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دیدن در تاریکی: خودمان را از میان احوالِ تیرهما� ببینیم و بشناسیم
تلخکامی‌های� مثل سوگ، اضطراب و افسردگی شاید زیر نورِ فلسفه‌ها� کهن غربی غیرعقلانی به نظر بیایند و در نگاه روان‌شناس� مدرن اختلال ذهنی محسوب شوند. صنعت خودیاری هم عزم کرده تا نوید آیندۀ بهتر را به ما بفروشد و از اینکه شکرگزارتر، خشنودتر یا خوش‌بین‌ت� نیستیم خجالتمان بدهد. اما دیدن در تاریکی دعوتمان می‌کن� رویکردی متفاوت به زیستن برگزینیم، رویکردی که در آن دیگر به احوال بد و تیرهما� احساس ناخوشایندی نداریم.
ماریانا الِساندری، فیلسوف اگزیستانسیالیست، در این کتاب با الهام از زندگی جمعی از فلاسفه� و نویسندگان می‌کوش� نشانمان بدهد رنجمان به معنای معیوب‌بود� نیست، بلکه از لطافت، حساسیت و هوشمندی‌‌ما� حکایت دارد. متفکرانی همچون آدری لرد، ماریا لوگونز، میگل د اونامونو، سی. اس. لوئیس، گلوریا آنزالدوا و کی‌یرکگو� آن‌قد� در خشم� و اندوه و اضطرابشان ماندند و تاب آوردند که چشمشان به تاریکی عادت کرد. الساندری برایمان می‌گوی� چطور خواننده‌ها� این کتاب هم می‌توانن� «دیدن در تاریکی» را در خود بپرورانند.
دیدن در تاریکی نشانمان میده� که وقتی یاد بگیریم تاریکی را بپذیریم، رفته‌رفت� خودمان و تلخکامی‌هایما� را شریف، محترم و آشکارا بَشَروار خواهیم دید.
دیدن در تاریکی نوشداروی ضروری و لازمی� است برای مثبت‌اندیشی� سمی و افسارگسیخته. این کتاب برای کسانی است که در اضطراب از اطرافیانشان می‌شنون� آرام باش، به‌وق� افسردگی بهشان می‌گوین� غصه نخور و در سوگ می‌شنون� قدردان باش و مثبت فکر کن. این کتاب مُهر تأییدی است بر اینکه چنین احساساتی به این معنا نیستند که اشتباه می‌کنی� یا مشکل دارید _ بلکه، در یک کلام، یعنی انسانید.
(جولی ک. نورِم، نویسندۀ قدرت مثبتِ تفکر منفی)
ماریانا الِساندری، فیلسوف اگزیستانسیالیست، در این کتاب با الهام از زندگی جمعی از فلاسفه� و نویسندگان می‌کوش� نشانمان بدهد رنجمان به معنای معیوب‌بود� نیست، بلکه از لطافت، حساسیت و هوشمندی‌‌ما� حکایت دارد. متفکرانی همچون آدری لرد، ماریا لوگونز، میگل د اونامونو، سی. اس. لوئیس، گلوریا آنزالدوا و کی‌یرکگو� آن‌قد� در خشم� و اندوه و اضطرابشان ماندند و تاب آوردند که چشمشان به تاریکی عادت کرد. الساندری برایمان می‌گوی� چطور خواننده‌ها� این کتاب هم می‌توانن� «دیدن در تاریکی» را در خود بپرورانند.
دیدن در تاریکی نشانمان میده� که وقتی یاد بگیریم تاریکی را بپذیریم، رفته‌رفت� خودمان و تلخکامی‌هایما� را شریف، محترم و آشکارا بَشَروار خواهیم دید.
دیدن در تاریکی نوشداروی ضروری و لازمی� است برای مثبت‌اندیشی� سمی و افسارگسیخته. این کتاب برای کسانی است که در اضطراب از اطرافیانشان می‌شنون� آرام باش، به‌وق� افسردگی بهشان می‌گوین� غصه نخور و در سوگ می‌شنون� قدردان باش و مثبت فکر کن. این کتاب مُهر تأییدی است بر اینکه چنین احساساتی به این معنا نیستند که اشتباه می‌کنی� یا مشکل دارید _ بلکه، در یک کلام، یعنی انسانید.
(جولی ک. نورِم، نویسندۀ قدرت مثبتِ تفکر منفی)
251 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2024
122 people are currently reading
2,063 people want to read
About the author
Mariana Alessandri
2books23followersDra. Alessandri is a teacher, philosopher, accidental activist, and mother, but si pudiera ser superheroe, her cape would read: “Defender of Dark Moods.� You can find her at mariana.alessandri.com and you can find her nonprofit at rgvpuede.org
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October 12, 2024
" سوالات محوری‌ا� که در این کتاب بدان‌ه� می‌پرداز� از این قرارند: از کجا معلوم است که حقیقت، خوبی و زیبایی فقط در روشنایی است شاید در تاریکی هم باشد؟ از کجا معلوم باور داشتن به غیر از آن یک اشتباه بزرگ نبوده باشد؟ "
آنچه که خانم الساندری استاد فلسفه ساکن آمریکا در این کتاب در موردش صحبت می‌کن� در واقع یک تلنگر و تغییر طرز فکر ما نسبت به حالات تاریک روحیمون مثل غم و اندوه و اضطراب و خشم است. او معتقده انسان امروزی در سیطره� مثبت اندیشی سمی و کتابهای فراوان و پر فروش این حوزه قرار گرفته و ذهن ما با جملات مثبت بی ارزشی پر شده.اصلا کی گفته این حالات ما بده؟ ما باید بریم به سمت شناختن این حالات و اونها رو مدیریت کنیم...طبعا شناخت بیشتر به ما در این زمینه کمک می‌کن�..نیازی نیست این تاریکی‌ه� رو بد ببینیم، بلکه باید بشناسیمشون. صد البته که نیازی هم نیست این حالات تاریک رو ستایش کنیم .جمیع این مباحث منجر به این میشه که در تاریکی بهتر ببینیم به جای اینکه از همون اول دنبال روشنایی باشیم و تاریکی رو بد بدونیم.
او در ارائه مطالب فصول مختلف کتاب از نظرات خودش و سایرینی مثل آدری لرد، گلوریا آنزالدوا و کی‌ی� کگور استفاده کرده و منظور و مقصود خودش رو به مخاطب ارائه داده. چه زمانی که از خودش حرف زده، مثل تجربیات خشمی که زمان نوشتن این کتاب که مصادف شده با دوران کووید باهاش دچار بوده و چه زمانی که از سایر فیلسوفان و اساتید داره حرف می‌زنه� حس هم‌دل� بسیار خوبی با من مخاطب ایجاد کرد و این یکی از نکاتی بود که من خیلی دوست داشتم. طرح مباحثی باورپذیر و واقعی با بیانی ساده.
خیلی واضح از همون مقدمه نویسنده تکلیفش رو با مثبت اندیشی سمی اوج گرفته در این سال‌ه� روشن می‌کن� و به وضوح میگه این بینایی در تاریکی که به دنبال توضیح دادنشه، مساله ایست مقابل اون. او همچنین از فلاسفه رم و یونان باستان و به ویژه رواقیون هم زیاد انتقاد میکنه و مرتبط با موضوع هر فصل، ابتدا عقاید و دیدگاه اونها رو در مورد موضوع مد نظر میگه، سپس عیب اون دیدگاه رو بررسی میکنه و در نهایت میرسه به بینایی در تاریکی که راه و مسیری متفاوت با نظرات ارائه شده رواقی گری است.این شکل کلی در واقع ساختار هر فصل کتاب رو تشکیل میده.
چند ماه پیش کتاب " فلسفه ای برای زندگی : رواقی زیستن در زندگی امروزی " آقای ویلیام اروین، منتشر شده توسط نشر گمان رو خوندم که در مورد رواقی گری و نظراتشون بود. به نظرم اگر اون کتاب رو خوندید، خوندن کتاب " بینایی در تاریکی " میتونه گزینه جالب و مناسبی باشه. چون عقاید و نظرات خانم الساندری در موضوعاتی که تو کتاب در موردشون حرف زده متفاوت با رواقی گری است و میتونه یک قیاس بین این دو کتاب رو برای مخاطب داشته باشه.من مطالعات فلسفوی بسیار اندکی داشتم ولی اگر بخوام راه و روشی رو انتخاب کنم بین رواشناسی مثبت و سمی امروزه و از طرفی رواقی گری و از طرفی حرفهای خانم الساندری، گزینه سوم رو برای کنار اومدن با مشکلات و مصائب و حالات تاریکی که باهاش دچار میشم، بهتر، کاربردی‌ت� و منطقی تر میدونم.. از اونجایی که با مطالب کتاب فلسفه ای برای زندگی زیاد کنار نیومدم و دوست نداشتم و از همه مهمتر غیرکاربردی دونستم، این کتاب خانم الساندری بهم چسبید و دوستش داشتم.
این کتاب همزمان توسط نشر چشمه و بیدگل منتشر شد. من با ترجمه آقای هاشمی و نشر چشمه خوندم و از ترجمه راضی بودم.اگر قصد خرید این کتاب رو داشتید، حتما بین دو ترجمه مقایسه انجام بدین و ترجمه مورد پسندتون رو انتخاب کنید.
آنچه که خانم الساندری استاد فلسفه ساکن آمریکا در این کتاب در موردش صحبت می‌کن� در واقع یک تلنگر و تغییر طرز فکر ما نسبت به حالات تاریک روحیمون مثل غم و اندوه و اضطراب و خشم است. او معتقده انسان امروزی در سیطره� مثبت اندیشی سمی و کتابهای فراوان و پر فروش این حوزه قرار گرفته و ذهن ما با جملات مثبت بی ارزشی پر شده.اصلا کی گفته این حالات ما بده؟ ما باید بریم به سمت شناختن این حالات و اونها رو مدیریت کنیم...طبعا شناخت بیشتر به ما در این زمینه کمک می‌کن�..نیازی نیست این تاریکی‌ه� رو بد ببینیم، بلکه باید بشناسیمشون. صد البته که نیازی هم نیست این حالات تاریک رو ستایش کنیم .جمیع این مباحث منجر به این میشه که در تاریکی بهتر ببینیم به جای اینکه از همون اول دنبال روشنایی باشیم و تاریکی رو بد بدونیم.
او در ارائه مطالب فصول مختلف کتاب از نظرات خودش و سایرینی مثل آدری لرد، گلوریا آنزالدوا و کی‌ی� کگور استفاده کرده و منظور و مقصود خودش رو به مخاطب ارائه داده. چه زمانی که از خودش حرف زده، مثل تجربیات خشمی که زمان نوشتن این کتاب که مصادف شده با دوران کووید باهاش دچار بوده و چه زمانی که از سایر فیلسوفان و اساتید داره حرف می‌زنه� حس هم‌دل� بسیار خوبی با من مخاطب ایجاد کرد و این یکی از نکاتی بود که من خیلی دوست داشتم. طرح مباحثی باورپذیر و واقعی با بیانی ساده.
خیلی واضح از همون مقدمه نویسنده تکلیفش رو با مثبت اندیشی سمی اوج گرفته در این سال‌ه� روشن می‌کن� و به وضوح میگه این بینایی در تاریکی که به دنبال توضیح دادنشه، مساله ایست مقابل اون. او همچنین از فلاسفه رم و یونان باستان و به ویژه رواقیون هم زیاد انتقاد میکنه و مرتبط با موضوع هر فصل، ابتدا عقاید و دیدگاه اونها رو در مورد موضوع مد نظر میگه، سپس عیب اون دیدگاه رو بررسی میکنه و در نهایت میرسه به بینایی در تاریکی که راه و مسیری متفاوت با نظرات ارائه شده رواقی گری است.این شکل کلی در واقع ساختار هر فصل کتاب رو تشکیل میده.
چند ماه پیش کتاب " فلسفه ای برای زندگی : رواقی زیستن در زندگی امروزی " آقای ویلیام اروین، منتشر شده توسط نشر گمان رو خوندم که در مورد رواقی گری و نظراتشون بود. به نظرم اگر اون کتاب رو خوندید، خوندن کتاب " بینایی در تاریکی " میتونه گزینه جالب و مناسبی باشه. چون عقاید و نظرات خانم الساندری در موضوعاتی که تو کتاب در موردشون حرف زده متفاوت با رواقی گری است و میتونه یک قیاس بین این دو کتاب رو برای مخاطب داشته باشه.من مطالعات فلسفوی بسیار اندکی داشتم ولی اگر بخوام راه و روشی رو انتخاب کنم بین رواشناسی مثبت و سمی امروزه و از طرفی رواقی گری و از طرفی حرفهای خانم الساندری، گزینه سوم رو برای کنار اومدن با مشکلات و مصائب و حالات تاریکی که باهاش دچار میشم، بهتر، کاربردی‌ت� و منطقی تر میدونم.. از اونجایی که با مطالب کتاب فلسفه ای برای زندگی زیاد کنار نیومدم و دوست نداشتم و از همه مهمتر غیرکاربردی دونستم، این کتاب خانم الساندری بهم چسبید و دوستش داشتم.
این کتاب همزمان توسط نشر چشمه و بیدگل منتشر شد. من با ترجمه آقای هاشمی و نشر چشمه خوندم و از ترجمه راضی بودم.اگر قصد خرید این کتاب رو داشتید، حتما بین دو ترجمه مقایسه انجام بدین و ترجمه مورد پسندتون رو انتخاب کنید.
October 8, 2024
پذیرفتن حقیقت خشم
تو این قسمت نویسنده بر خلاف تصور عموم میگه خشم هم مثل بقیه احساسات لازمه و باعث میشه حرفون رو دقیق‌ت� بزنیم و اگه معتقد باشیم خشم همواره زشت، بی‌منط� و دیوانه‌وار� یکی از ابزارهای اصلیمون رو برای به دست آوردن عدالت از دست می‌دی� و خیلی از دستاوردهای انسانِ امروز حاصل خشم انسان‌ها� قبلیه.
بروز خشمی که کتابی گفته برای من که تموم زندگیم با آموزه‌های� مشابه کنترل خشم سر و کار داشتم، طبعاً خیلی ملموس نیست اما همچنان نگاه به خشم/ظلمت از زاویه دید کاملا متفاوت، دید گسترده‌تر� به من میده.
رنج میکشم پس هستم
عشق یعنی شنیدن بدون اینکه اطمینان بدهیم درست می‌شو� یا حرف های انگیزشی بزنیم.
اینجا منظور از رنج واژه� اسپانیایی دولور به معنی درد جسمی و هم‌خانواده‌ها� احساسی آن مثل سوگ، اندوه، دل‌آشوب� و افسردگیه.
درک دولور برای خودمون اهمیت داره و این رو از دیدگاه فیلسوف ها بررسی میکنه اما قسمت جالب این بخش برای من اهمیت دولور برای ارتباطات بود
نویسنده میگه نه فقط برای خودمون بلکه به خاطر بقیه هم باید دیدن در تاریکی را بیاموزیم.
قراره دولور دیگران رو درک کنیم چرا که درک دولور ریسمان ارتباطی قوی‌تر� ایجاد میکنه� پس باید تو تاریکی بشینیم و چشمامون رو به تاریکی عادت بدیم.
سوگواری بی‌هی� تعارفی
وقتی سوگواریم اگه با سوگ سریع کنار بیایم و بتونیم به روتین زندگی برگردیم بقیه رو میتونیم تحت تاثیر قرار بدیم و به نظر می‌رس� سوگواری درخوری داریم اما چرا؟
احتمالا اگه زودتر سوگمون به پایان برسه کمتر اطرافیان رو معذب میکنیم اما کتاب میگه سوگ هم مثل همه احوالات دردناک چیزیه که باید کنارش نشست و دیدن در تاریکی رو یاد بگیریم.
الساندری تو پاراگراف آخر این فصل نوشته: بلند بلند سوگواری کردن دیگر نشان ناتوانی از تسلط بر اوضاع نیست بلکه راهی درخور می‌شو� که انسان ها به یاری‌ا� در عین کلنجار با زیستن، انسانیتشان را نشان دهند.
رنگی تازه به افسردگی زدن
این بخش بدون تعریف و تمجید از افسردگی توجهش رو میذاره روی نگاه جدیدی که افسردگی میتونه به ما بده اما در عین حال همونطور که آدمی دیابت رو دوست نداره ملزم به دوست داشتن افسردگی نیست/ اما باهاش زندگی میکنه� لازمه بدونیم زندگی کردن آدمی که افسردگی داره چجوریه.
اضطراب هر چقدر هم بی رحم از ما انسانی واقعی میسازد
انسانی هراسان در عین حال دلیر، زخم خورده اما سراپا و هوشیاری
و به صورت کلی تر
کتاب قسمت های زیادی داشت که خیلی جهت فکریم همسو باهاش نبود اما دید جدید و تقریبا منطقیش واسم جالب بود و دوستش داشتم و الان که چند روزی از تموم شدن کتاب میگذره و بهش فکر میکنم میبینم نگاه کردن و دیدن در تاریکی می‌تون� گاهی قشنگ باشه.
May 17, 2023
im no philosopher and im frankly not even a little bit literate on philosophical concepts, but this book was great. this isnt a self help book, the author makes no grand, "this is how you fix your life" statements. in fact she actively writes against the idea of fixing anything about yourself. she proposes that there is nothing to fix about yourself, especially if the feeling in need of "fixing" is darkness. she suggests a society where darkness (sadness, anxiety, grief, depression, etc.) is not seen as the opposite of joy, is not looked down upon, and is expressed openly without creating discomfort in others. she puts words to the concept of toxic positivity, and urges us to stop bright-side thinking. she suggests that those who tell us we will 'feel better soon' actually do not see us at all, don't know what they're talking about, and are only hurting us further by making us feel ashamed of our darkness. she explains that moments of intense darkness--feelings of complete despair or similar--are actually moments for us to bare our hearts to the people we love, and those loved people can accept our despair and sit in it with us in order to truly know us.
this was a great book. much to think about. the first thing i must do is apologize to myself for ever feeling ashamed of my darkness.
this was a great book. much to think about. the first thing i must do is apologize to myself for ever feeling ashamed of my darkness.
May 23, 2023
This book shook me. I am totally someone who bought into the Light Metaphor (that we should always be trying to go towards the light, as opposed to stay in the dark) and I’m already noticing the micro ways that impacts my perspective. I think the philosophy angle of this book was just utterly fascinating and something I’m really not super familiar with. Just loved the writing of the book and was so impressed at how accessible it was, while also bringing in really deep themes and information. Highlyyyyy recommend this book!
February 17, 2024
Potentially interesting concept, too superficial and repetitive in execution unfortunately
April 27, 2024
THE SHORT
An interesting premise: I had expected the “seeing ourselves through dark moods� to be insightful and helpful.
I understand the book’s basic message that being positive is not the answer to everything and denying negative or darker thoughts is damaging.
This book felt to be an oversimplification of the dark/light story without really offering any constructive advice, often referring to ancient philosophy with no mention of modern scientific research.
In summary, a long-winded (at times rambling) and repetitive book with few real insights, unfortunately.
�
T H E � L O N G
An interesting premise: I had expected the “seeing ourselves through dark moods� to be insightful and helpful.
The first chapter was quite a ramble: ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, racism, sexism, name dropping, lockdown, bringing up children � and with so much repetition, I wondered if the chapter was ever going to end. (I was also curious why “Black women� was capitalised but “white women� wasn’t � can someone explain this?)
In the second chapter the author discusses the potentially damaging problems of positive thinking, denying your pain, and keeping your negative feelings to yourself so as not to bother others with them. But it feels very polarised: as if the author has never had the possibility to talk about her problems. Again, this chapter is overly long due to the author chewing the cud over and over.
The chapter on mourning instantly made me feel the author was cherry picking: why not mention el día de los muertos or how mourning has been dealt with over the centuries? Surely wearing black and accepting the “dolor� for a period of time supports the author’s arguments. Frustrating also are the author’s interpretations, of the kind “when a person says A what they mean is B� � really?
In the fourth chapter the author begins by talking about being left-handed as a weak analogy to having depression, going on to simplify Solomon’s opinion on antidepressants and an interesting but long description of Anzaldúa’s life � but where is this taking us?
The tiring light/dark analogy (with a splash of sexism and racism) ends up falling apart: using the light of the moon to illuminate the night � and what about when there is no moon? or when the moon is out during the day? and surely moonlight is still light!
On anxiety, the author (mis)interprets CBT to support the theory that anxiety = broken, eventually sticking the “Stoic/CBT story� together as if they were exactly the same thing. This constant oversimplification and misinterpretation makes me doubt the whole book. Also, the persistent references to ancient Greek philosophers make the book feel more like a history than a modern insight � where are the references to modern scientific research?
Briefly mentioning bulimia (but possibly meaning anorexia?) to point out the dubious suggestion that CBT puts the blame and shame on the self, made me want to give up reading.
The chapter continues with a look at Kierkegaard’s life: similar to the previous chapter, although this may be interesting, it seems to be more of a diversion. Just as comparing the words “angest� (Danish for anxiety) with “ansioso� (Spanish for anxious or eager) with “anxiety� (ansiedad in Spanish) but without talking about “anxious� (which can have both positive and negative connotations) adds nothing to the discussion.
☯️
Knowing what it is like to be plunged into dark, negative thought patterns and how processing these can be useful, I also know that wallowing in them is highly destructive and debilitating –the quagmire is that it is hard to admire the marshland when you are sinking in the swamps.
It seems the author believes therapy is all about casting off negative thoughts and throwing them as far away as possible. But in reality, therapy is about showing someone how extricate themself from the mire so they can see where they are: comforting the dark wolf, not starving it.
I understand the book’s basic message that being positive is not the answer to everything and denying negative or darker thoughts is damaging. Nevertheless, the book felt to be an oversimplification of the dark/light story without really offering any constructive advice.
In summary, a long-winded (at times rambling) and repetitive book with few real insights, unfortunately.
�
An interesting premise: I had expected the “seeing ourselves through dark moods� to be insightful and helpful.
I understand the book’s basic message that being positive is not the answer to everything and denying negative or darker thoughts is damaging.
This book felt to be an oversimplification of the dark/light story without really offering any constructive advice, often referring to ancient philosophy with no mention of modern scientific research.
In summary, a long-winded (at times rambling) and repetitive book with few real insights, unfortunately.
�
T H E � L O N G
An interesting premise: I had expected the “seeing ourselves through dark moods� to be insightful and helpful.
The first chapter was quite a ramble: ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, racism, sexism, name dropping, lockdown, bringing up children � and with so much repetition, I wondered if the chapter was ever going to end. (I was also curious why “Black women� was capitalised but “white women� wasn’t � can someone explain this?)
In the second chapter the author discusses the potentially damaging problems of positive thinking, denying your pain, and keeping your negative feelings to yourself so as not to bother others with them. But it feels very polarised: as if the author has never had the possibility to talk about her problems. Again, this chapter is overly long due to the author chewing the cud over and over.
The chapter on mourning instantly made me feel the author was cherry picking: why not mention el día de los muertos or how mourning has been dealt with over the centuries? Surely wearing black and accepting the “dolor� for a period of time supports the author’s arguments. Frustrating also are the author’s interpretations, of the kind “when a person says A what they mean is B� � really?
In the fourth chapter the author begins by talking about being left-handed as a weak analogy to having depression, going on to simplify Solomon’s opinion on antidepressants and an interesting but long description of Anzaldúa’s life � but where is this taking us?
The tiring light/dark analogy (with a splash of sexism and racism) ends up falling apart: using the light of the moon to illuminate the night � and what about when there is no moon? or when the moon is out during the day? and surely moonlight is still light!
On anxiety, the author (mis)interprets CBT to support the theory that anxiety = broken, eventually sticking the “Stoic/CBT story� together as if they were exactly the same thing. This constant oversimplification and misinterpretation makes me doubt the whole book. Also, the persistent references to ancient Greek philosophers make the book feel more like a history than a modern insight � where are the references to modern scientific research?
Briefly mentioning bulimia (but possibly meaning anorexia?) to point out the dubious suggestion that CBT puts the blame and shame on the self, made me want to give up reading.
The chapter continues with a look at Kierkegaard’s life: similar to the previous chapter, although this may be interesting, it seems to be more of a diversion. Just as comparing the words “angest� (Danish for anxiety) with “ansioso� (Spanish for anxious or eager) with “anxiety� (ansiedad in Spanish) but without talking about “anxious� (which can have both positive and negative connotations) adds nothing to the discussion.
☯️
Knowing what it is like to be plunged into dark, negative thought patterns and how processing these can be useful, I also know that wallowing in them is highly destructive and debilitating –the quagmire is that it is hard to admire the marshland when you are sinking in the swamps.
It seems the author believes therapy is all about casting off negative thoughts and throwing them as far away as possible. But in reality, therapy is about showing someone how extricate themself from the mire so they can see where they are: comforting the dark wolf, not starving it.
I understand the book’s basic message that being positive is not the answer to everything and denying negative or darker thoughts is damaging. Nevertheless, the book felt to be an oversimplification of the dark/light story without really offering any constructive advice.
In summary, a long-winded (at times rambling) and repetitive book with few real insights, unfortunately.
�
February 11, 2024
I liked the agenda of this book. I just didn’t think it was a great book.
January 19, 2025
Great book. Such a cool new way of thinking about depression and anxiety. Loved the Philosophy aspect. Written by a woman of colour philosopher so super interesting take on how we look at things. Also incorporated some Spanish elements and ideologies which was interesting to learn about.
May 31, 2023
This book gave me new ways to see dark moods like anger, anxiety, and depression. Don’t be afraid of a book that tackles such heavy subjects because the writing is very relatable. You’ll be convinced by the end that these moods are part of what makes us human. Recommended for anyone who wants to raise their emotional intelligence (EQ) and learn about themselves, others, and philosophy along the way.
September 30, 2024
Update on reread:
I actually finished this for the second time a week and a half ago but I forgot to update here until seeing it as I started cleaning up my “currently reading� shelf. I feel just as strongly about this exceptional book as I did the first time around. I loved having the opportunity to do a deep dive study of it with my book club, which only enhanced the reread experience and allowed me to get to know my fellow book club members more intimately. We also had the author join us via Zoom for one of our meetings and that was amazing. She was so down to earth and interesting to listen to. I will read anything she publishes in the future!
Original review:
Don’t you love it when you start a book and find it’s really speaking your language?
So much of Night Vision covered beliefs I have already embraced, and have often advocated for, although they are only received favorably by a select few. That’s okay. That doesn’t change what I’ve already observed, nor does it alter the ways my understanding of these concepts have positively affected my mental health. But already believing in all of this doesn’t mean I didn’t learn from Mariana Alessandri’s book. She brilliantly expounded upon my own understanding, increased my vocabulary by introducing me to terms that aptly suit these beliefs, and helped me better comprehend the roots of our toxic hindrances and (in her words) our emotionally anemic world. Her philosophies were both validating and educational, making this one of the most thought provoking books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Can you imagine a world where we stop shaming and silencing people for their dark moods; a world where we don’t promote putting on a brave face, choosing happiness, or any other form of toxic positivity that leads to the detrimental effects of grown ups playing make believe? I strongly believe it is the shame and silence that kills, not the darkness itself. I wonder what could be different if we accepted all emotions as valid and allowed people to express them, instead of only attaching dignity to the ones we like.
Read this book and really consider the possibility.
I actually finished this for the second time a week and a half ago but I forgot to update here until seeing it as I started cleaning up my “currently reading� shelf. I feel just as strongly about this exceptional book as I did the first time around. I loved having the opportunity to do a deep dive study of it with my book club, which only enhanced the reread experience and allowed me to get to know my fellow book club members more intimately. We also had the author join us via Zoom for one of our meetings and that was amazing. She was so down to earth and interesting to listen to. I will read anything she publishes in the future!
Original review:
Don’t you love it when you start a book and find it’s really speaking your language?
So much of Night Vision covered beliefs I have already embraced, and have often advocated for, although they are only received favorably by a select few. That’s okay. That doesn’t change what I’ve already observed, nor does it alter the ways my understanding of these concepts have positively affected my mental health. But already believing in all of this doesn’t mean I didn’t learn from Mariana Alessandri’s book. She brilliantly expounded upon my own understanding, increased my vocabulary by introducing me to terms that aptly suit these beliefs, and helped me better comprehend the roots of our toxic hindrances and (in her words) our emotionally anemic world. Her philosophies were both validating and educational, making this one of the most thought provoking books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Can you imagine a world where we stop shaming and silencing people for their dark moods; a world where we don’t promote putting on a brave face, choosing happiness, or any other form of toxic positivity that leads to the detrimental effects of grown ups playing make believe? I strongly believe it is the shame and silence that kills, not the darkness itself. I wonder what could be different if we accepted all emotions as valid and allowed people to express them, instead of only attaching dignity to the ones we like.
Read this book and really consider the possibility.
May 3, 2024
the next time i feel the desire to read philosophy i will instead break a bottle onto the concrete and chew on the glass like it’s bubblegum because that sounds far better than reading this book again.
July 17, 2024
Escuché a la autora en un podcast de Vox hace meses y desde entonces no había podido dejar de pensar en la idea de que realmente evitamos a toda costa sentirnos mal, cuando es algo tan humano (y que además no podemos controlar). Finalmente, pude leer su libro. Sí pienso que fue repetitivo y algo superficial. Quizás hubiera sido mejor utilizar un formato diferente, más corto. Sin embargo, la premisa del libro y la perspectiva que brinda frente a estos "dark moods" fue muy valiosa para mí. No solo con respecto a cómo percibir (y sentarme a escuchar) mis emociones difíciles, sino lo importante que puede ser acompañar (y no alegrar) a las personas que quiero en las suyas.
February 17, 2025
دیدن در تاریکی
سعی نکن احساسات منفی رو پاک کنی یا با جملات انگیزشی بپوشونی،بلکه باید در دل این تاریکی ها ببینیم بدون اینکه به زور نور بتابونی
خشم،رنج،سوگواری و افسردگی دشمن های ما نیستند بلکه بخش هایی از ما هستند که باید درکشون کنیم و از راهنمایی هاشون استفاده کنیم
باید دلورهامون رو ببینیم و حس شرمی که بابت این دلورها و این احساسات داریم رو کنار بزاریم
سعی نکن احساسات منفی رو پاک کنی یا با جملات انگیزشی بپوشونی،بلکه باید در دل این تاریکی ها ببینیم بدون اینکه به زور نور بتابونی
خشم،رنج،سوگواری و افسردگی دشمن های ما نیستند بلکه بخش هایی از ما هستند که باید درکشون کنیم و از راهنمایی هاشون استفاده کنیم
باید دلورهامون رو ببینیم و حس شرمی که بابت این دلورها و این احساسات داریم رو کنار بزاریم
September 2, 2024
This version feels more aligned with your style and intent. Here's the refined review:
Night Vision is a much-needed voice countering the toxic positivity that dominates our modern world. Alessandri masterfully challenges the relentless push to 'stay positive' by highlighting the inherent value of our darker emotions. As far as philosophy books go, I would be fine with recommending this to a friend who has never gone near a philosophy book. It is accessible yet incredibly powerful as she draws on thinkers like Audre Lorde, Maria Lugones, Miguel de Unamuno, C.S. Lewis, Gloria Anzaldúa, and Søren Kierkegaard to dismantle the pervasive cultural narrative that tries to make us feel shame for the way we feel.
Alessandri doesn't just point out the flaws in the modern obsession with Stoicism—she exposes it as an act of epistemological violence. While that is my reading of her critique—she does not use this phrase—she beautifully outlines the violence embedded within the ethos of Stoicism and its 'great' thinkers. By denying the validity of emotions like anger and sadness, Stoicism and its contemporary counterparts, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), contribute to a culture that seeks to annihilate the depth of human experience by shining a bright light on it—not to illuminate, but to incinerate.
In every chapter, Alessandri returns to a crucial idea: that modern times are trying to make us feel shame for the way we feel. This shame is a tool of control, a way to flatten the richness of our emotional lives under the weight of insipid inspirational aphorisms.
Night Vision offers us the gift of language to express the much-needed ideas to counter this toxic narrative of Stoicism and the modern toxic positivity culture.
November 1, 2023
Probably the most disappointed I’ve been in a book. Part of that falls on me as I entered with incredibly high expectations after listening to a fantastic talk by the author. However, the real reason for walking away in disappointment was the overselling of this work.
It’s billed as a rigorous reevaluation of the light metaphor by a working philosophy professor of existentialism with supplemental aid of a few key figures in the philosophical landscape of our “darker� human moods.
That being so, it only took four or five pages into the introduction that this would be a pop philosophy with neither the ambition to map out its utopian vision nor the lethality to execute on its philosophical project.
It’s not until the conclusion that any semblance of a thesis is offered. All the proceeding chapters naggingly knock on the question at the heart of the book. But sadly that door isn’t opened until the final 20 pages. That cracking of the door is the first and only moment of satisfaction I felt whole reading this work.
I do appreciate the goal here. I too believe that our “darker� side is apart of the whole of us. So burying it under a blinding cultural white light leaves us total hopeless when sitting with half our selves. But the book never seemed to hit a resounding note as to how we go about sitting with our “dark� side [sic]. Instead the book sounded just as hollow as all the self help books it merciless dresses down every other page. But those self help books have already been sent out to pasture for a generation that is literally named and alluded to as both the object in the work and audience for the work.
One repeating motif that serves as an example of my frustration is Plato’s cave metaphor (which unlike the light metaphor was genuinely mapped out and explored). Like the author I was always struck by the puppeteers in the Plato’s cave allegory. So there was some superficial satisfaction in hearing someone else say it. But after that point nothing new is added. The author waits until the literal conclusion to propose whom or what these puppeteers may represent, and I’m left jettisoned to find a follow up work that actually spending time with that bold and interesting claim.
To end on a positive. One major appreciation I have from reading this book is a treasure trove of under cited Latino and Latina philosophers I can now go explore. So for that, the interview that sent me to the book, and for the conclusion exclusively I will send on 3 stars.
It’s billed as a rigorous reevaluation of the light metaphor by a working philosophy professor of existentialism with supplemental aid of a few key figures in the philosophical landscape of our “darker� human moods.
That being so, it only took four or five pages into the introduction that this would be a pop philosophy with neither the ambition to map out its utopian vision nor the lethality to execute on its philosophical project.
It’s not until the conclusion that any semblance of a thesis is offered. All the proceeding chapters naggingly knock on the question at the heart of the book. But sadly that door isn’t opened until the final 20 pages. That cracking of the door is the first and only moment of satisfaction I felt whole reading this work.
I do appreciate the goal here. I too believe that our “darker� side is apart of the whole of us. So burying it under a blinding cultural white light leaves us total hopeless when sitting with half our selves. But the book never seemed to hit a resounding note as to how we go about sitting with our “dark� side [sic]. Instead the book sounded just as hollow as all the self help books it merciless dresses down every other page. But those self help books have already been sent out to pasture for a generation that is literally named and alluded to as both the object in the work and audience for the work.
One repeating motif that serves as an example of my frustration is Plato’s cave metaphor (which unlike the light metaphor was genuinely mapped out and explored). Like the author I was always struck by the puppeteers in the Plato’s cave allegory. So there was some superficial satisfaction in hearing someone else say it. But after that point nothing new is added. The author waits until the literal conclusion to propose whom or what these puppeteers may represent, and I’m left jettisoned to find a follow up work that actually spending time with that bold and interesting claim.
To end on a positive. One major appreciation I have from reading this book is a treasure trove of under cited Latino and Latina philosophers I can now go explore. So for that, the interview that sent me to the book, and for the conclusion exclusively I will send on 3 stars.
July 12, 2023
I run a philosophy discussion group at my (Unitarian) church and we call it Plato's Cave. I've always been aware that the name of our group can be a little confusing. According to Plato's allegory, the idea is to get out of the cave in order to be "enlightened," right? So why do we hold our meetings in a cave? But on the other hand, I reasoned, it takes some work to get out of the cave and of course that's what we do in our group - we discuss, haggle, agree/disagree and reason our way to some understanding. So are we out of the cave then, only to return at our next meeting? Yes! Because the learning takes place in the cave!
So this is the point of Mariana Alessandro's book Night Vision. That our world places "light" on a pedestal and ignores the fact that we all spend much of our time in the "dark." Allessandri comes from an existentialist point of view - that our dark moments, our anxiety, are necessary for a life of meaning. She spends a considerable amount of time discussing the perspective of Latinx thinkers, esp. Gloria Anzaldua. She also discusses the history of our thinking about anxiety from the perspectives of a variety of thinkers and philosophers from the ancient stoics, to Asian religions, to Kierkegaard, to the existential psychotherapist Irvin Yalom. The aim of this type of therapy, she says, "won't be to minimize [anxiety], but to use it to see how you might make changes that enable you to live a more intentional and meaningful life."
I heartily recommend this book. Though it's not really a "self help" book, it does help the reader see the folly of always trying to force people into the sunshine and that sometimes we help others and ourselves better by staying in the dark and helping each other work through it.
So this is the point of Mariana Alessandro's book Night Vision. That our world places "light" on a pedestal and ignores the fact that we all spend much of our time in the "dark." Allessandri comes from an existentialist point of view - that our dark moments, our anxiety, are necessary for a life of meaning. She spends a considerable amount of time discussing the perspective of Latinx thinkers, esp. Gloria Anzaldua. She also discusses the history of our thinking about anxiety from the perspectives of a variety of thinkers and philosophers from the ancient stoics, to Asian religions, to Kierkegaard, to the existential psychotherapist Irvin Yalom. The aim of this type of therapy, she says, "won't be to minimize [anxiety], but to use it to see how you might make changes that enable you to live a more intentional and meaningful life."
I heartily recommend this book. Though it's not really a "self help" book, it does help the reader see the folly of always trying to force people into the sunshine and that sometimes we help others and ourselves better by staying in the dark and helping each other work through it.
May 29, 2023
Quite a lovely book and somewhat of an alternative self-help book, one that focuses on raising our emotional intelligence concerning state of being such as grief and anxiety. A book everyone should read. I especially loved the chapter on Gloria Anzaldua and also the ideas about first and second order of anger. Basically, this book addresses problems with the Stoic outlook, prefering the existentialists approach to suffering, and critiques toxic positivity. I thought it was a bit dismissive of techniques and strategies that do help some people, such as gratitude journaling, meditation, and yoga as they are "light-centered," yet in Alessandri's defense, she did acknowledge they might work for some people.
March 12, 2024
It felt like 3 books in one: one on the Light Metaphor in Western Philosophy, one on under regarded philosophers excluded from the canon, and one on ways in which disturbing emotions can be helpful. Any one would have made a good book, but together they leave the work feeling slight despite the many good parts.
December 24, 2024
I found this book from a podcast recommendation. I love the philosophical and historical insights and background it provides. Not intended as a self- help book, and perhaps not always scientifically or medically accurate as it does generalise, this book is an easy to read reminder that dark moods are a response to life and not something to be ashamed of.
October 20, 2023
an insightful slog
Read
December 29, 2023Very interesting and changed the way I see some things.
I do not feel qualified to give a star rating.
I do not feel qualified to give a star rating.
June 26, 2023
There is so much potential here: People who suffer from anger, depression, grief, and anxiety are in need of dignity. But her solution is broken—harmful even. Early on she begins to weave to major themes: the need to re-think Plato's cave and the Brokenness Story is not true. We are all broken. And we are all in need of repentance and all her straw men won't change that. And we do need to come out into the light. Yes. the puppeteers in the cave are not doing the people any good, but if you removed the fire and the shadows, people are still lost in the dark. They are not any more aware of reality. She says at the end, "� light cannot save us from darkness." Yet she never seriously interacts with the claims of the Light of the World. That is a shame. For in Jesus there are real answers to her questions.
But there are other flaws and serious ones. Her chapter with C.S. Lewis as our guide is disillusioning. Her discussion of A Grief Observed is as if one is discussing a caramel banana pie yet only ever refers to the crust. Hardly an accurate portrayal. If she does this with Lewis, whom I've read, can I assume that she's giving me a less than full version in each of the other chapters as well? And then there is the down right deceit. She refers to a Cognitive Behavior Therapy article by Arlin Cuncic. In the reference she uses an extreme example and the reader must assume that this is the example Cuncic uses. But she doesn't. In fact, it's quite clear from a close reading of Cuncic's article that she would adamantly disagree with Alessandri's characterization. If this is the way she deals with sources, what else has she misrepresented and given us only one side of.
This is not a helpful book for dealing with fear, anger, anxiety, grief, or suffering. In fact, I think it is quite harmful.
But there are other flaws and serious ones. Her chapter with C.S. Lewis as our guide is disillusioning. Her discussion of A Grief Observed is as if one is discussing a caramel banana pie yet only ever refers to the crust. Hardly an accurate portrayal. If she does this with Lewis, whom I've read, can I assume that she's giving me a less than full version in each of the other chapters as well? And then there is the down right deceit. She refers to a Cognitive Behavior Therapy article by Arlin Cuncic. In the reference she uses an extreme example and the reader must assume that this is the example Cuncic uses. But she doesn't. In fact, it's quite clear from a close reading of Cuncic's article that she would adamantly disagree with Alessandri's characterization. If this is the way she deals with sources, what else has she misrepresented and given us only one side of.
This is not a helpful book for dealing with fear, anger, anxiety, grief, or suffering. In fact, I think it is quite harmful.
March 7, 2025
5/5
Un llibre extraordinari i molt necessari que posa el focus en els sentiments i les emocions que la societat sovint rebutja (ira, ó, angoixa) per considerar-les fosques, malaltisses i poc constructives. Mariana Alessandri ens convida a reflexionar de la mà de múltiples pensadors i filòsofs sobre la ira com a motor del canvi, l'angoixa com a element vital i la ó o el dol com a elements necessaris per poder continuar endavant. Aprendre a parlar amb el nostre jo més fosc, convertir-lo en una part de nosaltres i no rebutjar-lo com diuen els llibres d'autoajuda i les frases del senyor Wonderful.
L'autora ho emmarca en la lluita de les dones racialitzades i migrants que viuen als Estats Units, però el missatge és universal i supera les barreres de gènere i color de pell. Audre Lorde, María Lugones, Miguel de Unamuno, C. S. Lewis, bell hooks, Gloria Anzaldúa i Kierkegaard comparteixen aquí les seves reflexions a través del text d'Alessandri, que no dona res per sabut ni per descomptat, més aviat ho posa tot en dubte, però ho fa oferint-nos l'oportunitat de triar, de veure què hi ha més enllà. Més enllà de la llum i la foscor.
Llegiu-lo, feu-vos aquest favor. És un assaig que no pretén alliçonar, només convidar-nos a tancar els ulls i reflexionar, sentir-nos una mica més a prop del nostre costat fosc, abraçar la Visió nocturna.
Un llibre extraordinari i molt necessari que posa el focus en els sentiments i les emocions que la societat sovint rebutja (ira, ó, angoixa) per considerar-les fosques, malaltisses i poc constructives. Mariana Alessandri ens convida a reflexionar de la mà de múltiples pensadors i filòsofs sobre la ira com a motor del canvi, l'angoixa com a element vital i la ó o el dol com a elements necessaris per poder continuar endavant. Aprendre a parlar amb el nostre jo més fosc, convertir-lo en una part de nosaltres i no rebutjar-lo com diuen els llibres d'autoajuda i les frases del senyor Wonderful.
L'autora ho emmarca en la lluita de les dones racialitzades i migrants que viuen als Estats Units, però el missatge és universal i supera les barreres de gènere i color de pell. Audre Lorde, María Lugones, Miguel de Unamuno, C. S. Lewis, bell hooks, Gloria Anzaldúa i Kierkegaard comparteixen aquí les seves reflexions a través del text d'Alessandri, que no dona res per sabut ni per descomptat, més aviat ho posa tot en dubte, però ho fa oferint-nos l'oportunitat de triar, de veure què hi ha més enllà. Més enllà de la llum i la foscor.
Llegiu-lo, feu-vos aquest favor. És un assaig que no pretén alliçonar, només convidar-nos a tancar els ulls i reflexionar, sentir-nos una mica més a prop del nostre costat fosc, abraçar la Visió nocturna.
October 17, 2023
"People ask, 'Why are kids more anxious than ever these days?' But the answer is obvious: 'Wake up and look around! Why wouldn't they be more anxious than ever?' The anxious are right to be anxious...The anxious person adroitly recognizes the array of terrifying possibilities in front of us all and responds appropriately with weak knees and a knotted stomach. Anxiety is a logical reaction to a terrifying age in which people are nevertheless expected to be grounded, happy, flourishing." This book's main premise is that we need to stop framing natural human emotions, like anxiety, anger, and grief, as pathologies. We need to embrace the fact that life is sometimes dark and twisty and just fucked up. Alessandri cites work by amazing thinkers like Audre Lorde, Maria Lugones, Søren Kierkegaard, and my favorite both/and warrior, Gloria Anzaldúa. If you are a person who is #nobaddays, you should read this. If you've ever had one of those motivational posters hanging up unironically, you should read this. Help us normalize being okay with anxiety, anger, frustration, depression, and grief and work to accept that being sad is normal. These things should get the same amount of space in the world as happiness, joy, and contentment.
April 13, 2024
3.5 Stars
If you are prepared to examine the text, yourself, and your perspective of existence, Night Vision is a very interesting and thought provoking take on how "negative" emotions are experienced and perceived in today's society. While I ultimately respect (and agree with) the overall message, I am personally not the biggest fan of its delivery. At times, I felt there was an over-simplification of concepts that could lead to misinterpretations and, subsequently, misinformation. Likewise, some statements seemed to be worded in such a way to invoke a certain shock value, which felt a bit gimmicky, could also be misinterpreted, and seemed to be unnecessary given the subject matter (i.e. talking about the potential value of negative emotions already breeds curiosity, and many scenarios discussed are inherently emotional). I also would have liked to see the author dig deeper into the concepts she introduced to really scrutinize them. However, in doing that myself through my own lens, I did have a number of valuable take-aways and am ultimately glad that I read the book!
If you are prepared to examine the text, yourself, and your perspective of existence, Night Vision is a very interesting and thought provoking take on how "negative" emotions are experienced and perceived in today's society. While I ultimately respect (and agree with) the overall message, I am personally not the biggest fan of its delivery. At times, I felt there was an over-simplification of concepts that could lead to misinterpretations and, subsequently, misinformation. Likewise, some statements seemed to be worded in such a way to invoke a certain shock value, which felt a bit gimmicky, could also be misinterpreted, and seemed to be unnecessary given the subject matter (i.e. talking about the potential value of negative emotions already breeds curiosity, and many scenarios discussed are inherently emotional). I also would have liked to see the author dig deeper into the concepts she introduced to really scrutinize them. However, in doing that myself through my own lens, I did have a number of valuable take-aways and am ultimately glad that I read the book!
January 16, 2025
Sentir ansiedad ante el peligro, ira ante la injusticia o deprimirse ante un contexto avasallador no son emociones negativas sino fisiológicas y quienes las experimentan no son seres rotos, sino humanos que reaccionan de forma coherente con su naturaleza. Todavía más, como otras muchas emociones, están cargadas de un significado importante e ignorarlo supone ignorar una fuente de sabiduría imprescindible para aprender a movernos por las zonas más sombrías de la existencia humana. Sí, como nos explica Alessandri en ‘Visión nocturna� debemos superar de una vez por todas la vieja narrativa que asocia la luz con lo positivo y la oscuridad con lo negativo y asumir las emociones ‘oscuras� como una parte más de nuestra existencia y hasta como herramientas de conocimiento y crecimiento. Es un desafío, pero el primer beneficio es inmediato: dejar de sentirnos culpables por emociones que forman parte de nosotros y que, por más que insista el positivismo tóxico, no podemos menospreciar.
January 30, 2025
como tour de conceptos filosóficos bastante básicos con una perspectiva inclusiva y rechazando la positividad vacía está bastante guay (inclusiva sin dejar de lado a nuestros señores existencialistas blancos, solo metiendo alguna cosa nueva que no está de más), pero también mete ideas chulas que no se oyen tanto como las metáforas de los aztecas. no pensaba que está sería la manera de la que me enteraría de que unamuno era inbred. el concepto de visión nocturna está guay pero me parece que podría estar más elaborado y que se pierde un poco entre ejemplos y anécdotas, aunque estos sean interesantes) y queda más como una colección de hilos por los que tirar más, que tampoco me parece algo que reprochar
igualmente es muy disfrutable y trata temas que creo que son necesarios, volveré a revisar cosas y tal vez a mejorar esta review
igualmente es muy disfrutable y trata temas que creo que son necesarios, volveré a revisar cosas y tal vez a mejorar esta review
September 5, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book. Alessandri argues through use of Plato's cave that we have been conditioned to aim for and enjoy only the light emotionally and metaphorically. Light is the presence of happiness, enjoyment, and all that jazz. Self help books want you to only think positively, to use CBT in order to just ignore your darker thoughts. Alessandri argues that it is imperative not to give into our darker moods such as depression, grief, anxiety, and anger, but to respect them and listen to them. They are valuable sources of information and their dismissal offers little necessary introspection.
Alessandri also uses examples from Nietzsche, Anzaldua, and Foucault in order to elaborate her well-made points.
Alessandri also uses examples from Nietzsche, Anzaldua, and Foucault in order to elaborate her well-made points.
May 18, 2023
Not all the points were bad, but I couldn't keep reading. When does our anger become dilution and we should fix things within ourselves? By almost every metric our lives are easier today than at any other time in history. I'm going to try and get through the obvious slanted political views and one-sided female-centric viewpoint. If I can I will update, but at this time I feel like I wasted money 😏
Update, so sad as this book had potential. I would have loved a straight argument against the early philosophers etc and the author has a good depth of knowledge and uses it for the wrong reasons. A good example that destroys this for me "were the color white not historically claimed by light-skinned people who put dark skinned people beneath them, it might be clear choice for the color of depression an overbearing whiteness that drives out all color." What are African writers writing about white people? Name me a more diverse society that has faired as well?
Shit read with sprinkles of knowledgeable takes.
Update, so sad as this book had potential. I would have loved a straight argument against the early philosophers etc and the author has a good depth of knowledge and uses it for the wrong reasons. A good example that destroys this for me "were the color white not historically claimed by light-skinned people who put dark skinned people beneath them, it might be clear choice for the color of depression an overbearing whiteness that drives out all color." What are African writers writing about white people? Name me a more diverse society that has faired as well?
Shit read with sprinkles of knowledgeable takes.
November 1, 2023
One of those books that makes your brain go huh? � in a good way. Mariana introduces various POC women as the new voices for philosophy, I’m so with it!
Reading this while in a “dark mood� really opened a door for new insights. I’d challenge the author further by changing the language entirely and not categorizing moods as dark or light at all, they are simply moods in the plethora of the human experience. But it is a start. I love the concept that we shouldn’t shine our flashlights at our dark moods but instead we should learn to see in the dark. Also, the deepest connection you can create with another human being is during � dark moods�? I think so.
Reading this while in a “dark mood� really opened a door for new insights. I’d challenge the author further by changing the language entirely and not categorizing moods as dark or light at all, they are simply moods in the plethora of the human experience. But it is a start. I love the concept that we shouldn’t shine our flashlights at our dark moods but instead we should learn to see in the dark. Also, the deepest connection you can create with another human being is during � dark moods�? I think so.
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