Words

Background, poem text, and context: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/08/09/charles-bukowski-reads-friendly-advice-to-a-lot-of-young-men/

Charles Bukowski reads his "Friendly Advice To A Lot Of Young Men"

Commemorating the late Nobel laureate with this exquisite reading of one of his most famous masterpieces. Poem text plus timeless wisdom on poetry from his Nobel acceptance speech here: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/08/30/seamus-heaney-reads-death-of-a-naturalist-nobel-lecture

Seamus Heaney reads "Death of a Naturalist"

Background and context: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/09/27/anais-nin-reads-from-diary/

Anaïs Nin reads from her famous diary (1966)

Neil Gaiman reads from the only surviving "prompt copy" – Dickens's own performance script – of "A Christmas Carol." Background, context, and some curious factoids here: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/12/23/neil-gaiman-reads-charles-dickens-a-christmas-carol

Neil Gaiman reads Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol"

On Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The American Scholar” lecture (1837) and his essays “Self-Reliance” and “Circles” (1841).

How should we live? Emerson thinks that conformity, which includes most of what passes for ethics, jobs, and scholarship, makes us less than truly human. Be true to yourself! But since we’re all ever-changing, that’s a moving target, right? But Emerson thinks that when you get really truly honest about what you think and feel, it turns out that you’ve tapped into something universal, something beyond just you, something eternal.

But don’t expect Emerson to really explain that part; the upshot of these essays is primarily social, not religious, much less metaphysical. Trust yourself, stop bullshitting, stop living according to others’ expectations! Mark, Wes, and Dylan argue over whether this is tired cliche or acutely perceptive, and whether Emerson’s poetic language provides helps or distracts.

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Emerson on Wisdom

Sylvia Plath reads her poem "The Disquieting Muses" – background and full text here: http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/10/27/sylvia-plath-reads-the-disquieting-muses-bbc/

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The Disquieting Muses

On Anarchy, State & Utopia (1974), ch. 1-3 and 7.

What moral limits should we put on government power? Nozick thinks that the only legitimate functions of government are protection and enforcement of contracts. Contra Rawls, Nozick’s “entitlement” version of justice doesn’t look at income inequality or any other pattern of holdings, but only at whether holdings were legitimately obtained, e.g. through purchase, gift, inheritance, reparation, or taking something unclaimed. Of course, since our current distribution of wealth has its historical roots deep in war and pillaging… Hey, never mind that, says Nozick!

The full foursome are joined by Slate‘s Stephen Metcalf. Read more about the topic and get the book, and also listen to Seth’s introduction.

End song: “Samuel” by Geoff Esty (with singing by Mark), revamped from the 1994 album Happy Songs Will Bring You Down by The MayTricks. Make sure to listen to Seth’s precognition.

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Nozick on Libertarianism

A floundering freshman goes on a killing spree.

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The Assassin Down The Hall

Excerpt from Orwell's fantastic 1946 essay outlining his 11 "golden" rules of tea perfection: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/05/14/george-orwell-a-nice-cup-of-tea/

TRANSCRIPT / DETAILS

George Orwell on how to make the perfect cup of tea

Broadcast on BBC Radio Leeds, Weds June 12, 2013, superannuated theatre and film veteran Dora Dale discusses her life, and chooses some of her favourite tunes

Words

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