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Thin desires are eating life

joanwestenberg.com

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Re: Thin desires are eating life

#241

Post by bccdee »

haritha-j wrote: post #196
bccdee wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

True to an extent. But why would you want to create (e.g.) a movie if you don't think watching movies is worthwhile in and of itself? You're putting effort into creating something that you don't think is truly valuable. To a person with this mindset, the desire to create is cynical—they're only making movies in pursuit of extrinsic rewards such as money, fame, or success. If watching movies is thin to them, then maki…

I think, perhaps because the creation is the goal in itself, not the consumption by others. Because it is the change/improvement that the author mentions that we seek.

I think that leans toward a mistaken veneration of productivity. You don't have to make something to enrich your life. It's also valuable to connect with the things other people make, or with the world around you.

Re: Thin desires are eating life

#242

Post by 2b3a51 »

ssl-3 wrote: post #163
mplewis wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ok, but there's nothing there. The point of this piece is empty calories.

I thought the point was about baking bread? I've never baked a loaf of bread. I've never baked anything more complex than a pre-packaged cornbread mix, or a frozen pizza. Baking has always been someone else's problem. But having now skimmed through this bit of weirdly-formatted writing, I might give it a shot. (Oh, and of that formatting: It reminds me a bit of what suck.com looked like in the mid-late 1990s. I still…

I started baking bread because I had a bag of plain flour (i.e. not bread flour, only 9% protein) sitting in the cupboard and approaching its sell-by date. So I made 'ships biscuits', and one thing led to another.

So a bag of what in the UK is called 'strong white flour' (i.e. protein around 12%, I think it is 'all purpose' in US) and a sachet of instant yeast and some salt. Followed the instructions on the bread bag and it worked sort of, a bit solid but edible and it toasted nice.

Then you just iterate. Lots of stuff out on the Web. I use supermarket flour and the dried active yeast and the ingredients are 10x cheaper than even a basic bought loaf. And mixing and baking is fun. Sourdough is OK but you then have a pet to look after...

Re: Thin desires are eating life

#243

Post by kafkaesque »

clowncubs wrote: post #55

This resonates. I work in web dev, and a little over 2 years ago I hit a wall. Everything was a screen. All day at work, at home, on the go. Everything felt hallow and unrewarding. I'm an introvert, so outside of my family, I didn't have many relationships. Of course, I was depressed. I began working on it by going to therapy and then one day I decided to try sculpting. This changed everything. I found I was pretty g…

I can relate! Someone who is very dear to me suggested we go to a one-day pottery class and the idea had never entered my mind. I actually ended up loving it. We're both introverts, as well, and she enjoys doing things that don't require other people (she likes to surf, as well). There's something about doing something physical by yourself (that isn't exercising) that's creative that I really like, but before the class, I hadn't realized it.

I actually play instruments, as well, but this feels totally different and almost stimulates a different part of my brain. I was much more relaxed doing pottery and I saw instant results that I could track whether I was doing something right or wrong (even though the "right" and "wrong" was driven by my own personal idea of them).

Do you think you'll end up sharing any of your pieces to the public?

Re: Thin desires are eating life

#244

Post by adamhartenz »

Wow, this seems like a lot of folks first encounter with a lyrical essay. I won't hold that against anyone. I have heard many things about the American school system. Writing like this is meant to be felt as much as evaluated. The argument matters, but the cadence and emotional momentum matter just as much. The author give you are chance to think about each point that is being said. Our dopamine addicted brains can't deal with this well anymore unfortunatly. Which is I guess why people feel uncomfortable, and don't know why.

Re: Thin desires are eating life

#245

Post by highfrequency »

A useful angle: does doing this thing make me more able to enjoy it over time (eg by increasing the subtlety and dimensionality of perception), or less able to enjoy it over time (eg by desensitization)?

This is the practical reason to favor “thick desires” over thin ones: they slope upward over time.

Re: Thin desires are eating life

#246

Post by djaouen »

Has no one considered the possibility that those with the intent of learning new things still do learn, many times because of technology? Sure, there are millions who doomscroll pointlessly, but the solution to that is simple: put down the phone and read a book.

Moreover, the fact that I now have access to international publications & journals, as well as the ability to learn foreign languages literally at my fingertips, does not somehow deplete my human needs, any more than reading a newspaper depleted the need to read long-form books did a century ago.

Re: Thin desires are eating life

#247

Post by ssl-3 »

2b3a51 wrote: post #242
ssl-3 wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the point was about baking bread? I've never baked a loaf of bread. I've never baked anything more complex than a pre-packaged cornbread mix, or a frozen pizza. Baking has always been someone else's problem. But having now skimmed through this bit of weirdly-formatted writing, I might give it a shot. (Oh, and of that formatting: It reminds me a bit of what suck.com looked like in the mid-late 1990s. I still…

I started baking bread because I had a bag of plain flour (i.e. not bread flour, only 9% protein) sitting in the cupboard and approaching its sell-by date. So I made 'ships biscuits', and one thing led to another. So a bag of what in the UK is called 'strong white flour' (i.e. protein around 12%, I think it is 'all purpose' in US) and a sachet of instant yeast and some salt. Followed the instructions on the bread bag…

I noticed last night that I have two bags of "all-purpose" flour taking up space.

Perhaps the time has come.

Re: Thin desires are eating life

#248

Post by clowncubs »

kafkaesque wrote: post #243
clowncubs wrote: post #55

This resonates. I work in web dev, and a little over 2 years ago I hit a wall. Everything was a screen. All day at work, at home, on the go. Everything felt hallow and unrewarding. I'm an introvert, so outside of my family, I didn't have many relationships. Of course, I was depressed. I began working on it by going to therapy and then one day I decided to try sculpting. This changed everything. I found I was pretty g…

I can relate! Someone who is very dear to me suggested we go to a one-day pottery class and the idea had never entered my mind. I actually ended up loving it. We're both introverts, as well, and she enjoys doing things that don't require other people (she likes to surf, as well). There's something about doing something physical by yourself (that isn't exercising) that's creative that I really like, but before the cla…

That's awesome, and I can understand what you are saying. The immediacy of the medium is very satisfying in a way that digital immediacy for me is not. Mind/body connection or something like that.

Yes, I have shared my pieces! On social media of course (instagram/facebook/youtube), personal website, and at events. One part of this journey was a kind of audacious idea - I decided one day, after about a year and half into this, to make an LLC. I figured I could try and get this hobby to pay for itself as it isn't exactly cheap when you start getting into molding and casting the pieces. That and I was getting great responses from people. A part of me just went with a feeling ("I bet I could do that") and this whole thing has taken on a life of its own. I've just started going to local events recently (a punk flea market, a comic-con, and a Krampus Con) and I've sold some of my work, have connected with new people, and made some good connections. It's a wonderful feeling and the response from people has been nothing but soul fuel.

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