In 'Three Guineas', Virginia Woolf responds to a request for support against war, arguing that education does not inherently prevent conflict but rather perpetuates possessiveness and competition, which are linked to war. She crit...
About:
Mandy Brown is a writer and blogger with interests in work, reading, and technology.
Website:
Specializations:
Interests:
Incoming Links:
Outgoing Links:
Subscribe to RSS:
James Hillman argues that dreams are not mere messages but the psyche's creative work, transforming daily experiences into soul-stuff. He emphasizes that dream-work should be seen as imaginative activity rather than a laborious ta...
André Gorz argues for 'non-reformist reform' to combat capitalism's destructive nature and critiques the passive influence of pseudo-culture on society.
Burnout has shifted from a communal response to political defeat to an individual pathology linked to societal pressures and personal achievement.
6.4We were angry
2025-10-16 • history mental health psychology trauma recovery veterans
The text discusses Judith Herman's exploration of trauma, particularly in the context of soldiers during World War I who exhibited symptoms of 'shell shock.' Initially misunderstood as a physical ailment, it was revealed that thes...
6.4Beyond credibility
2025-10-04 • trauma recovery mass hysteria freud charcot
The text discusses the historical context of hysteria as explored by Jean-Martin Charcot and his followers, including Freud. It highlights Charcot's theatrical public lectures and his dismissal of women's testimonies, contrasting ...
The text discusses Judith Herman's influential work on trauma, emphasizing the importance of understanding psychological trauma within social and political contexts. It critiques historical figures like Freud for their dismissal o...
The post discusses the chaotic administration of Army intelligence tests, highlighting the irrationality of evaluating intelligence under such conditions, as documented by Stephen Jay Gould. It draws a parallel to Ursula K. Le Gui...
6.3Pseudo-culture
2026-02-17 • technology politics culture media societal issues
The post critiques mass culture and technology's role in manipulating public perception, urging a return to individual agency and alternative viewpoints.
Virginia Woolf's essays, 'A Room of One’s Own' and 'Three Guineas', discuss women's exclusion from education and work, arguing that economic independence is crucial for women's creativity. Woolf critiques the education system, sug...
The text discusses James Hillman's perspective on dreams, emphasizing the importance of observation over interpretation. Hillman argues that interpreting dreams commodifies them, while true understanding requires a humble acceptan...
Political burnout is an emotional response to defeat that necessitates communal healing and challenges the commodification of personal struggles.
Byung-Chul Han's essay, 'Why Revolution is Impossible Today,' argues that the shift from a disciplinary society to a neoliberal one has transformed the nature of oppression. In the past, clear oppressors and oppressed existed, lea...
In 'The Dream and the Underworld,' James Hillman emphasizes the importance of dreams as a form of soul-making, advocating for a view of work that values imagination over capitalist productivity. He critiques the exploitation of dr...
Virginia Woolf examines the nature of reality versus unreality, highlighting the writer's role in revealing authentic experiences and urging a life attuned to genuine perception.
5.8Thingness
2025-11-19 • technology philosophy rituals community self-sameness
The text reflects on Byung-Chul Han's concept of 'self-sameness' from 'The Disappearance of Rituals,' contrasting the stability of physical objects like tables with the inconstancy of screens. It argues that while screens demand c...
Virginia Woolf critiques societal attitudes towards women in the workplace, linking them to broader themes of tyranny and oppression in both public and private life.
Increasing specialization in industries, especially tech, limits workers' creativity and autonomy, leading to negative impacts on their well-being and future roles in an AI-driven world.
Hannah Proctor's concept of 'patient urgency' highlights the necessity of persistent action for social change, despite the inevitable delays and challenges faced.
The post highlights how reading can inspire writing and provide solace during creative struggles, drawing on insights from Virginia Woolf and Ursula K. Le Guin.
5.6Psychology of craft
2025-11-12 • craftsmanship growth psychology soul dream analysis
The text discusses the concept of 'growth' in contemporary work culture, contrasting it with the idea of 'craft' as proposed by James Hillman. It emphasizes the importance of grounding oneself in the psyche and imagination rather ...
The story of Mitz, the marmoset adopted by Leonard and Virginia Woolf, reflects their lives amid the looming shadows of war and colonialism.
The story follows Velma Henry's journey of healing and self-discovery in a Southern town, questioning the true desire for wellness amidst personal and communal struggles.
In 1913, a young Pole arrives at a health resort in the Silesian mountains, known for its healing air. The residents engage in nightly debates over philosophical issues, including women's rights and societal roles, while unsettlin...