Song of Myself
One of Walt Whitman's most loved and greatest poems, "Song of Myself" is an optimistic and inspirational look at the world. Originally published as part of "Leaves of Grass" in 1855, "Song of Myself" is as accessible and important today as when it was first written. Read "Song of Myself" and enjoy a true poetic masterpiece.
Stats for nerds
3recommend
6mentions
5people
2013–2024years
67% recommend33% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself", in one of the most famous books of poetry ever (responding to the other commenter), Leaves of Grass. I don't know that Whitman meant to talk about science, but whether he was conscious of it or not, he is! I came across the poem (again) recently and immediately saw that section for what it is - to me. Much of the poem is about sex and a free spirit - so, science as sex? The sex of science? :)
- Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself", in Leaves of Grass. Possibly the most famous book of poetry in the US, at least. Apparently you need to do some reading of that "literature", as you call it - the kind that doesn't come with an abstract! :)
- Walden by Thoreau - on self reliance and nature
De architectura By Vitruvius - classical construction and architecture
Song of Myself by Whitman - poetry
Hound of the Baskervilles by Doyle - thriller
- "This post has made me realize that I hold these conflicting opinions simultaneously."
I am not good with poetry, but I've enjoyed "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes." from Walt Whitman's Song of Myself.
- This is a very fluid and chaotic situation so I'd be more concerned if he said one thing and stuck to it
When the Facts Change, I Change My Mind. What Do You Do, Sir? - John Maynard Keynes
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do I contradict myself? / Very well then, I contradict myself. / (I am large, I contain multitudes) - Walt Whitman's “Song of Myself”
- I agree with this analysis, but I also think that inclusiveness is malleable.
In "Song of Myself", Walt Whitman wrote "In all people I see myself, none more and not one a barleycorn less/and the good or bad I say of myself I say of them". The Parable of the Good Samaritan is all about how we choose our own levels of identification and some are more morally praiseworthy than others.
So yes, the problem might well be the lack of identification between your white voters in suburban Maryland and your black kid in inner-Baltimore (and vice versa of course), but we can and do change. Society moves forwards, and we are not entirely passive actors in it.
Let's make arguments that encourage greater identification, take social steps to increase identification, etc. It may well be easier for those societies in Europe, but it's by no means easy, which your analysis seems to ignore. These attitudes have to be worked on, and reinforced.
