Thread 24630524

I love reading and learning, but I also take great pleasure in being recognized as a reader, or simply in looking smart. I feel awful about this, as it makes me feel like a superficial person. I also unconsciously view learning not as a pursuit of knowledge, but as the acquisition of meta. Recently, I even considered getting a small library for my house, but normally I am opposed to that, as I usually give my books to other people. Sharing knowledge has always seemed better to me than putting it on display as a way of showing how -smart- I am.

Anyways I wanted to ask if you guys are suffering from same issues or what do you think about this?

>pic semi related, it is my next book (slightly commie but I am trying to read writers who I might disagree with)

>>24630524 (OP)
>it makes me feel like a superficial person
Because you are.

The smartest people are the ones willing to look dumb by asking questions.

>>24630529
I am, I agree but my question was like do you guys have similiar feelings?

>>24630530
What do you mean by this?

>>24630542
Damn bro you must be smartest guy here

>>24630524 (OP)
I'm not like this at all. In fact, I've stopped reading physical books in public because it gives the impression that I'm smart and smug about it, or that I'm being peformative about reading. Now when I get coffee and read I just do it on my phone so others think that I'm doomscrolling.

>>24630529
You don't know him. Have some epistemic humility.

>>24630549
Your situation is kind of similar, but you went the other way. Even when you’re reading, you think about how others see you.

When we were kids, we were implanted with idea that reading itself was this almighty, almost holy thing, something purely good. For me, dressing to impress feels totally fine and normal, but reading in public just to look good somehow feels worse even though that might not be the primary function of the activity. That difference is interesting to me at least.

>>24630524 (OP)
Because you are a feminine low test male. Embrace it, you will never be otherwise.

>>24630752
I do have feminene side but I am too hairy too be low test I think. I dont know if you know how to read but main thing I wondered was that if people also experinces this train of thought.

>>24630524 (OP)
Looks like Reddit is a better place for you

>>24630801
I dont use social media. Gives me too much anxiety also dont like karma system it is cancerous breads sycophants.

>>24630524 (OP)
>what do you think about this?
It's cope for being an average guy. The kind of guy that women don't naturally infatuate over.

I'd recommend that you move past this and make money as a cope instead. At least you'll be able to pay the bills.

>>24630807
I am okay financially, never had issues with bills. Being average guy is my dream and also one thing I fear most. I never fit in so I would love to be normal average guy. I gave up womin, I am too autistic and self centered to make a realitionship work. Also I get bored by them very fast in 1-2 days.

>>24630815
>Being average guy is my dream and also one thing I fear most. I never fit in so I would love to be normal average guy.
Anon, you're average. Neurotic and average. Enjoy the dream, you're living it.

>>24630822
Worries over appearance or personal intelligence level are pretty average behavior, I agree. I am neurotic, I do agree. I would consider myself smart, at least within my own community.

When I finished 5th grade, I was on the school bus going home. It was the last day of school, and everyone was excited about summer. Everyone had plans. My plan was to play Civ 3 all summer. When I told them this, they were weirded out.

When I was in university, I would go to the library to read law books, and everyone would ask, "Why?" I would just say, "Because it’s fun." Once, I was in a group of about 20 people talking, and I launched into a full nerdy ramble about how the Battle of Alesia was incredible.

People are always weirded out, which I understand you gotta follow previously established social norms. I wish I was the average guy who enjoys watching football, dating, having summer plans, and so on. I couldn’t even play Euro Truck Simulator because it was stressful. I’m average in looks, and intelligence, yes, but not in lifestyle.

Again, the question is very simple. Does reading books change your perception of yourself? The reason for reading can be learning and exploration, but how much of it is about trying to get that ‘smart guy’ appeal? I wanted to hear your opinion.

>>24630868
I'm not reading all that shit you neurotic retard. You are average and gay.

>>24630875
:)

>>24630807
>It's cope for being an average guy.
Doubt it. I'm a mathematical ""prodigy"" (PhD at 19) and definitely feel the same way. His parents probably fucked him up like mine did.
>The kind of guy that women don't naturally infatuate over.
Oh, you're a gorilla.

>>24630902
>Oh, you're a gorilla.
What's the protest here? Sexual attraction as a topic unnerves you?

Is everyone on this board a neurotic fuck up?

>>24630926
You need to have sex already. Holy fuck.

>>24630936
I'm sorry that your parents fucked you both up, but you're average. You're just more socially maladjusted than other average guys.

You should get over yourself and go outside. You're too comfortable being this much of a loser.

Nope, I wouldn’t care if people thought I was a child molester. I read only for pleasure. I read Shakespeare and Dante and listen to classical music for the same satisfaction I get from gambling, meth, drinking and pornography. I actually dislike people and only interact with them to gamble or fuck, most of my gambling is online. Humans are just fucking stupid and that is why I make my living from their stupidity. Even people who are smarter than I am seem to be retards about a lot of things, Bertrand Russell sorts

Haven’t read that book but afaik it’s worthwhile

>>24630524 (OP)
>(slightly revolutionary but I am trying to read writers who I might disagree with, being staunchly against republicanism and freedom)
Do we need to set guillotines back up for all the idiot monarchists popping up?

>>24632719
Book wasnt written by Toussaint L'ouverture but C.L.R. James who is Trotskyist activist and Marxist writer according to wikipedia. I am closer to ordoliberalist view which means my views probably dont allign with his. My comment wasnt about the historical period but the author. I hope your reading skills get better.