Вдогонку к Миру Полудня послушал "Попытку к бегству". Спойлерить не буду, но Стругацкие здесь поднимают идею, которую позже развивают в "Трудно быть богом", и которая несколько в другом виде встречается, например, в "Этическом инженере" Гарри Гаррисона.
И вот на этой теме, как мне кажется, жёстко ломается гуманизм и вообще современная классическая гуманистическая идеология, сейчас поясню.
В теории радикальный гуманизм очень устойчив к контраргументам, потому что все вменяемые люди хотят жить и хотят, чтобы были живы их близкие. Идея, которая ставит во главу угла ценность человеческой жизни, проста, понятна и выглядит той самой максимой, к которой должно стремиться любое общество. Из-за этого другие идеи, являющиеся производными от неё, сложно отбивать какой-либо риторикой. Например, представление о полной недопустимости физического насилия, кроме как в ответ на другое физическое насилие — на уровне практического понимания работы общества мы знаем, что эта идея нежизнеспособна, но формально спорить с ней означает атаковать частичку гуманизма, который в некотором смысле непоколебим.
Вот и герои "Попытки к бегству" добрую половину произведения мучаются, тупят и совершают ошибки из-за своего гуманизма, а в какой-то момент даже начинают сильно раздражать этим (уверен, именно такова была задумка авторов).
Однако, гуманизм не может предложить вообще никакое нормальное решение в следующей ситуации (и об этом вообще всё произведение): вы развитая гуманистическая цивилизация натыкаетесь на неразвитую варварскую, в которой часть людей (условно, рабы) жесточайше страдает и умирает из-за другой части людей (условно, господ).
Что делать? Оставить всё как есть нельзя — рабы же страдают и умирают. Убить всех господ тоже нельзя — негуманно. Забрать рабов с планеты бессмысленно — господа поделятся на новых господ и новых рабов. Аналогично если забрать господ. Каким-то образом изменить сознание господ, чтобы они отказались от рабов — это нарушение свободы воли, эквивалентно, как было в "Трудно быть богом", убийству одного человечества и созданию на его месте другого.
В общем, что бы мы ни придумали, нам неизбежно придётся отойти от понятия ценности индивидуальной человеческой жизни и начать мыслить такими категориями, как стадии развития общества в целом, которые оно должно сначала пройти, чтобы достичь какого-то уровня. И выходит своего рода парадокс: мы не можем применять гуманизм целиком до тех пор, пока наше общество не стало целиком гуманистическим. А оно не стало, пока мы не применяем гуманизм целиком. Вот вам и поломка модели.
#fiction#life
📖Title : Forget Me Not
✍️Author : Stacy Willingham
⭐️Rating : 3.96/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Aug 26, 2025
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Summary:Claire Campbell has spent decades trying to move on from her sister Natalie’s mysterious disappearance. When her father calls her back home, she reluctantly returns, taking a summer job at Galloway Farm, a vineyard steeped in memories of Natalie’s last days. What begins as a quiet escape quickly unravels when Claire discovers a hidden diary belonging to one of the owners. Its entries, at first innocent, reveal disturbing links to long-forgotten crimes. As Claire digs deeper, she becomes consumed by the haunting possibility that Natalie’s fate is connected. Galloway, once a refuge, pulls her back into danger and dark truths.
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#thriller#mystery#fiction#suspense#adult#crime@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@thesciencelabs
📖Title : Conjure Wife
✍️Author : Fritz Leiber
⭐️Rating : 3.80/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Apr 1, 1943
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Summary:In Conjure Wife by Fritz Leiber, Norman Saylor, a rational-minded sociology professor, is shocked to learn that his wife, Tansy, has been secretly practicing witchcraft to protect him from harm and academic sabotage. Believing it's mere superstition, he convinces her to stop. However, as soon as she does, Norman's life begins to unravel—he faces inexplicable misfortunes and threats from unseen forces. Realizing too late that the magical protections were real, Norman must confront a hidden world of witchcraft and rival sorcery. The novel explores themes of gender, power, and the clash between rationalism and the supernatural in modern society.
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#horror#fantasy#fiction#wicthes#gothic@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas
📖Title : I, Medusa
✍️Author : Ayana Gray
⭐️Rating : 4.14/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Nov 18, 2025
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Summary:I, Medusa reimagines the legendary figure as a vulnerable yet fierce young woman named Meddy. Living in a world ruled by unpredictable gods, she longs for dignity and safety beyond her village’s expectations. Chosen to serve Athena, she believes she has finally found purpose — until a devastating betrayal by Poseidon shatters her life. Punished instead of protected, Meddy is transformed into the infamous Gorgon, her hair becoming living snakes and her gaze turning lethal. Exiled and feared, she slowly embraces her new identity, reclaiming her voice, power, and destiny. The story reframes Medusa as survivor, not monster.
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#fantasy#mythology#fiction#greek#historical@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@eternalmantra
📖Title : The Palace of Illusions
✍️Author : Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
⭐️Rating : 4.20/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Feb 12, 2008
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Summary:The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata from the perspective of Draupadi, the fiery and fearless heroine. Born of fire, Draupadi narrates her journey from a curious, ambitious princess to the wife of five Pandava brothers and a central figure in the epic war of Kurukshetra. The novel delves into her inner world—her desires, doubts, and defiance against societal norms. It reimagines mythological events with a feminist lens, portraying Draupadi as a complex woman driven by love, pride, and fate. The story blends magic, politics, passion, and pain into a lyrical narrative.
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#fiction#mythology#fantasy#india#historical@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@the_ancient_library@thescienceroom
📖Title : Forrest Gump
✍️Author : Winston Groom
⭐️Rating : 4.01/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Dec 31, 1986
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Summary:Forrest Gump, narrating in his own simple, Southern voice, recounts his unlikely journey from a small Alabama town to national prominence. Despite an IQ of 70 and a straightforward outlook, he becomes a college football star, fights in Vietnam, excels (unexpectedly) at ping-pong, ventures into shrimping, and becomes a millionaire. Through decades of American history he drifts and strives, anchored by his steadfast love for Jenny. With innocence and honesty, Forrest sheds light on the absurdities and wonders of life, proving that greatness often comes from humility, kindness, and being in the right place at the right time.
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#fiction#humor#classics#drama#adventure@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@eternalmantra
📖Title : Katabasis
✍️Author : R. F. Kuang
⭐️Rating : 4.03/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Aug 26, 2025
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Summary:Alice Law, an ambitious graduate student obsessed with becoming a leading magician, loses her mentor, Professor Jacob Grimes, in a magical accident—possibly her fault. Grimes’s soul is condemned to Hell, and Alice refuses to let death or damnation deny her future. Determined to rescue him, she risks her sanity, health, and very soul. Unfortunately, her bitter rival, Peter Murdoch, shares the same desperate mission. Forced into an uneasy alliance, the two must navigate Hell’s horrors together. Bound by ambition, rivalry, and guilt, they confront terrifying choices that test their humanity, their loyalty, and what they’re willing to sacrifice for power.
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#fantasy#darkacademia#fiction#romance#adult#mythology@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@eternalmantra
In a world that is so busy and craves a lot of attention, I'm just here to remind myself of something that I agree with; “simplicity is the essence of happiness”.
A Simple Yet Rewarding Life
Life is simple. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.
Fewer possessions = more time to spend enjoying life; because we are not worrying about how to pay for our possessions.
Sure it is exciting to buy & bring home lots of stuffs like the latest electronic gadget but after a while, the excitement wears off anyway 🤷🏻♀
& here's a reminder in case we forgot; our self-worth is not measured by the material thing we possess.
In fact, possessions often end up weighing us down – with them, come responsibility, guilt and stress. For example; your expensive car eats large chunk of your salary from the monthly instalments, insurance, services and road tax as well as the gas and repairment fees (if any)! You must hold on to your job to maintain your car as if you are a slave to it.
“The things that we own, end up owning us.”
The feeling of guilt comes when you feel that you have overpaid for something or should not have bought it in the first place. For example; tread mill or any other exercise machine 🙍🏻♀
Needless to say, stress will come from paying high price for it & worrying about losing them; either by them being broken or stolen.
What more is needed to say?
Simpler life = doing much with less. 😊
#simplicity#life#minimalism#minimalist#happiness
@quietworld🍃
📖Title : The Return of the King
✍️Author : J.R.R. Tolkien
⭐️Rating : 4.58/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Oct 20, 1955
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Summary:In The Return of the King, the final volume of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the forces of Gondor and Rohan prepare for the ultimate battle against Sauron. Aragorn embraces his destiny as the true king, rallying allies and marching to the Black Gate as a diversion. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam struggle through Mordor to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom. Gollum’s obsession leads to his and the Ring’s destruction, ending Sauron’s reign. Peace returns to Middle-earth, Aragorn is crowned, and the hobbits return to a changed Shire. Frodo later departs with the Elves to the Undying Lands.
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#fantasy#fiction#classics#adventure#novels#LOTR@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@thesciencelabs
📖Title : The Two Towers
✍️Author : J.R.R. Tolkien
⭐️Rating : 4.50/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Nov 11, 1954
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Summary:In The Two Towers, the Fellowship is broken. Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring, joined reluctantly by the treacherous yet pitiful Gollum, who becomes both guide and threat. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the Uruk-hai who have captured Merry and Pippin. Their paths lead to the war-torn kingdom of Rohan, where they aid King Théoden against the forces of Saruman. As darkness spreads and war looms, alliances are tested and hope flickers. The story deepens the moral complexity of the quest, showing how power corrupts and loyalty defines true heroism.
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#fantasy#fiction#classics#adventure#novels#LOTR@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@thesciencelabs
📖Title : 11/22/63
✍️Author :Stephen King
⭐️Rating : 4.35/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Nov 08, 2011
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Summary:11/22/63 by Stephen King follows Jake Epping, a high school teacher who discovers a time portal to 1958. Tasked with preventing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, Jake adopts a new identity and immerses himself in the past. As he navigates life in a different era, he falls in love and faces moral dilemmas, realizing that changing history comes with serious consequences. The past resists interference, growing more dangerous the closer he gets to his goal. Blending historical fiction, suspense, and romance, the novel explores the cost of rewriting fate and the weight of time.
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#fiction#sciencefiction#timetravel#horror#fantasy#thriller@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@thesciencelabs
📖Title : The Intruder
✍️Author : Freida McFadden
⭐️Rating : 3.89/5 (Goodreads)
📆Published : Oct 07, 2025
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Summary:During a raging storm, Casey answers a desperate knock at her door and finds a young woman drenched in rain, covered in blood, and clutching a knife. Claiming self-defense, the stranger insists someone is trying to kill her. Against her better judgment, Casey lets her inside. As the night unfolds, inconsistencies in the girl’s story begin to surface. Tension escalates as Casey realizes she may have invited danger into her own home. With power outages, isolation, and rising paranoia, trust becomes a deadly gamble. By morning, Casey must uncover the truth—before the intruder destroys her life completely.
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#thriller#mystery#fiction#suspense#theintruder#freidamcfadden@Bookslibraryofficial@free_novellas@eternalmantra