Archived threads in /lit/ - Literature - 249. page
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What is the greatest closing line in literature?
>>8179912
And so but then, it was all just an infinite jest...
isn't it pretty to think so
i hate memeingway but i'll give that to him.
>Truly, Gatsby was a great man after all.
I wept
>endnotes instead of footnotes
I prefer no notes at all.
>>8177043
Agreed. Everything that otherwise would have been a note should be integrated into the regular text. This includes editor's and translator's notes.
Appendixes are fine, but I agree, end notes are trash. If it's relevant to what I'm reading on this page, I shouldn't have to flip to the back of the book to find it.
I'm looking for fun or enlightening pop-mathematics books. I want to learn the concepts behind mathematics without having to deal with all of the needless equations and impenetrable jargon of endless variables.
I've already read The Joy of X, and I liked it very much.
ePubs, if possible, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
>>8176507
Just read a real math book please.
>>8176509
Could I get some recs? I was kind of trying to avoid textbooks because they're so awful...
>>8176586
Sheldon Axler - Precalculus
I don't know what exactly you want to get out of maths if it's not "the knowledge of mathematical structures".
Mention 3 legitimate arguments why we should hate Ayn Rand.
Here, I'll even help you out with a template.
1. I think Ayn Rand is wrong about (what you think she's wrong about) because (rational and solid argument that validates your hate for her)
2. 1. I think Ayn Rand is wrong about (what you think she's wrong about) because (rational and solid argument that validates your hate for her)
3. 1. I think Ayn Rand is wrong about (what you think she's wrong about) because (rational and solid argument that validates your hate for her)
>>8174266
You shouldn't hate anyone. She's a terrible writer and thinker, though.
-Objectivism doesn't make sense. It's obvious we don't all perceive reality in the same way.
-In the "Atlantis" utopia it was strange how they charged money for everything. I understand it was a theme of the book, but you'd think that in a utopia, that wouldn't always be necessary.
I'm currently reading Atlas Shrugged and already 100+ pages in. I get the idea of the story and for the most part, do agree with it.
She's not wrong about anything and I'm getting the vibe that people who disagree with her happen to lean to the left and believe that millionaires/billionaires of the world have to pay some kind of debt to society.
Are there Hegel fanfics?
>>8169646
>>8169663
A man who finds himself needing to specify this has done something wrong with his life.
Posr your stacks, /lit/.
>>8169326
kill yourself
>>8169338
This is a peaceful thread, have some manners!
>>8169342
go back to plebbit with your 'manners' and pathetic stack
So /lit/, how so I start into creative writing as a hobby? Ive never been the best in language studies in my high school times but I always loved the freedom a pen and paper offers. Should i read textbooks on such matters or brute force a effective writing style or prose into me by studying as many novels as possible?
If you want to write well, write.
>>8184980
both
>>8184984
Doing so. Im doing a novel about an impossible space mansion that has people forming small communities and villages inside
Was this book good?I finished it today and I actually can't tell if it's pulpy tripe or genius writing.
It is a god shot at a bad and cheap and easy target.
>>8184816
The former--as in, pulpy tripe.
i like less than zero a lot. it's basically what got me interested in 'literature' to begin with.
i do however, several years later, see how it's a little, i dunno, immature?
bret easton ellis is a talented writer, and less than zero exhibits his talent, but not his refined skill i guess.
I'm on chapter 11. When does this book get good? I particularly find Juliana chapters the most boring to read through.
>>8184705
>When does this book get good?
It doesn't. At least I hope it doesn't because I stopped reading it at about the same point.
literally just the ending is good
the rest is set up
>>8184705
Stop reading if you don't like it. No reason to be a whiny cunt and complain how boring you think it is. Go read your adventure novels if reading about peoples lives is too boring for you.
The sentence below is false.
God lied to us all.
The sentence above is true.
*gasp*
Why would you do that?!?!
Now everything is fucked, forever!
nice bro
you can manipulate language in such a way as to form a paradox
very cool and interesting
>>8184660
How can God lie when he doesn't exist?
Hello /lit/. I've never been to this board before but I figured this would be the best place to ask for help. I've never read a book before! Obviously I have dabbled and skim-read for my education but I've never read a book of my own choice for recreational purposes... I've attempted many times in my life and just get distracted despite the fact I actually want to read. I'm jealous of all my friends who get lost in books! Does my depression leave me uninspired and distracted? Am I just destined to be illiterate?
Any advice would be really helpful, thank you.
>>8183901
finnegans wake
How many levels of irony are you on right now?
>Walker bangs Edith
>Loves the crippled D
>Both agree to elope together
>They take Grace with them
>Stoner kills himself
I'm 8 chapters in
>>8183448
>Stencil was V. all along or abandons his search when he is nearing the goal
>Profane loses his battle against the inanimate
>red head is behind it all
3 chapters from the end
>Irimias took all their money and left
>he never shows up again
>everybody eventually goes back home
>nothing changes
>the end
How can we even know that someone or something else is conscious?
How is conscience defined? From what I found people talk about electric impulses, etc. And at the end of the day, or brain is entirely material after all. But what then prevents us from building something out of material that is conscious?
Or how could we even tell whether what we built is conscious or not?
I can tell that I am conscious, but as for everyone else, you could be a very convincing simulation and I wouldn't know any better.
Does this make sense? Where can I read more about this...
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>How can we even know that someone or something else is conscious?
We can't truly know that, but in practice it can be experienced by intuition and empathy.
>How is conscience defined?
In an oversimplified way, it's the hability to establish a relationship between your own self and the environment, in several levels depending on your consciousness capabilities.
>And at the end of the day, or brain is entirely material after all
We don't know that, and we only assume that consciousness stems from the brain. The hypotesis of the "stream of consciousness" is still on the table, even though it seems a little far fetched.
>But what then prevents us from building something out of material that is conscious?
Nothing at all imo
>Or how could we even tell whether what we built is conscious or not?
It will depend on the definition of consciousness that we use in order to validate that particular consciousness. And ofc, this is a very subjective matter. But I still think it's possible.
>I can tell that I am conscious, but as for everyone else, you could be a very convincing simulation and I wouldn't know any better.
This is basically Solipsism. Read Descartes I guess? But in the end it's a basic and ultimately empty philosophy that any kid of 8 y.o. has already thought about.
>>8183398
>it can be experienced by intuition and empathy
But surely I can have empathy with something that is not conscious, so long as I believe it to be?
I'm aware that none of this is anything new, and Descartes is exactly who I was thinking about while posting.
I guess my real main question (though I'm still interested in (artificial) conscience) is this: How do I overcome this?
I guess maybe the answer is that it simply doesn't matter so long as I can appreciate what I perceive.
>>8183488
>But surely I can have empathy with something that is not conscious, so long as I believe it to be?
It's possible, yes, since empathy is a social and biological system, it can be "tricked".
>How do I overcome this?
You can't, but for me this
>it simply doesn't matter so long as I can appreciate what I perceive.
is good enough.
Has anyone ever written a full novel where all the characters talk in 4chan meme-speak. Sort of like Their Eyes Were Watching God, but with memes. Could it be done?
As autistic as it is, The Hypersphere
memes move too fast for it to not be super corny
>>8183334
I don't think ALL the dialogue would have to be memes, just enough that its clear where the characters are getting their ideas.
What are some pocket sized books that are really easy to read when you have 5 mins to spare and are essential. Something by the greeks or philosophical essays.
>>8183305
Just go download some on your phone if you want them so easily accessible desu
There's a kindle app for ios and android
>>8183305
Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung
the new testament
