The Lands Less Travelled
Making Friends with Kim
People love to travel and there is no end of reasons why. You get to see new places, learn about new cultures, experience a rich set of cuisines, hear new languages, make friends etc. etc.
But there are other forms of travel too. Fiction is one of them, whether you are into literature or Sci-Fi like I am, you get to transport your mind into new realms, into unfamiliar zones of thought, to experience the richness of our mental spaces. And I am reading a book by a neuroscientist, about why it is so beneficial. Pssst… Get your fiction out… It’s not just a waste of time!
Similarly, I present to you below, a list of writers and request you, in good time to visit each of their lands. When you do, it is not because you ‘believe’ them, it not because you have to ‘agree’ with them either. I would visit North Korea in a heart beat circumstances willing but doesn’t mean that I am Kim’s right hand man.
You visit for the purposes of resonance.
You resonate with another place/mind, then compare and contrast that with your own. For this resonance to take place you have to give each thinker his/her time. The main point is not to switch off at the first point of disagreement or falsehood that you face. That would be like arriving at the airport of a country and turning back because the immigration officer was unfriendly. You have to give these things time.
Exploration does not imply agreement.
I have my various grievances against each in the list below. Many contradict each other. The mark of intelligence is to hold two of more opposing views in your mind at the same time. Give it a try!
The list is in no particular order, alphabetic, importance or topic and is far from exhaustive. I have left out many who I think are famous enough, Joe Rogan or Jordan Peterson for example. They are already in the Zeitgeist and would be of no value.
Through this list you can find a thousand different branches. The link to Crrow777 consists of over 440 two hour interviews with a truly eclectic bunch of thinkers. The link to Vox day is only to his publishing house. His deeper thoughts are behind a paywall and you will have to search for his writings elsewhere. So don’t get limited to the links that I have posted. Those are just initial landing areas. Some writers have been banned off the main stream platforms. You will have to use your wits about you if you want to explore further. Get off the ‘Guided Tour’ mode. That’s no way to really explore what is out there.
These days, The BBC, CNN, The Economist, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the like are nothing more than travelling to a country where the only way to get around is with a State Sponsored Guide that makes sure you don’t go out too late and only talk the the ‘right’ locals. Pathetic. Are you pathetic too? I certainly hope not!
On a closing point, I realize this list is a little one dimensional. One day in the future I hope to make other lists for Science, Math, Computing, Art, Literature & Culture etc. but that would make this particular incarnation too long.
I hope you enjoy cause that’s
The Vikid Truth
Thaddeus Russell: Unregistered Podcast
Moment Of Clarity with Lee Camp
The Geopolitics In Conflict Show