the_dunk_tank

Recommending an audiobook specifically sped up has such a weird energy

Elon Musk is a CHUD that ironically acts like how conservatives joke liberals are:

• Will never shut up about how smart and cultured they are
• Live in cities with other people like them, sneering down at "real americans" (You know damn well Elon Musk agreed with Hillbilly Elegy).
• Cosmopolitan as shit.
• Think they know everything and treat anyone who disagrees with them no matter how politely as scum
• Literally RUNS an electric car company.

Democrats adopted the platform of republicans in the 2000s, Republicans adopted the vibe of Democrats in the 2000s. The working class is cooked.

Ever meet that annoying kid in grade school that said "I am very smart. I know that E Equals Em Cee Squared!"

I was that kid

I just noticed there's another tryhard flex within the tryhard flex: the "listening at 1.25x speed" thing. Because unless you do that you're not optimizing your verysmartness points.

My favorite book is Meditations by Markus Arelios!

I read the Iliad back in school in the original Greek. So much of it is just "this noble killed that noble". Ya it has good moments, but damn it's a plod. I don't suggest it for anyone unless you're into classics.

Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History" podcast — known for its "unique blend of high drama, masterful narration and Twilight Zone-style twists," according to its Apple Podcasts page — is "probably my top recommendation," Musk said.

Musk also shared some of his favorites in another medium: audiobooks. He likes "The Story of Civilization" by Will and Ariel Durant as well as the Penguin edition of "The Iliad."

It's the edition or bust!! How long until he starts wearing a gold laurel wreath on his head? No one around him will discourage it.

Seems like he's in a surface level 'wow, isn't (the western narrative of) history crazy, some stuff sure happened...' phase, but because he's rich Business Insider and others make note of these inconsequential musings. Gotta do their part to prop up that 'captains of industry' myth right.

Oh I love the Odyssey! That's that movie where Brad Pitt is an unkillable twink, right? And then he dies from posting feet

Why he gotta do you dirty like that

Speaking of The Iliad and The Odyssey, are there any particularly good English translations of it that I could read? Is Penguin Classics good enough? Are there better ones?

Speculation Time : the Ending in the Offical Odysee is a Later Edition , in which a Happy Ending was inserted , with Athena convincing Zeus to intervene .

The Actuall ending that fits the Archeological Record and the Bronce Age Collapse and the Themes of "Greek Tragedy" . Is The News of the Massacare on the Suitors reaching their Families, where they Swear Revenge , they March on the Kings Palace / Great Hall and Odyseus and his hole "Heroic Age Family" salling out against them under the Solar Eclipse havenly Impling the Civil War , Ruin and the Death of the Odyseus Clan.

The Actual ending should go something like that: (From the 24th)

Rumour went round the town, and noised abroad the terrible fate that had befallen the suitors; as soon, therefore, as the people heard of it they gathered from every quarter, groaning and hooting before the house of Ulysses. They took the dead away, buried every man his own, and put the bodies of those who came from elsewhere on board the fishing vessels, for the fishermen to take each of them to his own place. They then met angrily in the place of assembly, and when they were got together Eupeithes rose to speak. He was overwhelmed with grief for the death of his son Antinous, who had been the first man killed by Ulysses, so he said, weeping bitterly, "My friend, this man has done the Achaeans great wrong. He took many of our best men away with him in his fleet, and he has lost both ships and men; now, moreover, on his return he has been killing all the foremost men among the Cephallenians. Let us be up and doing before he can get away to Pylos or to Elis where the Epeans rule, or we shall be ashamed of ourselves for ever afterwards. It will be an everlasting disgrace to us if we do not avenge the murder of our sons and brothers. For my own part I should have no mote pleasure in life, but had rather die at once. Let us be up, then, and after them, before they can cross over to the mainland."

He wept as he spoke and every one pitied him. But Medon and the bard Phemius had now woke up, and came to them from the house of Ulysses. Every one was astonished at seeing them, but they stood in the middle of the assembly, and Medon said, "Hear me, men of Ithaca. Ulysses did not do these things against the will of heaven. I myself saw an immortal god take the form of Mentor and stand beside him. This god appeared, now in front of him encouraging him, and now going furiously about the court and attacking the suitors whereon they fell thick on one another."

On this pale fear laid hold of them, and old Halitherses, son of Mastor, rose to speak, for he was the only man among them who knew both past and future; so he spoke to them plainly and in all honesty, saying,

"Men of Ithaca, it is all your own fault that things have turned out as they have; you would not listen to me, nor yet to Mentor, when we bade you check the folly of your sons who were doing much wrong in the wantonness of their hearts- wasting the substance and dishonouring the wife of a chieftain who they thought would not return. Now, however, let it be as I say, and do as I tell you. Do not go out against Ulysses, or you may find that you have been drawing down evil on your own heads."

This was what he said, and more than half raised a loud shout, and at once left the assembly. But the rest stayed where they were, for the speech of Halitherses displeased them, and they sided with Eupeithes; they therefore hurried off for their armour, and when they had armed themselves, they met together in front of the city, and Eupeithes led them on in their folly. He thought he was going to avenge the murder of his son, whereas in truth he was never to return, but was himself to perish in his attempt.

Ulysses began by saying, "Some of you go out and see if they are not getting close up to us." So one of Dolius's sons went as he was bid. Standing on the threshold he could see them all quite near, and said to Ulysses, "Here they are, let us put on our armour at once." They put on their armour as fast as they could- that is to say Ulysses, his three men, and the six sons of Dolius. Laertes also and Dolius did the same- warriors by necessity in spite of their grey hair. When they had all put on their armour, they opened the gate and sallied forth, Ulysses leading the way.

(From the 23th)

By now there was light over the earth, but Athena hid them in the night, and swiftly led them forth from the city (towards them) .

The End.