Apposition

Apposition is a contemplative blog that explores themes of human emotion, historical perspectives, technological skepticism, and cultural criticism. It discusses the impact of digitalization, memory, individualism, democracy, civilization decline, war, environmentalism, and identity through the lens of literature, philosophy, history, and personal reflection.

Digital Age and Society Human Emotions and Relationships Historical Analysis Technological Impact Literature and Cultural Criticism Environmentalism and Conservation Identity and Belonging Memory and History War and Remembrance

The hottest Substack posts of Apposition

And their main takeaways

Things of the Heart

39 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Existentialism Materialism Digital Age Human experience
  1. Objects hold hidden stories and memories, forming a connection between their history and our own.
  2. In the Digital Age, information dominates over physical objects, impacting how we interact with the world.
  3. Slowing down, forming personal relationships with objects, and engaging in meaningful action are keys to resisting the overwhelming pace of the digital world.

A Vision of Dissolution

19 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Short Stories Authors Themes Characters
  1. Jan Siebelink's early writing reflected themes that continued in his later works.
  2. The characters in Siebelink's stories often face oppressive backgrounds and struggle with confronting their troubles.
  3. Through themes of dissolution and repression, Siebelink explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships.

"Optimism Is For Cowards"

19 implied HN points β€’ 20 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy History Science Culture Politics Technology
  1. Oswald Spengler believed that all civilizations have a life cycle and will eventually decline.
  2. Spengler's work focuses on the concept of Technics, outlining the development of tools and processes in human history.
  3. Spengler warns against optimism, arguing that every civilization will ultimately face decline and destruction.
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Three Ways to Remember the Dead

19 implied HN points β€’ 14 May 23
🎭️ Culture Ceremonies Historical context
  1. The two world wars are significant in shaping our present day beliefs and values.
  2. ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand commemorates those who fought in WWI, including the tragic Gallipoli campaign.
  3. The Last Post Ceremony in Ieper and the Remembrance of the Dead in the Netherlands are solemn traditions that honor and remember those who died in wars.

Britain's Shame

19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 23
  1. Biafra, a real country that tried to break away from Nigeria between 1967 and 1970, faced a severe humanitarian crisis with millions starving to death.
  2. Britain's involvement in the Biafran War, though officially neutral, influenced the conflict due to self-interest, particularly in relation to Nigeria's oil reserves.
  3. The media coverage of the Biafran War contributed to stereotypes about Africa and contrasted with the overshadowing of this conflict by the Vietnam War in historical memory.

"A Thousand Reflections of My Own Hands in a Dark Mirror"

19 implied HN points β€’ 01 Apr 23
πŸ“š Literature Short Stories Feminism Character development Cultural Identity Satire
  1. Katherine Mansfield's stories focus on capturing moods and character depths rather than plot
  2. Mansfield's stories in 'In a German Pension' depict women longing for security despite facing disillusionment with men
  3. The satirical tone and complex characters in Mansfield's stories reveal subtle hints of psychic instability and a preference for implication over action

Douglas MacArthur on Democracy

19 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 23
  1. Democracy values flexibility and free-thinking leaders over dictatorship
  2. Imperial Japan's rigid military thinking led to strategic misjudgments in WWII
  3. Entrenched societies may struggle to adapt to new challenges and innovate

Pale Anna

0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Short Stories Author analysis Character analysis
  1. The story 'Pale Anna' by Heinrich BΓΆll follows a narrator struggling with post-war trauma and isolation.
  2. The narrator's encounters with 'Pale Anna' and his past relationships reveal a theme of psychological wounds and missed connections.
  3. The ambiguous ending and unresolved questions in the story suggest deeper layers of trauma and meaning left unexplored.

"All Things Repeat Themselves Endlessly and Unrepeatedly"

0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction History
  1. Danilo KiΕ‘ reinvented the short story as a blend of fiction and history.
  2. KiΕ‘ explored the boundary between fiction and history through stories like 'Simon Magus' and 'The Book of Kings and Fools.'
  3. In 'The Encyclopedia of the Dead,' KiΕ‘ presents the idea that history is a mix of facts and imagination, where everything repeats endlessly and uniquely.

"All That Will Matter Is That I Was Here"

0 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Family Psychological Friendship Trauma
  1. The story follows the intertwined lives of three childhood friends as they grow up and face consequences of their youthful actions.
  2. The book uses a unique writing style with subtle and dark imagery to convey deeper emotional themes and traumas.
  3. The main character's actions in the present hold symbolism and reflect back on the shared histories and hidden secrets of the village.

A Village in the Third Reich

0 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jan 24
πŸ’Ύ History World War II Nazism Resistance Atrocities
  1. The book provides a unique perspective on history by focusing on the everyday struggles of people in a German village during the Second World War.
  2. The village of Oberstdorf transformed from a traditional, insular community to a resort town in the 1920s, facing challenges like economic collapse and Nazi influence.
  3. The book highlights how ordinary people navigated difficult decisions, adversity, and moral dilemmas during a time of war and the rise of the Nazi regime.