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Short post: Reading goodness
Sun, Oct. 5th, 2008 15:53I'm wondering what is prompting my sinus-based discomfort, and trying to distract myself with good reading. Here are some enthusiastic recommendations:
An excellent essay by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
coppermine on the notion of the typical American citizen is very much worth a slow read, or even multiple reads. This is the sort of thing I'd forward to my relatives, if it weren't (a) obnoxious to forward every blessed thing all over the 'Tubes, and (b) political and therefore the karmic equivalent of slinging a grenade at the immobilized with a "Take that!" mp3 laugh track to accompany it. I think my sister would agree with significant portions of it, and we could have an interesting discussion with this essay as our springboard, but a majority of the rest of my kin would either search for hidden meanings on my part, or take it as a moral imperative to rantyrant in bludgeoning counterpoint, or be offended by my lack of respect for my elders. Either their minds are made up in opposition, or the topic of alcohol consumption should never be raised under any circumstance.
My extended family aren't bad people. Many of them are simply past their point of being able to keep up with a changing world. The few who do manage it, manage it by minding their own business and focusing on the parts of the world actually under their influence. Probably a healthier attitude than trying to save the universe, anyway.
For a while I was reading the LJ community "Customers Suck". I drifted away from it because it came to seem that no story ever had a happy ending, and while I support others' right to wallow in misery if that's really their groove, and I very much support others' right to express frustration at unfortunate behaviors they encounter in their daily lives, I think the best story is one where the bad guy doesn't win.
Instead I've been lurking over at a non-LJ version of the community -- coincidentally, the one for which Jennie Breeden provides a Sunday comic strip. A lot of the stories are just like what I've read here, but about an equal amount do have pleasant endings: horrible behavior is not always rewarded. I particularly recommend storyteller Gravekeeper as a starting point. Most stories may lead to the spoilt prince(ss) wandering smugly along their way, but every once in a while, righteousness provides an immediate object lesson.
An excellent essay by
coppermine on the notion of the typical American citizen is very much worth a slow read, or even multiple reads. This is the sort of thing I'd forward to my relatives, if it weren't (a) obnoxious to forward every blessed thing all over the 'Tubes, and (b) political and therefore the karmic equivalent of slinging a grenade at the immobilized with a "Take that!" mp3 laugh track to accompany it. I think my sister would agree with significant portions of it, and we could have an interesting discussion with this essay as our springboard, but a majority of the rest of my kin would either search for hidden meanings on my part, or take it as a moral imperative to rantyrant in bludgeoning counterpoint, or be offended by my lack of respect for my elders. Either their minds are made up in opposition, or the topic of alcohol consumption should never be raised under any circumstance.My extended family aren't bad people. Many of them are simply past their point of being able to keep up with a changing world. The few who do manage it, manage it by minding their own business and focusing on the parts of the world actually under their influence. Probably a healthier attitude than trying to save the universe, anyway.
For a while I was reading the LJ community "Customers Suck". I drifted away from it because it came to seem that no story ever had a happy ending, and while I support others' right to wallow in misery if that's really their groove, and I very much support others' right to express frustration at unfortunate behaviors they encounter in their daily lives, I think the best story is one where the bad guy doesn't win.
Instead I've been lurking over at a non-LJ version of the community -- coincidentally, the one for which Jennie Breeden provides a Sunday comic strip. A lot of the stories are just like what I've read here, but about an equal amount do have pleasant endings: horrible behavior is not always rewarded. I particularly recommend storyteller Gravekeeper as a starting point. Most stories may lead to the spoilt prince(ss) wandering smugly along their way, but every once in a while, righteousness provides an immediate object lesson.
