This essay absolutely made my day. I often feel as if I care too much about literature, art etc. when no one around me seems to share that interest. Thank you so much for writing!
“We must speak up about our interests, beliefs, and talents because we have something to contribute to society. This is the opposite of narcissism.” YES. I really enjoyed this piece. What a well expressed call to action. Sharing our impressions and opinions is exactly that - sharing. It’s a participatory act. I agree, to withhold what we have to say, if we indeed have something to say, is egotistical on another level. In engaging in conversation and debate, we share our unique perspectives, and show respect and curiosity for the perspectives of others. Disagreement is an act of engagement, not rejection.
Many years ago when I was in college, a group of my friends from the Humanities Honors Program went out to see a film, and one of my friends brought along her new boyfriend. After the film, we went to dinner and started a lively discussion about it. The boyfriend endured this for about 15 minutes and then burst out with "we just spent 2 hours watching that movie, and now you want to TALK ABOUT IT!?" He looked around at us, appalled. We looked back at him, also appalled. I thought, "well, this relationship won't last." It didn't.
I appreciate you writing such an essay. Sometimes it takes someone else's opinion on such a matter for others to start believing it. I've been writing my own opinions on books I read and post them on ggodreads. Hopefully with time, I'll be more comfortable sharing them with people in real life.
You think so well, and it reflects in how you have penned this down. I am tired of watered down conversations, lingo replacing genuine, well-reflected upon statements, and rich, paced conversations. this was one of them for me. :)
I hate it whenever someone says, "well, it's not really that deep" about a book that I love. Whenever I feel deeply connected with a book, a film, a song, I want to talk about it because I am a human, and I have a desire to share it with others. Unfortunately, seeing people trying to be nonchalant, while all they are being is absurd, makes me feel like I am an outcast. I think wasting your potential isn't always about scrolling on social media, but also about not talking your mind. We don't need to take every single idea as a fact, but it's such an important thing to hear other people's thoughts about almost every subject.
I hope more people will realise this in the future. Thank you for this.
This Essay reminds me of a line from "Coach Carter" which i found out was a poem written by Marianne Williamson, the line reads: "There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."
Great essay, it becomes harder and harder to be different or to share any opinion you have, about anything because you are being difficult or pretentious as you mentioned. And people are becoming morr guarded and aggressive because they don't know how to engage in a conversation anymore.
Thank you. Your thoughts are deeply appreciated. There exists a daily struggle to break through the tidal wave of mundane conversation that props up our social interactions. So many critical discussion topics in our faces yet too few brave people willing to discuss.
Wonderfully said. A fair part of life is about the "Why" that follows an honest determination of "What". You do both very well. Great tragedy for many is to have a childish grasp of what and never reach the question why.
I needed this so much this THIS is what I feel so many of us go through never really putting out our words and just keeping them within in fear of offending others
As a bachelor’s student, I face immense pressure not to voice my ideas and opinions because of a fear of judgment from my own instructors. Not only do they lack the ability to engage in rigorous discourse, but they also actively maintain an environment where the focus is only on what’s being taught, rather than on developing a sound set of ideas through discussion and this is in a social sciences class.
Thankyou its a very helpful essay and very well written!
This essay absolutely made my day. I often feel as if I care too much about literature, art etc. when no one around me seems to share that interest. Thank you so much for writing!
Thank you Liza!!
“We must speak up about our interests, beliefs, and talents because we have something to contribute to society. This is the opposite of narcissism.” YES. I really enjoyed this piece. What a well expressed call to action. Sharing our impressions and opinions is exactly that - sharing. It’s a participatory act. I agree, to withhold what we have to say, if we indeed have something to say, is egotistical on another level. In engaging in conversation and debate, we share our unique perspectives, and show respect and curiosity for the perspectives of others. Disagreement is an act of engagement, not rejection.
Many years ago when I was in college, a group of my friends from the Humanities Honors Program went out to see a film, and one of my friends brought along her new boyfriend. After the film, we went to dinner and started a lively discussion about it. The boyfriend endured this for about 15 minutes and then burst out with "we just spent 2 hours watching that movie, and now you want to TALK ABOUT IT!?" He looked around at us, appalled. We looked back at him, also appalled. I thought, "well, this relationship won't last." It didn't.
Many such cases 😭😭
I appreciate you writing such an essay. Sometimes it takes someone else's opinion on such a matter for others to start believing it. I've been writing my own opinions on books I read and post them on ggodreads. Hopefully with time, I'll be more comfortable sharing them with people in real life.
You think so well, and it reflects in how you have penned this down. I am tired of watered down conversations, lingo replacing genuine, well-reflected upon statements, and rich, paced conversations. this was one of them for me. :)
Thank you Natasha:) and I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts!
resonated deeply. and yet, still need to remind myself these words. the anti-intellectualism discourse is heavy out there 🥲
I hate it whenever someone says, "well, it's not really that deep" about a book that I love. Whenever I feel deeply connected with a book, a film, a song, I want to talk about it because I am a human, and I have a desire to share it with others. Unfortunately, seeing people trying to be nonchalant, while all they are being is absurd, makes me feel like I am an outcast. I think wasting your potential isn't always about scrolling on social media, but also about not talking your mind. We don't need to take every single idea as a fact, but it's such an important thing to hear other people's thoughts about almost every subject.
I hope more people will realise this in the future. Thank you for this.
Your post not only talks of the legitimacy of opinions but implies the broadening of knowledge in acquainting yourself with their sources.
This Essay reminds me of a line from "Coach Carter" which i found out was a poem written by Marianne Williamson, the line reads: "There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."
Great writing!
Great essay, it becomes harder and harder to be different or to share any opinion you have, about anything because you are being difficult or pretentious as you mentioned. And people are becoming morr guarded and aggressive because they don't know how to engage in a conversation anymore.
Thank you. Your thoughts are deeply appreciated. There exists a daily struggle to break through the tidal wave of mundane conversation that props up our social interactions. So many critical discussion topics in our faces yet too few brave people willing to discuss.
Wonderfully said. A fair part of life is about the "Why" that follows an honest determination of "What". You do both very well. Great tragedy for many is to have a childish grasp of what and never reach the question why.
Great read, mate, and couldn't agree more.
Thank you Jonny! So nice of you to say :)
a deeply necessary read for the thinkers of our age.
I needed this so much this THIS is what I feel so many of us go through never really putting out our words and just keeping them within in fear of offending others
As a bachelor’s student, I face immense pressure not to voice my ideas and opinions because of a fear of judgment from my own instructors. Not only do they lack the ability to engage in rigorous discourse, but they also actively maintain an environment where the focus is only on what’s being taught, rather than on developing a sound set of ideas through discussion and this is in a social sciences class.
Thankyou its a very helpful essay and very well written!