"It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life."

photojojo:

Breathtaking images by Vincent J. Stoker. These do a fantastic job of making you feel incredibly small. 

via Ignant.

kateoplis:

Feeding 7 Billion & Our Fragile Environment

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."

"Some people argue that books are outmoded, that there are other media available today that offer more immediate methods for delivering knowledge and insight. But right now, long-form, substantively driven, and thoughtful consideration of the challenges that
our society is facing and how they must be addressed are served best by this format. Nobody wants to read 250 pages off a computer screen, nor does even the best documentary provide the same opportunity to pause for reflection."

"The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis."

thisbigcity:

This is no longer in Hong Kong. According to Wikipedia, the government tore it down in 1993 and built a park here in 1995. Some people say it’s a signature piece of architecture with a cultural and historical legacy. Some artistic representations appear as well.

九龍城寨在香港已消失，維基百科頁面指出，政府於1993年清拆，1995年改建為公園，有些人認為這是香港特色建築，具有文化及歷史意涵。後也出現相關藝術作品。

crashinglybeautiful:

“In other words, art is useless, at least when compared, say, to the work of a plumber, or a doctor, or a railroad engineer. But is uselessness a bad thing? Does a lack of practical purpose mean that books and paintings and string quartets are simply a waste of our time? Many people think so. But I would argue that it is the very uselessness of art that gives it its value and that the making of art is what distinguishes us from all other creatures who inhabit this planet, that it is, essentially, what defines us as human beings.

To do something for the pure pleasure and beauty of doing it. Think of the effort involved, the long hours of practice and discipline required to become an accomplished pianist or dancer. All the suffering and hard work, all the sacrifices in order to achieve something that is utterly and magnificently … useless…”

—Paul Auster

From a new blog post at Intense City.