Five’s Substack

Five’s Substack explores themes of productivity, education, creativity, intellectual growth, and emotional experiences through various forms of media and personal reflections. It delves into theories of psychology, literary criticism, and the impact of art and music on life and identity.

Productivity Education Creativity Intellectual Growth Emotional Experiences Psychology Literary Criticism Art Music

The hottest Substack posts of Five’s Substack

And their main takeaways

College-for-All Means Homework-for-All

1358 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🚌 Education Higher education Student life Work-life balance Time management Critical Thinking
  1. Many college students have a lot of work and study to do outside of class, making their schedule very busy. It's common for students to work part-time or even full-time jobs while studying.
  2. Homework is really important for truly understanding subjects in college. Doing the readings and assignments helps students think on their own and learn more effectively.
  3. It's vital to protect students' time for learning, not just to earn degrees. Education should be about more than just getting a job; it should allow for real thinking and personal growth.

"We are sensitive machines"

3197 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Education Philosophy Art Mental health
  1. Most people only have about 5 good hours a day to focus and be productive, and this can vary a lot. It's important to recognize that sometimes it might feel like you have even less time to think clearly.
  2. To make the most of those good hours, you need to protect your time and avoid distractions. It takes discipline to choose better activities and stick to them.
  3. Having a set time dedicated to reading and writing can help create a space for creativity and deeper thought. It's about creating a routine that allows you to fully engage with your ideas.

"Were I a writer, and dead..."

219 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
📚 Literature Criticism Theory Biography
  1. The idea of the 'death of the author' suggests that the author's intentions shouldn't dictate how we understand their work. Instead, we should focus on the text itself and what it communicates.
  2. Experiencing literary theory can be overwhelming and exciting, especially for students. It often opens the door to new questions and perspectives that challenge previous understanding.
  3. Roland Barthes encourages readers to think about the little details in life. Even small aspects, like a mark on someone's shoe, can carry deeper meanings and connections.

Jean Laplanche and the Unfinished Copernican Revolution

259 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Psychoanalysis Cultural critique
  1. Laplanche's theory of general seduction suggests that our earliest interactions shape our unconscious. Instead of just focusing on adult experiences, he emphasizes the importance of early relationships and how they influence our identity.
  2. He argues that the Copernican Revolution is unfinished, meaning that humanity hasn't fully accepted its place in a universe that lacks a central point. This challenge raises questions about knowledge and how we define ourselves.
  3. In the therapy process, confusion often stems from unresolved feelings about our early relationships. People may spend their lives trying to understand what others want from them, leading to a cycle of creating fantasies to avoid confronting the original mysteries of their experiences.

Varieties of Exhaustion

299 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Media Institutions Podcasts
  1. Recovering from illness can change how we spend our time, like listening to true crime podcasts instead of focusing solely on reading classics.
  2. It's challenging for young adults to maintain an intellectual life outside of school because there are no structured support systems like deadlines or guidance.
  3. Building a meaningful intellectual life requires both access to resources and a network of support, but many people struggle to make it work.
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How long is a sitting?

319 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Music Art Film Health
  1. A 'sitting' when reading should ideally be about two hours. This time allows readers to enjoy a story without too many breaks.
  2. The writer plans to expand their blog to discuss not just fiction but also film, music, and art. This shows a desire to connect with more topics and audiences.
  3. A recent hospital visit prompted the writer to find calm in music. They discovered a special song that may become part of their wedding, showcasing how important moments can inspire creativity.

Poor Lazarus and the Mark Death Made

219 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🎭️ Culture Music Literature Art Philosophy History
  1. American folk music explores deep feelings of homesickness and the desire to wander. These emotions are the driving themes in many famous songs.
  2. Gillian Welch's work reflects on the contradictions in life and music, connecting the past with present experiences without offering easy answers.
  3. Welch's song 'I Dream a Highway' captures a feeling of endless searching and longing. It questions what it means to be truly home and how we cope with our losses.

"The space between me and me is you"

139 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Narrative Analysis Critique
  1. The narrator in the novel grapples with loss and hunger, representing a deep yearning for something unattainable. This desire leads to a cycle of violence towards the living, as she substitutes each victim for what she's truly searching for.
  2. Hunger is described not just as a physical need, but as a longing for hope and connection that can never be fully satisfied. Each meal offers a temporary escape, yet the true craving remains unfulfilled.
  3. The journey of the narrator shows that her ultimate goal is not to regain what she lost but to revisit a single perfect memory from her past. This reflects how memories shape our identities and the complex relationship we have with loss.

Escaping a Hostage Situation

3 HN points • 02 Sep 24
🎭️ Culture Art Education Literature Philosophy Criticism
  1. Art isn’t just about making choices; it’s shaped by tradition and cliché. Artists work against old patterns to create something new.
  2. Writing essays teaches important thinking skills, just like exercising builds muscle. It’s about understanding tradition and learning to navigate it.
  3. There’s a growing issue with relying on AI, which can hurt self-confidence and creativity. We need to foster independence from these tools to create authentic art.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Fashion Philosophy
  1. There's an upcoming project or series called 'Five Good Hours'.
  2. More details will be revealed soon, so it's worth keeping an eye on.
  3. You can subscribe for updates to stay informed about this new content.