The Lifeboat

The Lifeboat Substack delves into personal and cultural reflections, analyzing human emotions, relationships, and societal changes in a digital era. It creatively merges fiction with insightful commentary on art, technology's impact on human interaction, and the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary life and future generations.

Personal Reflections Cultural Analysis Human Emotions Relationship Dynamics Impact of Technology Art and Creativity Philosophy and Society Future Generations

The hottest Substack posts of The Lifeboat

And their main takeaways

When Hell freezes over and Tolstoy learns to skate

195 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
📚 Literature Classics Russian literature Art Criticism Cultural Commentary Philosophy
  1. The painting 'The Devil skating when Hell freezes over' has a confusing history, with two artists named John Collier possibly involved. It raises questions about the truth of art and how things can get mixed up over time.
  2. Leo Tolstoy enjoyed skating and even learned it in his 60s. He brought joy to children by teaching them how to skate, seeing it as a kind of spiritual enlightenment.
  3. The conversation about whether Tolstoy could be depicted as the Devil highlights the blend of reality and myth in Russian literature. It questions how society views good and evil and whether everyone has a bit of both within them.

Exhumations and Resolutions

149 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
📚 Literature Poetry Writing Prose Music Art Expression
  1. Art is a way to express our feelings and ideas, even if it feels abstract or confusing. It's important to keep creating, no matter the medium.
  2. Writing music and poetry can be a fun challenge. It’s good to learn the skills needed to improve and enjoy the process.
  3. Setting resolutions helps to focus on creative goals, like finishing a project or getting others to read your work. Sharing those goals can motivate you and others.

The Unremitting Monedey

160 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Society Work Digital Games
  1. Selling virtual items, like gems in games, raises questions about morality and customer responsibility. People should manage their finances wisely, even in digital spaces.
  2. Entertainment in the form of virtual games can distract people from their real-life struggles, but there's concern about the exploitative aspects of selling virtual goods.
  3. The workplace can feel mundane and draining, leading to a desire for escape or change. Many people face the struggle of balancing personal happiness with their jobs.

To All This Fuckery

195 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Narrative Prose Short Stories
  1. The story explores deep thoughts and feelings about beauty and life's complexities. The main character feels disconnected while everyone else interacts, highlighting a struggle to feel present.
  2. Friendship and shared moments are shown to be important. The gathering at the dacha is cozy and enjoyable, even while the protagonist remains skeptical of their friendships.
  3. Drinking alcohol is a new experience for the protagonist, leading to thoughts about identity and control. She reflects on her life, her dreams of escape, and how these moments shape her perspective.

Cases of Phobokenosis

172 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Criticism Surrealism Psychological Dark humor
  1. Fear and fearlessness seem very different, but they are connected. Fearlessness can come from realizing that being afraid doesn’t help us in the end.
  2. In modern society, fear is often overlooked or normalized. The way we interact with fear can change how we live our lives.
  3. The concept of social criticism has lost its power. Today, it often feels like just entertainment rather than a meaningful discussion about important issues.
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Nevédomosti №2

172 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Literary Analysis Cultural Commentary
  1. The author has a new book called 'Deleted Scenes from the Bestselling Utopian Novel' that's doing well on Reedsy Discovery. They encourage readers to upvote it for better visibility.
  2. They recently participated in a zine fair in London where their book was stocked in a bookshop, expanding its physical reach to readers.
  3. The author discovered a new favorite writer, Valeria Narbikova, whose work deeply resonates with them. They feel a strong urge to share Narbikova's work with others after her recent passing.

Notes on Being Licked

252 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
📚 Literature Poetry Drama Prose Essays Narrative
  1. People often communicate in ways that lead to misunderstandings and confusion. Just like in Chekhov's plays, everyone has their own thoughts that don't always connect with others.
  2. Language consists of more than just words; it includes different interpretations and personal meanings. This can lead to a disconnect where everyone sees the world differently.
  3. In society, agreeing on common rules or understanding can help create trust. Without this, people may feel isolated and misunderstood, even among friends and family.

Moscow, Gooseberries, and Inexorable Motion of Time

183 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
📚 Literature Drama Philosophy Narrative Existentialism History
  1. Time keeps moving forward, and people often struggle with how to cope with it. Some try to ignore it, while others seek to enjoy the present moment more.
  2. Desires and dreams are a big part of being human, but many people end up feeling regret for what they didn't achieve. This can make life feel empty or unfulfilled.
  3. Stories like 'Three Sisters' and 'Gooseberries' show how people can become trapped by their dreams or stuck in routines, realizing too late that time has passed without them taking action.

The Art, The Tragedy, The Art of Tragedy, The Tragedy of Art

321 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Drama Non-fiction Artistic expression
  1. Writers feel a strong urge to express themselves. If something wants to be written, it's important to let it out instead of holding it back.
  2. Art often comes from experiencing tragedy or hardship. Even in tough times, writers can create meaningful works that reflect their feelings and the world's problems.
  3. The process of writing is a journey of self-discovery for an author. They are truly themselves when they are actively creating, while at other times, they might feel like someone else.

Dragons in the Dungeons of Mind

275 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Theater Political art Psychology Sociology
  1. The dragon represents harmful leaders or systems that seem powerful and unchallengeable, but people often accept their existence without questioning. It's important to recognize how society can normalize oppression, making it hard for individuals to imagine a life without it.
  2. Killing the dragon is not enough; the mindset of the people can still hold onto oppressive ideas. After a tyrant is gone, a new leader can take over if the collective consciousness doesn't change first.
  3. The play highlights the risk of becoming complacent under tyranny, as people may believe they have no choice but to accept their fate, leading them to become complicit in their own oppression. It shows that true freedom requires mental liberation alongside physical change.

Some Theories of Awakening

172 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Narrative Imagery Themes Essays
  1. Awakening represents a struggle against time and the pressure to conform to life's expectations. It's like trying to escape an alarm clock that won't stop ringing.
  2. Life often feels fast and overwhelming, contrasting with the dreamy experience of childhood where time seems to stretch. We remember those moments fondly but can lose track of them as we grow older.
  3. The push and pull of existence reflect a deeper resistance within us. We want to live freely and make our own choices, but we are constantly reminded of the time and responsibilities we cannot ignore.

Deleted scenes, essays, updates, and plans, or a lack thereof

195 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Essays Publishing Reviews Artistic expression
  1. The author has written several essays addressing themes like Truth, Freedom, and the impacts of authoritarianism, influenced by their experiences in Russia. These essays aim to engage readers and connect with their book.
  2. Cultural commentary includes a notion of finding humor in others' reactions to opinions that challenge their beliefs, emphasizing a sense of detached amusement rather than vindictiveness.
  3. Positive reviews for the author's work from unfamiliar readers suggest that the book resonates widely, even beyond its original context, which boosts the author's confidence in their storytelling.

Fiction seekers, your search ends here!

275 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Short Stories Novels Sci-fi Fantasy Romance
  1. The post provides a curated index of fiction works by the author, spanning various genres like sci-fi, fantasy, dark comedy, and romance, making it easy for fiction seekers to explore based on their interests.
  2. The author emphasizes sharing similar lists as a way to support fellow writers and engage with a community of fiction enthusiasts.
  3. The post also mentions the availability of both digital and physical versions of the author's work, with an invitation to readers to sign up for updates and leave comments.

for those who come after us

126 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Fiction Humor History Education
  1. Imagine how future generations will learn about us from our writings.
  2. Everything we write today could be a record of our civilization for those who come after us.
  3. Our descendants may find our stories, essays, and tweets fascinating and be grateful for the insight into who we were.

Whispers in the Astral Plane

103 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
⚔ Fiction Short Story Collaboration Dreams Mystery Imagination
  1. The post is about a collaborative story where one author rewrites another's work in their unique style, showcasing creative freedom while keeping the essence of the original story.
  2. The story revolves around Véronique feeling like she's being watched, delving into themes of paranoia, personal encounters, and mysterious feelings.
  3. The narrative intricately weaves a tale of subtle interactions and mysterious encounters in an eclectic bar ambiance, blurring the lines between reality and dreams.

Phantomic Rabbits

103 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📚 Literature Fiction Interview Novel Author Podcast
  1. The novelist Yakov Yasninsky prefers to keep a mysterious persona.
  2. Yakov wrote his book 'Phantomic Rabbits' by hand, with one thousand pages
  3. The podcast interview reveals an unexpected twist when Yakov reveals he is actually a rabbit.

Words Unspoken and Other Stories

91 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
📚 Literature Short Stories Romance Fiction Books Writing
  1. The story portrays a conversation between Felix and Felicia, highlighting how sometimes people drift apart when they realize they have nothing in common beyond a shared environment.
  2. The tale captures the complexity of relationships and the struggle to communicate effectively when faced with changes or divergence in paths.
  3. Communication, shared interests, and understanding are crucial elements in relationships to avoid misunderstandings and maintain connection.

Reviews

91 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration
  1. The story features Illarion Illarionovich, a filmmaker facing criticism for his work.
  2. The conversation between Illarion and Vitya revolves around the essence of their film and the criticism they receive.
  3. The dialogue explores the contrast between artistic truth and audience preferences.

Monsters

252 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. The warrior and Dino seek bravery together in a scary world.
  2. The warrior faces fear and confusion about violence and love while seeking comfort.
  3. In a dramatic moment, Dino bravely protects the warrior from a menacing enemy.

Training Memory

160 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. Qvyd feels nostalgic and saddened by leaving his home and family behind on a train journey.
  2. Qvyd reflects on the impact of technology, like phones, on human connections and the loss of genuine interaction.
  3. Qvyd experiences a mix of emotions, including unease and a sense of detachment, as he embarks on a new chapter in his life.

Beelzebufo, The Annihilator Of Dinosaurs

137 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. Collaboration and creativity can lead to unexpected and humorous outcomes.
  2. The idea of creating a film about dinosaurs sparks debate between drama and action.
  3. Imaginative storytelling can incorporate deep themes like existence and capitalism in unexpected ways.

Life And Poetry Of James Clifford

80 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
📚 Literature Poetry Translation Biography Legacy Mystery
  1. James Clifford, an English poet, was famous in the Soviet Union but unknown in his homeland.
  2. Vladimir Lifshitz translated Clifford's poems, which were praised for their freedom and precision.
  3. Soviet authors like Lifshitz valued Clifford's work for offering a fresh perspective on reality and bypassing censorship.

The Phenomenon of 'The Room'

57 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Film Art Entertainment Literature Cinema
  1. Art must give hope and faith, symbolizing the meaning of existence.
  2. Films like 'The Room' blur the line between good and bad, offering genuine enjoyment through sincerity and humor.
  3. Nanar films, though considered bad in traditional standards, provide a unique and fun escape from conventional views of quality in cinema.