18 Comments
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Sara da Encarnação's avatar

I like the distinction you're making here because it isn't simply about dreaming; it's about whether we're willing to let our dreams become obligations. It's easy to imagine another life; it's much harder to let that imagination reshape the one we're actually living. The Mbuti perspective adds something important too. Modern culture spends enormous energy trying to eliminate discomfort, while your essay suggests darkness can be the very place where meaning is forged rather than avoided. That feels like a far more demanding, and ultimately more hopeful, way of looking at hardship.

Really enjoyed this one.

Sam Alaimo's avatar

Thank you, Sara. Your nuance here is crucial and extremely perceptive.

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

Thank you very much :)

The Radical Individualist's avatar

"Dreamers of the Night expect meaning to magically appear outside of themselves like an Amazon delivery,..."

It surprises me the extent that some people seek simple solutions, easily applied. Whether or not those solutions actually work is barely considered.

Sam Alaimo's avatar

That is when it we can do as Epictetus would have us do, and simply "Enjoy the spectacle."

Kai's avatar

Felt pretty crappy for the past two days but I realized it's cause I flew for a long distance and lied in bed doing fuck-all to recover. Time to get moving again, and your words are the right push, Sam!

Sam Alaimo's avatar

This is awesome. I'm stoked it amped you up a bit, Kai. Flying gets me too; the less physicality I am subjected to, the less energy I have. All that is left is getting after it once again.

Barry Lederman, “normie”'s avatar

Same here for a different reason. After a few days of bs it me - just fucking do something! So I am doing it and smiling inside and outside 😂 !!!

Oh yeah, back to the farm and cleaning it up, so the earth can rest and maybe dream ;)

Sam Alaimo's avatar

Enjoy the plants and the sun—there is more meaning to be revealed here than almost anywhere else on earth.

DSL's avatar

Sam, this essay hit me hard, but in a good way. You relating the night dream to the day dream was so utterly perceptive and intuitive in a sense, but so difficult to think about and process at the same time. To know that the darkness can save us is now at the forefront of my mind and I plan to use it to push forward in all my life’s endeavors, both those preciously thought of or wished for as well as those still yet undiscovered. I thank you immensely.

Sam Alaimo's avatar

I'm stoked to hear it. These are not light ideas, but what is better to kick off a few epic dreams in a day?

Baird Brightman's avatar

“The delta between how the first are met with bright-eyed excellence and the latter are unthinkingly endured is remarkable.”

Habituation is a bitch!

Sam Alaimo's avatar

100% it is, especially when it sinks in incrementally over time.

Anthony Wanis-St.John's avatar

Some ancient people may have deliberately believed their actual day and night dreams were a continuation of each other; seamless messages from within or from beyond.

Since you take care to elevate the true night dreams that our minds produce, I read your distinction as metaphorical... between those who want it all delivered to them without making sacrifice, or even just some effort, and those who seek out the effort, perhaps enjoying whatever fruits their labor yields, rather than wretching and whining about how hard their shit is.

Sam Alaimo's avatar

Your take is dialed in. My sense is we all have the full spectrum of Day/Night Dreamers within us. The art is learning the optimal balance for each of us. I feel like most of my life been dialing that in, and it will always be a work in progress.

Donald Vandergriff's avatar

WOW the best!!I appreciate the sharp distinction you're drawing here. This isn't just about daydreaming—it's about whether we're willing to turn those dreams into binding obligations. Anyone can imagine a different life; far fewer have the courage to let that vision reshape the one we're actually living.

Thoroughly enjoyed this piece.

Sam Alaimo's avatar

Thank you Don. Sara was right on, a crucial nuance.

Donald Vandergriff's avatar

Yes!!