Vremya

Vremya explores philosophy, psychology, and literature, reflecting on personal freedom, social comparison, morality, human condition, grief, memory, public outrage, and existential themes. It draws from classical and modern authors, offering insights on how art, writing, and reading shape our perceptions and lives.

Philosophy Psychology Literature Personal Freedom Social Comparison Morality Human Condition Grief Memory Public Outrage Existentialism

The hottest Substack posts of Vremya

And their main takeaways

On Franz Kafka and Escaping into Literature

159 implied HN points • 21 Jul 24
đź“š Literature Literary theory Authors Writing Reading Cultural criticism
  1. Franz Kafka had a tough relationship with his dad, which influenced his writing. He often used literature to express feelings he couldn't say in person.
  2. Writing and reading can both serve as escapes from reality, but they have different effects. Writing is more about creation, while reading can feel more passive.
  3. Even though literature can help us face our fears and express hopes, we can't truly escape our lives. Writing helps us process experiences rather than run from them.

Camus and Dostoevsky on Filthy Lucre, Happiness, and Freedom

219 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
đź“š Literature Authors Philosophy Literary Analysis Themes
  1. Both Camus and Dostoevsky explored how money is tied to happiness and freedom. They show that being rich can bring time and opportunities for true happiness.
  2. Work often limits our freedom and potential. Many people don't enjoy their jobs, as they are forced to work for survival rather than passion.
  3. Having money doesn’t guarantee happiness. It’s important to find purpose and create meaning in life, even when you're free from financial worries.

The Last Day of a Condemned Man—Reflections on Capital Punishment through Hugo, Dostoevsky, Camus, and Boethius

119 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
đź“š Literature Classics Philosophy Ethics Social Issues Historical context
  1. Victor Hugo's novel, _The Last Day of a Condemned Man_, explores the deep emotional struggles of a man facing execution. It raises questions about the morality of the death penalty and encourages readers to empathize with those condemned.
  2. Albert Camus argues against capital punishment by challenging its effectiveness as a deterrent. He believes that improving living conditions and education could be better solutions for reducing crime.
  3. Dostoevsky and Boethius, both faced with potential execution, reflected on their experiences through writing and philosophy. They showed how facing death can lead to profound insights about life, justice, and the human condition.

On García Márquez's 'Lost' Novel and the Ethics of Disregarding an Author's Wishes

19 implied HN points • 20 May 24
đź“š Literature Authors Ethics
  1. When an author dies, their wish regarding unpublished works can leave readers feeling torn. We may want to read more from them, but there's a question of respecting their choice not to publish.
  2. Some novels may be considered lost or incomplete, but authors might not actually want them published. The case of García Márquez highlights how his sons chose to publish a book he wanted destroyed.
  3. This situation raises an ethical dilemma about whether we should publish an artist's work against their wishes. While great art can benefit society, the personal intent of the author should also be considered.

On Austen, Mansfield Park, and Social Comparison—Or How We Judge Ourselves through Others

279 implied HN points • 04 Sep 22
đź“š Literature Classic Novels Social Psychology Comparative Analysis Human behavior Ethics
  1. We compare ourselves to others to judge our own happiness and success. It’s hard to know how we're doing without thinking about those around us.
  2. Upward comparison can make us feel bad about ourselves when we see others doing better. This can motivate us but sometimes it can just make us feel worse.
  3. Downward comparison helps us feel better about our own lives when we see others who are worse off. It’s a way to boost our self-esteem in tough times.
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On Thornton Wilder's Town and Moments in Eternity

59 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
đź“š Literature Authors Theater Narrative Philosophy
  1. Thornton Wilder's play _Our Town_ shows everyday life in a small town, focusing on universal themes like love, death, and the passage of time. It's a unique look at how special everyday moments can be.
  2. The play highlights how people often miss the beauty of life while they are living it. Characters in the story find it hard to appreciate their lives until it's too late.
  3. Wilder suggests that artists, like saints and poets, can capture and share the meaning of life. Their work helps us pause and reflect on life's significance, making it easier to appreciate our experiences.

Train Stations Early in the Morning—Dazai and Dostoevsky on Mood

179 implied HN points • 04 Dec 22
đź“š Literature Classic literature Philosophy Emotions Narrative
  1. Train stations in the early morning have a quiet, sad vibe. People seem tired and reluctant to be there, just going through the motions.
  2. When we feel unhappy, we tend to notice the sadness of others more. It's like our own feelings become sharper and more focused.
  3. In contrast, when people are happy, they might overlook the struggles around them. Our mood can really influence how we see the world and others.

House Sitting in Kiev—Or Why I Read

479 implied HN points • 02 Jul 21
đź“š Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Classics Reading Culture
  1. House sitting in Kiev gave me a chance to explore the city and enjoy time alone. It was during this time that I rekindled my love for reading.
  2. I realized that reading is about personal freedom and self-discovery. The books we choose help shape who we are.
  3. It's important to choose what we read for ourselves rather than letting others dictate it. Everyone should have the freedom to explore different ideas and authors, even if they can be controversial.

A Return to the World—On Dovlatov's Peter the Great and Dostoevsky's Christ

179 implied HN points • 02 Oct 22
đź“š Literature Fiction Russian literature Literary Analysis Cultural criticism Historical context
  1. Dovlatov's writing reflects his experience of exile and nostalgia, using a suitcase as a symbol of memories left behind. The suitcase not only holds belongings but also stories that reveal his past and identity.
  2. Bringing historical figures back into stories allows for humor and critique of current realities. Dovlatov’s Tsar Peter the Great humorously reacts to the changes in St. Petersburg, revealing deeper social and political comments.
  3. Dostoevsky's Christ in 'The Grand Inquisitor' offers a complex look at faith and freedom. The return of such a significant figure raises questions about belief and the hypocrisy of those who claim to follow him.

Ways of Seeing—On Bernhard's Old Masters

199 implied HN points • 11 Aug 22
đź“š Literature Fiction Philosophy Art Criticism Psychology
  1. Everything in art, as in life, has flaws. When we look closely, we’ll often find faults, even in the greatest masterpieces.
  2. Our personal experiences shape how we see the world. Sometimes, our pain or feelings can color our view of things, making us more critical or negative.
  3. Losing someone we love changes everything. It can make us see things differently, and sometimes, we may feel that nothing else holds the same meaning or value.

Camus, Perfectionism, and Absurd Creation—On Joseph Grand in The Plague

139 implied HN points • 11 Sep 22
đź“š Literature Novels Philosophy Existentialism Writing Art
  1. Joseph Grand struggles with perfectionism, holding him back from completing his writing. He gets stuck on the perfect first sentence and can't move past it.
  2. Life is considered absurd, with no inherent meaning, and we get to create our own purpose. This idea is central to Camus's philosophy.
  3. Art and creation are ways to rebel against life's absurdity. Even small efforts in writing can be seen as part of the larger struggle of existence.

On Ibsen's Enemy of the People—Or How to Face Public Outrage

179 implied HN points • 09 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture Theater Literature Art History Philosophy
  1. Public outrage has always existed, but it’s more concentrated now on social media. It’s common for people with new or uncomfortable ideas to be met with resistance.
  2. Ibsen's play 'An Enemy of the People' shows the struggle of speaking uncomfortable truths. The main character faces anger and backlash when he reveals that the town's spa is contaminated.
  3. The play highlights the challenges of changing people's minds about moral beliefs. It can be tough to share important ideas, especially when they go against what many believe to be true.

On Mallarmé’s Tomb for Anatole—Or What to Do With Absence

139 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
đź“š Literature Poetry Grief Memory Existentialism
  1. Loss is hard for everyone, and it's normal to feel surprised or guilty about moving on after someone we love dies. Grief doesn’t always feel the way we expect it to.
  2. Thoughts of those we lost can be fleeting, and life goes on with daily distractions. It's a struggle to balance remembering them with living our own lives.
  3. Creating something in memory of a loved one, like a poem or a piece of art, can help to honor their memory and deal with the absence they left behind.

On Dostoevsky's Crocodile—Or Beginnings and Ends

239 implied HN points • 02 Jun 21
đź“š Literature Literary Criticism Short Stories Russian literature Social Commentary
  1. Dostoevsky's story 'The Crocodile' isn't widely known but has some interesting themes. It features a civil servant who gets stuck inside a crocodile and has to adapt to his strange situation.
  2. The tale satirizes social reformers and the media, highlighting how people often don't understand real life while claiming to know what is best for others. The protagonist even dreams up grand ideals from within the crocodile.
  3. There's a playful humor throughout the story, showing Dostoevsky's lighter side. This contrasts with his more serious works and reflects the influence of other writers like Gogol, who also used humor and absurdity in storytelling.

Jane Austen and Cognitive Bias—Or on Persuasion

139 implied HN points • 01 Jun 21
đź“š Literature Fiction Psychology Gender Studies Cognitive Science Narrative analysis
  1. Jane Austen explores the idea of love and how men and women experience it differently. She suggests that women may find it harder to move on from love than men do.
  2. Motivated reasoning is a key concept, where people look for evidence that supports what they already believe. This means we often see our own experiences as proof for our opinions.
  3. Austen also hints at cognitive biases like the availability heuristic, which is when we overestimate how common something is based on how easily we can recall examples from our life. This can lead to skewed perceptions of reality.

On Portraying Nietzsche—Or Whether a Philosopher's Biography Should Be Philosophical

99 implied HN points • 03 Jun 21
đź“– Philosophy Biography Philosophers Literary Analysis Human experience
  1. Different authors have different approaches when writing about philosophers. Some focus on the philosopher's life, while others emphasize their ideas and philosophies.
  2. Biographies aim to show a person's uniqueness and complexity, which can be difficult because there’s so much detail in anyone's life to cover.
  3. Understanding a philosopher's life can help connect their personal experiences to their ideas. A good biography should find a balance between storytelling and philosophical insight.

On Dostoevsky's Bobok—Or the Banality of the Dead

2 HN points • 24 Apr 22
đź“š Literature Classic literature Short Stories Satire Philosophy Russian literature
  1. Dostoevsky's short story 'Bobok' reveals how even the dead talk about trivial things, showing that our worries don't vanish after death. It makes us think about how much time we spend on little worries in life.
  2. The voice of the dead in 'Bobok' symbolizes how we still remember and think about people who have passed away, keeping their memories alive in our minds.
  3. Ivan Ivanych, the main character, feels lonely and out of place, hinting that every writer, like him, turns to stories and voices—sometimes even from the dead—to find connection and meaning.