Ian. Have you ever considered diving into his book titled America? Could be some good insights. Keep it up!
Of course brotha!
That would be a great video
Damn Ian. It’s strange how aligned we are in.. abstract (?) topics.
The algorithms are getting smarter😬😬😬
Congratulations on your channel; your comments are genuinely inspiring and spot-on. May I say-and I hope this does not come off as European arrogance-that I am appalled at how much of a transactional society the US has become? I lived in the US for many years and still travel there extensively. I always feel a lack of sincerity in daily interactions, as if people are always trying to sell you sth or get something in return, as if the concept of gratuitousness would not exist.
And I find this initial "niceness" that most people show as a barrier to authentic communication.
What you describe happens worldwide, but the degree of manipulation that one experiences in daily life in the US is unparalleled, contributing -I guess- to high levels of anxiety and desperation. Thank you for fighting against this trend!
Ciao from Italy, a country with many, many problems, but luckily, less existential ones. Federico
I hear this a lot from Europeans. I think it’s just a matter of perspective. Americans are attuned the difference between a ‘how are you?’ from a cashier and one from a friend or family member. I think many Europeans mistake the question from a cashier as genuine and are disappointed to find out it wasn’t a sincere question. This doesn’t mean Americans don’t have authentic communication or share how they feel with those they trust, they were raised to use those manners of speech as a form of politeness (especially if they were raised in the South).
@@M_i_s_o_H_o_n_e_y Thank you for that comment and I can see your point on perspectives may explain part of the difference. I still believe that in general the American society is much more profit oriented and that this orientation affects relationships among acquaintances,, work colleagues, and even friends and family members.
@@ferg439 American here....I think you are essentially correct in your summation of US culture and am similarly dismayed by the myopic focus on selling and making money. I am no communist either, I just think there are proper times and places, right and wrong ways to conduct business. This being said there is one glaring blind spot that many Europhiles have, which is the fact that Europe (and the Western world at large) is dependent on the US for its security- of its physical borders and global trade routes. The ramifications of this in terms of quality of life and culture on both sides of the Atlantic cannot be overstated. It does seem to me that Europeans are generally more refined, intelligent, and healthy than the average American, however (if I may use an analogy) Europe is like the pampered children of America who acts as their father, going out into the world every day to make a living so the kids can live a life free from want or worry. Then the kids complain to each other that "dad is grumpy," "dad works too much," or "dad doesn't look so good" when he gets home at day's end- while their day was spent relaxing, playing games, going on holiday, filling their stomachs, and any other leisurely activity they want to indulge in. Also, because the US plays this role the Europeans can more easily get along with each other. If the US were to abandon its current role and become more isolationist then there would be a huge power vaccum in Europe which someone would have to fill (probably Germany) which would trigger the other EU members to freak out and there goes the "union." There would be ongoing sanctions, trade wars, and fighting amongst Europe's nations not to mention the increased threat from invading forces and third world immigration. Add to all of this the fact European nations don't even pay their proper share in return for the protection and peace America provides, which means a greater financial burden on American citizens, which means more work for us while the Europeans enjoy their leisure, socialized health care, and year long maternity leave. Over a hundred years ago the US decided to take on this role and I fully recognize the absurdity of American foreign policy and the stupid, wasteful wars the US has provoked over the years, but the nations of Europe largely go along with it or play "neutral" until a threat is close by, in which case they suddenly want to join American military alliances (eg. Sweden). Sorry this response is so long but there is so much to consider. To sum up- European culture is more refined and humanistic than the US, but the US plays a big role in making that possible. If Europe took full responsibility for its sovereignty the way of life there would more closely resemble the US, and perhaps vice versa. Sincerely.
Have you ever read Last Exit to Brooklyn boss? It is similar to Infinite Jest and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.
I was served 4 ads during this video!
I’m not sure if it’s UA-cam or content creators (it’s probably both) but the amount of ads are getting out of control.
Lol, I'm sorry! I do agree the ads are getting out of control. However, it's out of my hands. Even if I switch ads off UA-cam will still show them unfortunately. That policy changed during the pandemic.
@@QEsposito510 Absolutely getting out of control. I resent the fact that when I am trying to watch something of great cultural or intellectual value, I am immediately shunted off to some banal modern crap in the middle. Totally hijacks attention, and research shows that it can take a long time for the "residue" created by that distraction to dissipate.
Please pardon me for posting an original poem here, but it so coincides with this vid. Great to see this topic being presented here, and well done!
Target Fascination ( The Dreams Stuff is Made of )
The mystery's in the marketing,
The alchemy of our current time -
Our dark obsessions with beliefs and possessions
Take all shapes and sizes, are of all type and kind..
Transfixed or even hypnotized do we all now seem to be
By the very same illusions that will tell us we are free;
Rushing right on headlong, while searching outwards endlessly -
Reality as metaphor for a literal-minded hyperbole.
Approaching all the limits now -
Marking the event of some singularity,
To usher in a time so impossibly sublime
Or a grand Cosmic Joke of sheer jocularity.
I love starting my morning with Write Conscious. Any thoughts on There There by Tommy Orange?
I liked it! But, I'm really into Native American Fiction. Also met Tommy Orange at a book fair also and talked to him for a couple minutes. Very down to earth and funny!
I think English is one of the most beautiful languages in the world.
Same.
Was the thumbnail changed?
Can you also cover Wallace Stevens
I liked because I have mommy issues.
🔥🔥🔥
I’m good. Thanks.
Wasn't he an abusive stalker too? Not sure why up and coming writers would care about his thoughts on anything
Lol, might as well cancel every author in history too with problems! We should all just read Rupi Kaur!