How Do I Balance Depressing Literature? (EARLY ACCESS)

I have a problem with the self help genre. There are probably some outstanding titles within the genre, but for the genre as a whole it's obvious, trite, cloying, and too egotistical and materialistic. Plus, the advice contained within might not even be good advice! I do my best to be ambivalent towards the genre, because there are people in my life who find comfort in it. But it's just not for me. "Depressing" literature, on the other hand, can be very appealing and dangerous for the reasons you already stated in the video, but for me it helps develop a stronger empathy for the suffering of others. If I were to add to any of your rules above, I would include having a sense of humor. Humor goes a long way in confronting depressing literature and life. Having said all that. Thanks for making this video. You're challenging my bias, but I love your reviews. Even if you or no one else ever reads this, it helps me get my thoughts in order. Thanks again.

Reading Peanuts comic strips tend to help.

Sometimes you read depressing literature because life ain't so grand and that's your only way to feel like someone else understands you. Also, coffee helps.

Does anyone else find that when a great novel ends happily - this is far more depressing than a tragedy - when you have to close the last page and live in the real world again. Books with dark/depressing narratives are often far more life affirming, relative to what you get out of them, than what might be considered light reading in comparison.

Speaking of Knausgård, I'm currently reading his book on Munch's paintings and he has some really fascinating observations on what we take from art and what artists put of themselves in it, especially as pertaining to out depressions, vices etc. Not sure if it exists in a translated version, but if it does, I think you'd really love it.

I loved this video. I definitely fall into the trap of sometimes letting depressing literature justify my shitty choices. Sometimes when we identify with an author so much, we find refuge in them and feel comfortable living in their world. And that's not always a negative thing until you start to distance yourself from your real life, ignoring everything that's actually important, by thinking that you've got everything figured out on a cosmic scale. I'm probably not making sense. But it's great to see that despite all the depressing stuff you read, you don't succumb to the negative side, despite how tempting it can sometimes be. If I can, I balance particularly depressing reads with something optimistic to look forward to after, or I just read two at once. (Anaïs Nin is great for this because of the way she romanticises stuff. She makes me fall in love with life over and over again). Some really great advice in this clip. Thank you Cliff!

Great video Cliff! I find you to be an excellent motivational speaker, that became clear after your review on Storm of Steel by Junger