Dostoevsky’s guide to destroying your life (Notes from The Underground)

How to destroy your life? It is an age-old question and the counterpart to the philosophical quest to live a good life. Luckily, one of my favourite ever-so-slightly grumpy Russian philosophers has an answer - and he gives that answer through the character of the man from the underground - a bitter and spiteful ex civil servant. The novel Notes from the Underground by Dostoevsky tackles lots of subjects - how to confront a world in which meaning is scarce, whether it is better to have ordinary pleasure or unique, aesthetic suffering. But it also shows how to become just...the worst kind of person, and how ultimately how to ruin your life.
Typo: at one point the subtitles read “content” as opposed to “contempt”
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00:00 Notes from The Underground
00:34 No action, all thought
02:54 Nihilism
05:30 Evading challenge
07:44 Avoiding responsibility
09:50 Intellectual arrogance
Stock Footage by Videvo.com

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

If you want to work with an experienced study coach teaching maths, philosophy, and study skills then book your session at [e-mail]. Previous clients include students at the University of Cambridge and the LSE. Sign up to my email list for more forms.gle/YYfaCaiQw9r6YfkN7

[@Ryan-xq3kl]

believing that the prostitute would have been this guys one shot at greatness and reconnection with society is just utterly disgusting.

[@abdullahibrahimhassan7301]

​@@Ryan-xq3klit was not a shot at greatness, you missed the point. It was an opportunity to create a bond with another person. The man from the underground despises everyone and thinks very little of everyone else. Ironically enough it's the state of his room that causes his outrage.

[@pearlharbor4790]

My 67 years old partner is a retired nuclear medicine doctor who quit after 5 years of working and had been single 35 years when I met him. He is beyond genius and thinks people are pretty much gnats in his way. This is my favorite international writer and novel, though Tennessee Williams is my American favorite. But, the ogre from underground reminds me of my partner, lol. I sure know how to pick them.

[@jkepic25]

this dostoyevski guy has been writing a lot about me ... wow

[@Bf26fge]

Coaching is all about action. Counseling has degenerated to rent a friend and quality assurance checkboxes

[@trumurray8033]

Don’t need to read the book: I am living it 😱

[@gibraltar0553]

Me too bro

[@binder946]

😂

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Oh no! Best of luck!

[@baceicly502]

No read the book you’ll realise you’re better than him

[@benoncarsten396]

I only met him a week or two ago. I fear that he and I are from the same cloth. I knew I was dark inside but never did I realize how truly ugly I am. Neurotic is my name.

[@zephyrna6249]

New "literally me" character just dropped.

[@Dibbz_TV]

LMAO 😂

[@sreeraja1735]

literally me

[@grebap]

Actually it dropped in the mid 19th century

[@bh3855]

🤣🤣🤣

[@idk______________195]

😅

[@gb6012]

“All of humanity's problems, stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” - Blaise Pascal 😅

[@dapdizzy]

💯

[@ayochayce8185]

REAL

[@skrieni]

Indeed. However man is not an animal by nature that should stay quite in a room.

[@kayrakarabacak8810]

"I have long since learned, as a measure of elementary hygiene, to be on guard when anyone quotes Pascal." - Ortega

[@ayochayce8185]

@@kayrakarabacak8810 why?

[@greghefley3626]

Most people who think they are ryan gosling are actually the man from the underground. (Not me tho. I am literally ryan gosling)

[@glimonwinnacker]

Same

[@BishwanathNongmaithem]

the irony and sarcasm in those words

[@fuckiopussigetti453]

Aka: Travis Bickle

[@Thatguy-sm8cw]

This is me right now. I’m 24, living in a hotel, estranged from my family, no friends near, working 6 days a week, bittered by past traumas and racked with self-loathing. I’ve abandoned pretty much every endeavor and dream I’ve ever had at the first rearing of real adversity. I suspect what few friends and acquaintances I have left, and dreadfully fear opening up and connecting with anyone, I’m just so used to the loneliness and mental suffering, not to mention the fear of rejection and misunderstanding. Perhaps worst of all, I know I only have myself to blame in the end. I know I can make things better. But my life already feels like it’s over. Trying to “do better” now just feels like a bad joke, as my whole life up to now feels. It’s as though my mind says “oh NOW you want to get your life together? Well you shoulda thought of that 5 or 10 years ago, buster. Before you finished high school, went to college, picked a major, graduated and now are completely detached from all the social and career opportunities therein. Get real!” And I’ve told myself so many times “now I’m gonna change.” And I don’t. “Now I’m gonna stand up for myself!” And I chicken out. I’ve lost all trust and self-respect in myself. I feel as though I’m not only back at square one, but a mile behind the starting line. And the prospect of building myself up to a confident, competent, and self-respecting person, someone who has relationships and happiness in life, is so… daunting. I want it to be so, but ofcourse wanting isn’t enough. I’ve just never managed to get beyond the wanting, and it’s so hard to think I ever will. And if I can’t get beyond it, if I remain stuck here in the underground, then… what’s the point? None, as far as I see. If this is all my life will ever be going forward, then I want none of it. I won’t have it. But I know it can be so much more, if only I acted. That’s my own little note from the Underground.

[@bl3524]

Hello. Connection is the most important. Start little and small but do try to open up to the people around you. The important thing is to be in the right path. Be brave. Hope it works out for you x

[@pallavikhemnar6583]

Sometimes I look at those people who has their life together ,and feel pity for myself ,I was on autopilot mode for so long and I think I still am ,and the worst part is ..I have to get it together or my parents will marry me off to someone like them ,and I don't want to suffer for rest of my life thr same shit.i hope Ill be able to do something about it

[@NotAffiliated]

It took me until middle age to get to where you are now. This makes me think that it's possible that a lot of this is societal and it's getting worse over time. They want men to feel lost so they can be there to suggest to us what our purpose should be. It's different for women because they have a purpose already picked out for them, either mothers or sex objects. They often resent these roles already being picked out for them so they decided to have a career and I respect that. But it's different for men. They really go out of their way to make us feel isolated. It's what abusive controlling people do. They isolate you and try to make you feel like your only positive purpose that could possibly be is to be their servant. I really believe that a lot of this is becoming more common now a days as the United States and the rest of the western world becomes more Marxist / Communist. They want us to either serve the borg or just eff off and die. I don't want to do either of those things. So I rebel.

[@doppelpunkt]

​@@NotAffiliatedwho's they?

[@thefishindahouse]

get therapy

[@AlitaMee]

Three months update after watching this video- 1. No longer addicted to internet 2. At my ideal weight 3. Learn something daily (enrolled in online course) 4. Delivering on the job 5. Relationships have gotten better because I have become less self obsessed, more accepting, more authentic and not manipulating like before Goals - 1. Get tonned 2. Finish 4 courses 3. Nurture 4 key relationships 4. Understand the world n myself better with helpful perspectives rather than having a victim and coward mindset. I don't know who you are where you are but thanks for making this video. This video hit hard and made me realize I might live all of life in this misery and with this attitude will never get out of it and most importantly I am creating my own misery. I don't want to be this man anymore, bitter , alone and hopeless. So here's my sincere thanks to you .

[@Bf26fge]

I have a 90 day plan too. Keep my fingers crossed.

[@AlitaMee]

@@Bf26fge best wishes!!!

[@ass123qdwqdw]

fat

[@laughingseagull000]

How do you stop being addicted to the internet? Seriously though. I’ve used multiple productivity apps and they don’t really work.

[@AlitaMee]

@@laughingseagull000 it will be slightly long answer. 1. First step was to identify that I am not happy with the internet addiction. I was so involved into it that days would just pass by. After watching this video I found the words what I was feeling. I had no relationship. My image among men was - hot but dumb. I would never be my authentic self with people and that would give the weird vibe . It was bad. I realized that I am infact quite sad inside and therefore I am distracting myself with internet. 2. I actually started talking to people. I would fake being nice and caring BUT the intention was NOT to make them LIKE ME in return. The intention was JUST to have a conversation. Just to know them or their story or their day. If things would not go well I would be okay. 3. Identity change - I was always this girl with very little agency . I had a pessimist approach towards life so I never really developed any talent or Skill. I would learn as much as to get by in the job and one failure was enough for me to not pursue something seriously. My identity to me was a sweet human who is nice. But one who never takes front seat never drives anything is not proactive, will do as you will ask. I watched new Lara croft ( new one not the jolie one) and wonder woman many times . Watch Danerys Targereon from game of thrones. How these women were women as well as leaders especially Danny from Got . She is beautiful, feminine yet so much agency. I was in tears when I saw Ladies except sansa fighting the white walkers . This changed my perspective on my own identity. I would purposefully day dream and write how my life situation would be if I was more like Lara

[@canadianturtle7240]

You have no idea how much I needed this video. Honestly, I think you saved my life. You described some of my deepest insecurities so perfectly and laid out warnings so well! Your video is the equivalent of having a really bad experience with drugs and realizing that I should never mess around with this stuff again or take it lightly. Your video taught me the dangers of negative thinking and realizing that hating others will only result in my own downfall. This was like the therapy video I always needed but never got by an actual therapist. Thank you UA. Again, you may have very well saved me from the darkest depths of my mind.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you very much! I am so glad that the video helped you. I’ve been to some pretty mentally dark places myself and there is always room to escape, even when it seems like there is no hope.

[@g13n79]

imagine if you read the book

[@jerryrikki9466]

​@@unsolicitedadvice9198sink into what you are or be cursed to relive your failures in infinity

[@PrivilegedWhiteRabbit]

Read the book. Then read it again.

[@pajeetsingh]

Are you billionaire now?

[@MrMadalien]

I read this book when I was 20, it was my first dostoevsky book (probably because it's so short), what's interesting is that I think at that age, I could relate a lot to the main character and since I didn't read any analysis of the book, my own interpretation was that he was a unique, powerful individual who declines society xD but of course over the course of the story I lost respect for him. I think there is something alluring about rejecting society and being a kind of hermit or ultimate hipster, but is ultimately a mirage. I'm really glad I read that and other Dostoevsky novels at a young age, I think he is the greatest literary mind of the last 1000 years at least. This video reminded me I should have a dedicated shelf to Dostoevsky's books, I always gave away the books after reading them but this allows me to forget the lessons I learned.

[@jacobwolf4343]

KICKASS

[@htspencer9084]

Regaining your own self respect is such a difficult but necessary journey. So many people fear the judgement of a higher power or an authority figure. I feel like the worst and most damaging judgement is the one you pass on yourself!

[@vanjamenadzer]

I literally don't give zero f's about judgment from others as I am my most vicious critic of them all. I don't forgive my mistakes and paradoxically, the more I try to improve, the more mistakes I do, the more I hate myself, the more I isolate and do nothing. I am in a dire need of a therapy, but I convinced myself that I am long past of the point of no return.

[@trs_4612]

It’s just self love. Not a journey. Just need to start now. We don’t need to rationalize self love

[@htspencer9084]

@@trs_4612 I apologise for not taking your sort of perspective into account, but that does not ring true for me I'm afraid. Maybe it's because I've had factors in my life that are not exactly the norm or whatever but I have found self respect and self love to be an ongoing iterative process that I am certainly not satisfied with as of yet but am still trying my best to work on improving.

[@diavolacciosatanasso]

Whatever that judgment, you probably earned it.

[@samueldeandrade8535]

"So many people fear the judgement of a higher power and an authority figure" I doubt it. We feel that fear when we are kids. When we grow up, majority don't fear that at all. But still have to deal with those sh1ts.

[@AlitaMee]

Day 34 - watched this video on 12 November. Today is 18 dec and i have successfully turned my life around. Finished a course on skill share. Lost 2 kg , regular gym (2 times a week) , cooking food have eaten outside only twice this whole 30 days . Waking up at 5:45 am . Doing my skincare regularly Started using list Started taking actions like cleaning quickly as mess originates Talked to friends and relatives and family. Sleep is better ( used melatonin though)

[@Ken-no5ip]

You havent done anything of value, just superficial pursuits to give the illusion of accomplishment

[@AlitaMee]

@@nevergood2211 HI how are you, I am doing quite good. it might be very strange thing to say but I am able to take more decisions , which leads to taking more action before I would just sit and do the thing with least resistance . For first time ever in my life my will has power. decision to learn decision to listen to others and understand by asking questions. I wish everyone who is struggling to go to the next level finds this place where I am at.

[@arslaanohri2498]

Well done ❤

[@AbhijeetSingh-oh7jw]

still better than doing nothing and wasting your life

[@allovdem]

Ok Patrick Bateman

[@carlfitzsimons8665]

I've read this book three times, the first time i absolutely hated it, the second time it made me sad, and the third time i found it incredibly funny. Its never left me because the underground man is stuck in my head, and maybe that's the point, maybe there's a little underground man in all our heads. Your video is my favourite interpretation I've come across so far, i really enjoyed it. You're a really confident speaker as well, im subscribing. If you ever read "Whatever" by Houellebecq I'd like to see you do a video on it

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! I am very glad you liked the video! And I haven’t read it but I will add it to my list

[@Wholly_Fool]

Fascinating. The transformation of disease into humor. I'm glad it disgusted you at first. It is supposed to. I think your process is quite human. Shows that working through these thoughts and emotions that reflect the nihilistic darkness of the human heart can be done. Humor is an act of sanctification.

[@princessvenus9108]

You're so articulated and easy to follow, no nonsense in between, and the captions make it a lot easier to focus and internalize the message. Great video!

[@tyleryoast8299]

I feel as if there's also a pathos to the Underground Man. The cathedral he's built to his own intellect is one he's constructed out of a crushing sense of alienation. That everywhere he goes there is nothing to bounce off of except for the status of others. He resents those who are more successful for him, yet at the same time does not believe that if he were to be more successful he'd be happier. In a sense he's right, his peers are just as smug, ugly, and cruel as he is. He's a shrieking ego in a world of shrieking ego. The moment with Liza he's really tearing himself to shreds through her. Everything he's saying to her, how little she matters to the world, how she will be used up, despised, disposed of, and forgotten, all equally apply to him. The one moment where he genuinely changes is where she shows that she is more than that, that there are those who do genuinely love her. It's in that moment of total abandonment and loneliness that he is able to let that imprisoning cathedral to his intellect fall and let himself experience the warmth of real love.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

This is a really nice point! Funnily enough, I had to cut a part of the video that touched upon that for time reasons since it was already running quite long for my channel. It actually reminded me of some research (I think it was from UCL, but don't quote me on that) talking about how the lonelier someone is the more hostile they become to any new person, even someone being kind to them.

[@trumpsextratesticle8590]

@@unsolicitedadvice9198 Your viewers are adults, we can listen for hours on these IMPORTANT subjects. Make more, make longer. -The Truth has no time limit!!!!

[@dannyhernandez265]

Notes from underground resonates deeply with my own life. Which is not a good thing… but it does.

[@danielnidhiry5796]

I mean u recognize it, that’s the first step

[@younes7671]

Besides the character's cowardice, I found him to be quite understandable and profound even in his miserable state. Although you are exactly right in all the weaknesses that lead to his misery, I think his character also serves as a critique to modern society. I mean his bitterness and misanthropy is not without reason. In a society where status and egoism is the norm, how can a man who's see's through all this shallowness not be resentful and alienated? The underground man is a representation for all those who deep down care about love and genuineness but who have turned cynical and hopeless due to modern society. I think Dostoyevsky's message is to acknowledge and validate these feelings in modern man yet also say not to give in to despair. That someone, like Liza, may just appear and give you the chance to open your heart to. But that's only if you have the courage to hope and believe in love still.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

I really like this thought!

[@darkraider1791]

I think it does have a lot to do with alienation and feeling misunderstood. I can closely relate to most of the stuff in this video, except I recovered from OCD 6 months ago and I’ve felt miserable ever since.

[@jasonnandu]

That's really well written. To add, I think you arrive at such an extreme state due to your genuine feelings being rejected as a child. So that you stop yourself from self-expression to avoid potentially getting hurt again. And that nihilistic view of the world, is a narrative of self-preservation. Source: Gabor Mate

[@zetaforever4953]

There is nothing remotely modern about egoism and status-seeking. The ancient Romans and Chinese were doing it with their God-emperors and powerful aristocracies. The caste system of ancient India was based almost solely on status-constructs. The 'brahmins' or priestly caste commanded no armies and didn't accumulate significant wealth, their power deriving almost solely from status. Humans are status-seeking creatures and always have been. And obviously egotistic people always existed. If you truly are not egotistic and don't seek status, then the world shouldn't make you miserable at all. It should make you perfectly content to just do your own thing, connect with the people you like and live the life that appeals to you without being tied down by the concerns that keep other people confined, such as "how will this make me look?" If you don't want/care about status, then you don't need to worry about that question. You have as much freedom and agency as a person can have while still inhabiting a corporeal body. The only situation where a status-seeking society will make you miserable is if you also want that status but are unable to get it, and then convince yourself that you never wanted it in the first place and that such things are beneath you.

[@jasonnandu]

@@zetaforever4953 In the old Hindu system, status wasn’t sought and acquired, because people were born into their castes, and could never move up/down. Also, that status commanded real power, as everybody was agreed on it. Today, we’re talking more about selfishly and aggressively pursuing material wealth as an indicator of status. Which the evil and the egotistic are able to do easily, and which, in our times, in our twisted way, we view as the desired norm. And no matter how selfless you are, you’ll always have some awareness of what society’s values are, you can’t completely escape it. Tho you should surely get sick if you pay too much attention to it-like a lotta people are.

[@dsweet5859]

This is getting personal :( I can relate to this man to an extent. I don’t wish harm or purposely insult people out of anger but I avoid challenge, struggle, and growth.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Don't worry! One of the reasons he is such an amazing character is because there is a bit of him in all of us

[@alexn4255]

Damn. This hits deep. I’m every point that you mentioned. I was supposed to apply for jobs early this year and kept pushing and pushing and still haven’t got a job. I’m behind on credit card payments also. I try to avoid all this by ignoring everything. Being spiteful and angry towards the world. I need to take action soon and get back on track….

[@Ash-su1yi]

Take action soon, I think you mean... Today... Now!!! Lets go!!!! Turn off KZbin get on the job hunt. Make something of yourself. Be somebody. Life is short.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Best of luck! I am sure you will be able to make things better (also life does suck sometimes and do your best not to let it make you despair)

[@turolretar]

come on man you gotta please the corporate overlords, don’t be slackin! Best of luck to you

[@spinach4616]

have compassion for yourself. You got into that for a reason, be kind and patient with yourself. Good luck!

[@Blakoss]

@@turolretarnihilism, nice

[@BinaryRex18]

This is too relatable... i am paranoid, blamed my friend for my failure, ghosted a girl who wanted to talk to me. I hope there's a way out

[@banoushaderi2215]

I need to be frank. Since I had ever read the book, i had searched for this interpretation of it, and this to no avail. I have myself tried to put these points down on paper and have partially suceeded, but alas, not as well as you did. Absolutely good video. You saw traits a few people are able to and you draw a concrete line to our youth, which rarely anyone could. Keep on going. You have just gotten yourself a new dedicated subscriber!🎉

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!

[@drbuni]

Thank you. I am terribly afraid of putting myself in uncomfortable scenarios and challenging myself and my fears, this is a very welcomed unsolicited wake up call.

[@Wanderer2035]

I think you may have just saved me from suicide. I’ve been suffering from general anxiety disorder (GED) for many years, which I think started from me being so heavily bullied when I was younger, and even as I got older I still continued to get bullied which just worsened my whole negative outlook, (I think because of my anxiety is what created a lot of the bullying, a self fulfilling prophecy). Like my negative thinking attracted those things. I was considering just checking out, because I couldn’t figure out how to get out of this anxiety and this constant suffering. I knew it had to do with negative thinking, but I wasn’t able to see it from the perspective you described it as. Everything that you described, minus the arrogant part I fell deeply in that hell hole for many years, much more worse than the average person I’m sure, which is why I think my anxiety got so bad. I think in many I did become that man in the story as you described, and your life does actually start to get ruined. As I experienced, you lose all friendships, all relationships, you become financially poor, family members start to turn on you because you’re not that “successful” in society, physical attributes worsen like weight gain and worsening of balding, lonliness is a major factor. Prior to watching this, I have been working on more positive thinking, but it wasn’t really getting at the source of my negativity, which it helped to lift my anxiety somewhat but not completely, it was always there no matter what. But after watching, I have a much clearer view of the position I’m in, and what I need to do to fix it. Thankyou again. You actually changed lives with this video.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you so much for writing such a thoughtful comment, it means a lot. I am really glad you found the video helpful and I hope you find your desired peace

[@dipi0]

@wanderer1966 takecare 🤍

It looks like you are on the road to recovery and understanding that book helped you in a positive way. Sometimes all the mindful lessons U have been reading and learning don't work as well. You need to be at the very bottom of despair and the only way out is up. I definitely connected with your comment and I am realizing that I am going on that same journey of acknowledgement and rite of passage for recovery. Bless you and thank you.

[@dilbertfish]

@wanderer1966 stay safe friend.

[@s_dharni2483]

That's tough man....hope u will take lead.

[@spinach4616]

This book reminds me of no longer human by Osamu Dazai and how he was calicfied into a similar prison of shame and fear which lead to Dazai's suicide. Compassion is so so important throughout this journey. You cannot shame yourself out of this pain, believe me i've tried, my family tried. I've only been able to see another side through being compassionately aware of whats happening inside me and unconditionally accepting of myself, my pain and experience. Be patient!! Edit: There is a reason we get to this place. You are a full autonomous human being deserving of something better and it IS possible to make space around your pain.

[@whitecocoa42]

i was going to ask, "whats the antidote?", but you summed it up nicely. Thank you, kind stranger.

[@kazbah1217]

Beautiful comment 💜

[@mrs.dazai_]

The book reminds me of Dazai's life

[@capdan68]

How fitting to have this show up on January 1st in my suggested videos. A whole year ahead to make plans for positive change, and then fail to achieve anything yet again.

[@anasian8894]

I hate myself for finding this channel out so late. Can't wait till it blows up. Much love❤️

[@muyeedsattar2411]

this is such a most devastating part where we're watching every words you say and having a glimpse to our thoughts "ironically this is the way i've been living". btw it seems great,the way you interpreted

[@exrien9407]

This is literally how i've been living my life for as long as i can remember, i'm glad i wasn't crazy like i thought i was, i just clearly didn't know any better. Now i know. I, now can keep moving forward.

[@hajerahumar2750]

The part about holding yourself in contempt and losing respect for your self is so accurately describing the process ( partly self inflicted) that i have been going through the past two years... And it captures why I keep reteading the book to FINALLY find my experience described.

[@wingcap1448]

Thank you so much for this! I've read it before and it was shocking and impactful but alot of the ideas went over my head (as I imagine is to be expected when you first come into contact with great literature, music, art...). So content like this is really helpful!

[@omarir-gw3ku]

This sums up my whole life, i think about doing many things but never took actions, and eventually ended up having self hatred and low self steem, negative thoughts.

[@aneedfortheory]

That could explain the fate of several people in my life, including myself if I'm completely honest. Excellent presentation that captivated me throughout!

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! I think there is a bit of the Underground Man in all of us

[@pearlharbor4790]

My 67 years old partner is a retired nuclear medicine doctor who quit after 5 years of working and had been single 35 years when I met him. He is beyond genius and thinks people are pretty much gnats in his way. This is my favorite international writer and novel, though Tennessee Williams is my American favorite. But, the ogre from underground reminds me of my partner, lol. I sure know how to pick them.

[@midnaurthqua6773]

Did hé read the book?

[@CrouchingscarabflyingJ]

How nice of this guy to write a guide for my life before I was even born

[@Notmuch607]

"Gentlemen, You must excuse me for being over-philosophical; it's the result of forty years underground."

[@gordon37336262]

Fantastic video, with excellent delivery, this is exactly what I needed. This subject makes me think of a somewhat similar idea. That we are all our very best promoters and also our own worst critics.

[@DiogenesOnYT]

This is one of the greatest videos i have ever seen, i cannot express my words of gratitude, full of great insights about this incredible work of Dostoyevsky.

[@ajz4052]

Great video! Also, I feel like Notes from the Underground served as a sort of blueprint for the development of Crime and Punishment - the main difference being that Raskolnikov manages to reconnect with humanity through Sonia. But the scenario all around felt very similar. Maybe time allowed Dostoievisky to be more kind with his protagonists, and humanity as a whole.

[@1BP6]

Notice how, if right now you thought of yourself in the present moment to stop what you're doing, turn off your computer/phone and start studying right from a textbook. You don't want to do it despite how beneficial it would be. Notice now, how if you imagine tomorrow you doing it it feels so much better as if you're going to better yourself tomorrow. Don't fall into this trap, think about the present moment.

[@broxtonr6576]

Thank you for this video. A lot of your points applied to me and after watching this a few months ago I picked up notes from underground and read it (the first novel i’ve read since graduating high school) and it was by the far the most important book I could have read at this period of my life, and probably will be one of the most impactful books for the rest of my life. I’ve been plagued with insecurity and selfishness/ego throughout the past few years and had some injustices inflicted upon me as of recent, which has made me more spiteful and negative towards the world and those I love. I’ve pushed away a lot of friendships and was in a self absorbed self hating rut that was slowly consuming my life. Things weren’t as bad as I’m typing them to be but my mindset and negative thought process was getting worse and worse and I was going down the road of the underground man. This book was such a huge eye opener for me as I related in some capacity to a lot of the thought processes and actions the narrator went through. This book opened my eyes on so many things. Thanks again, I would have never read this book without this video, you’ve had such a large impact on my life.

[@sumeriandays86]

You are so articulate and it's soooo refreshing and pleasant to listen to you (in nowadays media and life) 🙂🙂🙂

[@joshb7415]

Fantastic video, it really struck close to home. I must say that as a young man, that character perfectly described myself. I have quite a severe stammer, and it has isolated me from other people all of my life. When I was younger I turned that isolation into anger and resentment, I just distanced myself from all other people and focused only on my degree. This is something I deeply regret, I regret missing out on the unique social setting at university. Now as a man in my late 20s, I have pushed myself outside of the bubble of cowardly resentment. I have a stable job and friends at work, but I stil distance myself from intimate relationships. My goal is to breakthrough the mental barrier and actually apply actions in the world to form closer bonds with people

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

I am sorry to hear that your younger years were so difficult. I am glad things are better now

[@lazytime9788]

This is incredibly well and precisely worded! Thank you so much!

[@BabeTheAstrologer]

lol

[@VirtualBroVR]

Did my senior thesis on this book and still learned so much from this video!

[@ariel-fz6jj]

This video really really help my life and made me realized a lot. Thank you.

[@CillBill94]

I've been through all of this and out the other side. Now the biggest challenge is not getting bored with life. Those formative years when you're young, making terrible mistakes, trying to figure out how to live with yourself and become someone you like are the also the most adventurous and meaningful when you look back at them. When your life is stable and set it's also not good. Life is a paradox. Adversity is excitement. It takes dark colours as well as bright ones to make a worthy mosiac.

[@abdelrahmansalm1498]

You have covered the book in a very interesting and entertaining way , well done and thank you for the enjoyable time

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! I am happy you enjoyed it

[@abhimanyu007]

This book absolutely shattered me! It was as if all the unsavory and inconvenient truths I had been oblivious of about my life were suddenly thrown in my face and I began panicking at the terrifying prospect of ending up becoming like the underground man. I need, perhaps more than ever, to get down to brass tacks right off the bat and get my shit together before it's too late! Dostoevsky might just have saved my life.

[@HellooWorld1]

I can relate to parts of this, especially about losing respect for yourself and not trusting yourself to do the things you plan for

[@KeyRaven]

A summarization of the person I’m becoming

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Best of luck. I hope you find happiness

[@Wholly_Fool]

This book can make you insane. Don't go looking in dark corners thinking it won't possess you. "A man can even learn to love a toothache."-The Undergroud Man

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

It’s like a “mind-worm”

[@Wholly_Fool]

@unsolicitedadvice9198 This book has taught me so much, and yet I can see it has taught others so little. So maybe books can't save the world. Maybe books only bring to light a latent intuition that was already there in the person to begin with... "All learning is remembering."-Plato

[@3ndlessL00p]

​@@Wholly_Foolcareful there, bud. You don't want to step into the same traps of nihilism and intellectual superiority that the Underground Man did. You could always try teaching others what these books have taught you, instead of assuming they wouldn't understand or wouldn't be impacted by them at all because of some innate defect you imagine them to have.

[@Wholly_Fool]

@3ndlessL00p we are talking about morality, you can keep intellect if it means you become a monster.

[@darlene_1998]

I have the book but never had time to read it, I have another one also of Dosteosevsky. Now that I watched this video (will obviously read the book), I relate to the man, I had a same phase and it takes a tremendous amount of emotional and mental efforts to get out of it. Thanks for the video.

[@huachengintoxicated]

While I was reading the book i found him utterly relateble. Its been a year i have confined myself. There are so many thoughts swarming in my mind, im scared to go out of my comfort area and my self esteem is in the ground level. Im trying to change myself and i feel lucky to stumble upon this book.

[@seemoremoreable]

This is the ultimate literally me novel for modern man

[@IKuzmos]

It's a thing how this person thinks about other people but I think there are other powers at work here. I personally have met a lot of people in my life that I have given great amounts of attention and care to, only to be used when they needed it, not reciprocating any positive emotion, only the bare minimum required to keep up the "relationship". And if these people add up over the years with this feeling of constant rejection and that somewhy you aren't valuable enough for them to care, why shouldn't you be utterly resentful to every human being on earth? I think it's not hard to get to this point the narrator is in, other people can get you there pretty easily.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

I think this is really insightful. The man from the underground is scary precisely because a lot of us are only a few bad experiences away from becoming him

[@mihaildaniel4]

It’s unbelievable how some bad experiences and misfortunes can set the tone for an individual to become as such as the main character in this book. Choosing to see everything and everyone painted in the same colour is what turned him close minded Cheers for making a resume for this book, I enjoyed watching it 👍🏼

[@2104T34]

Dostoevsky hits you on many levels It’s great to be able to dissect the message But to me it was always the emotional roller coaster that you get to ride while reading I never actually thought of putting myself in the driver’s seat Thank you for the video

[@theodormentzoni4656]

Brilliant video! I recently read the book, but found it hard to grasp. Thank you for tying up some loose strings, and giving great inside in what these somewhat random stories actually mean!

[@EvonneLindiwe]

Thank you 🙏🏿 between you and Sisyphus55 I have a lot of introspection to do.. given recent distressing world events and general malaise and deep depression about the challenges I have been facing continuously, to the point of wanting to end it all just two days ago..this video is timely. Great work.. had to sub

[@semyaza555]

I hate you for making me feel this way, but subbed because the shame of inaction is too much.

[@caspardavidfriedrich7916]

This was a very inspirational video. Thank you for making it.

[@zardi9083]

This book is like the saying "it comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable"

[@devvv4616]

what a gem from the algorithm

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! The algorithm seemed to be on my side with this one!

[@AlitaMee]

I don't know who you are and how this video came in my feed . I want to thank you from the core of my heart for your effort. It cuts through all the fog. All childhood trauma stuff is there but taking action now is the path to life to heal. Inaction is the one what is traumatizing me right now

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you for your kind words! I am so glad it was helpful

[@AgnesPaumverk]

I love how well articulated you are

[@theTOPRECORDnme]

Thank you for this video. It was a really illuminating discussion on an important work of art with important applications to one's life.

[@myaccount9120]

This shook me. I recognize so much of myself in it.

[@Cantread807]

It goes to show that Dostoevsky realized something very important, and that is how we project our state of mind onto others. Especially if we don't use multiple perspectives or we have been stuck in the same way of thinking for too long. The end result sometimes creating a hateful, isolating hell on earth if we don't take leaps of faith.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you for taking the time to write this. It is a really interesting perspective

[@mercyvector]

Damn dude. I’m basically this guy. Like, 80% of the way there. Lucky tho, been crawling backwards from the 90% mark. Appreciate the video. Look forward to more. 💜

[@revathykrishnanOG]

Thank you for this amazing video. The eye opener I needed.

[@johntoomey3498]

Incredible video breakdown! Great work

[@varunvishal]

My god. I am him. Maybe not that extent but wow there's so much, I can't ignore it.

[@quitemango]

Gotta say that I loved this video want to see more like this one and have been convinced to read Doskeyesvsky. Unscoliceted advice has to be the best name for a channel that dissects literature and applies it to the real world. Brilliant stuff!

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Ah thank you for the kind words! And there certainly will be more like this (primarily looking at philosophy, along with more general learning/study advice)

[@petrektek1385]

One of the greatest books ever imo. What a psychological and anthropological analysis by Dostoevsky! And you'll rarely hear such rude honesty.

[@hiddenh0es]

I could listen to you talk for HOURS on end, such a relaxing voice!

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! That is very kind

[@3ndlessL00p]

I got this book as a teen, mostly to get The Double that it was packaged with. I never got into it sadly. Now I'm imagining how my early twenties might have been different if I had. Some of the man's clinging to his own loneliness and horrible self-image rings true to me. There was a time in my life where I might have turned into what we know as an incel today, if I had continued down that path. Thankfully, therapy and hard work have taken me to a brighter place these days. I can't help but think there could be made an interesting analysis comparing Notes From The Underground and the thought processes of Incel Culture and members of the Alt-Right. Actually, I bet that already exists.

[@darksu6947]

What makes you put members of the incel community and members of the alt-right into the same group? I'm genuinely curious

[@Canadianforestfairy]

@@darksu6947probs a marxist lol

[@darksu6947]

@@Canadianforestfairy Your comment has been deleted by our overlords, but I would imagine that you're right about the left leaning views.

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

It's never too late to get into Dostoevsky. His work is timeless and relevant now more than ever. Give him a shot.

[@jasperchance3382]

fantastic book, an absolutely must read for anyone. You don't read a book, if it's Dostoevskij's, you live an experience.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

He is one of the only authors that can get right under my skin

[@jasperchance3382]

@@unsolicitedadvice9198 Gogol Is also a giant, in my opinion.

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

​@@jasperchance3382I say the same thing about Dostoevsky. You don't just read his work, you experience it.

[@shahnaseebb6175]

Thank you, man. Thank you so much for this.

[@tereza1959]

Wow, this video is amazing, great quality, pacing and teaches us very important lessons about life, you deserve millions of subscribers 👏

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! Those are some very kind words!

[@dustin9551]

Very insightful. I can identify with the underground man. We have much in common. I am not spiteful. I am a loving person but besides that I can see the similarities. I overthink. I think of others as being dumb sheep and unconscious NPC's. I often don't take action. I tend to not take responsibility but blame my parents for my mistakes. I suffer with many regrets. This video has helped me and I am currently reading the book. I finished the first section today and will finish the second section tomorrow. I like Katz's translation.

[@ceeemm1901]

Gee, I never knew Dostoevsky wrote an unnervingly accurate book about me......

[@mentos488]

That was extremely well worded, informative & wise. Thank you.

[@tushargupta1799]

Thank you I very much needed this video and it came like a blessing I'll work on changing my habits I don't want to end up like that man so the first step is to acknowledge that yes I am that man from the underground

[@davidkehrer7342]

Dostoyevsky was an orthodox Christian and saw that communism was stripping away the image of God in men and the role of God in men’s lives giving men hope, faith, peace and love

[@DriftingTemperate-pt9uk]

Dostoevsky actually lived before communism became prominent in Russia. He just had incredible foresight

[@ElonMuskrat-my8jy]

​@@DriftingTemperate-pt9ukHe got involved with utopian socialists in 1848 and saw what happened in France 1870. They both were examples and forerunners of the revolutionary spirit which was fully unleashed in 1917. His foresight came from being familiar with Orthodox spirituality which focuses on the healing of man from his passions to attain purity of heart and union with God in theosis. He met with St. Ambrose of Optina and read St. Isaac of Syria whose work is mentioned and paraphrased in Brothers Karamazov. It's definitely the source of his psychological wisdom.

[@matefazekas3107]

I recommend reading Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz to anyone who recognizes themselves in this video. It’s a guide to change your beliefs about yourself

[@npc6953]

I watched this video to get more insight into the book and I like the way you iterated although a bit different from my own perspective. I jumped into this book without reading the introduction because I wanted the raw experience and it was my first Dostoevsky book. In the first chapter I was completely hooked because i related to it on a deep spiritual level. There’s a lot he explains about human psychology in there, and he catches you by surprise when he’s just rambling. He created his own misery most of the time and by his self destructive behavior, only to blame everyone else. A man who gave up on life and convinced himself for good reason-because society sucks. For most of part one he talks about the one flaw of humans in which would cause self destruction. I believe this flaw is love. It can drive us to madness when we love someone-when they don’t love us back. Or when we don’t love ourselves so we don’t believe others could love us. In Dostoevsky’s novel, raskolnikov had a deep hatred for himself, his situation, and even society yet he still craved attention and love because it’s something we all need and want inherently.

[@pedromelocruz3712]

Thanks for the video, I liked it so much that I decided to read the book.

[@hadiasadiq5533]

I don't comment on videos but all your work is so GOOD! gonna binge watch everything after my tests and will be waiting for more of you on my feed. maybe do some reading recs in the future?

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Ah thank you! And I’ll try to do some recommended reading videos in future

[@muppaneniteja1160]

This felt like personal attack 😢

[@skrieni]

I've read this book 3 times so far because its the one I mostly related to. I guess I'll read it 4th time now after I stumbled upon this video. The sentence i still vividly remember and fear of is "it was from feeling oneself that one had reached the last barrier, that it was horrible, but that it could not be otherwise; that there was no escape for you; that you never could become a different man; that even if time and faith were still left you to change into something different you would most likely not wish to change; or if you did wish to, even then you would do nothing; because perhaps in reality there was nothing for you to change into."

[@alexandrastefanescu3784]

Wow ,Best content ever !So happy to find your channel ! Best regards from Romania

[@AlitaMee]

Day 3 of watching the video and update I wrote a lot of stuff and got quite a bit of clarity. I was able to do few bits of work with much better quality than before. I am still struggling to start my main goal as I haven't yet fixed my routine and I am running from urgent to urgent task with tiredness. But the clarity is amazing. Hence sharing the mental clarity here may be it helps others too - As mentioned in the video the narrator was in pain . Despite he tried his level best to not challenge himself and thus saving himself from the pain of defeat and pain of being accountable or pain of being responsible for someone he was still in pain . That's the key. We all will still be in pain even if we try hard to stay in our bubble in pursuit of avoiding pain. Reaction to pain- narrator's reaction is 1. to blame others 2. Distraction by focusing on random stuff which ultimately amount to nothing relevant in the life , like slapping someone or comforting that officer . At the end even if he has done that it would have not changed anything for good for him or others Thus to avoid pain - as that seems to be the main goal , action in right direction ( direction of growth) is the path ahead Challenges in this path- - Extreme feeling of not knowing what is wrong with us and thus crawling back to our cave thinking we are not good enough. - single bout of motivation is not enough, system is required because change is overwhelming. - writing down all the issues and accepting this is our responsibility to fix it and write what will be done to fix it - finding at least one to two tasks per day which should be done sincerely and write down the feedback. - try to fix the routine this is the key

[@AlitaMee]

Day 4 of watching the video and update - Fixed my routine, 8 hours of sleep woke up at 6 I am much more calmer and aware still long way to go but I am happy with my start Watched free solo on Disney - trying to consume hard to watch documentary stuff rather than cheap simple comedy . Mind was so distracted that I was not able to finish that without pausing multiple times Cleaned the room - as per jodern Peterson I am able to handle stress better and able to finish simple tasks which I was not able to before everything was a mess . Feel less overwhelmed and more in control of my time. Part of the video that hit me today was no challenge. I want to challenge myself but I am not sure in which direction. Doing simple tasks while important for survival will take me no where and I don't know where do I want to go or can go. Planing to plan my day (very intemidating) and will see if I am able to follow the plan or not and what is stopping me from doing that. My maladaptive daydreaming have been sabotaging my efforts a lot . Need to figure out something for this .

[@rukhsar2715]

Maybe this is why I hated reading crime and punishment

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

It is sometimes unpleasant reading in the moment because of the general atmosphere of bleakness, even if it contains brilliant insights

[@rukhsar2715]

@@unsolicitedadvice9198 I've only read half of it, it's too long.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

The full novels can be quite long. Something like Notes from The Underground is much shorter though (it is about 100 pages) if you fancied giving it a go.

[@rukhsar2715]

@@unsolicitedadvice9198 sure, I have a really bad throat at the moment, its unaliving me. I do have the book, the writing is compact 68 pages ig.

[@AlanNunez-zj6rp]

I really need this video today. Thank you

[@taurusanderson5252]

This is the greatest video on this topic iver ever seen...it was also wat i needed to see thanks man.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! That’s very kind!

[@GearGreat]

Damn... 1.. 3... and 5 literally me... it's embarassing ngl but I really needed to hear that this won't get me anywhere.. great values and great video overall dude, keep more coming!

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

It’s not embarrassing! I think the reason the narrator is such an interesting character is because there is a bit of him in all of us! Please try not to use this as a reason to beat yourself up about things

[@GuideZer0]

This truly turned a mirror on me. I’ll just write an ironic comment, adopt “man from the underground” as a self-description, and move on with my life, but unironically.

[@FromPanictoParis]

Extremely articulate in your narration i had to subscribe snd now I'll order this book

[@almor2445]

I'm loving these videos. Very thought-provoking. There are parts that apply more than others but I see that as alright because there's still the possibility of change and growth. Too often people write themselves off as this kind of character and stop making an effort. I think duty to my kids has saved me from drowning in a life like this but only just. Needs work. So thanks for reminding me to actually get things done and not just plan and read all the time. Also to be someone I can be more proud of would be nice.

[@andrejg3086]

"an intelligent man cannot become anything seriously, and it is only the fool who becomes anything" 😁

[@zmani4379]

Nice video - one of the great works on the subject of volition, showing how our natural hue of resolution is sicklied over by the pale cast of thought - regarding your final point re arrogance, I see it a bit differently - Dostoevsky was an expert on the subject of contradiction- I think this arrogance is the biggest sign of his desparation- on some level he knows he's wrong, and cloaks himself in this self-abusive certainty as a defence- because if he admits he's wrong, then that means he's wasted his life, and he can't face that

[@luckyluke5614]

My feed is full of video's like this but this one is good. Lesson number 1 really resonates with me.

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thank you! Glad you like it!