Are there any artists that are considered a must for someone new to the field of art? What path did you follow to develop a personal (individual) artistic style?
Learning philosophy or philosophy history is one thing (I'd guess it is more about discussing texts with others than acquiring encyclopedic "knowledge").
To develop your own "philosophy", you need to get rid of other philosophies. Then maybe you will become another philosopher or not. Check my answer on how to think for yourself for the details.
The author has experienced switching perspectives, therefore concludes that what has remained unchanged is reality. But it is possible to switch realities (timelines) as well, though writing about that kind of experiences is kind of pointless, because the new "reality" may not include old writings, and if switching realities is possible, than humans beings are not what they are commonly considered to be. (and one may as well write something on the surface of a lake, and expect permanency). How many downvotes for this comment?
Neither addiction, perfectionism nor being an idiot is OK. The word OK has an opposite meaning. A different matter is whether it is possible to be without addiction, perfectionism or idiocy.
Being understood is impossible (an illusion). There is nothing to understand. Following social conventions is possible. But life is not (necessarily) about following social conventions. Nor is it about not following social conventions.
I'd agree with Dijkstra, provided that he wrote about individual human beings, rather than computers. It is humans that are characterized by radical novelty, not computers, which can be understood by metaphors. It is easy to predict computers (that is why they are useful), and impossible to predict humans.
How the "How the self-esteem craze took over America" craze took over HN.
"Number Six: Where am I?
Number Two (not identified as yet): In the village.
Six: What do you want?
Two: Information.
Six: Whose side are you on?
Two: That would be telling. We want information...information... information!!!
Six: You won't get it!
Two: By hook or by crook, we will.
Six: Who are you?
Two: The new Number Two.
Six: Who is Number One?
Two: You are Number Six.
Six (running on the Village's beach): I am not a number; I am a free man!!!
Two: [Laughter]"
