helbonikster's recent activity
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
helbonikster Link ParentHmmtrilogy...fifth book
Hmm
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Comment on Are today’s young readers turning on The Catcher in the Rye? in ~books
helbonikster LinkWhen I read this at 17, admittedly I was young, white, and male, but what I related to on a deep and profound level wasn’t his affluent surroundings, it was his feelings. The emotions so...Though young people today are more carefully watched, they’re also looking out at the adult world and seeing very clearly that it has gone absolutely mad. How can one get all worked up about some “phony” classmate or a brother who sold out to Hollywood (is selling out even a thing any more?) when earlier that morning you did an active shooter drill in homeroom?
Electric Literature gave this explanation of The Catcher in the Rye’s datedness: “If you’re a white, relatively affluent, permanently grouchy young man with no real problems at all, it’s extraordinarily relatable. The problem comes when you’re not. Where’s The Catcher in the Rye for the majority of readers who are too non-young, non-white, and non-male to be able to stand listening to Holden Caulfield feel sorry for himself?”
When I read this at 17, admittedly I was young, white, and male, but what I related to on a deep and profound level wasn’t his affluent surroundings, it was his feelings. The emotions so eloquently expressed by J.D. Salinger through Holden Caulfield, felt like he had plucked them directly from my mind, which brings me to:
I’m closer now to 40 than to 17. I no longer read to find friends in literature – I read for the writing. So when I recently read the book for the fourth time, I saw something brand new and I think closer to what Salinger intended: a perfectly written portrait of an imperfect character. Every syllable sings. Much of what I saw in this fourth reading, I had completely missed before.
Which puts Catcher in a bit of a Catch-22. Kids who are reading to fall in love with a book no longer relate to Holden, and adult readers who appreciate the craftsmanship are too old to be struck by it emotionally.
So, here’s my proposal to readers coming to The Catcher in the Rye for the first time now: read it as early as possible in your life. Read it alongside Ralph Ellison, Sylvia Plath, James Baldwin, Junot Díaz, Toni Morrison, André Aciman and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Hate it if you must. Rail against Holden. Call him a spoiled brat. When it comes to all the money and opportunity he squanders, he is! Let 20 years pass. Let the world wash over you, then read it again. You might see Holden for who he really is. Not a stand-in for every single teenager that ever walked the Earth, but a lonely individual who finds the injustices of the world intolerable.
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Are today’s young readers turning on The Catcher in the Rye?
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Comment on Setting aside the musical content (if you can), what are the best music videos you know? in ~music
helbonikster Link ParentYes! I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’ve always loved that intro, and all the music from the show. Such a cool noir feeling. Can’t wait for the third, and sadly, final season tomorrowYes! I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’ve always loved that intro, and all the music from the show.
Such a cool noir feeling.
Can’t wait for the third, and sadly, final season tomorrow
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McHive, the world’s smallest McDonalds (for bees)
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Comment on What is the size of your smartphone? in ~tech
helbonikster Link ParentI had an iPhone 5s for the longest time, which has the same form factor. I too, thought it was the perfect size. I held out for a long time before upgrading. I now have an iPhone X, which, while...I had an iPhone SE up until recently, which I thought was the perfect size.
I had an iPhone 5s for the longest time, which has the same form factor. I too, thought it was the perfect size. I held out for a long time before upgrading. I now have an iPhone X, which, while not necessarily too big, I sometimes struggle to reach the entire screen with one hand; and I have larger than average hands. All in all, I’m happy with it, but the bulk in the pocket -especially with a case- is a bit more than I’d like. I wish they would release a new premium iPhone with that old 5/SE form factor.
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Lori Loughlin feels wronged in college admissions scandal
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~games
helbonikster LinkI have played Hearthstone super casually since open beta. I play pretty much every day, but I don’t worry about climbing the ladder or anything. I usually just play a few ranked games a day to...I have played Hearthstone super casually since open beta. I play pretty much every day, but I don’t worry about climbing the ladder or anything. I usually just play a few ranked games a day to complete the daily, and I always make sure to get at least one win in tavern brawl per week to get the reward. I almost always end the season somewhere between rank 15-18. Hit me up if you would like to add me as a friend for questing purposes.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? #18 in ~books
helbonikster Link ParentI read Ghost in the Wires, which was essentially Kevin Mitnick's autobiography, at least as it relates to the first half of his life as the most wanted hacker and eventual freedom. Fascinating stuff.I read Ghost in the Wires, which was essentially Kevin Mitnick's autobiography, at least as it relates to the first half of his life as the most wanted hacker and eventual freedom. Fascinating stuff.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? #18 in ~books
helbonikster Link ParentInteresting. I wonder if it has anything to do with the translations. The first and third books were translated by Ken Liu, while the second was translated by Joel Martinson. Did you notice a...Interesting. I wonder if it has anything to do with the translations. The first and third books were translated by Ken Liu, while the second was translated by Joel Martinson. Did you notice a distinct style change in book two?
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Comment on What are you reading these days? #18 in ~books
helbonikster LinkI mentioned this in the last one, but I'm currently reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I'm just over 50% through it, and I'm absolutely loving it. In super simplistic terms, it's about a...I mentioned this in the last one, but I'm currently reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I'm just over 50% through it, and I'm absolutely loving it. In super simplistic terms, it's about a ragtag group of misfits coming together to pull off an impossible heist. It's book one in a duology, set in the Grishaverse, an ever expanding universe of stories which I'm already looking forward to delving into. I feel like I'm just taking the first bite of a delicious and lavish meal, and I can't wait to gorge myself.
Other reads in the past month:
Warcross by Marie Lu: The story was semi-compelling, but the plot felt way too rushed. Book one in a trilogy. The second book, Wildcard, is currently out, but I don't feel super compelled to continue the series. I may get back to it if I run out of higher-priority books. 3.5 stars.
The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin: I had been hearing some buzz around this book for a while, so when I saw it in one of my favorite indie bookstores last fall, I figured I'd give it a shot. I really knew next to nothing about it other than it was Chinese sci-fi, set against the backdrop of the cultural revolution, and had been translated into English by Ken Liu, a renowned sci-fi author in his own right. I literally had no expectations for this book, but I ended up enjoying it immensely. The other two books are definitely in my tbr list now. 4.5 stars.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
helbonikster Link ParentWhy no Animals? (My personal favorite)Why no Animals? (My personal favorite)
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Comment on What are you reading these days? #17 in ~books
helbonikster LinkI’ve just started Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. It’s book one in a duology. I’m only two chapters in, but I’m already in love with her writing style.I’ve just started Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. It’s book one in a duology.
I’m only two chapters in, but I’m already in love with her writing style.
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Comment on The best album ever in ~music
helbonikster Link ParentI actually think Animals is better. IMO it has all the thematic presence of The Wall, without any of the “filler”. Also, it places the emphasis on the music rather than the narrative, which I prefer.I actually think Animals is better. IMO it has all the thematic presence of The Wall, without any of the “filler”. Also, it places the emphasis on the music rather than the narrative, which I prefer.
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Comment on The big hack: How China used a tiny chip to infiltrate US companies in ~tech
helbonikster LinkI can’t believe any of the companies (Apple, Amazon), and especially the 3-letter agencies wouldn’t quarantine these servers on arrival and do a complete forensic analysis before implementing them...I can’t believe any of the companies (Apple, Amazon), and especially the 3-letter agencies wouldn’t quarantine these servers on arrival and do a complete forensic analysis before implementing them into their architecture.
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Comment on ‘The trauma for a man’: American male fury and fear rises in GOP in defense of Brett Kavanaugh in ~life.men
helbonikster Link ParentSomehow I’ve missed this. Do you have a source?- A nominee to the Supreme Court who openly threatened political payback for these accusations.
Somehow I’ve missed this. Do you have a source?
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Comment on ‘The trauma for a man’: American male fury and fear rises in GOP in defense of Brett Kavanaugh in ~life.men
helbonikster (edited )Link ParentI am a white American male. I don’t feel unfairly treated by the Washington Post, or anyone else for that matter. I think the people who feel that Brett Kavanaugh and the GOP in general are being...I am a white American male. I don’t feel unfairly treated by the Washington Post, or anyone else for that matter. I think the people who feel that Brett Kavanaugh and the GOP in general are being unfairly treated, are the people who either can’t, or won’t adapt to the changing times.
The “good old days “ of the Republican Party are drawing to an end , and the rage on the part of these “old white men” is largely due to the fact that they are now being held accountable by an increasingly powerful base of women and minorities.
Perhaps it is unfair that “boys will be boys” behavior which occurred decades ago is coming back to haunt them, but that is the way it is now. The lessons young men are learning today from the old mistakes of their elders will make them better people. There are sure to be some victims caught in the crossfire, but this is a sea change that needs to occur.
As an aside, another reason why the press and, honestly most people, are so critical of Kavanaugh, is the way he’s behaving. He certainly does not have the temperament to hold a seat on the highest court in the land. Then again, neither does Trump with the presidency, but that’s an argument for another time.
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Comment on What are your plans for the best holiday of the year, Halloween? in ~talk
helbonikster Link ParentCan I ask what country this is?Can I ask what country this is?
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Comment on What are you reading this week? #3 in ~books
helbonikster LinkI’ve just cracked open The Innovators by Walter Isaacson. I enjoyed his Steve Jobs biography, and I’m a tech oriented person, so this seems like it’s right up my alley. It’s a bit lengthy, and I’m...I’ve just cracked open The Innovators by Walter Isaacson. I enjoyed his Steve Jobs biography, and I’m a tech oriented person, so this seems like it’s right up my alley. It’s a bit lengthy, and I’m kind of a slow reader so I’ll probably be reading it for awhile.
I was confused as to how you could be on the fifth book of a trilogy. A trilogy implies 3 books.