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The Cypherpunk Library

cypherpunkbooks.com

51–60 of 113 posts

Re: The Cypherpunk Library

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the thing I don't understand about (a superficial interpretation of) anarchists; while governments are often not ideal, a lack of one wouldn't be better. And trusting people to self-organize is idealistic, but in practice it'd mean we go back to tribalism and "might makes right".

> This is the thing I don't understand about (a superficial interpretation of) anarchists I think most superficial interpretations of anarchists are based on edgy LARPers rather than real political ideology. Fun fact: Anarchy means "without rulers", not "without laws" or "without social order". There's a wide diversity of political thought under this umbrella, but the key underlying common denominator is (on some lev…

Maybe don't be so dismissive of that which you lack a thorough understanding.

Recommend reading "Against the State" by James Stout, wherein he describes history of various Anarchist societies, including Barcelona during Spanish fascism, Myanmar where they are very successfully fighting the junta which wrested control from their civilian government, and Rojava where he personally visited and gives a firsthand account.

Re: The Cypherpunk Library

#53

Side note: I love literature, but I can not for the life of me understand how anyone can consider non-fiction enjoyable to read. Informative, perhaps interesting, yes, but enjoyable? Heck no. Take me as far away from reality as possible. Though, of course, to each their own.

Interesting– Conversely, that is exactly how I feel about reading fiction . To me, how can you possibly enjoy reading something some other person simply ... made up? Like an elaborate lie? Contrarily, non-fiction tells it how it happened within the very reality I myself live in , subject to the same laws of nature and real psychology , and therefore, and only therefore, able to teach me something about real life on t…

Both are valuable and present in a well rounded life. The Diary of Anne Frank and Those Who Leave Omelas cause you to question life in different ways.

Re: The Cypherpunk Library

#55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps unrelated, but that reminds me of the inevitable avalanche of identical replies to every submission on aphantasia, all proclaiming that, no, they do indeed find it odd that there are people who can visualise internally. Do you enjoy watching movies or series, reading comics? Going to the theatre (as in - not movies, but actual theatre)? Edit: Do note that I wrote enjoy - I've certainly read my fair share of n…

> Do you enjoy watching movies or series, reading comics? Going to the theatre (as in - not movies, but actual theatre)? I really for the most part do not. I've not even seen any of the big oscar winning pieces everyone keeps talking about. As I said to another commentator on here as well: Without any disdain, I cannot bring myself to watch hours of another person's fantasy, when I could instead be shaping my own rea…

but often the fantasy does help shape your reality and identity. an author finding a way to vocalize and make a concept or feeling tangible like its coming out of the mouth of someone that you can respect or despise with such strong emotion is extremely powerful. and sure you can get that from nonfiction (which i also do love some of the driest science texts lol) but there is something amazing about seeing how something could play out, or how it would be to experience this reality. maybe you just havent found what clicks for you yet or what perfectly speaks to you and maybe you never will, but its not worth writing it ALL off. for me at least it's the emotional resonance you can find with fiction that makes it all the more worth it. Do i agree with Char Aznable no, do i agree with Amuro Ray? yes. do i find merit and incompatibilities in both of their ideologies? yes. has it helped me see the kind of world that the creator wishes to envision and wants to make us question for ourselves? yes. its the connection. i just love it.

and dont write off comics either, there is some genuine phenomenally emotional works in that medium.

Re: The Cypherpunk Library

#56
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have no understanding of your viewpoint. I wish I did, it sounds interesting. I do like a Crafting Interpreters or Mythical Man Month... But I don't understand how those could not only be held to the same level as The Hobbit, but that you seem incapable of even reading Animal Farm. Do you enjoy any fictional media? TV, movies, plays, interactive murder mystery dinners, tabletop games (d&d, etc)?

> Do you enjoy any fictional media? TV, movies, plays, interactive murder mystery dinners, tabletop games (d&d, etc)? Nope, I truly live under a rock when it comes to those. I've been wanting to watch the big ones (Hobbit, LotR, ...), but – and I say this with no disdain: I simply cannot get myself to consume hours upon hours of somebody else's fantasy – when I could instead be shaping my own reality .

This is fascinating. Do you enjoy music?

Re: The Cypherpunk Library

#57
post #10

Everything on the Internet is public domain, up for grabs In the past you could argue about legal stuff but now the LLM training companies have proven that beyond all doubt, it is not only possible but even legal to use any Internet material as you see fit.

I really hope this is sarcasm.

Re: The Cypherpunk Library

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the thing I don't understand about (a superficial interpretation of) anarchists; while governments are often not ideal, a lack of one wouldn't be better. And trusting people to self-organize is idealistic, but in practice it'd mean we go back to tribalism and "might makes right".

It's the anti-establishment impulse taken to extremes. Anarchism is one of the niche destinations of that mindset. Another, ironically, is full blown communism. What's sort of funny, is how all these seemingly polar-opposite anti-establishment flavors are actually far closer to each other than they are to mainstream political left or right. The anti-establishment part ends up overriding everything else That's how you…

How is it ironic? Anarchists were a big part of the First International and left-anarchists can usually be considered to be socialists. They are not polar opposites, rather communism and (left-)anarchism are the statist and republican/federalist (loosely authoritarian and libertarian) expressions of the same underlying ideology of human equality.

Re: The Cypherpunk Library

#59
post #8

the hover animation on the books in `/` slows down my Firefox Cool project nonetheless! Enjoyed browsing through the options

Nitpicking on style: hover animation on the books could not be capped by the container size and just overflow the content. Great case for page transition. Move the 3d book into the space where it will be located with single view.

Firefox user here too.

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