Death of Hypatia®

Category: Know Thyself

  • Know Thyself #94

    Know Thyself: PDA

    I found myself considering what I think of Public Display’s of Affection.

    I learned that positive/negative/indifferent feelings were dependent on four factors:

    • Setting (notice your audience and where you are): child’s birthday party, bouncy house…nope. Christmas party, beneath Mistletoe…yep.
    • Intensity (Motion Picture Association Film Ratings): PG13/R seem a good bar.
    • Duration (really?):  No need to breath in/out of the nose for survival, cute. Someone(s) is/are timing you, why?
    • Disruptive level (degree to which PDA interferes/suspends and/or influences the enjoyment of other humans): Private Gondola ride slipping through the canals of Venice at sunset…doesn’t bother me. Adjourning seat on any mode of transport….bothered. Also bothersome: on-line, while operating heavy machinery, physically touching anyone not involved, and/or in the direct sightline between a stage and a ticket holder.

    Where’s your bar?… more “Know Thyself #94”

  • Know Thyself #93

    Know Thyself by Noticing:

    I was standing outside in a hushed space, ready to notice something beautiful. The area I was in was the perfect blend of open areas and screening fauna, where you felt unnoticed in the open. The nagging voices in my head that bully fun away, can be quieted in places like this.

    A huge gust of wind swirls through and mini cyclones of leaves rain down thick as snowflakes for an elongated moment.

    In that moment I noticed and felt connected; for a moment I was truly awake and alive. (In Your Eyes is obviously still on my mind).

    Try it for yourself; find time, and go outside until you notice something.… more “Know Thyself #93”

  • Know Thyself #92

    Know Thyself.

    I dislike my fridge.

    I feel it embodies all that is bad about technology. It is allegedly ‘smart’, yet undeniably unhelpful.

    It can heat water, but your choices are not limited to cold or hot water, no! What do I think it is? A plebeian 1990’s water cooler?! Hell, my bougie appliance can warm water to the proper temperature for tea, cocoa, OR soup.

    You know what would be helpful? If I could know how much water was dispensed. The appliance knows it, but chooses not share it. The water has a constant flow, yet the ounces displayed increase like a free jazz base line. It knows how much it has disbursed, why not let us in on it? I’ll take it one further, could it not only display the proper amount, but HOLD it for two seconds so our tiny human brains have enough time to recognize and compute? AND dare I ask that we are given a two second grace period to decide and possibly choose to add to the amount already dispensed without having to do math in our heads?!

    My fridge can show a slideshow of pictures but it can’t tell me how much water is in my glass.

    I shit you not.

    Did the pitch for such a useless perk include homeowners gathering friends and relatives around the 4″ diagonal to view sunglassful family selfies in front of things in Florida?

    My fridge is a jerkstore. I know it and it knows I know it. And according to the immortal words of GI Joe, knowing is half the battle.

     … more “Know Thyself #92”

  • Know Thyself #91

    Know Thyself through SAMENESS and DIFFERENCES:

     

    It’s the sameness that I’m talking about now. Sameness in spite of difference or different sounds of the word. The same ideas, a different color, but the same spirit; different churches, but the same faith; different liquor, but the same hangovers; different jokes, but the same laughter; different faces, but the same humanity.

    Thank God for the differences! Cause it is out of those differences that culture grows, and grows big in all directions at once.  

    -Orson Welles

    I think it means it is in our differences and similarities where we discover our true selves. One requires perspective and empathy to truly be a part of this world. If you are only focused on yourself, if you judge people depending on whether they agree with you or not, and/or if you are for things that are advantageous for you regardless of impact to others….you are missing the big picture, the variety of life, and the whole point.

    What does this mean to YOU?… more “Know Thyself #91”

  • Know Thyself Post #90

    Know Thyself through what words MEAN to you:

    I believe in the antithesis of some words, where the amount of one is due to the lack of the opposite. I find this action/reaction negative relationship especially true in terms of character or morality.

    Not all words but some words.

    For instance STRONG and WEAK:

    STRONG: / strawng / adj. /: having, showing, or able to exert great bodily or muscular power; physically vigorous or robust.

    WEAK: / week / adj. /: not strong; liable to yield, break, or collapse under pressure or strain; fragile; frail.

     

    I think intimidation is a STRONG reaction of WEAK character. Someone with STRONG principles does not need to silence critics. STONG convictions eliminate the need to manipulate the populace’s opinions through Gerrymandering or making it difficult to vote.

    Those whom are WEAK deceive, distort, and evade, those who are STONG have no need to.

    What do YOU think? What is STRONG to you, what is WEAK?… more “Know Thyself Post #90”

  • Know Thyself Post #89

    Know Thyself by paying attention to your stream of consciousness….

    I like storms. I like to be as close to them as possible, during the worse of it, while remaining dry.

    I was recently watching a storm and realizing I enjoyed it when I thought of the animals in my hood. There are no open ranges in sight where I call home, but as it also is not Times Square, we have wildlife. As I have mentioned in an earlier post we have a copious amounts of birds that like to welcome the day all together each morning at 4am. But where do they go during unusually aggressive weather? There aren’t a ton of wise-owl sized holes in 400 year old oak trees that I can see from my porch. Where do they go? I know they make it through the worst of the storms due to the aforementioned daily 4am singalong, but I’m confused as to where and how. I’ve seen some of these flimsy things y’all call nests, one ambitious squirrel or a microburst and it’s toast. Do they have an agreement like emergency sleepovers where they bunk with the larger animals in dens? Somewhere there is a place big enough for the massive raccoons and enormous turkeys to lay their substantial heads. Do the little birds jam themselves in tailpipes or form little bird chains holding onto one another beak to claw through hurricanes in holly bushes?

    Anyways, that’s where my mind went. Day dreaming is underrated in my opinion.

    Sit down and see where yours goes.… more “Know Thyself Post #89”

  • Know Thyself Post #88

    Know Thyself before and after the pandemic:

    Do you think the pandemic changed you in ways that have stuck, good or bad? And/Or are there areas where you have reverted back to how you were before 2021ish, like Covid never happened?

     

    On one hand, when it comes to clothing, I have found I value comfort over fashion more than I had in a pre-pandemic world. I learned how to make bread and appreciate puzzles. I mastered the art of binge-watching, traffic was glorious, and I love all the outdoor dining/seating that came out of it.

    But, on the other hand, the pandemic gave us the fist bump, politicized vaccines, made it okay that commercials are everywhere and often, and somehow made us forget how to hang out… in a group… in public… conversing….. with eye contact, hand gestures, and witty repartee.

    On the other hand… per toilet paper usage, I party like it’s 1999.

    You?… more “Know Thyself Post #88”

  • Know Thyself Post #87

    Know Thyself:

    The Nobel Peace Prize per Wikipedia is: ‘awarded to the person who in the preceding year “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses’

    Do YOU think when considering the qualifications of the 2025 winner of the Nobel Peace Price that it should be taken into account that in 2025 one of the assumed candidates pardoned 1,500 criminals convicted of a politically fueled insurrection?

     … more “Know Thyself Post #87”

  • Know Thyself Post #86

    Know Thyself through YOUR NAME part II:

    Back in Know Thyself Post #10, I asked whether you knew the origin, meaning, and impetus for your first name. Now, let’s talk about Middle Names.

    The middle name is the portion of someone’s personal name that exists between someone’s ‘given name’ and their ‘surname/last name/family name’. This is often abbreviated to just an initial.

    Sometimes a person is given a middle name to distinguish them from someone in their family with the same first name. Sometimes middle names are the mother’s maiden name and sometimes they are purposely left blank.

    Sometimes middle names are the father or mother’s first name, and if the tradition continued and this child were to have a child the current baby’s first name would become the future baby’s middle name and so on and so on.

    Did you know in some states you can just change your middle name on-line?!

    Some people have chosen to be known by their middle name or an abbreviated version like: John F(Fitgerald) Kennedy, J(ohn) Edgar Hoover, and F(rancis) Scott (Key) Fitzgerald.

    And apparently Spanish painters’ parents circa late 17th and early 18th centuries went a little crazy with the cheese whiz with Dali’s full name being: Salvador-Felipe-Jacinto-Dalí-y-Domenech, and Picasso’s full name being: Pablo-Diego -José-Francisco-de-Paula-Juan-Nepomuceno-María-de-los-Remedios-Cipriano-de-la-Santísima-Trinidad-Ruiz-y……….-Picasso.

    Do you have a middle name? Do you know why that name was chosen if you do, or why no name was given if you don’t? Have you ever given a middle name? Why did you choose that name if you did, or why didn’t you choose a name if you didn’t?… more “Know Thyself Post #86”

  • Know Thyself Post #85

    Know Thyself through HYGGE:

    The dictionary defines Hygge as: / hoog-uh / n. /: the feeling of coziness and contentment evoked by simple comforts, as being wrapped in a blanket, having good conversations, enjoying food, etc..

    Wikipedia’s explanation of the word: Hygge is; Danish: [ˈhykə]; Norwegian: [ˈhŷɡːə] is a word in Danish and Norwegian that describes a cozy, contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality. As a cultural category with its sets of associated practices, hygge has more or less the same meaning in both places and in both languages; however, the emphasis on hygge as a core part of Danish culture is a recent phenomenon, dating to the late 20th century. In the 21st century, the concept has also been familiarized abroad.

    In the intro of The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, he describes the term as follows: Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down. You may be having an endless conversation about the small or big things in life – or just be comfortable in each other’s silent company – or simply just be by yourself enjoying a cup of tea. 

    Doesn’t that sound delicious? The book goes on to describe the importance of lighting, especially candles, little scrumptious nooks to cuddle into and drink warm drinks all squishy in a sea of blankets and pillows. There are recipes for comfort food, explanations for why hanging out with other humans is good for you, and why such wonderful things can lead to happiness.

    Tomorrow, I’m making a Hyggekrog / hoog-uh-crow / n. / in my home. Meik Wiking translates this as: ‘The nook of a kitchen or living room where one can Sit and have a hyggelig time.’ 

    I want to have a hyggelig time.

    I want to be in a contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality.

    I want to be shielded from the world and allow myself to let my guard down for a few f@#%ing seconds.

    Do YOU have a Hyggekrog? If not, where would it be? All the Danes are doing it…

     … more “Know Thyself Post #85”

  • Know Thyself Post #84

    Know Thyself:

     

    I believe a leader should be judged by how they react to criticism and dissenting views.

    Respect that is demanded, not earned, does not endure.

    – me

    … more “Know Thyself Post #84”

  • Know Thyself Post #83

    Know Thyself through TRUTH:

    There is a lot of talk about the word Truth lately.

    Wikipedia defines the word as: truth or verity: is the property of being in accord with fact or reality.

    But this word seems to have taken on a subjective characteristic of late. It is like if the speaker believes what they say, the way it SHOULD be in their mind, then it is truth. I do not believe this is the case.

    I DO believe in universal truths no matter the level of narcissism of the speaker.

    In Buddhism there are Four Noble Truths: which are: the Essence of Gautama Buddha’s Teachings, which say that suffering is caused by ignorance, and can be overcome by following these teachings.

    In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

    – George Orwell

    What do YOU think of the word truth? What does it mean to YOU?… more “Know Thyself Post #83”

  • Know Thyself Post #82

    Know Thyself through your OBITUARY:

    Try This:

    Write your own Obituary.

    But write your life story as if it ends 10 years from now. Write what has happened up to now and then what you want to happen in the next 10 years.

    When writing your history through today, see what stands out as momentous events when they are put on paper.

    See what were seemingly negatives that you turned into positives.

    See what adjectives and adverbs you use.

     

    For your final 10 years, this requires imagination.

    What could be the momentous events?

    What negatives could become positives?

    What adjectives and adverbs could you use?… more “Know Thyself Post #82”

  • Know Thyself Post #81

    Know Thyself through your Birthday:

    What day of the week were you born on?

    Mine was a Monday, or per Greco-Roman, the ‘day of the moon’.  Here are the meanings of the other days per Wikipedia: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    Did you know:

    • the month you were born has a tie back to a Greek god?
    • Besides a birthstone, each month also has a flower and two zodiac signs?
    • The zodiac for your birthday has a symbol (usually an animal), constellation, element (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water), a sign ruler, a Detriment, an Exaltation and a Fall?

    I share my birthday with one of my favorite historic humans of all time. But my birthday also shares the day with many bad moments including, in my opinion, a Death of Hypatia moment.

    What do YOU know about your birthday?

     … more “Know Thyself Post #81”

  • Know Thyself Post #80

    Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

    Failure to cultivate virtue, failure to ponder what I have learned, inability to stand up for what I know is right, inability to reform my defects, these are the things that worry me.

    -Confucius

     

    Can you teach virtue? This was the question posed in a lecture by Daniel N. Robinson Ph.D. Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Georgetown University in the video – The Great Ideas of Philosophy S1E9: Can Virtue be Taught?

     At the conclusion of the lecture, the answer to this conundrum was…. depends.

    His position is that some people are predisposed and therefore able to learn virtue or proper conduct, but some people cannot. No matter how many acts of selflessness/courage shown to them, they don’t learn the lessons within them; they just don’t get it. He likened it to playing a variety of symphonies to someone who cannot hear.

    “…not all are ready for it, and many are never going to be ready at any age. The students for this instruction must have already been prepared by the right sort of nature, at the right stage in life. Then indeed you might find within such persons something that will resonate when a virtuous act presents itself… you cannot present … actions that are, indeed, understood to be virtuous actions but presented to a person whose soul has been so corrupted… The point is: This is a two-way street. It’s not just a matter of holding up something. You’ve got to know who is on the witnessing side of this example and if it’s the wrong sort, no number of examples will get through to it.”

    To further stress this point, there is the discussion of Protagoras’ maxim ‘Man is the measure of all things’. SIDE NOTE: the actual quote from Protagoras is: “Of all things the measure is Man, of the things that are, that they are, and of the things that are not, that they are not” which explains the abbreviation and, no offense to Protagoras, sounds more like something I would hear at 3am in a dorm room with a black light than from a great Greek philosopher and rhetorical theorist. Professor Robinson goes on to poke a considerable hole in this condensed maxim, in the vein of…You can’t possibly mean ALL men?!

    “Why not just say: ‘I will act according to my caprice. I will do things that please me, and the reason I’m going to pay any attention to you at all is because you might be in a position to undo me, etc., etc. I’ll play the game in such a way as to keep you distracted, or keep you at arm’s length, but I say, at the end of the day, it’s my game that counts, and if that means you lose, so much the worse for you?’ – After all, if man is the measure of all things, then that becomes one acceptable answer to the problem of conduct. The way we solve the problem of conduct is for everybody to solve it for himself.”…

    Professor Robinson goes on to say verbatim what Socrates’ reply was when asked what he thought of this maxim. Socrates’ retort is over my head, but the professor sums it up as follows:

    “At the end of the day, the problem of conduct is a problem of principle, and if the principle is right, the principle is universally right. It is not tarnished nor is it reduced to something else by the mere showing that large numbers of persons don’t embrace it…No. Each man is not the measure of all things. There is a measure of things, and it is the task of the individual to come up with the means by which to understand that measure and apply it properly.”

    What do YOU think? Who do YOU consider virtuous?… more “Know Thyself Post #80”

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