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Levi Masterson
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 7 เม.ย. 2013
✌🏼 join me in discussing philosophy, books, & more.
(I've got a penchant for intertextuality & etymology.)
(I've got a penchant for intertextuality & etymology.)
You're More than Your Job | Sartre, Bad Faith, and the Language of Capitalism
“So, what do you do?” This seemingly innocent question comes loaded with assumptions. It implies that our worth is tied to our jobs, defining our identity based on our productivity and function. In this video, I explore how this instrumentalist mindset-where people and experiences are valued for their utility-has seeped into our everyday language, especially under a capitalist paradigm. But, a job does not define me; a job does not define you.
Drawing from existentialist philosophy, especially Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of bad faith from Being and Nothingness, I question how we often over-identify with our job roles, inadvertently surrendering our freedom. I also touch upon how these capitalist norms shape not only our language but our sense of self, our choices, and our interactions.
➳ Featured Book:
Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre: bookshop.org/a/107411/9781982105457
➳ Gustave Caillebotte Paintings Shown:
The Parquet Planers (The Floor Scrapers) - 1875
Display of Chickens and Game Birds - 1882
Young Man at His Window -1876
Portrait of a Man Writing in His Study - 1885
The Bezique Game - 1880
Luncheon - 1876
Portrait of Henri Cordier - 1883
Fruit Displayed on a Stand - 1881
The Nap - 1887
➳ Timestamps:
00:00 The Problem: Reducing Others to a Job
01:24 Instrumentalism and Capitalist Language
04:26 How I Used Capitalist Language to Relate to Myself
06:14 Bad Faith: Defined
06:38 Sartre’s Famous Waiter Example
07:06 Living in Bad Faith
08:05 My LinkedIn Diatribe
08:39 Self-Deception in Job Functions Example
09:37 There are Limits to Our Freedom
10:05 Facticity and Transcendence
11:26 We Exist in Language
➳ Tags:
#philosophy #existentialism #sartre #capitalism
Support small bookstores! Support this channel. The above may contain affiliate links where, at no extra cost to you, small bookstores and I may receive a small commission.
Drawing from existentialist philosophy, especially Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of bad faith from Being and Nothingness, I question how we often over-identify with our job roles, inadvertently surrendering our freedom. I also touch upon how these capitalist norms shape not only our language but our sense of self, our choices, and our interactions.
➳ Featured Book:
Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre: bookshop.org/a/107411/9781982105457
➳ Gustave Caillebotte Paintings Shown:
The Parquet Planers (The Floor Scrapers) - 1875
Display of Chickens and Game Birds - 1882
Young Man at His Window -1876
Portrait of a Man Writing in His Study - 1885
The Bezique Game - 1880
Luncheon - 1876
Portrait of Henri Cordier - 1883
Fruit Displayed on a Stand - 1881
The Nap - 1887
➳ Timestamps:
00:00 The Problem: Reducing Others to a Job
01:24 Instrumentalism and Capitalist Language
04:26 How I Used Capitalist Language to Relate to Myself
06:14 Bad Faith: Defined
06:38 Sartre’s Famous Waiter Example
07:06 Living in Bad Faith
08:05 My LinkedIn Diatribe
08:39 Self-Deception in Job Functions Example
09:37 There are Limits to Our Freedom
10:05 Facticity and Transcendence
11:26 We Exist in Language
➳ Tags:
#philosophy #existentialism #sartre #capitalism
Support small bookstores! Support this channel. The above may contain affiliate links where, at no extra cost to you, small bookstores and I may receive a small commission.
มุมมอง: 343
วีดีโอ
overcome feeling behind in life
มุมมอง 2K14 วันที่ผ่านมา
Why am I so behind in life? This is one of the questions I’ve asked myself over and over again at various ages. If you're feeling behind in life and if you feel like you’ve wasted your life, and if you have mulled this question over so often, then I hope my words can reach you. In this hybrid cinematic vlog/video essay, I discuss the feeling of being behind with a philosophical lens. I analyze ...
Why this Albert Camus essay helps me overcome my existential dread | Nuptials at Tipasa
มุมมอง 1.3Kหลายเดือนก่อน
Albert Camus' essay, "Nuptials at Tipasa," has always provided a salve to my feelings of nihilism and existential dread. It's an essay close to my heart, and has been a source of optimism I've drawn upon in my darkest moments and in my biggest struggles. Join me as I give a close reading of the essay and discuss phenomenological concepts such as being-in-the-world and embodiment. ➳ Book Feature...
letting go and moving forward
มุมมอง 5082 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this cinematic vlog, I reflect on my previous relationships while shooting film photography throughout the city of Portland, Oregon. While Portland is known for its roses and bridges, for me, it's a city of ghosts. To evoke the feeling of some dream of the nineties, I've loaded up rolls of LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-Kissed by Lomography, as well as a few rolls of Cinestill 800T in my Nikon F3 ...
reflecting on finitude at the oregon coast
มุมมอง 3813 หลายเดือนก่อน
In early July, we drove to the sand dunes near Florence, Oregon, on a whim. We wanted to catch the sunset and make photographs. Contained within this video are the fragmentary thoughts and conversations on finitude and artistic legacy I had that evening. Here is the full Heraclitus quote I reference in the video: "History is a child building a sandcastle by the sea, and that child is the whole ...
Why It's Difficult to Make True Friends | Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
มุมมอง 1305 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this video, I explore the topic of friendship and discuss why I've gravitated towards a few kindred spirits. I also dig into Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Book 8, and explore the three types of friendships he identifies (friendships of utility, pleasure, and virtue) to examine the various friendships I've had in my life. ➳ Featured Book Nicomachean Ethics: bookshop.org/a/107411/97802260267...
Why Sylvia Plath’s Fig Tree Analogy Haunted Me | The Bell Jar
มุมมอง 2.9K5 หลายเดือนก่อน
Sylvia Plath's novel, The Bell Jar, has resonated with me ever since I read it-especially the passage about the fig tree. This is because making decisions for the future hold a certain finality to them. In this video essay, I perform a close reading of the passage in question, examine the etymology of the word, decision, and explore the philosophy of making a decision, using my own experiences ...
Thank you for making this video. I'm in a situation where I've been considering dropping out of college and the idea of being behind has frozen me in my decision for some time. Your work is well structured and I can resonate with it greatly. Wishing you well in future endeavors.
'..and then, I think, he would at last be able to gaze upon the sun itself-neither as reflected in water, nor as a phantom image in some other place, but in its own place as it really is' - plato, the republic VII 516)
Ooh that’s a great quote. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, I had some unexpressed feelings about this, it seems right at the point, which we hadn't the opportunity to define ourselves, but it happens in many ways and forms, which only compromise us, limiting the choice of us. Much love 💙💙💙
Thanks for watching!
hope it gets viral!! such a good video
Thank you! And fingers crossed :)
Good stuff. 😊
Thanks for watching!
Pretty great
Thanks!
So happy I get to watch this masterpiece early 🥹💜💜
Thanks for watching-I appreciate it!
I stumbled upon this video. I had a pretty difficult time the paste days, because I am going through a lot of changes and your words were excactly what I needed to hear today! Thank you!
I wish you the best of luck! I'm glad to hear that my words resonated with you. Also, thank you for taking the time to watch! :)
I was feeling distressed and overwhelmed. After watching this video of yours I feel a different kind of peace. I don't really know how to explain it. It's amazing how deeply you have felt this. I am sorry that you had to go through bullying. Thank you for making this video.
Thank you for sharing that. I'm glad the video offered some peace. It means a lot! And thanks for the kind words-it’s a bummer so many of us have to go through hardships.
Seems like I've just found an amazing channel... Probably gonna be one of my favs. 😍 Very cinematic, thought-provoking and inspiring. Wish you luck! Greetings from Russia.
Thanks for watching and for the kind words! I appreciate it!
you just described so many emotions I've always felt but could never quite put into words. you seem like the type of person I would love to sit at a cafe and talk about life with hahaha. this was such a great and beautifully crafted video :)
I’m so glad to hear this! Thank you for the kind words, as well as taking the time to watch and comment-I appreciate it! (Also, sitting in cafes and philosophizing with friends is one of my favorite activities, ha! :))
10:10
the scriptwriting behind this video is INSANELY GOOD
Thank you so much! 🙏🏼
As an 18 year old trying to find my place in society and the greater universe, this was very helpful.
I’m glad to hear it was helpful-thank you for watching!
Thanks, great thoughts! Also was thinking same way and thought that I should start YT channel for myself, had couple failed ones previously which I abandoned due to setting too high of benchmarks and feeling that I am behind others in all of this. Now I feel that I want to create just to put out my thoughts.
You should definitely go for it! (And aren't those self-imposed benchmarks just the worst? It's certainly freeing creating for the love of it instead of external factors.) Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and comment--I appreciate it!
Thanks TH-cam Algorithm...I try to cope like yeah i would get it together this year. and i believe in my self too, but by every passing year I'm feeling more behind in life than my friends 😢😢
You've got this! And I can relate. Envy can be rough sometimes--especially when we compare ourselves to people close in our lives. But the best remedy for it is to recognize the feeling--let ourselves truly feel it--and be genuinely happy for their successes. They're our friends, right? They're just on their own paths with their own struggles. And, who knows: it might be the case they could be feeling the same thoughts towards us, too.
"Why am I so behind" *shows a guy from behind* Peak comedy!
a bit too on the nose, huh?
Hey! Today, I started to feel insecure, and I began watching videos about this subject matter. I saw your video on my recommendation page, and I immediately clicked without paying much attention to the Like and Subscribe count. I was shocked when I realized you don't have a lot of numbers! I hope you get recognized. I enjoyed the video, and as an English learner myself, I got to learn a couple of words that you used, so thank you a lot!
Hi there! Thank you so much for the kind words-I appreciate you taking the time to not only watch the video, but also comment! And that’s so fabulous! I’m glad you were able to learn new words, and I wish you the best of luck on your learning journey. :)
What a kind video. Thank you for taking time to articulate and share. The yearning toward other potential identities is something a past self has felt so deeply. Such a dreadful feeling when in decision paralysis, particularly when the need to achieve status and adequacy is involved. The thought of identity being temporal and in constantly in flux feels so reassuring. love more that it can come through intention, focus and love itself. Hope you have a beautiful day
Wow, thank you so much--this made my day! I appreciate you taking the time to watch my video and write out such a thorough response! I hope you have a wonderful day, too! :)
I just finished the bell jar today and have struggled with academic validation my whole life as a dyslexic kid. This is such a great commentary on the poem that like you said haunts people (i am people) still today. You are a gifted artist and this is beautifully said.
Thank you for sharing a snippet of how this resonated with you, and thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate it! :)
Birthdays and new year's days are always tough, thanks for sharing. I think a lot of us are feeling similar things, funny that we are around the same age.
Thank you for taking the time to watch--I appreciate it! And I'm certainly feeling the weight of the passage of time each year, that's for sure. Hopefully this video helps alleviate some of the dread and helps transform it. (Oh, and cheers to our early thirties, ha!)
ONGST
my fave way to pronounce it!
Beautiful video man
thanks for watching!
Beautiful Video
Thanks for watching!
Nice work!
Thank you!
This is a wonderfully made video! I just came across Camus' work last night and this helped me understand his philosophy more.
Thank you! And I'm glad you found it helpful. Enjoy your exploration of his work!
Seriously underrated channel, you deserve more subscribers and viewers. I hope you keep making things that are on your mind.
🙏🏼 I really appreciate it! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment.
Great video, currently in a rough patch in life and this gave me some good takeaways to practice.
Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate it. And I hope everything goes well for you!
I literally just downloaded this book into my Kindle today. This video was so nice to watch and very well made. As a French literature major, I adore Camus' work and love hearing other people's thoughts on them. Definitely will be checking out your other videos, especially the one about Sylvia Plath's fig tree metaphor as that book is on my reading list next. Keep it up and I truly hope your channel reaches more and more people!
Ooh, I hope you enjoy! You'll also have to check out "Return to Tipasa" from the collection of essays. A part of me wishes I read French--I'd love to read it in its original. Anyway, thank you for the kind words! It truly inspires me to continue. I appreciate the support, and you'll have to let me know what you think about The Bell Jar once you get around to it :)
such a beautiful video ❤❤
Aw, thanks so much for watching, Stefani! It means a lot!
Yo this video is really good man really inspiring 🥺
🙏🏼 thanks for watching!
Yo great video
Thank you! I appreciate it.
your filmmaking is amazing and you seem so intelligent, kind and humble
Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate it!
i felt a similar visceral reaction when i first read the same passage about figs from the bell jar, it was a indescribable feeling i am totally in awe with the way you voiced your thoughts , it was gorgeous ,truly riveting
thank you!
Thank you for this! I needed it. Your insights are brilliant.
Thank you for watching!
I REALLY LOVE THIS CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE AND THE WAY YOU PUT IT INTO WORDS. I REALLY FELT WHAT YOU FEEL AND IT IS SO DEEP, SO BEAUTIFULLY INSPIRING. I studied medicine just to see what my abilities can do and it turns out i don't like it at all. I just chose medicine to validate myself and also my family, as time goes by it slowly ruins my whole being because the things that I want to be was never gonna provide me for my every day life and it still haunts me.
Thank you for the kind words and taking the time to watch--I appreciate it! I'll have to agree that it's tough when the expectations we set for ourselves-or that others set for us-don't align with what truly fulfills us. My hope is that you'll be able to continue looking for ways in your life outside of medicine to gradually get closer to healing your being. Best, Levi
Your cinematography and insights will haunt me as the book haunted you, thank you for this masterpiece!! Can’t wait for the day your work blows up
Wow, thank you for the kind words--I really appreciate it! :)
This is amazing, thank you.
Thank you! I appreciate it!
somehow it feels like a honour to be the first comment. pls dont stop making videos
Thanks for the support!
Thank you for this!
Thank you for watching! 🙏🏼
This is beautiful, thank you for these insights!
Thank you! I appreciate it, and I'm glad you enjoyed. :)
Your video is amazing, you def deserve more attention! this feeling has haunted me since graduating hs, Sylvia Plath described the dread and horror of it perfectly and you managed to soothe it, by making people feel not alone and bringing us to think about what really matters on our day to day. It’s not easy living in a world that wants to capitalize us and keeps us thinking about success instead of happiness.
Thank you! I’m happy to hear this video resonated with you.
“History is a child building a sand castle by the sea.” Chills. Wow. This is spectacular.
Thank you so much! That Heraclitus fragment has always stuck with me. :)
no way you've 18 subs. thats crazy to me, cause this video was so good!!
Thank you for the kind words-I appreciate it!!
Not what I expected when this popped up in my feed. Pleasantly surprised! Beautiful video, photos, and words.
Thank you for the kind words-I appreciate it!