Summary Embrace Your Crookedness - by L. M. Sacasas theconvivialsociety.substack.com
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The summary discusses the connection between writers and readers, emphasizing the unpredictability of the human heart and its resemblance to Kant's viewpoint.
Slides
Slide Presentation (10 slides)
Key Points
- The author reflects on why certain writers or thinkers resonate with us and become influential in our thinking and lives.
- The poet W.H. Auden's line about loving our crooked neighbor with our crooked heart is explored as a reminder to embrace our own flaws and imperfections.
- The word "crooked" is examined in two senses: as morally corrupt and as bent or not straight, suggesting a departure from the straight path.
- The author contemplates Immanuel Kant's idea that out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made, and sees it as an expression of frustration with the human element that eludes total mastery.
- The author warns against the desire for perfect systems and complete predictability, citing examples from Google engineers and philosopher Lewis Mumford.
- Crookedness is seen as a valuable aspect of humanity that resists commodification, requires attention to individuality, and allows for growth and learning.
- The author suggests that our crookedness reflects our personal histories and experiences, shaping who we are and how we relate to others.
- A quote from Wendell Berry emphasizes the importance of maintaining autonomy and resisting conformity in the face of societal pressures.
Summaries
28 word summary
This summary explores the resonance between writers or thinkers and readers, beyond agreement. The author suggests the human heart is inherently crooked and unpredictable, similar to Kant's perspective.
43 word summary
This summary explores why certain writers or thinkers resonate with us on a deeper level, going beyond agreeing with their ideas. The author suggests that the human heart is inherently crooked and unpredictable, similar to Kant's perspective. However, the author detects annoyance in
215 word summary
In this brief installment of the Convivial Society newsletter, the author reflects on why certain writers or thinkers resonate with us on a deeper level. They suggest that it goes beyond simply being attracted to their ideas or agreeing with their arguments. Instead, these voices
The human heart is inherently crooked and unpredictable, according to the author. This idea is reminiscent of Kant's claim that no straight thing can be made out of the crooked timber of humanity. However, the author detects a hint of annoyance in Kant
In this excerpt, the author discusses the potential dangers of embracing technology and the pursuit of perfection. They reference Lewis Mumford's warning about the power of computing, suggesting that it could lead to the invasion of privacy and the destruction of autonomy. The author
The excerpt explores the idea of embracing one's crookedness and deviating from the expected path. It references a translation of a line by Isaiah Berlin that suggests that nothing entirely straight can be built from crooked timber. The author encourages readers to leave
In this article by L. M. Sacasas, the author discusses the concept of "Zoom fatigue" and presents a theory to explain its effects on individuals. The article highlights the importance of embracing one's own imperfections and the value of wasting