Thank you for posting. In my experience, it's both scary and thrilling to let go of things, especially ones that once had significant value. And books—well, that's the whole thing, isn't it? I left academia but it took me ten years to finally get rid of my texts and law books. In the end, I told myself they were a) out of date and/or b) replaceable. That helped.
Love this reflection, L. Vago. During Covid, I "Marie Kondo'd" my house and office. In total, I donated 43 boxes of books. Of them, I regretted only 5 books, so I bought them again. After 22 years, I too gave up all my old college notes and papers. At times, I regret that action. But I think it was an important act to let go of the intellectual anchor of college -- a beautiful anchor, but a weight in some sense nonetheless. I thought about a paper about Elie Weisel's Night, on which my professor wrote, "One of the most original and insightful essays about this book I have ever read. You are a philosopher, Russell!" Maybe I wish I still had that essay, but perhaps even more, I wonder what thoughts I'd have about Night now -- and what I would write about it nearly 3 decades later.
Ah yea! As long as you have the reminder of that note, and you don't forget it. You ARE a philosopher! I am so back and forth about reflecting on the past. Sometimes it feels like a weight, and sometimes it can help me remember "who I am" and revitalize parts of myself that I had been missing. Sounds like remembering this essay does the latter for you, whether you have it physically or not.
Thank you for posting. In my experience, it's both scary and thrilling to let go of things, especially ones that once had significant value. And books—well, that's the whole thing, isn't it? I left academia but it took me ten years to finally get rid of my texts and law books. In the end, I told myself they were a) out of date and/or b) replaceable. That helped.
Love this reflection, L. Vago. During Covid, I "Marie Kondo'd" my house and office. In total, I donated 43 boxes of books. Of them, I regretted only 5 books, so I bought them again. After 22 years, I too gave up all my old college notes and papers. At times, I regret that action. But I think it was an important act to let go of the intellectual anchor of college -- a beautiful anchor, but a weight in some sense nonetheless. I thought about a paper about Elie Weisel's Night, on which my professor wrote, "One of the most original and insightful essays about this book I have ever read. You are a philosopher, Russell!" Maybe I wish I still had that essay, but perhaps even more, I wonder what thoughts I'd have about Night now -- and what I would write about it nearly 3 decades later.
Ah yea! As long as you have the reminder of that note, and you don't forget it. You ARE a philosopher! I am so back and forth about reflecting on the past. Sometimes it feels like a weight, and sometimes it can help me remember "who I am" and revitalize parts of myself that I had been missing. Sounds like remembering this essay does the latter for you, whether you have it physically or not.