This is the frustration to guard against
“Those who treasure philosophical and literary works of a pessimistic, nihilistic, or defeatist nature as indispensable to their existence are hopelessly frustrated with living in a world on autopilot when they would like to switch it over to manual consciousness and nosedive humanity into a crash without survivors.” -Thomas Ligotti
I could be happy, if it weren’t for all those goddamn happy people.
When I feel down, I can’t read classics. I get upset just picking them up so I put them down again. During these times, I turn to humor.
Still, I can’t but wonder why so many classics are so depressing almost as if literary greatness and humor are like water and oil. Which is funny when you think about _Don Quixote_ which was both funny and classic.
Then there’s the notion that ideas are just ideas, and you don’t need to take any of them to heart. Just because you read a sad book, you don’t have to be sad.
This is true for me especially when I can’t understand it. Then I just toss it into the wall.