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Thinking I might focus more on imaginative writing and less on aesthetics/relationship discussion.
Not totally decided because those seem much more popular, but I always feel like I'm repeating the obvious on those topics. What's strange is that no one else is.
Not totally decided because those seem much more popular, but I always feel like I'm repeating the obvious on those topics. What's strange is that no one else is.
People like to fool and be fooled, and even in the realm of beauty, which seems to be so obvious and instinctive, an astounding number of lies go around.
The problem comes when beauty and relationships get tied up with status signalling, self-esteem, and wishful thinking.
Which they always do!
Then people start ignoring their own eyes and imagining things.
Which they always do!
Then people start ignoring their own eyes and imagining things.
Common lies: "modernist art is good," "cosmetic surgery never works," "Mona Lisa is one of the best paintings ever," "Orientalism is bad art," "this one weird trick will let you date 10s when you're a 6," "relationships aren't about the physical," "relationships are only about..
"modernist art is good" isn't even a common lie anymore outside of academic circles.
"circumcision is a sane thing to do to your baby boy"
Jesus, it's obviously crazy. The only reason you don't notice is because you never thought about it.
"circumcision is a sane thing to do to your baby boy"
Jesus, it's obviously crazy. The only reason you don't notice is because you never thought about it.
Lots of these other lies, they just get repeated and people don't really think too hard about them.
They don't look and say, does the world really look like that?
They don't look and say, does the world really look like that?
In any discussion of cosmetic surgery a large majority will claim it doesn't work.
Really, are the egirls with cosmetic surgery less successful than the ones with cosmetic surgery?
They're ugly in some way but people still pay them more?
What are they getting paid for!!?
Really, are the egirls with cosmetic surgery less successful than the ones with cosmetic surgery?
They're ugly in some way but people still pay them more?
What are they getting paid for!!?
Did you ever really look at the Mona Lisa and forget that it's iconic?
Probably you didn't bother because why would you?
Probably you didn't bother because why would you?
It's turned into an idol and not even a painting, and that's probably what Warhol meant with his copies.
I also think Beethoven is pretty weak but that's another story.
Anyway, the lies on these topics get more attention and have more reach than the truth.
I feel good in having said the truth once but I don't think that will shift the overall balance.
I feel good in having said the truth once but I don't think that will shift the overall balance.
If you tell a 6 he can date a 10 with "one weird trick," his ears perk up even if he suspects on some level that it can't be true and has never ever seen it.
If you tell him he should look for another six and try to be happy or else better himself, he doesn't want to hear it.
If you tell him he should look for another six and try to be happy or else better himself, he doesn't want to hear it.
If you tell someone cosmetic surgery works (wisely chosen of course) they get uncomfortable and worried, think you might be insulting their appearance, don't like the idea that we can improve on nature.
If you tell them the reverse you seem like a nice person, they're comforted.
If you tell them the reverse you seem like a nice person, they're comforted.
If you tell someone there are a hundred Orientalist paintings better than the Mona Lisa...
I don't even know what they'll say, outside of my dear readers of course.
I don't even know what they'll say, outside of my dear readers of course.
These zombie ideas about beauty are going to persist because they're popular to say and people want to hear them.
The fact that they're false is going to remain a kind of hidden knowledge, unless there are mass social changes that are very unpredictable.
The fact that they're false is going to remain a kind of hidden knowledge, unless there are mass social changes that are very unpredictable.
On a personal level, dear readers, you're better off knowing the truth, because it's actionable.
Knowledge of the truth and lies about beauty is a real and useful thing, helps you avoid being ugly and bored with the bad art you think you're supposed to like.
Knowledge of the truth and lies about beauty is a real and useful thing, helps you avoid being ugly and bored with the bad art you think you're supposed to like.
Anyway, there's the end of my screed. If I return to the topic it will be to write a more concise summary of the ideas I've already presented so that new readers can assimilate them more easily.
If you have any thoughts or questions or disagreements, better write them in now!
If you have any thoughts or questions or disagreements, better write them in now!
If you'd like to explore my imaginative writing, scan through this index--pretty long, I will reorganize it soon. https://twitter.com/JohnSanilac/status/1245422114686898176
Don't worry, I will still post some odalisques!
To reiterate the point that the truth about beauty is actionable:
If you want to "looksmax" you need to see clearly on what works and what doesn't.
If you want to fully enjoy art you need to shake off the cobweb of lies that is pointing you toward second-rate stuff.
If you want to "looksmax" you need to see clearly on what works and what doesn't.
If you want to fully enjoy art you need to shake off the cobweb of lies that is pointing you toward second-rate stuff.
In the first case, seeing the truth will even give you a competitive advantage. And that's what I've tried to offer in my threads on the topic.
People often fear the truth about beauty and relationships because they fear it will tell them that they're doing something wrong, or that they're not as beautiful as they want to be.
But you need to walk over those coals--you have to see the truth to improve yourself.
But you need to walk over those coals--you have to see the truth to improve yourself.
That's why the lies (and also excessive body positivity) are so harmful, because they lock you into a failed state where you don't have to stay!
I will probably delete this thread soon to make a fresh start, so please enjoy it while it's here!
