Death of Hypatia®

Category: Know Thyself

  • Know Thyself Post #69

    Know Thyself; through your deal breakers

    What do YOU consider ‘compatible’ with YOU?

    What if we really thought about, really knew those characteristics we honestly judge as important for potential partners to exude? Not just romantically, but in potential friends, co-workers, bosses, representatives…anyone whom could influence our everyday lives. What would you really want to know, up front, out of the gate, no holds barred? What would you love to know that they didn’t know you knew?

    I find the following important to know:

    1. how many real friends you have from childhood
    2. amount of fragrance you bring with you
    3. the last thing you read
    4. # of times you’ve voluntarily vacationed at a theme park with costumed animals as an adult
    5. having any non-judgmental feelings about reality TV
    6. how you drive
    7. thoughts on evolution
    8. why you chose/are choosing your profession
    9. how you throw a ball
    10. any perceived ick-like feelings in your presence
    11. the level of hilarity you find within Monty Python
    12. feelings per country music
    13. affinity for stinky cheese
    14. best present you ever gave someone
    15. you tend to prefer the remake/reboot/sequel to the original

    What would YOUR compatibility determinants/deal breakers/would-love-to-know-without-you-knowing-I-know list be for a stranger? How would anyone whom currently influences your everyday life measure up against your list?… more “Know Thyself Post #69”

  • Know Thyself Post #68

    Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

    In Plato’s Phaedo, Socrates discusses what he believes happens to the soul after you die. He discusses the evils that exist in the flesh, or, the body. In an attempt to modernize the following, I thought…what word  best replaces ‘body’ that makes sense today?  Social Media? AI? Billionaires? Then I came up with it: GREED

    As long as we have Greed, and this evil can mingle with our soul, we shall never completely attain what we desire, namely truth. For Greed‘s forever wasting our time with its demands. Whenever it is ill it hinders us in our pursuit of real being. It fills us with passions, desires, fears, and all kinds of imaginings and foolishness. Greed alone, and its desires, cause wars, social divisiveness, and battles: for the origin of all war is the desire for wealth, and we are forced to pursue wealth because we are enslaved by the wishes of Greed. On account of all this, we have no leisure for philosophy. Even if we manage to free ourselves from Greed for a while, and try to examine some matter, it hinders us at every step of our inquiry, causing confusion and trouble and panic, so that we cannot see the truth for it. Truly we have learned that if we are to have any pure knowledge at all, we must be freed from Greed. 

    -Plato

    Can YOU come up with a better replacement?… more “Know Thyself Post #68”

  • Know Thyself Post #67

    Know Thyself through your HISTORY:

    Can you remember the last time you had sick day? Where someone had to call/email into wherever you were supposed to go that day and explain how you weren’t going to make it in. Can you remember? Was it recent or not since you were a kid?

    If it was recent: Think back to it: Did you feel so bad you REALLY couldn’t go in, or just bad enough? Did anyone take care of you? If so, have you ever taken care of them? What would you say was your prevailing feeling that day? Did you do anything interesting? Did you seize this day? What was the best thing you did that day?

    If you haven’t called in sick since you were a little kid, um, good for you? Or maybe not so good? If your life is tyrant-free and allows for it, maybe you should call in not-sick? If you can remember back when you actually stayed home from school, try and remember how it felt? Did anyone take care of you? If so, have you since then, ever taken care of them? What would you say was your prevailing feeling that day? Did you do anything interesting? Did you do anything worth telling your friends about next time you saw them? What was the best thing you did that day?

    If you were to prepare for ‘next time’ and wanted to have something on-hand to learn, or relearn, what would you choose?

    Some ideas for things to check out found in most abodes:

    • The 7th book on any shelf
    • That drawer over there
    • The 23rd recipe in a cookbook selected at random
    • That closet over there
    • The unlabeled truck/box/container up in an attic/down in a basement/high on a shelf and/or buried behind many other things, that contains….well…you’re not really sure
    … more “Know Thyself Post #67”

  • Know Thyself Post #66

    Know Thyself through POLITICAL HISTORY:

    I was listening to a lecture about Cimon or Kimon, who was an ancient Greek nobleman, military hero, and prominent politician from Athens. The lecturer discusses what he calls one of the:

    ‘Most interesting institutions of Athenian democracy in this period was ostracism. Every year, Athens would hold a special election in which the citizens would vote, not for the person they liked the best, but for the person they hated the most. They voted by writing a name on a shard of pottery called an ostracon, several caches of which have been unearthed by archeologists. If a minimus total of 5,000 votes were cast, the top vote-getter was expelled from Athens for 10 years, and if he returned before those 10 years had elapsed, he was executed.’

    – Gregory S. Aldrete, PhD, Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World: S1E1 Cimon of Athens From Glory to Disgrace

    What do YOU think about this policy? On one hand, I believe it useful for the citizens to have the ability to voice such a strong displeasure with a politician. This is an efficient way of getting rid of bad apples or those that promised to be one way and then acted another. But on the other hand, this is pretty brutal no? Needing only 5,000 votes means political rivals could bribe citizens to get rid of competition. Man f$cking with democracy right from the beginning.

    What if this policy were in place today, archaic or brilliant? Who would YOU vote for?… more “Know Thyself Post #66”

  • Know Thyself Post #65

    Know Thyself Through Your Writing:

    What if all job applications included the following question:

    • Did you use AI to help you with the writing/filling out of this application, resume and/or cover letter?     Yes     No

    How would YOU answer?

    How do you think your current/former employer would prefer applicants to answer? I suppose this is dependent on the job and the employer.

    Personally, I don’t think anyone could write about me, any better than me. AI is Stupid.

    What do YOU think?… more “Know Thyself Post #65”

  • Know Thyself Post #64

    Know Thyself through BODY LANGUAGE:

    So I’ve watched some documentaries on cults recently. In one particular cult, the creepy leader who wants control sexually over his women followers, as all cult leaders do, over time, brainwashes people into ignoring gut feelings and not display emotion.

    This is serious mind-f$ckery. No matter how slimy you are, how robotic and narcissistic you may be; you cannot silence body language. Why do you think the richer and more ruthless you are, the less you are the one present for the transactions or answering for the fallout. Body language, when it is NOT in your favor, must be hidden from view or veiled.

    But I think it is important to read Body Language; it can protect you, it can point out truths that aren’t being spoken, and you can actually ‘feel’ people. Why do you think it is more honorable to break up with someone in 3D, or in-person? I think it is because you are offering the other person the most answers to their questions. You are giving them the most data. There are things you are feeling when you break up with someone that you probably can’t articulate, or at least won’t do so well. But if you do it in front of them, you offer them the ability to read what you can’t say.

    I wish there were more in person interactions so I could better read whom I’m communicating with and this is a language I would like to be proficient in.

    What do YOU think?… more “Know Thyself Post #64”

  • Know Thyself Post #63

    Know Thyself through YOURSELF:

    Have you ever thought about things you wished you liked, but you just don’t. Things you must unavoidably: see, eat, drink, visit, talk to, listen to, etc.- yet no matter how open minded you intend to be… they aren’t your bag.  There is no rational reason to loathe this ‘thing’ so very much; but you can’t help yourself. No likey.

    Things I do not like that I wish I did, or, at least, I wish I didn’t dislike so very much:

    • Jimmy Buffet
    • Tea
    • Florida
    • Trucks flying really big flags
    • Caramel
    • Men wearing tank tops
    • Misuse of the word ‘literally’
    • Hairless animals
    • The color yellow
    • Clowns

    I bet you have some, you just haven’t thought about it. Walk around with this one and notice things, and maybe, you might find yourself saying things like, ‘you know, I don’t want to stab myself as an excuse to get away from ____, but I most assuredly… do… not… like it.… more “Know Thyself Post #63”

  • Know Thyself Post #62

    Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

    When I cried unconsolably as a baby, which luckily for my mother wasn’t that often, my parents would drive me around in the car. Within a few blocks strapped into my car seat (facing forward), I would either be asleep or staring out the window, either way I would be quiet.

    I know this because I asked my mom, I didn’t know it before. I wonder if that is why I like driving around when I can…

    Did YOU cry a lot as a baby?

    What was done to calm YOU?

    Does this still have a calming effect today?… more “Know Thyself Post #62”

  • Know Thyself Post #61

    Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

    The following can be found on the Home page, but I feel deserves a reboot:

    I can remember a time when I lived my life with enthusiasm and I didn’t worry about the economy, corporations, scams, and politics. This blasé attitude can be attributed to it being a presumption/expectation that our business leaders and especially our civil servants were working towards the good of the people, or at least pretending to. The only time that politics or the government specifically entered my focus was when it was time to vote, a politician was commended for acting honorably, or, and most often, a politician or a law, grossly missed the bar for what was considered decent by the people of the United States.

    Now it seems, I pass each day, not living now, in my life, but flooded with anxiety ridden thoughts about tomorrow. The horrors of politics now take up the majority of my concerns; not because politicians missed the bar on decency, that bar has been buried, politics fill my brain because I’m scared that my government will further diminish my ability to pursue happiness. I know believe that the ultimate goal for those in power is ALL of it, not more, not most, ALL. I feel I’m a consumer and my importance is limited to Buying and Dying.

    This is not living. For those of you too young to remember what it was like when the government wasn’t constantly taking from you, I’m sorry. It wasn’t always like this.

    But maybe, it could be again? That is the point of Death of Hypatia; to achieve the ability to live our lives and pursue our happinesses.

    How do YOU feel?… more “Know Thyself Post #61”

  • Know Thyself Post #60

    Know Thyself through the ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS, or is it just BUSINESS?:

    On the website InternationalBusinessTimes.com, in the article The Most Major Movies Next Year Will Be Prequels, Sequels and Remakes: Report, By Bruce Golding it states:

    ‘The shock of the new is history in Hollywood — as more than half of next year’s movies from major studios are expected to be sequels, prequels or remakes.

    The 2025 calendar shows 50% to 70% of the feature films from Universal, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony and Lionsgate will be based on existing characters and other intellectual property, CNBC reported Sunday.

    “There’s been a recognition by studios that the known commodities are what most audiences gravitate toward,” Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian told the network.’

    Gravitate towards….doesn’t seem like the right verb to me….cause…

    According to TheGameofNerds.com this is NOT what audiences want or ‘gravitate towards’ it is the ONLY flavor drink mix we are being offered:

    ‘Why Audiences Feel Nostalgia Fatigue

    Studios continue to choose reboots because they are safer than launching new properties. Familiar brands come with built-in recognition, reducing marketing risk. But constant repetition has consequences. Viewers who once felt excitement now leave theaters with a sense of déjà vu.

    Reasons this approach feels stale:

    • Reboots recycle stories with minimal innovation.

    • Films focus on fan service instead of fresh narratives.

    • Limited marketing and poor box office performance are common for original titles.

    • Streaming divides attention, so cultural impact rarely lasts.

    • Pop culture moments are fragmented across too many platforms.’

     

    Seems like reboots, prequels and sequels are cheaper to make and that matters more than what audiences want.

    Makes them money, but sucks for us 50-70% of the time?….

    What do YOU think?

    https://www.ibtimes.com/most-major-movies-next-year-will-prequels-sequels-remakes-report-3745719

    https://thegameofnerds.com/2025/08/02/reboots-and-remakes-dominate-2025-but-original-stories-are-missing/

     … more “Know Thyself Post #60”

  • Know Thyself Post #59

    Know Thyself through ART:

    To me, art is created through feelings, and often that feeling is suffering. I see art as the voice for people who can only scream through the creation of something that makes other’s feel. Often this isn’t a good feeling.

    I don’t read many happy writers, the one’s who have suffered, those are the ones that I want to help shape what I think.

    I also don’t think art can be made from or for money. Once it is from or for money, it is mass-produced and therefore, in my opinion, cannot be considered art.

    It isn’t just in art, money is almost always on the side of the bad guy. Look at any John Hughes movie. Rich Uncle Pennybags from Monopoly fame seems happy, but rather lonely and I can only think of one novel where the good guy was richer than the bad guy; but not that much richer, nor that much better now that I think about it, if only we could ask Daisy Fay…

    My point is, read about the artists you admire be it; music, literature, surf boarding, archeology, philosophy and look into their lives and I doubt you will find many well rested, happy, satisfied, trust fund babies. These insatiable individuals strove to do more and understand more, or YOU would have never heard of them. I think there is a reason why most great artists were ‘starving’ or insane. The same reason why reality tv stars will leave no lasting positive impact on humanity.

    Just me?… more “Know Thyself Post #59”

  • Know Thyself Post #58

    Know Thyself through: slowing the f#ck down:

    I lose things and often find them in the first place I began my search. Meaning, I half assed it and wasted a LOT of time.

    Next time you lose something, try this.

    Sit down in the room/space you believe it most likely to be. For 30 seconds try and picture when you last saw it/used it.

    Open your eyes and before you get up and begin to search, thoroughly look throughout the space from where you are sitting. Scour all exposed surfaces and plan out how you will search the space. DO NOT leave the room/space and move onto the next space until you have exhaustively searched everywhere. Goal is to not return to this room. Rinse and repeat in other rooms.

    Was this approach better for YOU? Was it more/less anxious? Was it more/less successful?… more “Know Thyself Post #58”

  • Know Thyself Post #57

    Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

    In Know Thyself Blog Post #5, I asked you to go outside, and, once the voices in your head shushed, look up and around until you notice something beautiful.

    That was a test in analog, let’s try an analog vs. digital comparison

    Go online, peruse as you usually do, and, when you have read and paid attention to all the voices that surround it, look in and around until you notice something ugly.

    Which do YOU think takes longer?

    Which do YOU think was a better use of your time?… more “Know Thyself Post #57”

  • Know Thyself Post #56

    Know Thyself through MUSIC:

    Try this:

    • find a record player and collection you could commandeer for a few hours.
      • CD’s, cassettes and a radio are not suitable substitutes. It needs to sound like vinyl, it needs to take time to begin with few buttons pushed and needs to be physically flipped over by hand. It needs to have a weight to it, a label and grooves.
      • One in your own home is best, but friend or fam’s house works just as well. If you are at someone else’s home and their there and you feel weird being alone in their house using their acoustical gear and/or they would be cool to do this with – ask them to join you.  I recommend having them read this and make ground rules like whether you can start and stop, replay a song or play it all the way through;  discuss when to discuss: during, after, and/or in between songs, etc.
    • Understand how to play said record player and whether owner has any rules of their own. The records must be respected.
    • Choose a record
      • It could be by someone(s) you know or an entity you have never heard of
      • It could be an album and artist you are familiar with – or – an album you are but artist you aren’t – or – an album you aren’t by an artist you are… you get the point
      •  Choose one with liner notes, lyrics and pictures
    • Play the record, song 1, side 1
      • Do NOT skip any songs nor cut any off. You are not scrolling through this music, you are actually listening to an entire album….both sides. Relax, tap a foot, think of this experiment like ‘it’s ___day and you don’t got shit to do’.
      • take the aforementioned liner notes, lyrics, hopefully pictures and/or art work, the album cover, a notebook, and pen, sit and listen.
      • follow the lyrics. note down things you like.
      • Look at the pictures and try and imagine them writing, practicing, playing, hanging out together.
      • Discuss if you want:  Why was that song first? Why were the songs in that order? What did that song mean? Do I like that one? Why? What were they trying to say? Does it translate today?

    Did YOU ever lose yourself for a moment? Did YOU forget about what you have to do or what you didn’t do?

    Not bad heh?… more “Know Thyself Post #56”

  • Know Thyself Post #55

    Know Thyself through LITERATURE:

    Read the following poem and then think about it….

    To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

    BY ROBERT HERRICK
    Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
    Old Time is still a-flying;
    And this same flower that smiles today
    Tomorrow will be dying.
    The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
    The higher he’s a-getting,
    The sooner will his race be run,
    And nearer he’s to setting.
    That age is best which is the first,
    When youth and blood are warmer;
    But being spent, the worse, and worst
    Times still succeed the former.
    Then be not coy, but use your time,
    And while ye may, go marry;
    For having lost but once your prime,
    You may forever tarry.

    I think this could be seen in a few ways. One is the universally approved ‘Carpe Diem’ attitude. That go grab life by the balls kind of mentality.

    Another is a more negative perspective…. a more grab-whatever-you-can-get-your-hands-on-before-it-is-gone kind of perspective.

    It could be seen as a narcissist’s battle cry, no? ‘Gather ye rose-buds while ye may’, ‘his race be run’, ‘best which is first’, ‘Times still succeed the former’, ‘be not coy, but use’, ‘you may forever tarry’.

    AKA: You are the most important thing, but hurry, get all you can get or you will regret it most bitterly.

    In this light this isn’t inspiring, it is anxiety causing! Hurray up and grab all you can before you peak!

    That doesn’t seem like inspiring you to be the best you can be, just possess as much as possible before you age…

    What do YOU think? Just me?… more “Know Thyself Post #55”

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