The Death of Tragedy: Nietzsche and Joel Rose, finding your allies & wisdom, which is all around you

Writing is a big part of my healing and growth process. I am in a process to say the least, of opening up, correcting and seeking and accepting help. Learning to love myself and the world around me, knowing that I am enough, that I am loved. That the future is bright on the inside and outside. It took everything behind me and inside me to arrive at this moment and to reap the beauty from many moments ahead. I am not alone, and neither are you.

Everything got you to this moment also – your family, your environment, your thoughts, strengths, weaknesses, relationships, decisions. Those chapters of the book are written, and while you can study them and excavate great riches from the past you must know that the ink is dry and will never be erased. That is not a jab or uppercut, that is a pat on the back and a point in the direction ahead, for the most important day and minute is the current one, the chapters that can be written are the pages and moments in front of you. There is no limit to the story or ending, no pre-determined possibilities and while you may think writing is a singular process, there you are also wrong. Whether writing your trajectory or recording the happenings, that story will only be as rich as the time, effort and collaboration you seek to deliver the message. And the message, well that will only be maximal if you open your system and do it with those around you, seek help in all areas and accept that wisdom, energy and knowledge to supplement your internal library. For then a great story forward is more than possible, it will be.

This blog is about enlightening research on writing and again, the value you find is more than two-fold and so rich. How I even came upon the philosopher Nietzshe and the research is so much more important – from a friend that I never would have had if I didn’t open my system and reach out, accept and take the leap forward. And this new friend, understands what others may be struggling with, and he responded, adding to my journey and mission. So beautiful. And I am an engineer, no philosopher or writer.

Here's the article that got me going: Nietzshe’s 10 Rules for Writing with Style

https://www.openculture.com/2022/02/nietzsches-10-rules-for-writing-with-style.html

Who was Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche? October 15, 1844 to August 25, 1900, German philosopher, he was a brilliant prodigy, the youngest to hold the chair position at the University of Basel for Classical Philology at age 24. His health was one of his biggest obstacles throughout life, he lived beyond the average expectancy for his time, yet was robbed of his mental capacity and faculties at age 45 due to stroke. His work covered a lot of ground from poetry, fiction, cultural and religious criticism, morality, the pursuit of new values, aphorism and irony, theories of Apollonian and Dionysian forces and concepts like Ubermensch and eternal return (some of which we will detail here, but so many more we will come back to in the future). After his death, much of Nietzsche’s work has been misinterpreted and edited, twisted in ways that have sparked significant controversy. Much of the damage in his post-humus work was done by his sister Elisabeth who became the curator and editor of his manuscripts when he died.

I have become particularly interested in his work around Apollonian and Dionysian concepts which center on Greek mythology – the dialectic of Apollo and Dionysus where the former is represented in the rational and logical world or mind with clarity and harmony, progress and the latter representing disorder intoxication, emotion. I love the word dialectic – the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions. Dialectic is also defined as inquiry into metaphysical contradictions and their solutions. That second definition is so electric for me, for that is where we are taking a journey into my mind and life, breaking down the dichotomy, the coin that always looked to come up tails when it was truly heads inside, and now the solutions and journey I am on to find myself and learn. To move forward.

In my story I see so much that fits this dichotomy and internal and external struggles between chaos and order, addiction and failure in the form of an inescapable gravitational pull against fulfillment, progress and recovery, health; reality on one hand and illusion, dreams on the other constantly at odds.

When I read things like Nietzsche arguing that a Dionysian figure possesses the knowledge that his actions cannot change the eternal balance of things, and it disgusts him enough not to act at all – I am reminded of my years of hiding the depression, addiction and compulsions that plagued me – resigned to the fact that I would never be able to overcome or fix myself, I had destructive DNA that coded my heart and soul to be black and dark, could never escape the entropic downward spiral. Death coming with unfulfillment, a certain tragedy which we cannot defeat or run from – and in many cases we succumb to this force even to the point of finding delight in destruction. I have felt all of these things, I have heard it from other addicts too – at some point you give in and find pleasure in the destruction and going darker and darker until you get to a very cruel end, or very close to it and a few are lucky enough to pull away from the force. Many end their lives in swift suicide or a slower death in the form of substance abuse, all the same. I was lucky as I was pulled away from the ledge, the dark force. As I have been, where in the depths of insanity and frenzy an unknown force delivered unexpected strength, clarity and fullness. This ties right into the common thought that only through great pain and suffering do we find great art or invaluable wisdom, make a step-change from an enhanced state and will to move forward, transform moving past prior obstacles. Primordial Unity – thank you. We do have the ability to change our future, there is no pre-destined or programmed failure, mistake, destruction code that can’t be broken in any of us. But we cannot do it alone, we may feel a singular struggle but the breakaway is that of the peloton riding together, gaining more than logical speed as a single unit, and climbing the mountain.

At some point, or through some force (which is almost always in the form of an angel, specific event or external force of help that you receive, sometimes unknowingly in the moment). Just don’t miss the point or force, open up to the moment and run with it. Break away from your past.

What is truly tragedy? The true realization of tragedy? Take Nietzsche’s interpretation of Euripides, which begins with literally a downward spiral or decline, deterioration (untergang, and yes this is the first time my 4 years of stoner German class in high school has come in handy in quite some time) – where Nietzsche argues, in deep prose and detail that prior philosophers such as Socrates and Plato missed the fact that an infusion of ethics and reason can defeat tragedy and despair.

As I mentioned at the start of this blog, the whole Nietzsche rabbit hole began with a stranger and reaching out to that person, opening my system boundary, having the courage to say something and make a connection. I now consider that stranger a friend, his name is Joel Rose, https://www.joelrosebooks.com/

Joel is an established writer and director in New York, also a long-time friend of Anthony Bourdain. Joel sent me that simple article about Nietzsche’s 10 rules for writing with style, along with a few words as we just began to build our relationship. He was also finishing up a novel of his own at the time, and honestly professed to me that he usually doesn’t take to distractions, read others work or get engaged in this way when he is in the middle of his own writing. But something moved him, and he did engage, he did make an impact on me, he did inject energy into my system. And I know it was because at a prior moment in his life, someone helped him to overcome a struggle, gave him the help he desperately needed and was able to overcome, move forward. So he opened up to me, played it forward, understood just where I was at. I sought his perspective and help from a writing standpoint but also from a personal transformation standpoint, telling him about my struggles and journey, the mission I was on to share my story with others in the hopes of avoiding their own destruction.

At the point of first contact with Joel I was about 6 weeks into my metamorphosis, the caterpillar in the cocoon and incubating a great change. I was at that critical 45 day period, and I was feeling good and knowing I was on the path to recovery and inflappable, irreversible positive change. Joel was so kind to share with me his own road, history and wisdom, that every day must be taken as just that, we don’t ever flip a switch and its not like you take off your Dionysis suit one day and put on the Apollo suit to be worn forever more. He imparted great wisdom upon me. Take a step, take it day by day. Don’t get ahead of yourself, slow down to make the right moves. This journey to distance myself from addiction and deception is not a mission to the moon where Apollo either touches down safely or crashes and burns, every day is a space mission with a different potential outcome, and you have a new vessel every day with no history, no limit on the outcomes of the present. Through his desire and willingness to help, Joel’s attentiveness to be able to see where I was and offer such poignant advise, to take the time to do so, is where I was so moved initially, and then felt even more passionate about my mission through his encouragement. He sent me the article about Nietzsche and writing, and I am wondering if this was solely meant to be a simple ‘points to consider about writing’ as Joel knew I was a beginner in that regard, or if we was doubling-down in genius fashion, throwing me another breadcrumb, wanting to see if I would follow the trail to so much more wisdom from Nietzsche that fits with my story in so many ways. I did dig in and do research on Nietzsche, and found so much that ties into many aspects of the personal history and overarching thoughts I had for so long as I am untangling it all to examine, inform myself and drive my path forward. Thank you Joel, a few simple words and pointers at the right time, and again someone in need finds strength from another. Just a few days ago, Joel Rose was just a figure on the screen for me when watching Roadrunner, and now he is a part of my recovery and true part of my story. Life is truly amazing, limitless (well for me limitless in a positive way which is new, I always sought just how limitless it was in the negative light or darkness).

From the article (which you should read for yourself, regardless of whether or not you fancy yourself a writer or even place any value on the craft or those who do):

The richness of life reveals itself through a richness of gestures. Rich is not only positive. One must learn to feel everything, whether in writing or life. [In this case I have found rich knowledge through a simple gesture and engagement from another. Just maybe you can reveal yourself to another, only to be surprised at where it takes you, what you learn; or perhaps someone will impart a new perspective on you, deliver beauty and value to you in an unexpected way or form.]

The more abstract a truth which one wishes to teach, the more one must first entice the senses [aahhh, the senses, how to pull you in with illustration, descriptions and create a vivid picture for the reader - how can we capture the attention of a reader and truly put on paper the essence of a moment or event so it moves them equally or even more so than it did for me when in that moment]

From Salome in the article “Nietzsche not only mastered language but transcended its inadequacies” He also needed to invent a language of his very own – something we must all do, while maintaining the familiarity and connection that will tie us together, but our words must advance us forward.

Who is Salome? Lou-Andreas-Salome was a Russian-born novelist, poet and first-female psychologist. Nietzshe was so infatuated with her that he proposed marriage, however their union was not matrimony, but companionship through friendship and professional partnership – living together to discuss philosophy, literature and art.

There is a passage about contradictions that stands out to me – Salome wrote about Nietzsche “sorrowful ailing and triumphal recovery, incandescent intoxication and cool consciousness. One senses here the close entwining of mutual contradictions; one senses the overflowing and voluntary plunge of over-stimulated and tensed energies into chaos, darkness and terror, and then an ascending urge toward the light and most tender moments.” You can see the Apollo and Dionysus dialectric right here. I can relate too.

What did it mean further in the article when Nietzsche is described as climbing Mount Sacro? More research was needed for this, and of course as I dove in there was so much more to digest. Knowledge is all around you, and so accessible today.

Climbed Mount Sacro? The sacred mountain, or the Mons Sacer, in Rome, Italy part of the many rolling hills that make up the surrounding landscape. Also known as Monte Sacro, many stories depict Liberator Simon Bolivar announcing his deep personal commitment for Hispanic-American independence. Full of youthful idealism and disappointed by the vicissitudes of his life. The specific spot and date are not the utmost importance, the announcement and open proclamation is.

Other stories relate this hill as the podium where the first secession of the plebs occurred in 494 BC. The hill is also adorned with an altar, where it is believed ancient priests interpreted the will of the gods through study of the flight of birds (known as an augur, from which the term ‘taking the auspices’ comes from) and examination of the internals of sacrificed animals (the practice of a haruspex or the rituals referred to as haurispices).

Still within Italy, more to the north you can find tales and legend of another sacred mountain ‘The Sacred Mount of Oropa’ -this one is a UNESCO World Heritage site with 12 chapels, one to few for my liking, and is thought to be the connecting point from the heavens to earth. Built between 1600 and 1750. Near the city of Biella.

There are countless sacred mountains or ‘go tell it on the mountains’ throughout history and the important takeaway for me, is make your will and desires known to those around you – again ask for help and speak up. Its not the Gods that will dictate what you do, and it won’t be something from inside your gut – the pivot from your past and present to a much fuller and different future is in your power. What you understand is meaningful to you and in order to achieve whatever that is, making candles or delivering babies, you must proclaim that to all and the world around you, add to your knowledge and plan, take in the energy and support needed. Perhaps your sacred mountain is the couch from which you are reading this and your disciples are your dog and wife, your family and friends, who knows – but stand up and shout it out, don’t keep it within you and think you will deliver that goal or change or mission singularly.

Eternal Recurrence? https://www.thoughtco.com/nietzsches-idea-of-the-eternal-recurrence-2670659

Eternal return or eternal recurrence – has also existing in as many forms and occurrences over history as there are sacred hills of greatness and wisdom. This goes back to the ancient Greeks for origin, and it may have a place in physics and thermodynamics from my first read. The theory goes as such, existence recurs in an infinite cycle as energy and matter transform over time. The universe goes through repeating stages of transformation similar to those found in the ‘wheel of time’ of Hinduism and Buddhism. So we are recycling common theories and explanations, which is more common than we know if we are truly attentive and take an investigative approach of what is behind an action or words or thought, ask Why? For novelty is not novel, or usually is not such.

From Nietzshe in 1881:

"What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: 'This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more; and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you, all in the same succession and sequence—even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again, and you with it, speck of dust!'

"Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: 'You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine.' If this thought gained possession of you, it would change you as you are or perhaps crush you. The question in each and every thing, 'Do you desire this once more and innumerable times more?' would lie upon your actions as the greatest weight. Or how well disposed would you have to become to yourself and to life?"

Is eternal recurrence darkness, contrary to that initial thought, Nietzsche proclaimed it a joyful truth, and one that should be embraced by anyone who lives life to the fullest. And maybe the idea is not truth, but should be evaluated if it were true. And your initial conclusion is that this is tragic, life is not only filled with darkness and events of despair, but life repeats suffering over and over. However, you can also welcome that news and learn from the trials and tribulations, be up to the challenge and say – we will overcome this, greatness and accomplishment and reaching a state of zen takes constant work. He flipped this thought on its head and created the term ‘yea-sayer’ and life affirmer – now that is positive spin.

Perhaps I am doing just that now. I will not repeat my past of deceit, addiction, hiding and lying, destruction – I acknowledge that history is true, real and there is something inside me with that potential to continue down that path, but every day I must proclaim my new and different path, inject my own energy and that of my team and tribe to move to new heights. That is what my entrails tell me in this moment on top of my mountain.

Are we destined for pain and failure, darkness, is destiny a real thing at all, just like entropy? Or is it a default principle, direction and concept we must consciously work against and recognize? Nothing is pre-destined. Because here I am a broken mind full of entropy, destined to fail over and over, and today I am winning, changing and doing things so counter to that destiny. With energy, knowledge and support from those around me, I proclaim this as my truth and it shall be yours also.

Here i was today just learning about what a religious orb, bird-watcher is – finding that is an augur and here I read another article, not randomly at all from Rich Roll – another figure in my journey we will dive into, and there is the word again augur. Twice in a day, when zero times in my life, not coincidence. The article is from his podcast, which is might good and covers a broad range of topics from fitness, mental health, trends in society, existential questions of the minute or times – you name it. David Choe was for me a revelation of an episode and another ‘random coincidence of connectivity’ between my life of scattered random events and this path I am taking forward to recover myself and shed light on mental health for others. So in the podcast, episode 661 Johann Hari, Why you can’t pay attention (and how to reclaim your focus), sounded interesting so I double-clicked and paragraph 2 is this:

What exactly does a focus-less future augur? Ok so that question is not asking about birdwatching, the question is asking, what does a focus-less future mean, where are we heading, why? Because it is quite apparent that we can’t pay attention to any single thing for more than a single second and we are losing the focus to be able to get anything of substance done in many areas. Maybe our head is up and looking around too much, maybe we were head-down doing our job too much in the past, lets examine.

Disconnected, distracted, disrupted – individual trends (introspection – oh yeah good, something I am in the middle of, and I don’t mean looking at my intestines to see what they mean about life or the future as a matter of haruspex or acts of haurispices (were you focused, paying attention earlier?). That offers one end of the spectrum where we may have parallels with Johann, but we have to cover our bases and look at this more broadly too – systemically in our society.

Maybe this is all ‘for the birds’ – not a chance. Where Nietzsche wrote The Birth of Tragedy, this may just be the birth of something far different, far more positive and meaningful.