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I always enjoy reading Schopenhauer, but I think it's a bit naive to ignore the context in which Schopenhauer is writing (this btw, is not meant as a criticism

I always enjoy reading Schopenhauer, but I think it's a bit naive to ignore the context in which Schopenhauer is writing (this btw, is not meant as a criticism of the post or it's author, this is a very enjoyable write up). Schopenhauer is in world filled with academics who he largely feels do not appreciate his own brilliant work. He's concerned with people reading all day instead of digesting what they've read, and his quite happy to dismiss most people who dismiss him as idiots. He's likely envisioning hordes of academics lapping up Hegel's most recent piece as he writes this. I don't think there are very many people left in the world who read in the way that Schopenhauer is criticizing in this essay. I can only imagine the horror Schopenhauer would have faced on seeing modern day "infotainment", and how little people read or think in our current information environment. However, he most certainly would have had a hilarious Twitter account.

B1FF_PSUVM 5y ago
I think that XXI century Schopenhauer would shake his head in dismay at how much of an optimist XIX century Schopenhauer was. I don't know if he would now bother to rile up the herd. It's not very amusing, and it might get him stomped.
another_sock 5y ago
However, he most certainly would have had a hilarious until banned Twitter account.
User23 5y ago
Schopenhauer practically wrote the book on forum trolling with The Art of Controversy[1]. I concur his online presence would be hilarious. [1] http://coolhaus.de/art-of-controversy/ http://coolhaus.de/art-of-controversy/
bthallplz 5y ago
> I don't think there are very many people left in the world who read in the way that Schopenhauer is criticizing in this essay. In what way? I think that it's much more prevalent nowadays for people to read many things and passively/non-critically accept them, which I feel you were describing (albeit among academics).

B1FF_PSUVM 5y ago

I think that XXI century Schopenhauer would shake his head in dismay at how much of an optimist XIX century Schopenhauer was. I don't know if he would now bother to rile up the herd. It's not very amusing, and it might get him stomped.

another_sock 5y ago

However, he most certainly would have had a hilarious until banned Twitter account.

User23 5y ago

Schopenhauer practically wrote the book on forum trolling with The Art of Controversy[1]. I concur his online presence would be hilarious. [1] http://coolhaus.de/art-of-controversy/ http://coolhaus.de/art-of-controversy/

bthallplz 5y ago

> I don't think there are very many people left in the world who read in the way that Schopenhauer is criticizing in this essay. In what way? I think that it's much more prevalent nowadays for people to read many things and passively/non-critically accept them, which I feel you were describing (albeit among academics).