Tjeenk’s Zone Reading – Tjeenk's Zone

Welkom to Tjeenk's Zone

Reading

A vehicle of progression

Uncertain as it might be, that we project books on reality. They do, however, give me new perspectives on it. As I once remarked to another person they're like spectacles. So they help with visual acuity. This of course does not limit itself to one true perspective. Think of the lens of a microscope or a telescope they alter perspective instead of focus acuity.

Different books offer different perspectives, in keeping with the metaphor of spectacles one could suggest that newer ones would yield greater acuity. However, this is not always the case.

These perspectives have been a great source of information, and on more then one occasion helped me when life felt stuck. Furthermore, reading is keeps the brain functioning properly so what's not to like.

These
elements combined make for a great engine to progress.The knowledge
yields discernment, and fortified cognitive functioning aids in the decision
making process.

My cup of tea

The books I like to read vary considerably. Themes I like concern society at large, the individual and society, utopia and dystopia, psychology, some self improvement, and since about 2022 Torah and Chassidus became a daily staple.

Although I like hard philosophical, scientiffical books, fiction is nice too. Sometimes fiction paints pictures science can't convey. It gives joy to learn from books, both recognition (uhu) and epiphany (aha). Sometimes you realize special meaning or deeper layers of books (long) after you read them. That's a golden experience.

Life can make you feel like you've seen it all. Those sudden twists and insights can keep you humble and open.

Once my head is full, and I need some downtime, page-turners, fairy tales, and some children's books can be a good choice.
The fun thing I noticed on my first really big journey (+1200 pages) was the shifts is writing styles. Some parts where deep thoughtful, and hard to digest, while others read as smooth as a speeding train.

Books that influenced me

The first serious books I've read were heart of darkness Konrad Lorentz, and The Republic by Plato. Especially the latter had a great influence on me, and has kept influencing me ever since.

Further obligatory dystopias like 1984 (George Orwell), and Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) had a big impact on me. However, these made me a bit skeptical and critical of society (and economy). A good counterbalance was Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Not only does this shows the warm side of proper functioning capitalism, it also paints industrialists/entrepreneurs in a positive way. Explaining their effort and struggle.

While reading Julian Barnes' The Noise of Time, it also made me realize that Atlas Shrugged perfectly displays the weakness of despotic power.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has had great influence on both my efficiency and effectivity, and interpersonal skills. Although this did put me in overdrive for quite some time. A serious pitfall of drive, ambition.

This (over)drive, however, did improve my personality to certain/great extent. Moreover, my material surrounding improved with it. So that was a mixed bag. The Tanya by Rabbi Schneur Zalman is a gift that keeps giving, much like Tanach with commentary.

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