I think they underestimated how dramatic this community can be. Which is surprising considering the map size whining that happened.

Honestly of the 4 major dystopias, I gotta say this one might be my least favorite. The themes are a little too on the nose, and kinda simplistic (the book is basically 200 pages of convincing the reader that TV bad, books good).

Also, it seems like everyone really misses the point of this book. This book is not about censorship. This book is about anti-intellectualism. The important part isn't that the books are being burnt, it's about why they're being burnt, and who is doing the burning. The censorship is just a plot device to show the values society is trying to impart on itself. 1984 is a better example of a dystopia about true censorship.

Nonetheless, I still think it's an important book, and an incredibly easy read. It can be knocked out in an afternoon by a middle schooler no problem.

How are these being chosen and is there any order? Curious when we'll be getting to some of the good ones like Lolita, Handmaid's Tale, Brave New World, Beloved, Grapes of Wrath etc? It's just been YA type stuff so far. Also, is it just things banned in the US? What about books banned from places like USSR (Master and Margarita, Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, etc). Sorry for all the questions.

Lovecraft is awesome if you want some short stories. Call of Cthulhu, Colour out of Space, and Rats in the Walls area my personal favorites.

808s, his most depressive album of his career is his stadium album? Was this a typo? I could accept Grad maybe.

There’s no ethical consumption under capitalism. I think you’re right.

Are you serious? Dude completely changed hip hop, multiple times. Absolutely massive innovator in production style, and basically created the chipmunk soul style of production. He would be considered one of the most important figures in hip hop even if he never even released an album, just for his production work with Jay Z.

The College Dropout was a landmark record for hip hop, for many reasons.

Then he had another landmark record in 808s, popularizing the use of auto tune and melodicism in hip hop (not a trend in hip hop I loved, but you can’t deny the influence here).

Then he had another landmark record in MBDTF, bringing hip hop to the absolute front and center of pop culture. Completely bombastic and basically the HH equivalent of a stadium rock album. Collabs with Justin Vernon and samples from King Crimson brought in fans of rock to hip hop like never before.

Yeezus is slowly showing itself to be more and more influential as well, though this one was delayed a bit but we’re seeing more and more high profile disciples.

Anyone that denies the influence of Kanye is completely ignorant. He’s a piece of shit, sure. But his music has been incredibly important and to deny that is absolutely ridiculous.

Man I miss their VC stuff. I’ve liked their albums less and less with each release.

Fuck Kanye but at the same time he’s one of the most important and influential musicians of my generation and you bet your ass I’m gonna listen to it and everything he’ll put out from now until perpetuity. I’ll just pirate it so he doesn’t get the proceeds.

Only a matter of time before striking becomes illegal. Nothing is going to happen unless a general strike happens among all industries.

It’s incredible. Probably the most “human” book I’ve ever read in my life. It sounds boring but I was absolutely enthralled with this old butler taking a road trip from the first 3 pages. There’s a bit of unreliable narration and a lot of nuance to the writing. The prose is beautiful and the characters are incredibly memorable and amazing.

How are you hearing it? Nice speakers or a nice set of headphones? I’m guessing that’s the difference.

Remains of the Day is maybe my favorite book of all time. Never Let Me Go was fine but paled in comparison. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did. I’m glad you’re liking it. I think RotD set up some unrealistic expectations.

Yeah I realize now that my comment was a tad more aggressive than it was meant to be. I think there’s some value in Day’s stuff. He gives some interesting perspective and analysis on Tolkien. You just need to remember to take nothing of his as fact.

Nothing David Day writes should be given any credibility. He made stuff up, like, all the time. Treat it as fan fiction.

Counterpoint: Guillotines

Do US next pls

Honestly, with the way Mexicos leadership/politics and economy is heading, it’s positioned to be a decent power, and potentially be a more desirable location to live than the US sometime in the next century. Big fan of AMLO and hope he is setting them on a good trend. It’s probably only a matter of time before the US intervenes and makes sure they don’t go too far left though, so maybe I shouldn’t get my hopes up.

This and Homage are his two best imo. His fiction is a little too on the nose and heavy handed.

It’s literally the most basic and textbook form of allegory you can find in literature. There’s absolutely no depth to it at all.