In Bukowski and Taoism: ua-cam.com/video/9YIWJQgbmN0/v-deo.html I talk about his famous quote: "Don't Try" and how Bukowski has a lot in common with the Philosophy of Taoism or Daoism originated in China some 2500 years ago.
Oh please stop. You're making a fool of yourself to Bukowski scholars. Bukowski didn't have a philosophy. He just had opinions and habits. He drank and typed. People like him because he said provocative things. He sounded cool. But you're listening to a drunk spew pseudo-profundities on a hit-or-miss basis. Might as well compare Pee Wee Herman to Daoism or Nietche or Gothic Artchitecture or whatever. It's the same thing. There is no connection. Any suggestion of one is contrived.
But was he ever wise enough to know when to follow? I know it is just one of those pithy sayings but still. Sometimes you need to not follow but sometimes you do.
@@carlpeterson8182 Agreed. Maybe not follow the rules but embrace them. Meaning see their value,I believe rules emerge with an altruistic orientation. Some of Bukowski insights though are very good, illustrated using an extreme opposite harsh social commentary.
“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules, but by people following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages." ― Banksy
@DSUM It says the greatest crimes. would you argue that illegal serial killings have caused more suffering historically than war, genocide, inquisitions, police states, class disparities, etc?
This is actually pretty inspiring. He was 49 when he started doing what he loved full time and he accomplished so much in 25 years and he died relatively young at 73 and look what he got accomplished. I'm 44 and I'd be happy to get half the resume that he did.
Agreed, very inspiring. I'm 42, making the best music of my life, but not successful on a social/financial level with it. But I still feel confident that I can do the main thing that is in my control--do good work and amass a body of true art before I'm gone. The rest is somewhat up to chance, luck, etc.
So basically do what you love and if money comes that’s great and if it doesn’t at least you’re enjoying your life. I love his poems. Roll the dice, Genius of the crowd and Bluebird are amongst my favorite 👍
@@AnnaLVajda I agree. Bukowski acknowledges that in books that he lucked out BUT he understands that most of us do NOT get lucky and we are stuck in the daily grey grind
The full Bukowski's quote is ''Don't try, just type'' Many people don't realize that there are 3 or 4 mayor players in life : 1. It's not just the hard work you put it. 2. It's not just a talent you have. 3. You need a luck in your life too, to complete the magic circle. Great examples are the actors who admitted, that they have been lucky, like Robert de Nero, Johnny Depp and others. 4. could be friends or family. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger ones said, without all the people who helped me in America, I wouldn't be where I am now.
I think number 3 is the main one. I think people downplay luck as they want to feel any success they have is down to work and talent...it's like good looking men thinking they have charisma and game when it comes to success in dating
Figured this out when I was like 20 and kind of just did what I wanted. Ten years later I have a better life than people who judged me and they’re ass hurt.
Just love this. Soulful expressions of a man who blossomed from dust and ashes through his feelings which he penned down. A great writer for sure unconventional and truly inspiring. Very enlightened. ❤
“Don’t try” has been a motto of mine now for many years thanks to Bukowski;😌 I have it written on my bathroom mirror and it’s helped me immensely in life and within all of my artistic pursuits. Thanx, great video.
It is neurologically true that when you’re in fight or flight stress reaction from not feeling successful or not doing it well enough or trying to push to accomplish, your frontal lobes cannot engage. Also, the part of your brain that is receptive to inspiration is dulled. So when you’re not feeling successful, lower the bar :-)
One of my favorite poets. He inspires me so much; he had a very difficult life at times, & he knew exactly what it was to struggle. He wasn't one of the rich, which is what made him so relatable.
Glad that I found this on another weekend. Read many of Bukowski's best novels and I almost forgot that I am still on the right path with solitude, writing and privacy. Thanks for this one!
I first got into Bukowski around 30 years ago, and I'm still loving his stuff. Even though you only discovered Bukowski a few months before making this video, your analysis of his life and works is seriously fantastic. Great job!
Charles Bukowski was one of the most overlooked, underrated literary giants of the modern world. He was basically Voltaire for a generation whose dreams died in the second world war.
I know, I found my flow, But now I don't where else to go I think I know, Six feet below, Now I can blow, Thank you Bukowski, You were the man on the Go!!!
Big fan here. The way you teach us is so complete, so organized, so brilliant. I have hope that, at 67 years old, following you, I will finally begin to get a Proper Education in Literature. Your stories of the storytellers are. . are. .. so perfectly rendered. Thank you big.
In my 20s I had a guy friend who loved Bukowski, his writing and his philosophy...and he embraced that kind of life. At that time, I didn't connect with or understand the attraction to Bukowski. Now, decades later, that guy is a wealthy capitalist embracing all the values of society that Bukowski disdained, and I'm just barely scraping by, but living an authentic, no BS life in a house in the woods, not attempting to blend with society. Funny, the twists and turns life takes. 😄 edited to fix a typo
@@Fiction_Beast I'm not off the grid or anything brave ...just a house in the woods in Vermont. Winters are challenging, but the air is so clean and so many beautiful wild creatures around. I feel blessed! I grew up in Vermont, so it's home for body and soul.🙂💜🍁🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🍁💜🙂
I love the "don't try". I love this because i don't see it as negative, but rather very positive. (With a spin of cynicism). Life is too short, and too pointless, to try so hard that you find yourself in emotional ruins. Just live life, just go with things as they flow, and do not fight it. Not only will your life be over before expected, but hell, everything will be too one day. This world, our social norms, language, societies, fucking everything that we today deem of the utmost importance, the absolute, the logical, will one day be nothing more then lessons in some kids history books. our certainty in ourselves, and world is just fear, it is futile, therefore to try is to fight a losing battle. So just relax, no one is changing the fate of anything.
for most cucks yeah yet some poets leave monumental amounts of work or blood tribalism that would be paradise like hitler was building as todya we cant have one w western land only ours like asia or africa has.
I'm loving learning about this brilliant man. I love that he mentions my friend Christ Jesus so often. I'm loving the way you're explaining and relating his truths! Good job man.
Thank you once again, whoever you are. I found some Bukowski poetry years back through a friend who told me I reminded him of that drunken, boisterous, dirty, old dock worker. I didn't care much for what I read (I typically don't like the poetry of others) but instantly understood that here was a guy who truly didn't care what I thought, and feel in love with that. Your 11 Lesson analysis of his work and his life was compelling. I feel you revealed a talent I presumed to understand in a way that fully explained an admirable fellow creature struggling against the culture of Cronus/Kronos; a parent that eats it's own children. I don't read much, and seldom read critics, but you're proving to be a rather remarkable exception. Whether we write poetry, prose, or just criticism, and regardless of whether we write well or poorly, those who write for love of writing are all that's worth reading. You clearly love writing, you also write well, and I salute you. I've now subscribed to read more of you. Have a productive day.
Excellent synopsis. I’m a huge fan of his as well, and like you, I didn’t discover him until later in life. He was a great artist and just a super interesting, smart, and insightful guy. RIP
He lived for writing, women, drinking, horse racing, and classical music. All of those things are captured in his best work - poems. You can hear all about it in his voice with classical music in the background. The album is called "Bukowski Lives!" It only misses one of his best - "Roll the Dice", but you can enjoy it in the movie "Factotum", Matt Dillon recited it perfectly.
I own over 30 books written by Charles Bukowski and 4 Biographies. He was a prolific writer translating society through the lense of Realism. Beautiful and eloquent in a harsh overtones.
Sorry, I understand that you don’t know Bukowski that well. The you tuber who covered him had just discovered him some time before doing this video. I ‘ ve been reading him for some decades and let me tell you, Pulp is not one of his best books, not the best point to start from.
i discovered Chuck B. on accident in the early 90s . whenever asked by anyone about a food choice I would say "Ham on Rye" and one day when I said it to a friends father he left the room and returned with a copy of CBs novel and said here kid I think you can handle this kind of writing and I had to read all of his work after that my favorite author and 2nd favorite philosopher.
Wow thanks so much. I have been following your channel for many years. You’re an amazing content creator and in fact you inspired me to start this channel. So thank you!
@@Fiction_Beast Really? Thank you for compliment, and happy to hear that I inspired you to start making content. Love the long-format; must take a lot of work!
I just discovered your channel and I love it! I usually watch such content in my coffee and lunch breaks and this is just perfect ! My favourite genre is philosophical fiction and my favourite writers SO FAR are Pascal Bruckner, M. Houellebecq, Dostoievski, Kafta and I'm sure with the help of your channel I will have many more !
@@JinroTheCorpse absolutely true, most artists would be considered as mentally pretty unstable for example Kafka, Lovecraft, Van Gogh, Francis Bacon and so on
It's because of their "outsider" life that they can see the world as it really is. Impossible to see from the inside. While most people go merrily along blissfully ignorant, outsiders suffer the truth. Most people couldn't do that. Outsiders lives are art.
@@lonniemanuel9570 What if most people are at their happiest if they prefer to ignore realty? It`s not for nothing that the saying exists - if ignorance is bliss, why know? Quite a few outsiders wind up in prisons or as social pariahs because they don`t want to or can`t be like 'normal' others. I wish various pariah in the arts could be brought together for interaction to see how they would get along with one another.
In these times of reversed reality, his honest reflections are so refreshing. Thanks for this post. It made me smile to hear such honesty, for a change.
I've never heard of him before this moment, but relate to him and his way of seeing the world. Thanks Fiction Beast and YT for the algorithm. I definitely want to check out his works.
My breakthrough take away from this is that Bukowski was a writer because it reminded him of the only time he was validated as a child - when he sat down and did his homework and it was approved by school teachers.
Nope. People like him don't care about validation and approval. He was being himself and individualistic. that is why he had such a rich insight. Unlike millions who lost their self and their inner soul so they can fit in with the society and get validation.
maybe validation was part of it (it's part of it for everyone, if we're honest)... but also, if we're honest, we know we've experienced this other thing called 'beauty' which can overpower us for no reason at all, and remind us there's this joy/awe we can tap into in life that makes things feel 'worth it.' When you're an artist, a real one, you've likely realized this "If I do XYZ type of art, or activity, I feel the marrow of life" - and you've realized that's the feeling you were chasing all along, and you wish more people could feel that, or have a consistent way to, because it again... makes life worth it. You just do the thing you love, and make what money you can at it, because you know the 'doing of the thing/art' IS what brings the feeling of success that you'd still be looking for if you weren't doing it (and working some other job, for ex). It's not black and white, of course, but 'the marrow of life' feeling is something different than seeking validation, and we must admit this.
I think Bukouski's way of life, like Taoism, is a good personal doctrine, good raw material for dealing with life. Though in society, people need to get along and work in sometimes even rigid ways in order to accomplish goals like better development.
Before my grandfather passed away he gave me a box full of his favorite books, ham on rye was one of them I was 15 at the time , I read that book over and over until it feel apart
It was precisely your comment a few weeks ago that nudged me to make this video. I’m so glad you made that comment. I learnt so much about Bukowski and now a legend in my heart. So a big thank you to you. 😊
Thats whats up! Gotta thank you random internet stranger for inspiring this video. Much props to the creator too. Y’all helped a soul out here keep writing
Read some of his poems years ago, felt like eating raw meat (never did actually, but felt that way somehow). Thanks for the summary of his work. Now that I am more experienced in life, I should give him another read.
Loved it! Thank you...it was just what i needed right now. Read the post office years ago and I think i have pulp getting dusty on a shelf...i may read some of it tonight. Cheers
I love your videos because it is so obviously evident that you love sharing this knowledge. Due to your passion for it, there is not a single bit of bullshit in your videos, no matter how long, not a single dull moment. Thank you so much!!
Don’t Try is more about not trying to do things that you don’t like. “If you have to try to be a writer you aren’t one. It’s when your sick with it and there no hope but writing.” Focus on the things you want but don’t try to want something you don’t want.
I was always fascinated by Bukowski's life. I guess I found synonymous meaning with his take on the world. Thank you, for doing justice to his story. I try to be the type of consumer that appears to work hard and maintain a facade of concern for things which bore me, irritate me, I am not broken, or give the illusion that I am not a nihilist. Saints are only interesting, because of the quest to learn their secret selves. Perverts are those who sit both on the side of social-construct order and chaos which makes them most interesting since they are usually also saints.
A childhood friend told me as a young adult she was "trying to be bohemian". This is a contradiction in terms. It's why Bulowski's saying, "don't try!" The truth emerges that way. Bukowski would be the first to admit he's flawed. But you have to be flawed in your own way! Adopting a life of debauchery, or alcoholism won't necessarily turn you into a writer. It's an inverted snobbery the need to send out these signals, the persona of the lone wolf with anti-social affectations. Bulowski's demons, are going to manifest in a particular way, they're particular to his experience. But summoning up his demons won't turn you into a Bulowski. It's axiomatic. That said, you cannot do anything meaningful without having a degree of solitude, it's absurd to pretend otherwise. The artifice is what's to be avoided, whatever form that takes. Bukowski was afraid of comfort, but you don't have to wildly embrace discomfort in the desperate hope that it will give you a gift or his gift. Just don't embrace it enough that you lose yourself. But no guts, no glory either. Failure makes you who you are. That's what I get out of it, but I can't speak for anyone else. I'm not a drinker. I don't really follow genres. Will give him a go after viewing this, but I usually can't stand most male writers who celebrate perversity, at least not for long. It's good to follow your own instincts. Perverts aren't necessarily saints, it's poetic licence. He's being spare about paradox. 'Curiosity should prevail about people' is the point but it doesn't slice as neatly. it's like saying: what do we want? "Change" when do we want it? "within a reasonable time". No. The writer says you want it now. We're at the edge of a time which will break down structures. A good time to survive, be yourself and to write.
I love Bukowski a lot. His writings were my companion in the most darkest moments, BUT what I never understood is how he kept saying DON'T TRY, even he tried to be a writer for 50 years!
There's also a one-actor play about Bukowski and his writings, I think it's called 'South of No North' - I was fortunate to catch it on stage in the early 2000s.
As a boy growing up he was EMOTIONALLY and PHYSICALLY ABUSED by his own devil of a father. Later he took this huge ulcer in his soul and made a worldclass writer of himself.
My amateur studies of zen masters has been reminded by learning of this man. He has many characteristics of those who teach the way of Zen. I wonder if he ever realized the similarities himself.
I feel that part about irrational desire to make art. I write raps because it happens on its own lol. I have made myself sit down and write before but my best ones have come from being so distressed or ecstatic, drunk etc... And i just start writing. It's beautiful and cathartic. truly it's beautiful
Wow! I felt him with every single part of my body! Thanx for this great introduction. I think ive found my path! Even if it sounds painful but i like to be a masochist :)
I can identify with him. I am 52 and got turned down for many jobs. I answer questions truthfully. I am not a good bullshitter. If I am just telling them what they want to hear I am very transparent. I have been working longer than most applicants are alive. My resume should be proof enough. Why should I talk about a job that was my least favorite? I quit that job is behind me.
Appreciate you sharing your story. I guess to survive in today's job market, one has to bullshit, it just can;t be avoided. Telling the truth can set you back most of the time.
Plot twist I got a 2nd interview and a job offer. Lol. I guess I got turned down so many times. When I stopped caring whether I got the job or not the offer came. This is kind of like Alan Watts' backwards law. Lol
Im in a similar position. 57 done various jobs in offices mainly and then through necessity worked in retail in recent years. After a burn out Im wanting to get back into office work....youd think my 20 plus years of work in that sector would make a difference? No they just typecast me as working in retail...and thats the ones that give me half a chance. Any help from the Job Centre ( Im British) seems to be just large doses of copium ignoring the elephant in the room - employers consider candidates over 50 a burden - they want young gullible employees not ones that know the game. Yes I have a hard time bs-ing too
That was f.cking brilliant, mate. Just getting into Bukowski. This really helped. I used to think he was a bum, and didn't like him. Now I realise he is a bum and I like him.
Thank you for this video work. The Universe had a choice between having Bukowski as a murderer or a drunk poet, writer. Luckily for all of us it turned out we read his books and poems. I love his thoughts, beer tastes better after reading, a pain in my soul gets smaller.
I'm curious if Bukowski called himself a "German American" I love his unapologetic honesty. He was himself-without any shame out pretense. Thanks for the video.
I think what I'm most impressed by are the different views and things the USA allowed to rise up: writers, movies, charismatic leaders, charismatic criminals, spirituals, wise, dump, cars, houses, armies, food, sport, innovation, garbage.... The USA seems to me to allow the most individuation of all cultures in history. It edges to chaos, actually, and is a bloody miracle to me that it survived so long as a people. I can only explain this to myself by assuming that enough US-Americans really belief in the USA and love it. I love it for sure! Greetings from Germany.
"Capitalism promises you happiness." Actually no, that's your brain chemistry, your ego, and the belief that there is some goal you could achieve which would "win the game" and you'd finally be done, and just happy all the time. You think that's how happiness works, and THAT's why someone else telling the same story (in the form of a commercial, for example) resonates with you. It's them hoping you'll buy what they have, and you hoping what they have will bring you happiness. Except that's not how our brains actually work. You don't stay happy. You go up and down. We all do. Only activists blame it on 'capitalism.' But if you're honest with yourself, you see it's a fundamental part of being you that you'd better investigate if you want to not instinctively act upon it for the rest of your life.
Accidentally came across this, same as we do, to almost all good things in our lives! Loved the introduction and the over all flow. The tone of your voice though is rather mechanical. But thanks for the hard effort and lovely work👍🏾🙏🏾🙂 Love from 🇮🇳
@@Fiction_Beast u deserve a feedback and a heartfelt appreciation for the amount of hard work undertaken in putting something original out on YT. If I may, what softwares are u using to create doodle like contents?
@@david-pb4bi yeah he did a shit job in that movie but I think he evolved in the movie the Wrestler. Thought that was a believable performance. And yup Bukowski was brilliant. A narcissist who pretty much just droned on about himself with covert self aggrandizement but worth the read for sure
In Bukowski and Taoism: ua-cam.com/video/9YIWJQgbmN0/v-deo.html I talk about his famous quote: "Don't Try" and how Bukowski has a lot in common with the Philosophy of Taoism or Daoism originated in China some 2500 years ago.
Just discovered him and Dostovoesky a few weeks ago. My mind is swimming
Oh please stop. You're making a fool of yourself to Bukowski scholars. Bukowski didn't have a philosophy. He just had opinions and habits. He drank and typed. People like him because he said provocative things. He sounded cool. But you're listening to a drunk spew pseudo-profundities on a hit-or-miss basis. Might as well compare Pee Wee Herman to Daoism or Nietche or Gothic Artchitecture or whatever. It's the same thing. There is no connection. Any suggestion of one is contrived.
@@keithmahone67 well, that’s just like your opinion man ☯️
@@What-vo5bx p
@@What-vo5bx the dude abides!
" Im not wise enough to lead, I'm wise enough not to follow " wow!
But was he ever wise enough to know when to follow? I know it is just one of those pithy sayings but still. Sometimes you need to not follow but sometimes you do.
"I'm not dumb enough to lead, I'm wise enough not to follow."
@@carlpeterson8182 Agreed. Maybe not follow the rules but embrace them. Meaning see their value,I believe rules emerge with an altruistic orientation. Some of Bukowski insights though are very good, illustrated using an extreme opposite harsh social commentary.
@@carlpeterson8182 he is saying he will follow Have to read between the lines
That's me right there
“If you read this after I am dead, it means I made it! “ what a strong statement! 👏
"find what you love and let it kill you" may be the coolest thing anyone has ever said =)
well, someone said it and it wasn't Bukkowski ı assure you.
@@barflytom3273
Correct, it was Kinky Friedman.
@@TheAnonymousrogue thank you. I didn't know who said it but I knew Buk didn't. He could have though. Bu didn't.
@@TheAnonymousrogue damnit, now i gotta look up friedman ...
Nesse momento, cigarro e álcool barato.
“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules,
but by people following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and
massacre villages."
― Banksy
@DSUM It says the greatest crimes. would you argue that illegal serial killings have caused more suffering historically than war, genocide, inquisitions, police states, class disparities, etc?
@DSUM Mum says to bring those plates down sharpish.
Following rules isn’t the same as following orders
The State is the problem.
Whos banksy?
This is actually pretty inspiring. He was 49 when he started doing what he loved full time and he accomplished so much in 25 years and he died relatively young at 73 and look what he got accomplished. I'm 44 and I'd be happy to get half the resume that he did.
It’s never late.
Agreed, very inspiring. I'm 42, making the best music of my life, but not successful on a social/financial level with it. But I still feel confident that I can do the main thing that is in my control--do good work and amass a body of true art before I'm gone. The rest is somewhat up to chance, luck, etc.
@@erin79 Keep doing what you're doing and you find that you make your own "luck".
49 plus 25 equals 74... just saying... and I'm nearly 50 - so I know!
@@erin79 keep doing what is fun, if noone recognize it in the end,,? whatever
So basically do what you love and if money comes that’s great and if it doesn’t at least you’re enjoying your life.
I love his poems. Roll the dice, Genius of the crowd and Bluebird are amongst my favorite 👍
Awesome. Yes, get something out of what you do regardless of the success that may or may not come your way.
If you read his work and think he enjoyed life you do not understand his miserable existence and cynicism much.
@@AnnaLVajda I agree. Bukowski acknowledges that in books that he lucked out BUT he understands that most of us do NOT get lucky and we are stuck in the daily grey grind
I once cribbed genius in class when asked to write a poem. The teach told me it wasn't a poem.. I had to correct her. Had to
Why isn't anyone saying how absolutely funny he was .to the point of comedy genius?....the funniest.
The full Bukowski's quote is ''Don't try, just type''
Many people don't realize that there are 3 or 4 mayor players in life :
1. It's not just the hard work you put it.
2. It's not just a talent you have.
3. You need a luck in your life too, to complete the magic circle.
Great examples are the actors who admitted, that they have been lucky, like Robert de Nero, Johnny Depp and others.
4. could be friends or family. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger ones said, without all the people who helped me in America, I wouldn't be where I am now.
I think number 3 is the main one. I think people downplay luck as they want to feel any success they have is down to work and talent...it's like good looking men thinking they have charisma and game when it comes to success in dating
Figured this out when I was like 20 and kind of just did what I wanted. Ten years later I have a better life than people who judged me and they’re ass hurt.
Good on you mate !
A lot of us figured this out. No one else said it like Bukowski, especially in his poems ("Nirvana" is pure genius).
Just love this. Soulful expressions of a man who blossomed from dust and ashes through his feelings which he penned down. A great writer for sure unconventional and truly inspiring. Very enlightened. ❤
“Don’t try” has been a motto of mine now for many years thanks to Bukowski;😌 I have it written on my bathroom mirror and it’s helped me immensely in life and within all of my artistic pursuits. Thanx, great video.
When you are in the "zone" in whatever you do, you literally don't try so it makes sense.
I read "I have it over the bathroom toilet "
It is neurologically true that when you’re in fight or flight stress reaction from not feeling successful or not doing it well enough or trying to push to accomplish, your frontal lobes cannot engage. Also, the part of your brain that is receptive to inspiration is dulled. So when you’re not feeling successful, lower the bar :-)
One of my favorite poets. He inspires me so much; he had a very difficult life at times, & he knew exactly what it was to struggle. He wasn't one of the rich, which is what made him so relatable.
The laughing heart is my mantra . Brilliant poem
Glad that I found this on another weekend. Read many of Bukowski's best novels and I almost forgot that I am still on the right path with solitude, writing and privacy.
Thanks for this one!
Suggest me some?
I first got into Bukowski around 30 years ago, and I'm still loving his stuff. Even though you only discovered Bukowski a few months before making this video, your analysis of his life and works is seriously fantastic. Great job!
Charles Bukowski was one of the most overlooked, underrated literary giants of the modern world. He was basically Voltaire for a generation whose dreams died in the second world war.
I agree.
Yup no wonder it's because he seeks happy. ........but forgot about joy idiot
One of the greatest truthful and nihilistic writer's I have have ever read, no grey areas and deeply moving plus very funny 👏👏💯♥️
"happiness should be come as by-product of what you do " I think this is most interesting approach to happiness I have heard for long time . thank you
I know,
I found my flow,
But now I don't where else to go
I think I know,
Six feet below,
Now I can blow,
Thank you Bukowski,
You were the man on the Go!!!
Big fan here. The way you teach us is so complete, so organized, so brilliant. I have hope that, at 67 years old, following you, I will finally begin to get a Proper Education in Literature. Your stories of the storytellers are. . are. .. so perfectly rendered. Thank you big.
That was fantastic. I've read and enjoyed Buskowski's books for many years now. I think you summed up the best in him. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sir please make review videos on the Prague cemetery and the name of the rose I need them for my academic purpose! Thanks
In my 20s I had a guy friend who loved Bukowski, his writing and his philosophy...and he embraced that kind of life. At that time, I didn't connect with or understand the attraction to Bukowski. Now, decades later, that guy is a wealthy capitalist embracing all the values of society that Bukowski disdained, and I'm just barely scraping by, but living an authentic, no BS life in a house in the woods, not attempting to blend with society. Funny, the twists and turns life takes. 😄 edited to fix a typo
Well done cheryl
Sounds like you turned out alright Cheryl!
The capitalist dream and its attendant Society are nothing but cruel divergences from becoming authentic.
I wish I was brave enough to move into the words. Maybe one day.
@@Fiction_Beast I'm not off the grid or anything brave ...just a house in the woods in Vermont. Winters are challenging, but the air is so clean and so many beautiful wild creatures around. I feel blessed! I grew up in Vermont, so it's home for body and soul.🙂💜🍁🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🍁💜🙂
if you like bukowski now- have you read journey to the end of the night?
I love the "don't try". I love this because i don't see it as negative, but rather very positive. (With a spin of cynicism). Life is too short, and too pointless, to try so hard that you find yourself in emotional ruins. Just live life, just go with things as they flow, and do not fight it. Not only will your life be over before expected, but hell, everything will be too one day. This world, our social norms, language, societies, fucking everything that we today deem of the utmost importance, the absolute, the logical, will one day be nothing more then lessons in some kids history books. our certainty in ourselves, and world is just fear, it is futile, therefore to try is to fight a losing battle. So just relax, no one is changing the fate of anything.
I am
for most cucks yeah yet some poets leave monumental amounts of work or blood tribalism that would be paradise like hitler was building as todya we cant have one w western land only ours like asia or africa has.
...it’s just Taoist..wu wei
I'm loving learning about this brilliant man. I love that he mentions my friend Christ Jesus so often.
I'm loving the way you're explaining and relating his truths! Good job man.
Discovered him as a 19-year-old boy when I moved from South Africa to London.... Can’t tell you how he change my thinking
Awesome.
A real hero. Love this man. He has reaffirmed my thoughts on life.
Jesus this guy mirrors my own outlook! I need to read all his books immediately! One of the best videos on youchewbe
I highly recommend it. So efficient with his words. Also, a great doc on him on yt called born into this
Just don't stop brother . . . The world needs your videos . . . Fantastic.
Thank you once again, whoever you are. I found some Bukowski poetry years back through a friend who told me I reminded him of that drunken, boisterous, dirty, old dock worker. I didn't care much for what I read (I typically don't like the poetry of others) but instantly understood that here was a guy who truly didn't care what I thought, and feel in love with that. Your 11 Lesson analysis of his work and his life was compelling. I feel you revealed a talent I presumed to understand in a way that fully explained an admirable fellow creature struggling against the culture of Cronus/Kronos; a parent that eats it's own children. I don't read much, and seldom read critics, but you're proving to be a rather remarkable exception. Whether we write poetry, prose, or just criticism, and regardless of whether we write well or poorly, those who write for love of writing are all that's worth reading. You clearly love writing, you also write well, and I salute you. I've now subscribed to read more of you. Have a productive day.
He's lucky,he loved writing,, found his passion...and educated us,, thanks for the great video..
You’re very welcome. Thanks for the comment.
Excellent synopsis. I’m a huge fan of his as well, and like you, I didn’t discover him until later in life. He was a great artist and just a super interesting, smart, and insightful guy. RIP
He lived for writing, women, drinking, horse racing, and classical music. All of those things are captured in his best work - poems. You can hear all about it in his voice with classical music in the background. The album is called "Bukowski Lives!" It only misses one of his best - "Roll the Dice", but you can enjoy it in the movie "Factotum", Matt Dillon recited it perfectly.
I own over 30 books written by Charles Bukowski and 4 Biographies. He was a prolific writer translating society through the lense of Realism. Beautiful and eloquent in a harsh overtones.
Ham On Rye is one of my favourite books. No pretentions, yet great insight.
His poetry was out of this world. A rough human being but a genuine one.
I agree.
Same. Gonna buy Pulp
Sorry, I understand that you don’t know Bukowski that well. The you tuber who covered him had just discovered him some time before doing this video. I ‘ ve been reading him for some decades and let me tell you, Pulp is not one of his best books, not the best point to start from.
For me the best was post office followed by Ham on rye
Buk was a master of the moment and not giving a shit about what happens. He had no illusions about the human condition.
I agree.
i discovered Chuck B. on accident in the early 90s . whenever asked by anyone about a food choice I would say "Ham on Rye" and one day when I said it to a friends father he left the room and returned with a copy of CBs novel and said here kid I think you can handle this kind of writing and I had to read all of his work after that my favorite author and 2nd favorite philosopher.
That’s really amazing story. Thanks for sharing.
Well done. I think this is my favorite of your videos. I began reading Bukowski recently, because of this channel.
My late best friend’s favorite poet
Now I have at least one of his books…
Thanks for this episode!
You're welcome. I'm sorry for your loss.
Man, your videos are so awesome! 👍👍
Wow thanks so much. I have been following your channel for many years. You’re an amazing content creator and in fact you inspired me to start this channel. So thank you!
@@Fiction_Beast Really? Thank you for compliment, and happy to hear that I inspired you to start making content. Love the long-format; must take a lot of work!
@@Einzelgänger you both are awesome 😊
Both channels are insanely good, great content !
Your videos are extremely helpful and awesome👌👌 ..thankyou
I just discovered your channel and I love it! I usually watch such content in my coffee and lunch breaks and this is just perfect ! My favourite genre is philosophical fiction and my favourite writers SO FAR are Pascal Bruckner, M. Houellebecq, Dostoievski, Kafta and I'm sure with the help of your channel I will have many more !
A rare case of an outsider artist making it. I have my issues with Bukowski, but I respect him immensely.
@@JinroTheCorpse absolutely true, most artists would be considered as mentally pretty unstable for example Kafka, Lovecraft, Van Gogh, Francis Bacon and so on
It's because of their "outsider" life that they can see the world as it really is. Impossible to see from the inside. While most people go merrily along blissfully ignorant, outsiders suffer the truth. Most people couldn't do that. Outsiders lives are art.
@@lonniemanuel9570 hence the phrase “looking at things from an outside perspective”. Outsiders have a broader scope. Like astronauts looking at Earth.
@@dcrea9416 outside the box, like taco 🔔
@@lonniemanuel9570 What if most people are at their happiest if they prefer to ignore realty? It`s not for nothing that the saying exists - if ignorance is bliss, why know? Quite a few outsiders wind up in prisons or as social pariahs because they don`t want to or can`t be like 'normal' others.
I wish various pariah in the arts could be brought together for interaction to see how they would get along with one another.
Brilliantly presented, thank you so much!!
Love Bukowski . Self-dishonesty is the status quo. Self-honesty is REFRESHING.
The company is red. And the brand is mushroom with distorsion
In these times of reversed reality, his honest reflections are so refreshing. Thanks for this post. It made me smile to hear such honesty, for a change.
I've never heard of him before this moment, but relate to him and his way of seeing the world. Thanks Fiction Beast and YT for the algorithm. I definitely want to check out his works.
Dont watch documentaries before you read the books ..you'll just agree with the document. Document it yourself. Wow
You can listen to his audiobooks on UA-cam.
I like the accent of the narrator, very unusual and extremely fitting for wonderful narration of Mr Bukowskis life and work
7:25 John Fante is worth a mention here. If you read Bukowski’s intro to ‘Ask The Dust’, he talks about his influence and refers to Fante as his god.
Yes, Bukowski does talk about Fante a lot.
Fante is the KING!
Ask the Dust is worth reading. Fante's writing is simple, beautiful.
I fell in love with fiction reading at age 28 by reading Bukowski.
22:42 I particularly resonate with his Lesson 10 and Jean-Paul Sartre "hell is other people"
It's also very funny.
Picking up reading a book after over ten years. Life sucks because I don't have the clarity like these amazing writers. I need to read more.
My breakthrough take away from this is that Bukowski was a writer because it reminded him of the only time he was validated as a child - when he sat down and did his homework and it was approved by school teachers.
Nope. People like him don't care about validation and approval. He was being himself and individualistic. that is why he had such a rich insight. Unlike millions who lost their self and their inner soul so they can fit in with the society and get validation.
maybe validation was part of it (it's part of it for everyone, if we're honest)... but also, if we're honest, we know we've experienced this other thing called 'beauty' which can overpower us for no reason at all, and remind us there's this joy/awe we can tap into in life that makes things feel 'worth it.'
When you're an artist, a real one, you've likely realized this "If I do XYZ type of art, or activity, I feel the marrow of life" - and you've realized that's the feeling you were chasing all along, and you wish more people could feel that, or have a consistent way to, because it again... makes life worth it. You just do the thing you love, and make what money you can at it, because you know the 'doing of the thing/art' IS what brings the feeling of success that you'd still be looking for if you weren't doing it (and working some other job, for ex). It's not black and white, of course, but 'the marrow of life' feeling is something different than seeking validation, and we must admit this.
I have never heard of this author but now I am definitely interested. He says it like it is. I like that.
I think Bukouski's way of life, like Taoism, is a good personal doctrine, good raw material for dealing with life. Though in society, people need to get along and work in sometimes even rigid ways in order to accomplish goals like better development.
Before my grandfather passed away he gave me a box full of his favorite books, ham on rye was one of them I was 15 at the time , I read that book over and over until it feel apart
Thanks for sharing. I loved it.
Omg the video that you promised me weeks ago!!! Im so excited thank you
It was precisely your comment a few weeks ago that nudged me to make this video. I’m so glad you made that comment. I learnt so much about Bukowski and now a legend in my heart. So a big thank you to you. 😊
Thats whats up! Gotta thank you random internet stranger for inspiring this video. Much props to the creator too. Y’all helped a soul out here keep writing
Read some of his poems years ago, felt like eating raw meat (never did actually, but felt that way somehow). Thanks for the summary of his work. Now that I am more experienced in life, I should give him another read.
Loved it! Thank you...it was just what i needed right now. Read the post office years ago and I think i have pulp getting dusty on a shelf...i may read some of it tonight. Cheers
Wonderful!
Very few with the brutal honesty of Bukowski. Massive respect!
Agree.
I love your videos because it is so obviously evident that you love sharing this knowledge. Due to your passion for it, there is not a single bit of bullshit in your videos, no matter how long, not a single dull moment. Thank you so much!!
Thanks so much!
Respect from China. My English is limited, and reading English novel is a struggle to me. But your video made me want to read his works. Thanks!
Thank you! You’re perhaps the only one from China. I’m glad.
Don’t Try is more about not trying to do things that you don’t like. “If you have to try to be a writer you aren’t one. It’s when your sick with it and there no hope but writing.” Focus on the things you want but don’t try to want something you don’t want.
I discuss this more in my other video: Bukowski and Taoism. Check out it. ua-cam.com/video/9YIWJQgbmN0/v-deo.html
I agree. it's more like "don't pretend" to do something, do it.
I was always fascinated by Bukowski's life. I guess I found synonymous meaning with his take on the world. Thank you, for doing justice to his story. I try to be the type of consumer that appears to work hard and maintain a facade of concern for things which bore me, irritate me, I am not broken, or give the illusion that I am not a nihilist. Saints are only interesting, because of the quest to learn their secret selves. Perverts are those who sit both on the side of social-construct order and chaos which makes them most interesting since they are usually also saints.
Everyone (every soul) has within it the capability and tools to discover their secret selves. This was meant by the statement: First know thyself.
A childhood friend told me as a young adult she was "trying to be bohemian".
This is a contradiction in terms.
It's why Bulowski's saying, "don't try!"
The truth emerges that way.
Bukowski would be the first to admit he's flawed. But you have to be flawed in your own way!
Adopting a life of debauchery, or alcoholism won't necessarily turn you into a writer.
It's an inverted snobbery the need to send out these signals, the persona of the lone wolf with anti-social affectations.
Bulowski's demons, are going to manifest in a particular way, they're particular to his experience.
But summoning up his demons won't turn you into a Bulowski. It's axiomatic.
That said, you cannot do anything meaningful without having a degree of solitude, it's absurd to pretend otherwise. The artifice is what's to be avoided, whatever form that takes.
Bukowski was afraid of comfort, but you don't have to wildly embrace discomfort in the desperate hope that it will give you a gift or his gift.
Just don't embrace it enough that you lose yourself. But no guts, no glory either.
Failure makes you who you are.
That's what I get out of it, but I can't speak for anyone else.
I'm not a drinker. I don't really follow genres. Will give him a go after viewing this, but I usually can't stand most male writers who celebrate perversity, at least not for long. It's good to follow your own instincts.
Perverts aren't necessarily saints, it's poetic licence. He's being spare about paradox.
'Curiosity should prevail about people' is the point but it doesn't slice as neatly.
it's like saying:
what do we want?
"Change"
when do we want it?
"within a reasonable time".
No. The writer says you want it now.
We're at the edge of a time which will break down structures.
A good time to survive, be yourself and to write.
your videos are getting better and better! I can hear you writing better and smoother. It's no wonder!!!
Glad you think so!
( نصيبك يصيبك)
The translation of this old local proverb is : (It doesn't matter how hard you try,what's yours will get in your way.)
I love Bukowski a lot. His writings were my companion in the most darkest moments, BUT what I never understood is how he kept saying DON'T TRY, even he tried to be a writer for 50 years!
Yes, what he probably meant was don’t “try” to force anything, just do what excites you and makes you alive, naturally.
He didn't try to be a writer for 50 years. He WAS a writer that whole time.
Excellent introduction to Bukowski
Love your videos. Very informative and interesting. You have already introduced me to great writers and philosophers! My reading list is growing….
Wow, thank you!
Got me interested in reading his books now!
winning is losing. next please.
There's also a one-actor play about Bukowski and his writings, I think it's called 'South of No North' - I was fortunate to catch it on stage in the early 2000s.
sounds interesting
The more I learn about this guy, the more interesting it becomes.
As a boy growing up he was EMOTIONALLY and PHYSICALLY ABUSED by his own devil of a father. Later he took this huge ulcer in his soul and made a worldclass writer of himself.
My amateur studies of zen masters has been reminded by learning of this man. He has many characteristics of those who teach the way of Zen. I wonder if he ever realized the similarities himself.
I talked about Bukowski and Taoism in another video.
@@Fiction_Beast Sweet. Thanks. Totally watching this one. :D
He did. Shortly before he died he meditated and stopped drinking.
Fantastic review on CB. On writing too ! Very in-depth. 17:05
Jim Morrison, L.A lizard, would of became like CB. Convinced.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I could see that happening, very interesting speculation!
I feel that part about irrational desire to make art. I write raps because it happens on its own lol. I have made myself sit down and write before but my best ones have come from being so distressed or ecstatic, drunk etc... And i just start writing. It's beautiful and cathartic. truly it's beautiful
Wow! I felt him with every single part of my body! Thanx for this great introduction. I think ive found my path! Even if it sounds painful but i like to be a masochist :)
As a musician this inspired me. I let my passion consume me.
Super literary analysis and Reception of CB! Thank you!
What a great video. So much effort you have put in to this. Keep up!
Thank you!
I can identify with him. I am 52 and got turned down for many jobs. I answer questions truthfully. I am not a good bullshitter. If I am just telling them what they want to hear I am very transparent. I have been working longer than most applicants are alive. My resume should be proof enough. Why should I talk about a job that was my least favorite? I quit that job is behind me.
Appreciate you sharing your story. I guess to survive in today's job market, one has to bullshit, it just can;t be avoided. Telling the truth can set you back most of the time.
Plot twist I got a 2nd interview and a job offer. Lol. I guess I got turned down so many times. When I stopped caring whether I got the job or not the offer came. This is kind of like Alan Watts' backwards law. Lol
Im in a similar position. 57 done various jobs in offices mainly and then through necessity worked in retail in recent years. After a burn out Im wanting to get back into office work....youd think my 20 plus years of work in that sector would make a difference? No they just typecast me as working in retail...and thats the ones that give me half a chance. Any help from the Job Centre ( Im British) seems to be just large doses of copium ignoring the elephant in the room - employers consider candidates over 50 a burden - they want young gullible employees not ones that know the game. Yes I have a hard time bs-ing too
Really great video! You added a lot of perspective and context !!
Thank you
I like your commentary of my favorite author of all time.
Awesome.
@@Fiction_Beast Good research and cadence of rhythm.
That was f.cking brilliant, mate. Just getting into Bukowski. This really helped. I used to think he was a bum, and didn't like him. Now I realise he is a bum and I like him.
Awesome mate!
You did a great synopsis of Buk, the quotes used were impeccable and pretty much nailed it.
You can fail without being a loser. Popular success and the qualitative merit of a piece of writing are not one in the same.
Find what you love and let it kill you 🤯🤯🤯
This hit me like a huge hammer
I fkg love it. Im going for it!
Thank you for this video work. The Universe had a choice between having Bukowski as a murderer or a drunk poet, writer. Luckily for all of us it turned out we read his books and poems. I love his thoughts, beer tastes better after reading, a pain in my soul gets smaller.
I totally get it. I feel the same about him.
I'm curious if Bukowski called
himself a "German American" I love his unapologetic honesty. He was himself-without any shame out pretense. Thanks for the video.
Quite nice !!!... Loved it all....
Glad you liked it
I think what I'm most impressed by are the different views and things the USA allowed to rise up: writers, movies, charismatic leaders, charismatic criminals, spirituals, wise, dump, cars, houses, armies, food, sport, innovation, garbage.... The USA seems to me to allow the most individuation of all cultures in history. It edges to chaos, actually, and is a bloody miracle to me that it survived so long as a people. I can only explain this to myself by assuming that enough US-Americans really belief in the USA and love it.
I love it for sure!
Greetings from Germany.
"Capitalism promises you happiness." Actually no, that's your brain chemistry, your ego, and the belief that there is some goal you could achieve which would "win the game" and you'd finally be done, and just happy all the time.
You think that's how happiness works, and THAT's why someone else telling the same story (in the form of a commercial, for example) resonates with you. It's them hoping you'll buy what they have, and you hoping what they have will bring you happiness.
Except that's not how our brains actually work. You don't stay happy. You go up and down. We all do.
Only activists blame it on 'capitalism.' But if you're honest with yourself, you see it's a fundamental part of being you that you'd better investigate if you want to not instinctively act upon it for the rest of your life.
Thanks a lot for Charles Bekowski 🙏.
Much support from 🇿🇦 ZAR - Kwamashu Rich Future by DSK Clothing ❤️
Love is a Dog from Hell.
~Charles Bukowski
His best prose is a scene in "Ham on Rye" when he's a child on the beach. One of the best examples of 1st person alienation.
Han on rye is a great novel.
I'm only a third in but want you to know this is really good. Keep it up to 10k hrs
I appreciate it
Well yt algo is sloppy, it took almost an year to get your video's recommendation,, great work brother
Thank you
Wow, great video. Very informative and captivating! I think I should read something of his. I may have read a short story once....
Go for it!
Read Factotum about all his jobs he worked. Or Ham on Rye about his hilariously horrible upbringing.
'The refusal to join others'. Now that's a movement i would join.
Funny :)
I think the only time people really have value is when they act according to their own will
Accidentally came across this, same as we do, to almost all good things in our lives! Loved the introduction and the over all flow. The tone of your voice though is rather mechanical. But thanks for the hard effort and lovely work👍🏾🙏🏾🙂
Love from 🇮🇳
Appreciate the feedback.
@@Fiction_Beast u deserve a feedback and a heartfelt appreciation for the amount of hard work undertaken in putting something original out on YT. If I may, what softwares are u using to create doodle like contents?
Thank you. I use doodly.
@@Fiction_Beast Thanks🙏🏾
I love your videos. I’ve never read him but I saw Barfly, which I think was based on him. Thought it was spectacular. Thank you for the video.
Thank you so much!
Barfly was a good movie with great actors and shitty acting
Do yourself a favor and read Bukowski
@@jdt8983 Barfly was a shit film, whoever told Mickey Rourke he could act wants locking up. Bukowski is a brilliant author in my opinion.
@@david-pb4bi yeah he did a shit job in that movie but I think he evolved in the movie the Wrestler. Thought that was a believable performance. And yup Bukowski was brilliant. A narcissist who pretty much just droned on about himself with covert self aggrandizement but worth the read for sure