Death of Hypatia®

Category: WIBCI

  • WIBCI Post #99

    WIBCI the brightest minds of our time thought KNOWLEDGE was worth dying for?

    According to Living the French Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment S1E3:

    “One book embodied the project of the Enlightenment more than any other. It was called the Encyclopedia. This was a massive project. The Encyclopedia would run to 28 volumes: 17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of illustrations. It took over 20 years to complete, from 1751 into the 1770’s. Encyclopédie was the work of at least 139 authors and 66 artists; including; Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau and had over 72,000 entries.”

    That is A LOT of authors, a boat load of artists, and two decades is a long time. Sick persistence. Crazy if you think about it.

     

    Want to know what was crazier?

     

    “The Encyclopedia had ambitious goals. If you look up the word ‘encyclopedia’, in the E volume, you would learn that this book aimed to ‘collect all the knowledge scattered over the face of the earth, to transmit this to those who will come after us, so that our children, by becoming more educated, may at the same time become more virtuous and happier’. But, this attempt to systematize knowledge on behalf of human progress was also illegal.”

    1. Crazier cause that this massive project was FOR POSTERITY. Could you imagine 205 authors and artists coming together in 2025 for nothing more than the fulfillment of future generations, aka, zero chance of movie/reality TV deal, no royalties, and no credit/subscribers/likes/fans/attention. They believed new knowledge could bring about progress and improve society.
    2. Crazier still cause not only are none of the over 200 people spending multiple decades of their lives on a project for zero financial return, but you could go to jail y’all. Not just any jail, but sixteenth century French Bastille jail…. where dying isn’t odd. The Encyclopedia’s main editor, Diderot, had already served time in prison for things he wrote. Not to mention the Encyclopedia was full of political/religious snubs; under Eucharist all that is written was the cross reference: (see Cannibalism). Therefore, all 72,000 entries had to be written in secret, smuggled out of France, published secretly in Switzerland, and smuggled back into France and throughout Europe.

    Can you imagine risking your life for the good of humanity and zero personal gain? Can you imagine anyone? Would be cool if…… more “WIBCI Post #99”

  • WIBCI Post #98

    WIBCI INDIVIDUALITY were championed more?

    Next time you are near/in traffic or a parking lot, notice the color of the cars. I’ve noticed this for a while and can report that the following appears to be true North/South/East and West of the US: 95% of all cars are either White, Black, Grey/Silver, Red, or Dark Blue, with the vast majority being White, Black, or Grey/Silver. It is numbing once you begin to notice.

    I read a book that was published a few decades ago, on the subject of being aware of the world around you.  One of the ‘exercises’ was to look for sunrise beige cars. This proved to be an excellent lesson in how narrow our notice can be. But today this doesn’t work. Apparently all car manufacturers are taking a page out of Teslala’s book and reducing our choices in car colors to 4. Cars used to be little microcosms of YOU, individual and unique. Are we being commercialized into robot consumers with no personality?

    I saw someone driving an Orange car today, I instantly liked her.

    What do YOU think?… more “WIBCI Post #98”

  • WIBCI Post #97

    WIBCI we knew the History of our Holidays?

    Per Wikipedia: Halloween, aka All Hallows’ Eve, aka All Saints’ Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31st of October, the beginning of the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the Christian liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints(hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. In popular culture, Halloween has become a celebration of horror and is associated with the macabre and the supernatural.

    One theory holds that many Halloween traditions were influenced by Celtic harvest festivals and believed to have pagan roots. Irish and Scottishimmigrants brought many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century, and through American influence, various Halloween customs spread to other countries by the late 20th and early 21st century.

    The word Halloween or Hallowe’en comes from the Lowland Scots form of All Hallows’ Eve (the evening before All Hallows’ Day): even is the Scots term for ‘eve’ or ‘evening’, and is contracted to e’en or een; so (All) Hallow(s) E(v)en became Halloween.

    More saints than days in the year, in 835ce November 1st became ‘All Saints Day’. The Allhallowtide custom of baking and sharing soul cakes for all christened souls has been suggested as the origin of trick-or-treating.  As early as the 15th century groups of poor people, often children, would go door to door during Allhallowtide, collecting soul cakes in exchange for praying for the dead, especially the souls of the givers’ friends and relatives. This was called “souling”. In the Middle Ages Christian minister Prince Sorie Conteh linked the wearing of costumes to the belief in vengeful ghosts: “It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints’ Day, and All Hallows’ Eve provided one last chance for the dead to gain vengeance on their enemies before moving to the next world. In order to avoid being recognized by any soul that might be seeking such vengeance, people would don masks or costumes.

     

    … more “WIBCI Post #97”

  • WIBCI Post #96

    WIBCI we really knew HISTORIC FIGURES?

     In WIBCI #90 I quoted a description of an individual and told you I would reveal them in this post.

    Aristotle was the greatest of all polymaths, said to have transformed every field of knowledge that he touched, was the founder of Logic, his system of thought resulted in the modern world of science, and according to Paul Strathern, ‘his originality remains unparalleled in the history of philosophy.’

    This unparalleled genius was, born in 384bce he was the student of Plato, who was the student of Socrates and are thought of as the most important triumvirate in philosophy. He was Alexander the Great’s tutor and founded the Lyceum, (a rival school to Plato’s Academy that Aristotle opened years after Plato’s death when Aristotle was NOT appointed head of the Academy). 142 years later, when the Academy closed, this is considered by many as the end of Hellenistic thought.

    Unbelievably such an important human somehow seems to have been a great guy with a sense of humor. His will famously begins with the humorous words: ‘All will be well, but in case anything should happen… In Paul Strathern’s Aristotle in 90 minutes, he sums him up as follows: ‘In this we are fortunate, for Aristotle seems to have been a good man. He saw the goal of humanity as the pursuit of happiness, which he defined as the actualization of the best we are capable of…In Aristotle’s view, reason is man’s highest faculty. Therefore “the best (and happiest) man spends as much of his time as possible in the purest activity of reason, which is theorizing.’… more “WIBCI Post #96”

  • WIBCI Post #95

    WIBCI you could recycle recycled paper towels?… more “WIBCI Post #95”

  • WIBCI Post #94

    WIBCI we celebrated Teachers?

    Are there better people….really?

    I’ve spent the better portion of my life surrounded by teachers. Their livelihood, their fulfillment comes from helping others’ reach their potential. Is there a more selfless occupation? Summers off is not compensation for the aggravation, worry, frustration, and undervaluation.

    WIBCI each year communities had a ‘Teachers’ Day’ where those that are teaching join those that have taught and walked in a parade? They could strut past the community/former students and be applauded for all they did for us. The parade could culminate at a picnic (what teacher doesn’t love a picnic?) where you could sit and tell them how they impacted your life, look at old class photos and leave them with letter that they will cherish forever. Imagine how good it would feel to make their lives knowingly appreciated and valued.

    Mr. Wartman, wherever you are, you were the best. My classmates missed your dry humor, but it wasn’t wasted on me. Thank you for scaring me into LEARNING, the love of my life. Thanks for introducing us.

     

     … more “WIBCI Post #94”

  • WIBCI Post #93

    WIBCI today’s heroes were better?

    Remember the phrase ‘Don’t be a Hero’? Per thefreedictionary.com it defines this idiom as follows:

    don’t be a hero

    cliché
    Don’t put yourself in harm’s way in order to save other people.
    I ask if you remember this phrase because, I feel it isn’t as commonly used as it once was.
    Maybe because lately, no one needs to be warned away from selfless acts that put yourself in danger?
    What do YOU think?

     … more “WIBCI Post #93”

  • WIBCI Post #92

    WIBCI we paid attention to the pattern of failure?

    It seems to me that what we are talking about are is the possibility of people who have been put on pedestals, and ‘God-ed up’ for such a long period of time, that they lose touch with everyday rules and they think their privilege exists beyond what other people think it is.

    -Tony Kornheiser Pardon the Interruption

    This was said about a fallen sports hero, but I feel this quote could be attributed to a myriad of people in today’s cesspool of personalities.

    Who do YOU think Kornheiser is referring to in 2o15? If it wasn’t limited to sports and 2015, who could this quote be referring to today?

     … more “WIBCI Post #92”

  • WIBCI Post #91

    WIBCI we learned to  Live Life Lyrically?

    Think of a song you really like and use the ole inter-webs to find the lyrics. No matter how many times you heard a song, no matter how ‘by heart’ you think you know it, I bet you learn something and/or think of the song differently when you read word for word what the artist/poet wrote.

    The following are the Lyrics to In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, which you may know. I found I couldn’t help hearing the song when I read the lyrics, but knowing the tune is not compulsory (if you haven’t heard it, I propose a listen). To me Peter seems, well….intense, attentive, and fortunate.
    Love, I get so lost sometimes 
    Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
    When I want to run away, I drive off in my car
    But whichever way I go

    I come back to the place you are

    All my instincts, they return
    The grand facade, so soon will burn
    Without a noise, without my pride
    I reach out from the inside

    In your eyes
    The light, the heat

    (in your eyes)
    I am complete
    (in your eyes)
    I see the doorway
    (in your eyes)
    To a thousand churches
    (in your eyes)
    The resolution
    (in your eyes)
    Of all the fruitless searches

    (in your eyes)

    Oh, I see the light and the heat

    (in your eyes)
    Oh, I wanna be that complete
    I wanna touch the light, the heat, I see in your eyesLove, I don’t like to see so much pain
    So much wasted, and this moment keeps slipping away
    I get so tired working so hard for our survival
    I look to the time with you, to keep me awake and alive

    And all my instincts, they return
    And the grand facade, so soon will burn
    Without a noise, without my pride
    I reach out from the inside

    Mr. Gabriel has looked and seen: The resolution of all the fruitless searches, in someone’s eyes…….
    Damn Peter.
    I have not seen such things in anyone’s eyes, nor, to my knowledge, have such things been seen in my eyes.
    Doesn’t sound like it sucks.
    What do YOU think?
    … more “WIBCI Post #91”

  • WIBCI Post #90

    WIBCI HISTORY were more ingrained in us?

    Paul Strathern said of a person:

    “…a teacher throughout his life and never sought to hold public office, yet no man throughout human history has ever had such a lasting effect on the world. “

    Who do YOU think Paul Strathern is discussing? Think about it and I’ll let you know in WIBCI Post #96.… more “WIBCI Post #90”

  • WIBCI Post #89

    WIBCI we thought more about the WORDS we use?

    You ever notice that words, like songs, can get played out? Like they don’t mean what they were supposed to mean anymore.

    Take this word for instance: GREAT: / greyt / adj. /:

    1. unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions.
    2. large in number; numerous.
    3. unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc.

    Not only has this word been squeezed of all meaning, all three definitions per Dictionary.com seem to be subjective. As if the word can have one meaning to the speaker and a different one to the audience.

    The adjective also can’t seem to stand on its own, when used by itself, you are unsure if the ‘Great’ is good or not so good unless there is a helper adjective. The phrase ‘Great God’ can only be interpreted properly if you hear the inflection and/or have background.  The Great Depression was not great for anyone, and Alexander ‘The Great’, was not great for everyone.

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If: a less subjective word was inserted into our daily vocabulary? WIBCI words meant more?… more “WIBCI Post #89”

  • WIBCI Post #88

    WIBCI we has less adult anxieties?

    Remember when you were a kid and you worried basically about nothing?!

    When I was a kid if I lost something (which was not rare) and actually realized it whilst still out and about (which was rare), I may have experienced a momentary feeling of loss and/or feigned a glance or two about my immediate location, but I would quickly move on and play in a puddle.

    Remember how mittens were connected by a string that would go inside your snowsuit sleeve, across your back and out the other sleeve? This allowed you to throw off mittens with abandon when  barehands were needed, like for making really good snowballs, itching, picking, pinching, or flicking.

    I wish we had these mitten-connectors for adults. I would like to shake off my gloves on impulse without having to shove them somewhere or inevitably drop one, never to be seen again. I don’t need the anxiety or the puffy pockets.

    Coolest thing for me about being a kid was being a kid. I think we need more things that we know are going to be there so we can get back to being.

     … more “WIBCI Post #88”

  • WIBCI Post #87

    WIBCI politicians agreed on whom we honor?

    Wouldn’t It Be Cool If: the same politicians who feel honor bound to memorialize a conservative political speaker, also found it necessary in 2020 to memorialize a woman who spent 27 years of her life on the Supreme Court fighting for the rights of ALL Americans?

    WIBCI our government venerated civil servants who revered all people?… more “WIBCI Post #87”

  • WIBCI Post #86

    WIBCI ‘Stars’ of the big and little screens weren’t such sellouts?

    Per The Urban Dictionary: In the words of zefrank, a sellout “doesn’t have to do with actually having money, it has to do with the perception that your pursuit of popularity and potentially making money has caused you to sacrifice your core values.”

    Why is it that I’m seeing more and more successful actors hawking the wares of online streaming services, internet providers, and games?

    Are they starving for attention or do they need the money? Because, if people who have been in movies find it fiscally necessary to make embarrassing ads that damage their reputations as artists, what position do they think the average American finds themselves?

    When ‘Actors’ have jumped the shark:

    • If you say the phrase ‘no ads’ in an ad
    • If you are singing and/or dancing in an ad
    • You won an Academy Award
    • If your presence in an ad causes an eeesh reaction in its viewers and conjures up concern for how you have invested

    WIBCI those who have made millions found it irresponsible to promote things that waste the time and money of lay people worse off than themselves?… more “WIBCI Post #86”

  • WIBCI Post #85

    WIBCI we learned from HISTORY and LITERATURE?

    In 1778 Pierre Beaumarchais wrote the play, The Marriage of Figaro. At this time in France, the theatre was THE political space for critical public opinion. This play mocked and ridiculed the old aristocratic value system of France and per the lecture: Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon S1 E2 Privilege: Old Regime Society: ‘(the play) gives us ‘insight into the mood of public opinion in the 1780’s.’

    King Louis XVI was shown this play by royal censors and stated: ‘This shall never be played. It would be necessary to destroy the Bastille itself before this play would be without dangerous consequences. This man mocks at everything in the Government which should be respected.’

    Déjà vu …. no?

    The play was banned, but underground, in private salons, performances of the play were ‘secretly popular’, and in 1784 royal censors allowed it to be publicly performed. So popular was opening night that reportedly a few people were crushed to death when the doors opened. The Marriage of Figaro was about a then debunked tradition of noblemen having the right to replace the groom in bed with new brides on their wedding nights. The servant who was constantly one-upping his master is the main character whose main concern is that his fiancé will meet this fate. The servant angered by the state of hierarchy states:

    ‘Because you are a great nobleman, you think you are a great genius… Nobility, fortune, rank, position! How proud they make a man feel! What have you done to deserve such advantages? Whereas I, lost among the obscure crowd, have had to deploy more knowledge, more calculation and skill merely to survive than has sufficed to rule all the provinces of Spain {France} for a century!’

    -Pierre Beaumarchais, The Marriage of Figaro

    This struck a nerve in France and started the public thinking about the morality of its leaders. Oh and if you don’t know how King Louis XVI ended his reign….look it up.

    WIBCI we started thinking about the morality, or lack of it, in politics? WIBCI we were talking about inequality today?… more “WIBCI Post #85”

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