Posts

Sorted by New

Wiki Contributions

Comments

Hi Richard!

I've listened to this book's audio version a several times in the past few years. I finished it for the fourth time yesterday.

I can't help but find the book's claims convincing, and I'd like to hear more of your thoughts on them.

 

To support your point: Yes, the book might be dangerous.

Last year, the book's ideas threw me into a senseless circle of nihilistic ruminations. I had chosen to listen to it again (3rd time) at a bad time, two months into a later diagnosed adjustment disorder. It got better after about two more months, due to the betterment of external circumstances. I never considered suicide, but I did warily consider trying "spiritual autolysis".

 

To disagree with your point: I believe the book to also hold the potential to improve the lives of those who read it. To even value life more than before.

Let me quote a passage from the book, part of which is quoted in this post's section VII:

"I think the bubble [the illusion of reality] is a magnificent amusement part, and leaving it is a damn silly thing to do unless you absolutely must. I would advise anyone who didn't absolutely have to leave to just head back in and enjoy it while it lasts."

At one other point, the author also states something along those lines:

"If anything, I'm the one missing out. I can't regain the belief that anything matters."

I see a huge difference in what I grasp of "jailbreaking", and this book's claims. The author doesn't call anything corrupt. On the contrary, he states that "It's all good".

 

Despite my rough phase last year, I have a lot of admiration for this book.

However, I feel like I might be naive in some ways, too easily convinceable.

 

If you will, please tell me your thoughts about all of that, and the red flags you're seeing.

Also, this is my first comment on this platform, so please tell me about any conventions I disregarded :)