Death of Hypatia®

Author: Death of Hypatia Inc.

  • Know Thyself #174

    Know Thyself through LYRICS:

    What does the following song sung by Jack White mean to YOU:

     

    “Want And Able”

    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Tell me who, tell me who, tell me whoWell, Want and Able were crossing the road
    Want had a feeling there was something he was owed
    But Able broke it to him that there’s a social code
    So walk straight down the middle now and do what we’re told
    Walk straight down the middle now and do what we’re told

    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Tell me who, tell me who, tell me who

    Want said that didn’t feel so good
    To never be fulfilled, forever stressed out and impatient
    Always saying, “Just over the next hill.”
    Always saying, “Just over the next hill.”

    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Being able is to freedom what wanting is to cruel
    It’s hard to tell it seems, which one of them’s the fool
    Is freedom a gift, that we only give to the ones that say I love you?

    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Who is the who, telling who what to do?
    Tell me who,tell me who, tell me who

    Now, Want and Able are two different things
    One is desire, and the other is the means
    Like I wanna hold you, and see you, and feel you in my dreams
    But that’s not possible, something simply will not let me

    – John Anthony White

    … more “Know Thyself #174”

  • WIBCI Post #173

    WIBCI we experienced PERFECT LOVE?

    Perfect love appears to have been sought after since man could write, but sought differently.

    In modern times we throw words/phrases around like ‘soul mates’, ‘my person’, ‘twin flames’, ‘made for each other’, ‘kindred spirit’, and ‘true love.’ Such phrases give the impression that there is one, and only one, person who is ‘meant’ for you. To me this seems like a bit of a stretch since in a 2011 Tedx Talk, self-help author Mel Robbins announced that the odds of being born are one in 400 trillion…..huh……, imagine what the odds are that you were born AND your ‘soul mate’ was also born at the same time in a geographical area where you two kids would bump into each other. Do they make numbers that high? Suffice to say, nearly impossible. So why are we setting ourselves up for failure? Maybe we could lower that lofty bar a little bit?

    Wouldn’t It Be Cooler If, instead of focusing on finding that one person, we focused on being loved that way we want to? Maybe people would be quicker to leave failing relationships because THEY were too important to waste time on someone who didn’t return love properly.

    I like the way that Joseph Campbell shortened what was written by Giraut de Bornelh, troubadour (1138-1215), maybe 800 years ago, they had a better plan: look for the love, not the person:

    “So through the eyes love attains the heart, for the eyes are the scouts of the heart. And the eyes go reconnoitering for what it would please the heart to possess. And when they are in full accord and firm, all three in one resolve, at that time perfect love is born from what the eyes have made welcome, to the heart. For as all true loves know, love is perfect kindness, which is born, there is no doubt, from the heart and the eyes.”

     … more “WIBCI Post #173”

  • Know Thyself #173

    Know Thyself through HOW YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF

    This post is almost a continuation of WIBCI Post #172 from a few days ago, which began:

    I love words. I’m in awe that with 26 letters, spaces, and punctuation we can learn about the entire world.

    I love authors, not for the words they wrote, but for the thoughts they provoked, in ME.

    When mastered, with 26 letters, spaces, and punctuation we can teach the world about ourselves.

     

    Imagine if we all had the ability to communicate what we think and feel completely with others in as few words as possible. Imagine if we had the ability to articulate ourselves, clearly and concisely, the first time.

    I’m not suggesting it Would Be Cool If we were able to explain ourselves with less effort, if it were the effort I was concerned with conserving I would use AI. I’m suggesting it Would Be Cool If we were able to express ourselves with precision. In such a way that everyone understands in one take. In such a way that could not be misconstrued. In such a way where understanding is accomplished on Both Sides and there is trust that motives are not behind the words said and not said.

    Ernest Hemingway is known for his brevity, his ability to tell a story and create emotion in few words. When challenged by a friend whether he could tell a story in 10 words or less he wrote:

    For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

    Imagine what you could accomplish if YOU had this power. The power of not only Knowing Yourself, but the power to communicate it to others.

     … more “Know Thyself #173”

  • WIBCI Post #172

    WIBCI we could articulate WHY we love?

    WOULDN’T IT BE COOL IF people understood their own MOTIVES?

     

    I love words. I’m in awe that with 26 letters, spaces, and punctuation we can learn about the entire world.

    I love authors, not for the words they wrote, but for the thoughts they provoked, in ME.

    When mastered, with 26 letters, spaces, and punctuation we can teach the world about ourselves.

     

    The point of Death of Hypatia® is for you to learn about you and what you love, but I believe it is as important to know WHY.

     … more “WIBCI Post #172”

  • Know Thyself #172

    Know Thyself through CONSCIOUS LIVING

    Imagine you had a dream where you found yourself in front of Pythia the Oracle of Delphi. Nothing about the surroundings, the people, the scene, the smells, the sounds were surprising. You can remember feeling like you fully, viscerally, would believe anything this woman before you was to say about your life.

    Pythia stares at you and into your eyes for an extended period of time, closes her eyes, breathes deeply, snaps open her eyes, and says:

    When you wake you will live the most important deciding day of your life. One in which your actions and conduct will be the basis of the rest of your life.

    The Oracle claps her hands and you wake up.

    You fully remember the dream and still feel and believe every word that was spoken to you.

     

    WIBCI you had the time, energy, and courage to sit with yourself uninterrupted until your ideals hit you over the head so hard that you can’t stop yourself from returning to the world trying to reach them and make them your reality?

    If you decided to act as if you had this dream tomorrow…look at your phone before you go to bed and see how much time you spent on it during the last day….

    If tomorrow you are going to act like it is the most pivotal day of your life, I imagine you would want to spend less time on your phone. If the next 24 hours are of the most important of your life, how much time would you spend scrolling, swiping, texting, or playing on line games? How much of your communication would you like to be face to face or your voice speaking to another voice over a telephone line? How much more thoughtful will you be with your words? How much time will you spend judging the actions of others?

    On this day….

    How would you act?

    What would you say, and to whom?

    What would you do, differently that day?

    What is the worst that could happen? Well, I believe the worst case is that all that is realized is what life is like when you live it as consciously and present as possible, what it is like when you are the best you.

    Best case, to me, is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    Win/Win, no?… more “Know Thyself #172”

  • WIBCI Post #171

    WIBCI if we really BELIEVED or really didn’t?

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If we truly understood what it is we believed, not what we were told/brought up/influenced into believing? WIBCI there was a moment in time when we were hit with the full force of what we believed, or what we DIDN’T believe?

    (Per Wikipedia) Nihilism: is a family of philosophical views that reject the existence of any objectively meaningful purpose, moral value, truth, knowledge, or related concepts. Nihilistic views span several branches of philosophy, including ethics, value theory, epistemology, and metaphysics. 

    Existential nihilism asserts that life has no objective meaning or purpose. The idea that all individual and societal values are ultimately pointless has been associated with various responses.

    Medusa has sometimes appeared as representing notions of scientific determinism and nihilism, especially in contrast with romantic idealism.  In this interpretation of Medusa, attempts to avoid looking into her eyes represent avoiding the ostensibly depressing reality that the universe is meaningless. Jack London uses Medusa in this way in his novel The Mutiny of the Elsinore:

     

         “I cannot help remembering a remark of De Casseres. It was over the wine in Mouquin’s.  Said he: ‘The profoundest instinct in man is to war against the truth; that is, against the Real. He shuns facts from his infancy. His life is a perpetual evasion. Miracle, chimera and to-morrow keep him alive. He lives on fiction and myth. It is the Lie that makes him free. Animals alone are given the privilege of lifting the veil of Isis; men dare not. The animal, awake, has no fictional escape from the Real because he has no imagination. Man, awake, is compelled to seek a perpetual escape into Hope, Belief, Fable, Art, God, Socialism, Immortality, Alcohol, Love. From Medusa-Truth he makes an appeal to Maya-Lie.’ “

    — Jack London, The Mutiny of the Elsinore

     

    Morbid, yes. Devastating, yes. Thoughtful, yes. His own………YES.

     … more “WIBCI Post #171”

  • Know Thyself #171

    Know Thyself FLASHBACK

    Know Thyself through YOUR FAVORITE COLOR

    Below is a post from 5/22/2025 where I asked you to think about your favorite color, not because I care, but to get you to think about your likes and dislikes. I mention below in the post that this is a question that adults can answer, but most likely has not been rethought since they were young. When I was a kid I was allowed to choose a new color for my bedroom. I thought about this sincerely as this was the room that was MINE and where I spent the majority of my time, it mattered and I chose my favorite color blue. I’m sure I had my reasons then. I would still choose blue today, but I know why this is my favorite color TODAY….because I thought about it.

    I like blue best because it feels like freedom. Blue is the color of the boundless sea and sky. The color makes me feel unrestrained and limitless.

    That’s why I like blue. I do not like yellow, but that is a conversation for another day.

     

    Know Thyself Post #6

    Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

    What’s YOUR favorite color?

    If you ask any 11 year old girl this question, I bet, more often than not, they answer quickly and unequivocally.

    I would also further wager they could tell you why and possibly when this conclusion was made. They know what they think about color because they have actually taken the time to think about it. They were still for a moment, turned off the world, and really thought about it.

    When was the last time YOU really thought about something?

    So…What’s YOUR favorite color?… more “Know Thyself Post #6”

    05/22/2025… more “Know Thyself #171”

  • WIBCI Post #170

    WIBCI there were more VIRTUES?

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If Blast from the Last Year

    This is a post from 6/28/25 with minor modifications (a writer is never ‘done’):

    WIBCI Post #30

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If POLITICS learned from PHILOSOPHY?

     

    In The Republic by Plato, Socrates discusses the four chief virtues necessary for justice to thrive in a city/State:

    COURAGE, MODERATION, JUSTICE and WISDOM

     

    Picture a present day leader….do YOU think they honor and exhibit these virtues?

    What do YOU think of these four words?

    Picture someone YOU admired as a kid, did they have all four virtues?

    Do YOU exhibit them?….

     

    Sadly the persons I pictured last year have not improved.

    … more “WIBCI Post #170”

  • Know Thyself #170

    Know Thyself through the SELFLESSLY KIND

    Another Blast from Last Year, I’ve been on a little introspection recollection lately looking over past posts and I like this one:

     

    Know Thyself Post #7

    Know Thyself through HISTORY(yours):

    Try this:

    Think about someone in your life that has been selflessly kind to you.

    Not nice to you because they found you attractive.

    Not nice to you because of any perception of your wealth.

    Therefore, this means it probably eliminates anyone you met as an adult.

     

    Try and picture someone (probably from childhood) that always acted in a way they thought best for you, even if it was a detriment to themselves. Can you picture them?

    Next time you are making a decision that bothers you morally, make the decision like this person were watching you.

    Imagine if leaders did that…

    What do YOU think?…

    … more “Know Thyself #170”

  • WIBCI Post #169

    WIBCI we noticed PATTERNS?

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If we learned from history?

    With it being the 250th anniversary and a plethora of American Revolution documentaries to watch, I began The American Experiment and like I’m guessing, all Americans who find these interesting, you can’t help drawing parallels, comparisons and contrasts between us then and us now.

    The stationing of British troops in Boston and in some other communities inspired great anger and resistance. One of the hallmarks of the kind of oppressive ruler that our founders feared might emerge sometime in the US is to put troops in the communities and turn them against the American people. That was a key mistake that King George did. 

    -Al Gore The American Experiment S1E1

     

    USA Today’s opinion forum from January 17th, 2026 agreed with the former Vice President when discussing the current President:

    As for his biggest mistake, it would be how he has used Immigration and Customs Enforcement – taking money from other needed programs and using it to increase the size of ICE, then sending these people, with masks and little training, to terrorize cities and states.

     

    Maybe folks in DC should be learning from the very history we are celebrating rather than hosting ultimate fighting….seems that would be Better For The Most. Just me?… more “WIBCI Post #169”

  • Know Thyself #169

    Know Thyself through TEAMS

    A Know Thyself Blast from Last Year, TEAMS is a term that comes up often on this website and worth a republish:

    Know Thyself Post #8

    Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

    How many Teams are you on?

    Death of Hypatia defines Teams as follows:

    Teams: / tiːmz / n: A group of equal and mutually respected individuals who, when acting as/or on behalf of said group, consider what is better for the group above that which may be better for them as individuals

    Rules/Caveats/Considerations:

    • You can NOT be on a Team of one
    • You can be on  a Team as a couple, but, both must be equal
    • You can be on a Team when playing sports. You are not on the Team if you act in a way that is better for you but NOT better for the Team
    • You can NOT be on a Team if you own it or profit from it
    • Team members do NOT lie to one another
    • Team members do NOT cheat/profit off one another
    • Team members do NOT ask you to hate

    Do YOU have any teams?….

    I sadly think I have less Teams than last year, but the OG are still strong.… more “Know Thyself #169”

  • WIBCI Post #168

    WIBCI we were more like FRANCE?

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If we acted like a COMMUNITY?

    During the recent wildfires in France I heard a story on NPR.
    I learned there were over 200,000 evacuees, the most since WWII.
    I heard about a person in the Mayor’s office of this village who stayed behind, found, and fed local pets.
    I learned that 80% of firefighters in France are volunteers and regardless of the political affiliation of the community, all were aided. The firefighters were openly appreciated and acknowledged by the locals, including a woman who brought homemade crepes to thank them. Shop keepers were hugged by patrons when they returned, to their homes and with a 24/7 security system looting was kept to a minimum.
    If a disaster happened where YOU live, would the community response be more like southwestern France or LA?

     

     … more “WIBCI Post #168”

  • Know Thyself #168

    Know Thyself through EYE CONTACT

    Try this two day self introspection experiment:

    Day One: Next time you have a day which will include a decent amount of human interactions – notice the amount of eye contact that is made during your face to face interactions. This does not mean every person you pass by, bump into, or purposely avoid direct contact with on a regular basis. I’m talking about those you have conversations with throughout your day; people you see when you wake up in the morning, travel about your day, work with, get food from, hang with, and those whom work about you. Without changing what is natural NOTICE if/when you greet each person whether your inclination is to make eye contact or not? What is theirs? Do you maintain eye contact throughout the interaction(s)? Do they?

    Day Two: On a second day which will include a decent amount of human interactions, preferably the same interactions – purposely make eye contact with every person you have a face to face interaction with all day. Don’t veer into the deer in headlights creepy zone; initiate it on all greetings, and maintain it properly throughout the conversation (for instance: when they are talking directly to you or when you are talking directly to them). If you are around people from the previous day, see if initiated is eye contact reciprocated more? Are the conversations better?

    When I did this on the second day with intended eye contact I felt like people were more invested in the conversations, more present. They even asked me questions and seemed genuinely interested in the answers.

    Made me think there might be something to this human interaction thing…

    What do YOU think?

     … more “Know Thyself #168”

  • WIBCI Post #167

    WIBCI FREEDOM OF THE PRESS WAS SACRED?

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If we noticed the forest among the trees?

    I was reading an article in The Guardian and at the end noticed this plea for support. I believe it is important for us to realize what is happening to our Press and its freedom’s before they are gone:

    The following excerpt is from this plea:

    We hope you appreciated this article. Before you close this tab, we want to ask if you could support the Guardian at this dangerous time for journalism in the US.

    According to a leading global watchdog, American democracy is now more imperiled than at any point since the 1960s, marked by a precipitous decline in press freedom – driven by mounting pressure from the Trump administration in the form of threats, criminal investigations, politicized regulation, frivolous lawsuits and, for public media, catastrophic funding cuts. 

    Meanwhile, organizations that are supposed to be independent like the FBI and the FCC, our radio and television regulator, have also been targeting press freedom under Trump-aligned leadership, with the FBI raiding a reporter’s home and the FCC threatening ABC’s TV licenses after Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about Melania Trump.

    The response from some ultra-wealthy and corporate media owners, keen to appease the president, has been chilling: CBS News has been taken over by a Trump ally; CNN may be taken over by the same billionaire; Jeff Bezos has continued to impose cuts and editorial interventions at the Washington Post; and multiple outlets have settled multimillion-dollar lawsuits from the administration to protect their business interests.

    Democracy is best served by a robust, thriving free press. But when that freedom is under attack, it falls to a determined few news organizations to ensure the full truth still reaches the public. Owned neither by a billionaire nor a corporation, the Guardian remains dedicated to covering this administration with uncompromising moral and factual clarity – and to keeping trustworthy journalism paywall-free for the world.

    Despite the risks of maintaining our fierce independence, what sustains us – and fills us with deep gratitude – is the unwavering support we’ve seen from readers. It is no exaggeration to say that we are here because of people like you: a majority of our funding comes directly from readers responding to messages like this. Your support not only powers our work, but more importantly, it safeguards the financial independence that underpins our editorial freedom and courage.

     

    What do YOU think? Does this affect how you think about your information and where it comes from? What is SACRED to you?… more “WIBCI Post #167”

  • Know Thyself #167

    Know Thyself through your PASTIMES

    pastime /pas-tahym / n / :

    1. something that serves to make time pass agreeably; a pleasant means of amusement, recreation, or sport.

      to play cards as a pastime.

      Synonyms:
      avocation, diversion, hobby, entertainment

    Per the most recent episode of NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me according to Forbes Magazine, American’s favorite pastime is:

    Gambling.

    The people of this country spent more on Gambling than every other art and entertainment the world has to offer. The people of this country spent over 300 Billion dollars on Gambling. Americans spent more on Gambling than Museums, Movies, and Music COMBINED. It averages to $1000.00 per adult. There were no stats given for $ won by consumers…the house always wins.

    Gambling.

    I fall outside the norm in this case. Dickens never cost me a dime, I learned something, and thought about myself and my beliefs. Better odds.

    What is YOUR favorite pastime?… more “Know Thyself #167”

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