Tolkien's Secret Vice | Escape Into Meaning

[@Nerdwriter1]

BOOK FAQS: *Will the book be sold internationally?* Yes, Escape Into Meaning should available for shipping to most places around the world where English-language books are sold. Amazon is your best bet, but local retailers can also order books from abroad (may just take a bit longer). I don’t have a full list of where it’s available, and I don’t control this in any way, so I’m sorry if you can’t get the hardcover where you live. *Will the book be translated into other languages?* Escape Into Meaning is only available in English for now. Translated versions usually don’t happen unless there are significant sales. If this book gets translated, that means something went really right, but we won’t know that for some time. If there are going to be translations, I will let you know as soon as I do. *Is there an audiobook, and do you read it?* Yes, there is an audiobook, and yes I read it (which was such a thrill to do). It is available on Audible here: adbl.co/3birfo9 And it’s also available from other platforms, all of which you can find at the Simon & Schuster master link: bit.ly/3cGnr0f *Will you be doing live events for Escape Into Meaning?* Yes! I will be doing 2 in-person events. One at The Strand in NYC. Tickets here: bit.ly/3OOAOJf And I will be doing another at The Grove Barnes & Noble in Los Angeles. Tickets here: bit.ly/3cSjPIG These will be the only live events I’ll be doing. I’m sorry if you don’t live near these cities - but I will be doing a livestream event that will be available for everyone. When I have the link and details for that, I will share it with you. I will update this as more questions come in. Thanks!

[@arthasmenethil5748]

Would you like to make more middle earth/Tolkien oriented videos like other KZbin channels like Men of the west? I'd really like your take and your opinions/ analysis of the world of Arda :D

[@ratichon3314]

Thanks, that's one of the most interesting videos I've seen in a while, Tolkien 's work with language is awesome to me.

[@Ninaad1234]

The audiobook is not available in India :(

[@ratichon3314]

@@Ninaad1234 Did you go through the link above? I guess you must have, you may need to wait a while 😒

[@71775926]

Tried to buy the audiobook on Amazon. Got this: "Title Not For Sale In This Country/Region We're sorry, Audible is not authorized to sell this title in your country/region. Please consider another book." :( This video got me so hyped to buy the book....

[@pawned79]

“I wish life was not so short; languages take such a time, and so do all the things one wants to know about.” - JRR Tolkien

[@CatastrophicDisease]

“I wish life was not so short.” Those seven words encapsulate so much. They are at the heart of humanity’s existential dread, and Tolkien weaved that dread beautifully in his story; that’s why I find the Fall of Numenor and the characters of Ar-Pharazon and Elros - and their opposing philosophies on death - to be so compelling

[@Epiousios18]

Tolkien himself was a firm believer in the idea of a " ζωην αιωνιoν" or "eternal life". I would like to think that after all he left this world to enjoy he is now able to enjoy the beauty of language indefinitely.

[@bradstev14]

As a Medieval PhD who specializes in romance literature, I can't tell you how similarly at times lotr reads at times to a medieval chronicle, lay, or romance in differing areas. Tolkien inspired my career choice as an academic, my specialization choice as a medievalist and a literature expert, and my hobbies as a massive nerd.

[@teucer915]

Have you read Sellic Spell? It's printed in the back of his prose translation of Beowulf. In reaction to what used to be a scholarly attempt to pick the historical bits out and discard the monsters, Tolkien (who thought it was all about monsters) constructed a version of the story that follows the patterns of folklore and scrupulously leaves out any specific references that might be historic. It's an early medieval tale, reconstructed - and, Lord of the Rings feels *just like it,* only longer.

[@sourcandyxxx]

do you have any reading recommendations from any part of the medieval era? i am very interested in this sort of thing, but don't know what to search for in a library (or elsewhere) to find.

[@bradstev14]

@@teucer915 I have, and this argument of Tolkien's is best seen in his (in)famous paper 'The Monsters and the Critics'. It remains a highly regarded paper even to this day. I can also highly recommend his translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, one of romances most beloved examples for its complexities and simple beauty in the modern era.

[@bradstev14]

@@sourcandyxxx Are we are talking romances, lays, tales, or otherwise or academic papers? If the former, then I would always highly recommend Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a romance that any specialist in the area could spend hours gushing over. I would also mention Le Morte Darthur as a good general approach to Arthurian romance, as it collects many of the Arthurian romances into a single tale that stretches from the rise of Arthur to the downfall of the roundtable, and is a thoroughly good read. If you would like some approachable academic material, then you can't go wrong with Jennifer Fellows, Helen Cooper, Megan Lietch, Judith Weiss, Raluca Radulescu, and J. J. Cohen for a solid grounding in chivalric romance. For general medieval I would highly recommend starting with Robert Bartlett's 'The Making of Europe' as introductory material.

[@CDVerderben]

"Tolkien inspired... my hobbies as a massive nerd" is a beautiful thing to read.

[@1stGruhn]

I've heard some say that Tolkien created Middle earth to house his languages. But I like the idea that his languages created Middle earth.

[@dejanmarkovic3040]

That's the same thing. His languages made him come up with middle earth...they thecnically created middle earth through him....or he created it through languages...it's all intertwined really...

[@fgdj2000]

I think to him it was more like discovering something that was already there.

[@t_ylr]

When Tolkein said he was "chasing the dragon" he was just taking another hit of Elvish lol.

[@graefx]

An elvish language version of Lord of the Rings written by Tolkien himself would be a wild novelty now. It sounds like a collectors or limited edition gimmick that would come out today. I can imagine I know a few people that would absolutely have a copy.

[@LoneIgadzra]

He never invented enough of either Elvish language to write a novel in it. :D It would have forced him to finish the language, but then he never would have finished the novel.

[@aldenrobelldeloyola1502]

I have watched Lord of the Rings a couple of times in my early teenage years. Now as a young adult, every time I listen to the music (Shire, Elven, Men, Fellowship themes, etc.), I have this complex instance of being transported to Middle Earth in split seconds. I'm probably not alone with the personal experience of how music and stories are woven into the very heartstrings and the fabric of soul that make up our consciousness. It feels as though the film and the music, in its clever ways (more like Tolkien-induced), has magically built a "fake" memory within my brain that eventually made me feel like I once lived in the Shire in the past, walked uphill and drank coffee to meet the sunrise, that I have visited Rivendell already at some point and listened to Elves play harp. As a fan of LoTR, it's both blessing and curse. I have been blessed with its delight, but it's also a curse, as every time I listen to even a tiny snippet of any LoTR music, I involuntarily get transported to that world, to that "fake" memory. After few seconds of it being played, I always turn it off - because the nostalgia brought by a mere fake memory is just too much I couldn't handle. Although I've only read The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings Book 1, and prolly half of The Silmarillion, the blood of Tolkien runs thick through me. I have read more books from George R.R. Martin, but the feeling of "being in the world" stays unmatched with how I feel with Middle Earth.

[@erdelegy]

In times of old, before books, all stories were sung. Lucky we have Tolkien's book now though, so we can make up our own music as we read. (The language, the way he writes, is what Lord of the Rings is all about.)

[@Lilliathi]

Yes. Tolkien taught me the importance of world-building. If your world is crafted well enough, the story feels far more grounded and real.

[@Desert_Gump]

Gosh darn it, am I glad you’re back dude. These short hit videos are great little mental espresso shots for my day, and have me very hype for your book. Please keep them up!

[@AhmetOguzArslan]

It's an early morning in Turkey, I am at my boring office desk sipping my coffee. And this video makes me happy. For 2.58 minutes, I feel peace. Thank you.

[@pawelniesporek7]

Kolay gelsin abi:)

[@fancypants6969]

Absolutely loving these series of excerpts from your book. The hype is real

[@callofgears91]

I specially love the realism he added with pretty much everything having at least two or three names depending on who you asked and their language, also how they changed over time

[@MegaClaymore123]

And THATS why staying true to Tolkien's works is so important for adaptations. You can adapt the stylistic elements of the story, but the story itself is more than that--it's HISTORY

[@rifway22]

If you want stay true to the story then read the books. When adapting to a different medium, it's impossible to stay faithful. Even good movies like Peter Jackson's trilogy failed as a faithful adaptation. Just look at Christopher Tolkien's response to PJ's movies: "They eviscerated the book by making it an action movie for young people aged 15 to 25. The chasm between the beauty and seriousness of the work, and what it has become, has overwhelmed me. The commercialization has reduced the aesthetic and philosophical impact of the creation to nothing. There is only one solution for me: to turn my head away."

[@blah55044]

Oh no! The conglomerate that has adapted a side story from my fantasy epic has black people! Whatever will I do!

[@rfb5206]

It's not history

[@thedofflin]

1:53 I think about this idea a lot when it comes to artistic masterpieces. You can just tell something is incredible when the artwork feels 'inevitable', somehow, naturally occuring, like it can't possibly be the creative work of a human. Certain songs, books and movies are so different and deeply original while displaying a kind of confidence in their own legitimacy - their right to exist, with no hesitation about living rent-free in your head forever.

[@bu5415]

what is your favorite seemingly naturally-occurring artwork?

[@drg3712]

@@bu5415 You didn’t ask me … but I just watcha reaction to Eleanor Rigby (a son I’ve been listening to for almost 50 years). I’m constantly amazed by that song and McCartney’s genius.. The lyrical simplicity, structure and power is amazing to me. And yeah, the music, melody, and vocal are ok 😀. It’s not my favourite Beatles tune even but it amazes me.

[@bu5415]

@@drg3712 thank you for your response! funnily enough, that was actually my favorite song in high school, so I definitely understood (and share) your sympathies toward the song!

[@thedofflin]

@@bu5415 Personally, I think 'Standing on the Shore' by Empire of the Sun is pretty high up there. There's just something so perfect, so otherworldly about it that I really can't connect with the idea that humans actually created that song. That song (and the album in general) is so clear in its artistic direction, I am instantly transported to an immersive fantasy world that only really exists in that song. I can't experience that world without that song; a portal into a world which is otherwise inaccessible. Perhaps that's why it feels inevitable, like that world already existed in my imagination, I just needed that song to unlock it.

[@bu5415]

@@thedofflin beautiful response and explanation! I have heard some of their more mainstream songs but I’ll be sure to listen to that album in its entirety!

[@danielbrazz]

Listening to this right after watching rings of power, makes that show look even more horrifying How could the Tolkien Estate give away legacy to hacks like that?

[@erdelegy]

The things people do for money, eh?

[@valerieplushie1031]

language runs directly to the creation of the world, called the Ainulindalë, or The Music of the Ainur. Eru created the Ainur (holy spirits), and taught them music. At first, their song was rudimentary and base on the idea that each of them was imbued with, but they learn to listen and sing an make music together. Then Eru puts forward a new theme, and the Ainur sing in harmony, and their singing prouces Arda, the universe. Really really beautiful story...

[@Kotorichan]

Your last sentence about immersion really struck me. There's a lot of talk about this concept in my field of work, but it's often referred to as "immersive technologies" instead of looking at our human brains that have evolved for imagination, and realizing how powerful a good story is to capture our senses and transport us elsewhere. I just thought about all the times my mind has gone past very obviously awful cgi in movies because the worldbuilding and the story were so rich, and all the times that amazing effects couldn't cover the absence of those two things.

[@erdelegy]

Me, too; at 2:11 "It never breaks the illusion."

[@Tuzeira]

I love this new format of short videos, just because it is made by you. You're my favorite channel

[@soloistdeve]

He must have felt that he actually lived there. By creating mythology through language, one's fantasy world would be more accurate at that point than the actual world.

[@Becca.Tarnas]

Everything about this video essay was beautiful. As a Tolkien scholar, my heart sings when hearing such an exquisitely perceptive and accurate depiction of Tolkien's creative and imaginal process.

[@MrSamuelWilkins]

"It never breaks the illusion" Tom Bombadil: "Hey!"

[@Segkee]

I’m a little disappointed his secret vice wasn’t being tied up by little people, having them cross him like a bridge, as he yells: “I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow!”

[@Quickeasyguitarlessons]

So it’s his passion for languages that allowed him to create this incredible world. What an incredible story 🙌

[@ArthurStomp]

I feel the same thing about Tolkiens worlds - "Discovered, not invented". I sometimes wonder if Tolkien wasn't discovering some intrisic truth about human and its languages. And if he used his writtings to practice those discoveries. Wonderful esssay on that subtle beauty of Tolkens work.

[@narniadici1976]

As a linguistics nerd, this is why I love LOTR.

[@nat040496]

One of many reasons why I believe Tolkien was the greatest writer who as ever lived. He objectively surpasses all of the greats we know, and I hope one day he will be studied in literature classes the way Shakespeare is today.

[@geobuksun]

Tolkien was a genius because he "kept at it" with his world-building. It was so detailed, always-expanding, and he was constantly wracking his brain on how to make each piece of the world real and not just an allegory. also, long live Nerdwriter!

[@LucasRodmo]

I never was capable of creating a language, but some version of it, and many alphabets, I created many throughout my childhood. Was extremely fun. Elian Script, that I didn't created, is my favorite, because its simplicity, permissibility, beauty, flow.

[@TheGreekSamurai]

I would very much like more of this series of short format videos sir!

[@RobertKeenanComp-U-Right]

Would love to know where it was you were showing from 2:25 timeline to finish.

[@tsay214]

Same

[@greenredblue]

You have beautiful stock footage. There are amazingly beautiful places in the world.

[@silverkeystoalchemicalgold3358]

Top notch subject

[@vividist]

Man your editing is on a whole different level. Unlike anything I have seen on KZbin.

[@gossamer999]

I am and have been for the last few years, writing a fantasy novel. My first, so you can be certain it will be terrible. But one of the things I have been primarily working on is the world. I have this compulsion when writing to drop everything in order to flesh out every detail about something that comes up. What did this old ruin used to be? Who made it? When was it constructed? When was it ruined? What kind of stone or timber was used in the construction? What purpose did it serve in its heyday? What things has it seen? And then it goes deeper. Where did its maker come from? Who are they, and what did they want? What is the history of the country they are in? The continent? Who made the world? Are the gods a real, magical force? Are they existing magical entities of immense power, or simply universal forces given personalities and wills in the image of the people who worship them? All are questions to be answered. And yes, at the center of it all, I have invented a language, intended to be a sort of code for the program of life and existence. The language is solely written, as it predates beings capable of audible speech, and involves the combination of various runes and the author's intent to imply meaning. Anyway. To one who wasn't a writer when experiencing Tolkien for the first time, this kind of stuff is so insanely beyond comprehension it tends to overwhelm the mind and be written off as just...too much so it doesn't matter. But as someone who has begun to dip their toes into that world of creation, the truth is it does matter. None of it matters, and it all matters tremendously.

[@elfchild9]

Good luck with the book!

[@asolh1184]

I miss you nerdwriter, glad yr back with more content

[@hibby21]

love these excerpts! can't wait for the book. thanks for the video, I always get excited when I see a new nerdwriter posted

[@Neo_2001]

Can't wait till the book is available in my country. I wish i could have preordered it

[@CDVerderben]

That was a great video. What a fascinating thesis - "language breeds mythology." Maybe, somehow, that's the real Sapir-whorf hypothesis: language doesn't influence measurable cognitions but the flavour of history. Maybe you have to have a very intimate relationship with human language to experience how it sets experience on it's way...

[@cmutton359]

Where are these shots from?! I want to go there. Particularly that last one!

[@Dave.666.]

Secret vice of being fucking awesome.

[@Epiousios18]

"In the beginning was The Word." I'm sure Tolkien recognized that parallel.

[@KarlBunker]

It seems to me that a central concept to this is "Your language construction will breed a mythology." That's an interesting idea, but I don't see where it is supported anywhere in this video/essay. Instead it just seems to wander off into "I like Tolkien's Middle Earth books a whole lot."

[@levipetersen4406]

This video is very much derived from the speech Tolkien gave in the 30’s (and 50’s) to a literary club that was titled “a secret vice”. All the things in quote marks are direct quotes from Tolkien himself.

[@metamaus5701]

I didn't know what to expect with this video title. :)))

[@misterscottintheway]

Where did you get this b roll? It's gorgeous

[@youtubevoice1050]

Ilúvatar ... always reminded me of the Germanic "Allvater" (all-father) in reference to Odin.

[@davidsanders1170]

Just preordered! I can't even begin to express how excited I am!

[@manetarofl]

"For the keen escapist, Middle-Earth is the premier destination" I feel attacked.

[@leafmamba]

the lord of the rings was just a vessel for the languages he created and not the other way around. and that’s beautiful.

[@ri5975]

Beautiful. As always. Breathtaking, in a short video, the depth you covered.

[@djr3386]

There should be a "like" button for your whole channel not just for a single video. - Your subscriber 🙏

[@QazwerDave]

2:04 PLEASE, someone tell me where these mountains are from ?!?!?!?!

[@anthonydaniel3545]

It’s the Seceda Ridgeline

[@42Siren]

Just bought the LOTR book set, and this video is released. Now I am even more excited. How things often fall into place sometimes.

[@tomfoolery4077]

where are these places you are showing in the video?? That would be great to know

[@lmarie931]

Beautifully done!

[@levipetersen4406]

I see someone read the book “a secret vice”... I love it.

[@TheDailyWisecrack]

Need more on Tolkien! That was cool

[@P-Mouse]

i think i read somewhere that the Rohirric helmets where inspired by the Sutton Hoo burial, not sure about the Gondorian.

[@jurrien88]

Very interesting take. You also kind of put in words the awkward feeling I had while reading Dune. Herbert's novel feels the opposite from this perspective. Maybe only the fremen lore feels authentic since it's well rooted in the Arabic (I believe?) language

[@har5814]

Tolkien is one insane genius

[@michaelelliott1212]

After reading the title essay to "Escape Into Meaning," and having NEVER seen any of the movies or read Tolkien, it didn't incite me to venture a go (as it were) to watch them. I'm a avid reader but still not interested in reading the LOTR trilogy or it's offspring "The Hobbit." But I AM enjoying Mr. Puschak's book as I understand (as the subtitle states) it's one of his "...Other Obsessions."

[@CartoonCorey]

This was a lovely, calming, and inspiring video. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@samuelgee6367]

If you are releasing a CD audiobook of you reading this, my car rides to school would become infinitely more enjoyable

[@Psycho-Complex]

I just pre-ordered your book on audible. I can't wait to listen!

[@alaaji2]

And this is why any theatrical interpretation on the big or small screen will always fall short.

[@ifanismail6564]

If Tolkien was part of "In the Mouth of Madness" universe, he would probably be an apt candidate for The Old Ones to write their new reality as the masters of universe along with Sutter Cane.

[@JazzRoyalty]

Any idea where the scenery at 2:16 is located?

[@alexanderg1935]

Pretty certain it's the Dolomites in Italy.

[@OnePieProductions]

Beautifully written!

[@JaceLightwood0623]

This one hit right at the heart ❤

[@DarkMorguet]

I simply cannot wait for the book to be published and to, finally, be read by this avid fan of yours ☺️ I’m sooo happy that you’re going to make your dream of bringing a book into life true! I’m sure this won’t be the last one though (at least, that’s my inner hope)

[@The10Liam]

Definitely would be interested on your opinion of Tolkiens expression of friendships throughout the LOTRs and Silmarillion.

[@masterfoben13]

Just pre-ordered your book. Looking forward to reading it!

[@willtheprodigy3819]

More art and music analysis, please!

[@bensmyth7643]

Where is the landscape found in the second last shot of the grass cliffs?

[@anthonydaniel3545]

It’s the Seceda Rigdeline

[@bensmyth7643]

@@anthonydaniel3545 my man, you do not know how many hours I have spent on google searching “grassy cliff” to try and find the answer. Thank you so much

[@JEROMEJAMESGREEN]

I am so excited for this book!

[@orsonwelles4254]

Hey Nerdwriter typeface did you use for the video? 😍

[@peterbellini6102]

"Immersive" is the key word Nw1 and the true attribute of LOTR, his works and all great literature. I agree with a commenter below that his stories are very well-rounded. Also, when the world-building is THIS complete, then there are less gaps to be found that detract or interrupt the narrative. In a strange way, it allows readers to search for analogue symbolism in reality; i.e. Sauron is Hitler etc. Never bought into that myself....

[@old-moose]

Me too. Will it come out in audiobook, preferably read by yourself?

[@The10Liam]

Still hoping for more LOTR content from you. Tolkien is fantastic.

[@colecalfee]

What is the music you used in background here?

[@HumanShitpost]

Me, only reading the title “WAS IT ALLEGORY THIS WHOLE TIME!?!”

[@tsay214]

Where was that last shot taken?

[@nishantraj-dailynewsletter2941]

felt like a song

[@ajetc697]

A hobby with no negative consequence is not a vice.

[@chriss780]

you say that until you miss your third childs birth because you were busy conjugating Sindarin #langugagenotevenonce

[@ajetc697]

@@chriss780 🤣

[@kinglear6150]

I think he would've written The Lord of the Rings in Westron, not Elvish, if given the choice.

[@kinglear6150]

Great video, by the way. Thanks.

[@freshhardin1]

I wowed during this essay!

[@alexanderg1935]

Beautifully said.

[@brandonjaloway3982]

Now that is a proper tribute!

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Evan! 🔣

[@andy14169]

ya know, i havent looked forward to a book coming out like this in a really long time!

[@victorhugoartetarubio5730]

so well done. thanks from peru.cusco

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

I can listen to your videos all day, they are strangely relaxing. Only if my channel sounded like this lol

[@greyfells2829]

Stock footage is fairly inexpensive, as is the audio. Be the person you want to be breh, take the risk and see what happens.

[@dbcooper9584]

Music ! Link pls

[@Ziad3195]

Oh my goodness. I adore this video.

[@StepInTheNightsky]

I/Me/Mine - Qui You/Yours - Aquei Hello (Casual) - Qui Faulj Kouno Lit; "Qui faulj kouno" translates to "I see lights", however this is a common greeting. Hello (Formal) - Ganligh We/Us (Feminine) - Quin We/Us (Masculine) - Quia We/Us (Formal) - Quiqui She/Her/Hers - Chjun He/Him/His - Chjua Nonspecific Personal Pronoun - Chjuh It - Dae They (People) - Quord Them (People) - Quex They/Them (Objects) - Kaoko Is/Are (sight, presence or action) - Pho Is/Are (sound) - Phon Is (smell) - Phol Is/Are (taste or touch) - Phar Am (Self only) - Phaqui Do (Action) - Hoxan Do (Confirmation) - Alpa Red - Pazlez Orange - Sharnol Yellow - Lwthan Green - Rorn Blue - Gaeka Indigo - Zthza Violet - Eikiei Brown - Gonon Black - Anlayu White - Elayu (Note; Pink is considered a shade of red. The word for it would be Paz-Elayu) Building - Dandari House - Danquina Church - Mekholn Shop - Gholae Library - Decisiste Priest - Mekanl Royal - Xaehala (Note; The letter X is considered a powerful letter put in words like Xulaas which means infinity, hence why it's used in Xaehala) Friend - Nrali Enemy - Nansan Sister - Izun Brother - Izua Unspecified Sibling/Unborn Sibling - Izu Sister/Brother (Deceased) - Moizuh Mother (religious in some context) - Nunali Father (religious in some context) - Ualas Mother (Deceased) - Ehnali Father (Deceased) - Ekalas Lover - Zlnea Spouse (religious in some context) - Olixei (Note; Death has a significance in the culture of this language, hence the unique words for deceased relatives)

[@bishallol7375]

can someone please tell me where the place at 2:08 is? :)

[@xamyool]

Two years late...the Dolomites in Italy.

[@mattdougherty6722]

Beautiful!

[@levibrule535]

Wow. Am i actually this early to a nerdwriter video? Just as i was pondering my own meaning on a day off work...

[@TheDebater94]

And then you have GOT which is just thinly veiled war of the roses 😆

[@NonalignedVideos]

nice. If you can't think of something interesting to add, then add for the algorithm.

[@gosiamazi4236]

Greetings from Switzerland 😁