Unfortunately, Nietzsche also had some truly destructive and nonsensical ideas which would have driven anyone to utter despair - and they did, and eventually he killed himself as a result of them. I am therefore very wary around what he says, even if there are a few things that seem helpful.
That said, he seems to have been a humane person, but driven mad - which appears to have arisen out of his attempted response to some truly horrible religious ideas foisted on him when young.
Thank you for the great article! Nietzsche, unfortunately for him, seemed to be reflecting on many of his own issues and experiences when writing some of these extremely insightful "sayings". We need to listen and learn from Nietzsche (and Denning) before living the pain, disappointment, setbacks, or bedevilment in our own lives. Will we -- or do we have to learn by experience? So, writing this largely for myself: 1. Can we hear the music and dance in our own lives before we run out of time -- or do we just read this comment as criticism of the "hard-of-hearing"? 2. Can we embrace the chaos as a blessing and make the most of it as an opportunity to create or serve? 3. Can we make sure we don't become monsters when fighting those we consider to be monsters? 4. Can we embrace setbacks as character-building blessings? 5. Will we use our writing (including Tweets) and what we say to make the world a better place? 6. Will we learn why we are upset (the quote didn't just apply to lying) vs just suppressing or reacting? 7. Will we be open to considering ideas that don't fit our narrative or politics -- or have we become the dogmatic closed-minded person we have always criticised?
I truly enjoyed your email. I haven’t encountered Nietzsche since high school, but I was too absorbed with my acting career to pay much attention. The statements that you used are unlikely to drive anyone to despair. Instead, I believe that they are more likely to motivate some people to make some positive changes in their lives.
Thank you for your openness. A work that you may wish to consider placing a copy in a safe place where you can revisit it in four or five decades. See how much change in your philosophy.
Cool article. Good ideas, good quotes. I think the monster inside you might have wrote 3 and 4 haha
Seems like not enough of a nuanced take on situations that deserve more context.
I'm curious, what led to your mental break from "reality"? Was it not the rat race and the all encompassing dread that accompanies feeling like you're doing all this work for no reason? That you're working so hard to go nowhere fast?
I definitely think its something to be said about the power of resilience and feel you were speaking in a way to motivate people to take action, which is key,but came off of as dismissive of real world issues though 🤔 there's ways to be realistic in a sustainable manner true
Loved it, Tim. The quote about the abyss is really thought provoking. And I 100% agree on the honesty bit - when people lie, they lose my trust immediately.
Mar 5, 2023·edited Mar 5, 2023Liked by Tim Denning
I know "whatever doesn't kill you makes your stronger" is a cliché, but I'm glad you included it because it is so true. Snowflakes abound these days, even in warm climates, and their minimal contribution is just to wet the ground. I always know when I'm on the verge of some kind of growth when I'm "having a problem with my mental health." Identifying that discomfort generally signals a breakthrough for me has been super helpful. Thanks for this article - I enjoyed the insights. Oh, and congrats on the baby! We are right there sufferjoying along with you.
Unfortunately, Nietzsche also had some truly destructive and nonsensical ideas which would have driven anyone to utter despair - and they did, and eventually he killed himself as a result of them. I am therefore very wary around what he says, even if there are a few things that seem helpful.
That said, he seems to have been a humane person, but driven mad - which appears to have arisen out of his attempted response to some truly horrible religious ideas foisted on him when young.
Thank you for the great article! Nietzsche, unfortunately for him, seemed to be reflecting on many of his own issues and experiences when writing some of these extremely insightful "sayings". We need to listen and learn from Nietzsche (and Denning) before living the pain, disappointment, setbacks, or bedevilment in our own lives. Will we -- or do we have to learn by experience? So, writing this largely for myself: 1. Can we hear the music and dance in our own lives before we run out of time -- or do we just read this comment as criticism of the "hard-of-hearing"? 2. Can we embrace the chaos as a blessing and make the most of it as an opportunity to create or serve? 3. Can we make sure we don't become monsters when fighting those we consider to be monsters? 4. Can we embrace setbacks as character-building blessings? 5. Will we use our writing (including Tweets) and what we say to make the world a better place? 6. Will we learn why we are upset (the quote didn't just apply to lying) vs just suppressing or reacting? 7. Will we be open to considering ideas that don't fit our narrative or politics -- or have we become the dogmatic closed-minded person we have always criticised?
Say no more...truths abound in this piece by TD...
I truly enjoyed your email. I haven’t encountered Nietzsche since high school, but I was too absorbed with my acting career to pay much attention. The statements that you used are unlikely to drive anyone to despair. Instead, I believe that they are more likely to motivate some people to make some positive changes in their lives.
Thank you for your openness. A work that you may wish to consider placing a copy in a safe place where you can revisit it in four or five decades. See how much change in your philosophy.
Cool article. Good ideas, good quotes. I think the monster inside you might have wrote 3 and 4 haha
Seems like not enough of a nuanced take on situations that deserve more context.
I'm curious, what led to your mental break from "reality"? Was it not the rat race and the all encompassing dread that accompanies feeling like you're doing all this work for no reason? That you're working so hard to go nowhere fast?
I definitely think its something to be said about the power of resilience and feel you were speaking in a way to motivate people to take action, which is key,but came off of as dismissive of real world issues though 🤔 there's ways to be realistic in a sustainable manner true
Thought provoking
Thank you. I like the notion of the abyss staring back, into you….
Your right. Nietzsche shuffles the pack of cards we are dealt with and helps us reimagine the world and our place in it.
Loved it, Tim. The quote about the abyss is really thought provoking. And I 100% agree on the honesty bit - when people lie, they lose my trust immediately.
Enjoyable e-mail.
Very quantum
"Some of my flow states can last 16 hours straight."
Can I learn this power?
Great Post... Also, Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius, is more than a sum of its sound bites, but here are some of my faves…
The best revenge is not to be like that
The shadow of decay casts a peculiar beauty
There are few things as vile as someone who boasts about his humility
Your own anger and grief often do you more harm than whatever caused them
Don’t become the slave to other people’s ignorance
Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself
Some people hate you… that’s their problem
It doesn’t pay to be angry at the world… the world doesn’t give a shit
a few others are listed here:
https://brain2mind.substack.com/p/weekend-reading-marcus-aurelius-meditations
Quote #4. There is a saying in the Caribbean..."Wha' don' kill mus' fatten" Pretty close I think.
I know "whatever doesn't kill you makes your stronger" is a cliché, but I'm glad you included it because it is so true. Snowflakes abound these days, even in warm climates, and their minimal contribution is just to wet the ground. I always know when I'm on the verge of some kind of growth when I'm "having a problem with my mental health." Identifying that discomfort generally signals a breakthrough for me has been super helpful. Thanks for this article - I enjoyed the insights. Oh, and congrats on the baby! We are right there sufferjoying along with you.
Love the quotes. Featuring this article in the 'Usable' section of my daily newsletter, which goes out later today.