- Werner Herzog’s essential pursuit of truthby Niek de GreefWerner Herzog wrote a book about the nature of truth titled “The Future of Truth” (De Toekomst van de Waarheid). A concept much abused these days. To Werner Herzog, truth is a search, a quest, almost one that distinguishes us from the other, more or less intelligent animals. In this concise yet idea-packed book, he… Read more: Werner Herzog’s essential pursuit of truth
- Portland, no coincidencesby Niek de GreefI went to this conference in Portland, Oregon. I had never been to Portland. The most impressive thing about Portland during this short visit, I found, is its Steel Bridge (A rabbit hole on itself. By the looks of it, you would suppose it is a relic from an industrial past, but actually it is… Read more: Portland, no coincidences
- The Power of Selective Ignoranceby Niek de GreefThere is an interesting logic to be found in the Buddhist Noble Truths. I am paraphrasing: Suffering is caused by desire, attachment, and general craving. Eliminating craving reduces our suffering. Craving decreases by removing its cause. Ignorance is the root cause. Ignorance is a deep-seated cognitive and perceptual blindness that causes beings to misinterpret reality.… Read more: The Power of Selective Ignorance
- All the Lovers in the Night: On Isolation and Connectionby Niek de GreefA strange mix of loneliness, connection, and love come together in All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami. Fuyuko is a reclusive proofreader at a publishing house. She has virtually no social life. One day, Fuyuko comes into contact with Hijiri, who persuades her to go freelance. Fuyuko more or less befriends Hijiri… Read more: All the Lovers in the Night: On Isolation and Connection
- Nassim Nicholas Taleb on the artisanal and techno-dissatisfactionby Niek de GreefDouglas Coupland predicted that the crafted object might become the emerging “technology” of modern art. Analog experiences are where art is enjoyed. In Antifragile, Nassim Nicholas Taleb explores technology and art from the perspective of fragility. Technology is designed to replace older, inferior technology. Technology is at its best when it is invisible. I am… Read more: Nassim Nicholas Taleb on the artisanal and techno-dissatisfaction
- Beyond Time Management: Oliver Burkeman’s ‘Four Thousand Weeks’by Niek de GreefFour Thousand Week – Time Management for Mortals, by Oliver Burkeman, is a book about what Burkeman calls “the paradox of limitation.” All of this illustrates what might be termed the paradox of limitation, which runs through everything that follows: the more you try to manage your time with the goal of achieving a feeling… Read more: Beyond Time Management: Oliver Burkeman’s ‘Four Thousand Weeks’
- Looking for Alaska – not that Alaska – by John Greenby Niek de GreefI somehow thought Looking for Alaska was set somewhere in the state of Alaska. So it isn’t. Miles is a shy, slouchy boy who seems to know what he can and what he wants. Of his own accord, he goes to a boarding school. He befriends Chip, Takumi, and the peculiar girl Alaska, who are… Read more: Looking for Alaska – not that Alaska – by John Green
- Life Ceremony, today’s absurdity and staying saneby Niek de GreefI am reading Sayaka Murata‘s collection of stories, Life Ceremony. The stories describe futuristic societies you can’t imagine could ever become reality. Furniture and clothing are made from the remains of deceased people. Artificial insemination is the norm. Raising children is paid out to specialized organizations. A girl keeps a man as a pet. After… Read more: Life Ceremony, today’s absurdity and staying sane
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