Topics could be improving mental health, communication, self-discipline, etc.

    • southerntofu
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      4 years ago

      I am kind of curious what would you do to fix the industry of self help books if you could?

      Sorry but i don’t think “fixing an industry” is possible, or that this “industry” would make sense in a free society. We all deal with various psychological/mental problems created by this fucked up society, and i don’t think there’s anything we can do apart from fixing the roots of the problems.

      Feeling bad and misfit in such a fucked up world in my view is a feature not a bug. As painful as it is, it proves we are still humans and still feel something in the face of injustice. I’m not gonna tell people not to get individual help/medication if they feel like they need it, but no society can be fixed on a personal level.

        • southerntofu
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          4 years ago

          it can often be helpful to to work on your personal capability for empathy and emotional resilience.

          For sure, i didn’t mean to say the opposite. Though i’m not convinced books are as effective as people to teach empathy, but maybe i just haven’t read the good books?

          Contrary to many on the site I consider my religious background to have been very important

          Every one has their reasons and their way to enter social struggles. I wish you a happy path with your god(s), that’s not my way but i’m not here to judge.

          a niche exists for the idea of learning to love yourself while fighting for social justice.

          Why not, sure. Though i have doubts about the whole “loving oneself” concept. I mean, i’ve rarely met people who loved themselves and were decent human beings, on the contrary i’ve often seen self-love be pushed to exert unjust power over others. Hating oneself is of course not the solution, but how to approach “self-love” in a way that’s not detrimental to others, and that has plenty of space for self-criticism/self-doubt as well?

          PS: Sorry for misinterpreting your previous comment! Also, you may feel like checking out the works of Frantz Fanon. He was a psychiatrist and has written a lot on the topic of mental health in the face of oppression.

            • southerntofu
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              4 years ago

              I’m nobody to judge/forgive you, don’t let internet strangers ruin your day. If some forum takes a mental toll on you, don’t hesitate to step away from it and preserve your sanity :)

              I’m sorry you felt like we had a heated argument. I did not intend to attack/hurt you, i was pointing out a more systemic issue and i personally did not feel like i was escalating in any way. Take care