/lit/ - Literature

If you can't find at least 1 thing in non-fiction books that you could use to improve yourself or give you a different perspective in life you're either the ultimate big brain (unlikely) or a brainlet, regardless of how well you can paraphrase long-dead philosophers.

If you can't find at least 1 thing in fiction books that you could use to improve yourself or give you a different perspective in life you're either the ultimate big brain (unlikely) or a brainlet, regardless of how well you can paraphrase long-dead philosophers.

Essays are the only good form of non fiction. Philosophy is just mental masturbation, philosophers can destroy an individual's mindset. For instance if you recommend a depressed person to read Weininger or Mainlander, there is a probability that he could commit suicide.

It's enjoyable

>>13834160
it’s entertaining and encourages your imagination. the western canon often introduces you to non-fiction topics that you hadn’t previously been interested in, the way any good entertainment does

>>13834160
because all you do in life is try to have meaningful experiences, everything you learn that is 'useful' has as the end goal some kind of meaning, and literature is inherently meaningful so it is a sort of shortcut. You can't literally live in books, you have to do stuff in the world as well, but the value in art is just itself, same as love, and it will make you think about your life differently so there is some 'instrumental' value as well.
There are many things that can only be communicated through 'poetry', using that term in the vaguest possible sense to mean simply ineffable, ambiguous means.

OP is a brainlet who can’t see the value in discussing ideas through metaphors and allegories

>>13834160

>NOOOOOOOOOO YOU CAN'T CONTEMPLATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR ITS OWN SAKE!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE TO SPEND YOUR FREE TIME DOING SOMETHING (((USEFUL)))!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>13834296
This made me realize my classically German utilitarian mindset towards reading. I'm not going to change it, though, there's too much I'd like to learn to stop.

>implying spending your time "usefully" has any meaningful impact on your fate

Sorry, but your life is predestined, and trying too hard will only create stress.

>>13834643
Based

>>13834160
Because its fun

heh heh literary fiction what a waste of time
*binges Netflix show*

>>13834160
>actually useful

How will it improve my life?

>>13834189

People with autism have problem with fiction because things that are made up triggers them

>>13834160
In another breath you could also ask, why do anything at all. You’re a fucking retard.