The doors of perception by Aldous Huxley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doors_of_Perception
How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler changed my life.
I wanted to learn some nutrition science to stop my mother from drinking so much dandelion tea that The View was shilling to her. She wasn’t buying it. I decided I needed a better core understanding in order to convince her. Naturally if I’m going to read a bunch of science journals and such I thought I could increase efficiency through improving another core skill - reading. Special thanks to video games for teaching me learning techniques or I wouldn’t have made the connection.
What followed was a painful yet wonderful journey of self discovery and I’d likely still be an ignorant bigot if it weren’t for that book. I’m still ignorant, but I’m trying!
She never listened in the end though. :')
The Algorithmic Beauty of Plants
In addition to the simple act of adding to what I see when I look, it changed the way I think about the underlying rules that govern everything about the way the world is, from it’s “construction” to the individual and collective behaviours of the objects and beings that populate it.
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Zeitgeist Movie: This is a documentary film that explores various conspiracy theories related to religion, politics, and economics. It challenges the viewer to question their beliefs and assumptions about the world.
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“The Selfish Gene” by Richard Dawkins: This book presents a new perspective on the evolution of life on Earth, arguing that genes, rather than individuals or species, are the fundamental unit of selection. It challenges traditional views of altruism and cooperation in biology.
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“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle: This book challenges readers to live in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It provides practical guidance for achieving inner peace and happiness.
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Lemmygrad.ml website: This website provides a critical analysis of the Soviet Union and its legacy, challenging traditional views of communism and socialism. It offers a unique perspective on the history of the 20th century and its relevance to the present day.
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“Paleo Diet” by Loren Cordain: This book challenges traditional views on nutrition and health, arguing that a diet based on the foods our ancestors ate during the Paleolithic era can improve our health and well-being.
lemmygrad is just a russian troll hut.
I read lemmygrad since I joined a year ago and can tell you most trolls came after the Reddit blackout.
You seem to confuse “challenge” and “conspiracy theory about”.
Except Dawkins, everything you posted is bullshit at best. And even Dawkins didn’t age super well.
Do you happen to be a 14 years old edge lord or did you really not research for just 2min what media you’re consuming?
You seem to confuse “challenge” and “conspiracy theory about”.
You seem unable to read. Read the question again. Then write a comment that makes me think you actually know what you are talking about and we can argue.
Well, Zeitgeist is known to be a conspiracy theory compilation. There’s nothing eye opening about it.
You are not as smart as you think you are, if the most eye opening media you can come up with is the most vanilla teenage edgelord reading list.
Seriously, just google any of your recommendations for just 30s and you’ll see, that they’re pretty much bullshit.
- Zeitgeist Movie: This is a documentary film that explores various conspiracy theories related to religion, politics, and economics. It challenges the viewer to question their beliefs and assumptions about the world.
I already say it’s a video about conspiracy theories in my comment above. None of it is proven. But if you don’t even consider a conspiracy theory before dismissing it, you just lack critical thinking.
So, you think the video is wrong, God is real and the US government isn’t corrupt? Maybe you and I live in different worlds, I guess one of us lives a fantasy and the other in reality.
Finding the truth is much more difficult than just googling stuff. You need to look at something from all different perspectives, gathering all possible information and sifting through it to find the truth.
The whole point of conspiracies is to raise a bunch of “questions” without any evidence or justification and then try to shift the burden of proof on everyone else.
That which is presented without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence. Stupid “theories” are not worth of any time, energy, or serious consideration.
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For me that moment was in the early 90s on a dial up community service from Sierra Online called “Imagination Online”. Before that the game Doom consumed me, but this was my glimpse of what I’d eventually know as the internet. Suddenly there was this entire new world to explore and the ability to make connections with people was so fascinating.
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. I bought the book 'cause the author and I have the same name.
The premise of the book is really just a conversation between the protagonist and a gorilla, but the thesis is far more interesting and literally changed my life. You read it, and suddenly so much makes sense, but not in the way you expected it to.
It’s hard to explain it to someone who’s never read it, but essentially Quinn separates those who accepted the idea of infinite growth (most people) from those that took a pass, then digs into the reasons why we’ve adopted this worldview, where it comes from, whether it’s rational, and if it’s possible to change.
It’s a weekend read and may well break your brain in a good way.
Yes good call. I read this one in high school and also remember it as worldview changing.
Honestly, probably the Bible, but that was over 20 years ago.
Having a father who was a pastor and the head of the local Gideons, there were always dozens of bibles around the house. But being given my own copy that I could highlight/make notes in as a birthday present just prior to jr. high was the beginning of freeing myself from Christianity.
I didn’t have the internet and I lived in a small town, so interacting with those critical of Christianity wasn’t really an option for me. Being able to note major inconsistencies throughout the Bible, including the core “easter story”, was enough to make the scales fall from my eyes.
I find fiction to be a great tool to understand people and societies. Books that broadened my understanding of the nature of power and people who seek it are Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind manga by Hayao Miyazaki.
The book “Seeing like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed.”
I think it illustrates, better than most more political arguments, why authoritarianism usually cannot be used for good.
The Dictator’s Handbook. I knew about realpolitik, of course, but it was a really good description of how it affects dictators’ behaviour, and how seemingly stupid actions may simply be the result of callous calculation.
The first two seasons of MLP:FIM. Had lost all sophistication by the end of the 3rd season.
Also HIGNFY. Its good to know there are people with crazier politics than us. Other than Americans.
FYI IDK TA (These Acronyms)
