Lovecraft, on a scale of 1 to 10...

[Heraclitus]

... how fracked up was he? I mean seriously, I can't help but wonder that every time I delve into that otherwise wonderful mythos that metaphorically explains to us the fundamental truth that the universe is a very alien place, one nearly impossible to understand, so out of sync with the human experience and the human world that trying to see it for what it is will ultimately results in madness. But just because you are right does not mean you are not screwed up. Now having posed this question and expecting a response of 11, I add a subquestion, why?


Let's be honest here none of us are really bothered by his misogyny, blatant racism and off course the many WTF moments. So why does he convey a fundamental picture of, well, something being wrong about him? What is the nerve he touches? I've established that its not a challenge to the doublethink (politically correct opinions), which he can only provide as a reminder that what is currently "true" was not always "true". But in that regard he is no different from any other author who wrote before the 1960's. The WTF moments aren't it either, though they do help. Being horrifying isn't good enough; we're too desensitized to that.


So, your thoughts? And no, this post is not worth rereading. I made absolutely no puns, I leave those to the professional spammer.

Note: Posted this in a SF forum, but got few responses, lets see if poly is better.

[Riesstiu IV]

He was also incredibly anti-Semitic and had a Jewish wife.

[LordShiva]

WTF is an SF forum?

[Riesstiu IV]

Stormfront, Heraclitus is a white supremacist.

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by Riesstiu IV
Stormfront, Heraclitus is a white supremacist.

I knew I recognised you from another forum.



14/88, Seig Heil and all that to you bro.

[Riesstiu IV]

Yes, I'm stormfront's only mixed race white supremacist.

14/88 brother.

[LordShiva]

[Heraclitus]

Should I just edit the OP for it to fit the thread or will people actually post on topic?

[LordShiva]

Teh first post is teh worst in teh whole threadi, so yes, please edit it

[Riesstiu IV]

QFT. This thread is now about Dave Chappelle.

[DaShi]

Invalid poll!

[SlowwHand]

This is a weirdass thread.

[Theben]

His writings were out there for his day. He certainly got enough middle-aged ladies panties crossed, his stories were banned in many locals and I believe he was legally barred from being around children. I could prolly Wiki him but too lazy right now.

The main thing which IMO resonates even today is that his view of the universe is diametrically opposed to an orderly Christian universe: if we do what what is right our lives will continually improve and we will be rewarded in an afterlife. Lovercraft's universe turns all this on it's ear by stating all is in chaos, we just can't perceive it. In the end we just die and that's the best we can hope for, for if we are noticed by the Powers That Be our minds and souls will suffer. All our works are for nought; even if things get better the day will eventually arrive in which the Gods return and destroy everything that is good. Finally and most imporant, although we perceive them as evil, the truth is worse- they just don't care and we mean less than nothing to them.