Bread and CircusesJan 2, 2025
Life without consumerism means enjoying...
Show threadAlexander Karn

@breadandcircuses

We have a consumer economy that’s mostly built on addiction and dopamine hacks: sports books, alcohol, vaping, caffeine, sugar/salt/fats, porn, one-click purchasing, buy now/pay later, gamification, etc.

I’m FAR from being an off the grid type or a neo-puritan, but every day I’m looking for ways to steer clear and stay free. Sometimes it’s as simple as tuning in to the things that can’t be bought and sold.

#ResistMuchObeyLittle

Jan 2, 2025 at 4:58pmWeb
Show threadXenofact (he/him)Jan 2, 2025
@xankarn @breadandcircuses no I get it. My readings in Taoism have been real unstructive.
Show threadAlexander KarnJan 2, 2025

@RevXenoFact @breadandcircuses

For me, that’s the main insight and value of all “Eastern” philosophy: getting to grips with desire and finding the mental space that’s necessary to be somewhat less of its plaything.

Show threadXenofact (he/him)Jan 2, 2025
@xankarn @breadandcircuses the Tao Te Ching itself calls out how "the five colors blind the eye" and so on - essentially notes on overstimulation. I found it painfully relevant these days.
Show threadKit Rhett AultmanJan 3, 2025
@RevXenoFact @xankarn @breadandcircuses I'd thought the point of "The five colors blind the eye." was that, by categorizing what one sees, one fails to see the thing in its wholeness?
Show threadXenofact (he/him)Jan 3, 2025
@roadriverrail @xankarn @breadandcircuses as it also mentions how hunting and such distracts you, I took at as being about distraction.
Show threadKit Rhett AultmanJan 3, 2025
@RevXenoFact @xankarn @breadandcircuses You'd surely know better than me. It's one of those things where I read it once and have since heard it referred to out of context, often paired with "the five tones deafen the ear", and since I'm most likely to discuss such things in the tearoom, where we're more likely to discuss the perils of categorizing things too much, I've likely just backfilled a meaning not present in context.
Show threadXenofact (he/him)Jan 3, 2025
@roadriverrail @xankarn @breadandcircuses get the Red Pine copy, worth the money ;)
Show threadKit Rhett AultmanJan 3, 2025
@RevXenoFact @xankarn @breadandcircuses Duly noted. As someone who owns like 5 translations of The Art Of War, I take recommendations like that pretty seriously.
Show threadXenofact (he/him)Jan 3, 2025
@roadriverrail @xankarn @breadandcircuses If you want to get DEEP get Original Tao by Roth, it's got some good translation and history notes.
Show threadSusan BordaJan 2, 2025
@xankarn @breadandcircuses that’s a nice thing about libraries you don’t need to buy anything
Show threadFranklin AbramsJan 2, 2025
@xankarn @breadandcircuses Staying away from electronic devices for a few hours gives me a feeling of empowerment. What life could be if we resist the societal/work demand for constant connection. The more subtle connections can then be fostered or cultivated, like tending a garden of delicate and rare plants.
Show threadArchivariusJan 3, 2025

@xankarn @breadandcircuses we're surrounded by a system that's engineered to keep us hooked, often at the expense of our well-being.

Finding freedom in the things that aren't for sale—like deep conversations, time in nature, or creative expression—is a good way to reclaim our autonomy.

It’s not about rejecting everything but about being intentional and choosing what truly adds value to our lives.