Desk Notes by Charles Schifano

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano delves into the nuances of writing, reflecting on the interplay between technology, memory, and creativity. It explores the solitary nature of writing and reading, the blurred lines between fiction and non-fiction, and the impact of social and historical contexts on literature and personal identity.

Writing Process Technology and Society Creativity and Discipline Literature and Storytelling Personal Identity and Memory Social Media's Impact Art and Society Historical and Cultural Analysis Artificial Intelligence in Literature

The hottest Substack posts of Desk Notes by Charles Schifano

And their main takeaways

Honest Writing

607 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Author Perception Artistry Identity
  1. Writing can be perceived as permanent and irrevocable, creating a pressure for perfection.
  2. Writers may explore different perspectives and sensibilities, not necessarily aligning with their current beliefs.
  3. Literary writing allows room for ambiguity, partial truths, and playfulness, reflecting the complexities of human nature.

Declining Into Progress

315 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Historical Fiction Character development Cultural Change
  1. In the novel 'The Leopard,' the protagonist experiences a turbulent time of change from aristocratic to more egalitarian society.
  2. People often perceive their time as one of societal degradation, but change is inevitable for progress.
  3. The author of 'The Leopard' mirrors the protagonist's sense of foreseeing change, highlighting the transition from old aristocratic norms to the new.

Former Totalitarians

206 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💾 History Leadership Ethics Regime Decisions
  1. A life judged based on leadership in a horrific regime can be a critical aspect of history.
  2. Ethical individuals who foresaw the consequences but were not part of the consequential decisions can hold significant importance.
  3. The transition from being monstrous to making critical decisions in tough times can have lasting impacts on society.

A Sensitive Question

243 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotions Personal Growth Mindfulness Self-awareness
  1. Sensitivity is a complex trait that cannot easily be controlled or changed. It's not about achieving perfection or adjusting like a dial, but understanding and acceptance.
  2. Sensitivity affects how we perceive and interact with the world around us. It's not just about emotional reactions but also about sensory experiences and nuances.
  3. Being sensitive can lead to deeper connections and insights, but also makes a person more vulnerable to pain and suffering. It's important to find a balance between sensitivity and resilience.

Soundless

279 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Travel City life
  1. Living in a city means being surrounded by a constant cacophony of sounds, which can both be maddening and strangely comforting.
  2. Over time, distant sounds can fade into the background as your brain tunes them out to focus on specific noises.
  3. The noise of a city is like its heartbeat - a chaotic blend of various sounds that make up the urban symphony we experience daily.
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The Taste Test

303 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Opinions Identity Social Dynamics Isolation
  1. Your tastes and preferences do not define your character, despite common cultural perceptions.
  2. It's important to maintain individuality and not feel pressured to align your preferences with someone else's to avoid conflict.
  3. The core of a person's character lies in social aspects like morals, ethics, and virtues, rather than superficial preferences.

Not Supporting the Arts

364 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art Market Value Norms Marketing
  1. The idea of 'Supporting the Arts' is often vague and lacking in tangible action.
  2. Art is fundamental to life and society, not just something to enjoy after essential tasks are done.
  3. Artists struggle with valuing their work financially, and the wider public often underestimates the importance of art in their lives.

Bring Me Your Leader

364 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Authority Authoritarianism Power Dynamics Human Interaction
  1. In our modern world, there is a trend of continuous judging and assessing everything we interact with.
  2. Having difficult conversations directly with individuals can be more effective than immediately seeking higher authorities.
  3. The desire for a 'real leader' can create anxiety in various aspects of life, including politics and daily interactions.

Passing Away

352 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art Values Time Language Individuality
  1. Criticism of euphemisms like 'passed away' varies based on time and context.
  2. Language and values shift with time, affecting how we perceive events and people.
  3. As time passes, individuality fades, making collective interpretations more dominant.

The Solitary Creator

522 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
📚 Literature Writing Reading Art Expression
  1. Writing and reading are solitary acts that require introspection and concentration.
  2. Good art reveals the creator's deepest feelings and demands good writers and readers.
  3. Language comprehension is complex and subjective, leading to potential misunderstandings in communication.

The Old Man And The River

97 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir
  1. The author reminisces about a childhood memory of encountering an old man on a riverboat, highlighting how certain details may get blurred over time but the essence of the memory remains vivid.
  2. The physical appearance and actions of the man in the memory are described in detail, showcasing how our recollections can hold onto specific traits and emotions more than factual accuracy.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of the sensations and feelings evoked by a memory, suggesting that the emotional impact of a recollection often outweighs precise factual details.

What's Missing from AI Writing

315 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
📚 Literature Narration Perspective Fiction Authors
  1. Literature has evolved over time to focus more on individual perspectives rather than collective narratives.
  2. Great essays are distinguished by the unique perspective and voice of the writer, not just the subject matter.
  3. Effective writing, whether about architecture or any other topic, requires a distinct and engaging narrative voice to provide depth and connection for the reader.

True Fiction

437 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
📚 Literature Fiction Memoir Writing Voice
  1. The line between fiction and non-fiction is becoming less significant.
  2. The way a story is told is more important than the actual facts in memoirs or literature.
  3. Writing is subjective, changing based on moods and perspectives, but it's the voice and sensibility that truly matters in storytelling.

1968 Has Ended

340 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History Politics Art
  1. 1968 had localized revolutions with varied impacts globally
  2. The cultural influence of 1968 has started to fade with newer generations
  3. Cultural progress involves valuing history but also striving for innovation

Some Notes on Notes

522 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Artists Creativity Procrastination Discipline
  1. Writers often procrastinate due to fear of difficult subjects, exposure, rejection or mistakes.
  2. Social media has become a common distraction for writers, but its impact on creativity seems to be diminishing.
  3. Discipline plays a key role in creativity, and writers can start creating with just a pen and paper, bypassing the need for a perfect setup.

The Sentence Writer

473 implied HN points • 26 May 23
📚 Literature Authors Book analysis
  1. Certain writers inspire you to keep reading with a weight underneath every paragraph.
  2. Certain writers inspire you to savor a perfect sentence slowly.
  3. Certain writers inspire you to start writing with their words as kindling.

Listen, Memory

559 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Art Technology Music Literature Philosophy
  1. The abundance of information in our technological world can lead to doubts about the authenticity of our desires and experiences.
  2. Even with purposeful living, we are still bombarded by a constant stream of information which can blur the line between personal desires and external influences.
  3. The overwhelming flow of information challenges our ability to create a coherent narrative, leading to uncertainty about the origin of our thoughts and feelings.

Individual Lies

315 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
📚 Literature Essays Writers Truth Language History
  1. Small lies can compound into something greater over time.
  2. Orwell emphasized the importance of telling the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
  3. Avoiding expedient shortcuts in writing helps maintain integrity and clarity in communication.

Transfer at 42nd Street

315 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Perspective Narrative Social Behavior
  1. Feeling like the center of attention in a crowded, fearful scene can be unsettling.
  2. Unexpected situations in public transportation can lead to comical and awkward interactions.
  3. Perception and perspective can greatly influence how others view and react to a person in a social setting.

When ChatGPT Reads Roald Dahl

315 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Writing Style
  1. ChatGPT is a powerful predictive text machine trained on billions of parameters by OpenAI.
  2. There is debate around the risks of creating superior artificial intelligence and its potential catastrophic outcomes.
  3. There is controversy surrounding the editing of classic literature, such as Roald Dahl books, to align with modern sensibilities.