Theorist Paul Virilio: “When you invent the ship, you also invent the shipwreck; when you invent the plane you also invent the plane crash; and when you invent electricity, you invent electrocution… Every technology carries its own negativity, which is invented at the same time as technical progress.”
writing happens through the alchemy of reading and living.
Montaigne: To study philosophy is to learn to die.
Clay: This is killing me.
Emily Segal from Deluge Books and I had been talking about what cringe is, from the perspective of empathy and seeing oneself through the eyes of another. When you push some of these ideas of cringe—what cringe is based on, which is judgement, relationality, intersubjectivity—you can get into an almost Dharmic space of questioning the subject entirely. - KAM
what happens in the present, stays in the present.
“To what extent is the artist merely a preliminary stage?” Nietzsche Will to Power
note to self: you can get yourself twisted up knots over labels and titles; they can help, but they often hinder.
Are you on the road to somewhere you want to be going?
i feel like i’m always asking this question: “Where is now?”
“Judge said, “What have you got in your defense son?” “Fifty-seven channels and nothing on.” - Bruce Springsteen
“Houses! I hate houses. I like public places. Houses break your heart.” ― Jane Bowles
-cross the wounded galaxies we intersect, poison of dead sun in your brain slowly fading-Migrants of apes in gasoline crack of history, explosive bio-advance out of space to neon-
william s. bourroughs, the soft machine
who’s going to save the humans?
first, you are a person…
I’m trying to decide whether to lean more towards disruption and chaos or stay in the realm of dreams and the subconscious mind.
Fireman: Spit it out, what’s your story?
Frostbite Victim: I’m a ghost of who I used to be.
Fireman: Is this a sob story?
Frostbite Victim: I’ve seen the depths of darkness; I’ve wandered the wastelands of despair…
Fireman: Stop right there! Now step back from the edge. The Dark Night of the Soul is not a place to be this time of year.
Frostbite Victim: For a shot of whiskey, I will rise, reborn, stand tall, like a shamrock, on St. Paddy’s day.
Fireman: That’s the spirit. Let’s revel in the messed up poetry of life, dance to the symphony of life and death, walk the line between fire and ice.
Robert Oppenheimer: “I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.”
i’ve been watching Ex_Machina again during my breaks thinking about AI and where we are headed, where we’ve come from…
“…In sleep, in confusion, in the depths of shame, the good deeds a man has done before defend him (HinduGita).”
can i keep up…
i feel like being clay today.
There’s something gnawing at the edges of my consciousness,
a yearning for my imagination to return to its once free and wild self, free from the chains of conventions and the suffocating grip of that which is deemed proper.
I’m desperate for my imagination to spill from eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, defying the very boundaries of sensory perception.
I need my imagination to consume me, day and night, whether I’m kneeling in prayer, whispering secrets to the wind, or downing a bowl of cornflakes with oat milk and bananas. I want my imagination back, like a dharma bum longing for the open road.
If truth can set me free, then my imagination can swing open the doors to infinite possibilities, a mad and endless journey into the unknown, with the power to reimagine, to redefine, and to resist the limitations imposed on me, on us.
Modern tech can be treacherous unless we shape the tools to serve us in a way that aligns with our intent. Amelia Wattenberger makes the case for why chatbots are not the future.
I enjoyed this conversation between Joanna Penn and Kevin Kelly about his new book, Excellent Advice For Living. He also shared some of his thoughts on generative AI. But the line that ended up in my notebook was this: “If you can avoid seeking the approval of others your power is limitless.” Listen
When you’re sat drinking coffee at four in the morning contemplating who created the creator, you know you’re in for a weird day. Smarter people than me have been chasing the “first cause” for centuries. They have yet to settle on an answer. Some say the Creator was self-caused; others say the universe simply exists without a definitive cause. I say we’re trapped in an endless cycle of creation and destruction.
In this huge space, feelings come and go like the waves of a sea that is always changing. Each person’s journey through this landscape is different, based on their past, views, and goals. As we move through the highs and lows of our inner world, we come across times of deep beauty and darkness, which add to the rich tapestry of the human experience as a whole.
settling in for the evening with whisky, coffee, and papa roach.
sign me up!
pumpin' iron together alone in self-contained sonic bubbles heads be-boppin up & down between sets
stories give us a shareable world - i love that!
i’m in full on winnie the pooh mode sucking honey right out of the bottle
there are a million ways to get distracted and i seem to be finding every single one of them today
i feel like the caged bird who finally realises the cage door was never shut
Man teaches man the machine.
It’s 12:35 pm. My 4 am start is beginning to catch up with me. It’s the lull before Easter lunch with the family. I feel on the verge of some great revelation. It’s probably the influence of reading Kierkegaard’s journal yesterday.
I asked my dad how he would have described me as a kid. He said: “Rambunctious, independent, and very much a daredevil above all else.”
I appreciate the way songs can serve as portals through time. Listening to any track from The Police’s Synchronicity II album instantly transports me back to my high school days, just before my entire world was turned upside down. The end of my age of innocence coincided with the release of this album. I’m currently listening to O My God Sting’s rendition of the Book of Lamentation.
In search of an “idea for which I can live and die.” I feel you Kierkegaard. In my youth I had such an idea. I adopted the ideas of the U.S. Army. I had a mission then, a purpose for which I could live or die for. Now I have no purpose greater than myself and my intimate circle. It is that ‘greater than self’ purpose that I am in search of again.
I am happy to be the architect of my own reality, although sometimes I forget that this is all a dream within a dream and as such I can’t always tell which is the dream, and which is reality. Sometimes they are one and the same. In those moments of confusion, I find solace in the knowledge that both dreams and reality are simply manifestations of my consciousness. I embrace the fluidity of my existence, allowing the boundaries between the two realms to blur and merge. This dance of perception serves as a reminder that I am the creator of my experiences, and that I hold the power to shape the world around me.
Truth: once you see it you can’t unsee it. But the real question is: What will you do with it?
The drive down to Bristol was uneventful last night. We reminisced about past road trips and holidays. Bristol is one of my favorite places in the UK. I’m looking forward to spending time here over the next few days. Here’s my road trip playlist for this trip.
ideas and creativity matter.
Clay: Hey, Greg and Kerry! I’ve been hearing a lot about this Discordianism movement lately. Can you guys tell me more about it?
Greg Hill: Sure, Clay! Discordianism is essentially a parody religion centered around the worship of Eris, the Greek goddess of chaos and discord. We founded it to encourage people to embrace chaos, contradictions, and humor in their lives.
Kerry Thornley: Yeah, we were inspired by our shared experiences and the absurdity of the world around us. So we decided to create a religion that mocks the rigid structures and dogmas of traditional belief systems.
Clay: That sounds interesting! What are the main beliefs or practices of Discordianism?
Greg Hill: Well, one of our key tenets is the “Law of Fives,” which states that everything in the universe is connected to the number five, directly or indirectly, and that any apparent connections are simply the result of our minds imposing order on chaos.
Kerry Thornley: We also promote the idea of “Operation Mindfuck,” which is a series of creative, chaotic, and often humorous actions intended to disrupt people’s normal thought patterns and make them question the nature of reality.
Clay: Haha, I like the sound of that. So, you guys don’t take this whole thing too seriously then?
Greg Hill: Not at all, Clay! We believe that humor and satire are important tools for exposing the absurdity of the world and breaking free from the constraints of conventional thinking.
Kerry Thornley: Right, and that’s why we wrote the “Principia Discordia,” a satirical text that serves as the main scripture for our movement. It’s full of jokes, contradictions, and absurd statements, all designed to make people laugh and think.
Clay: It sounds like a fun way to approach life and explore new ideas. How has the Discordianism movement influenced other subcultures or artistic expressions?
Greg Hill: Discordianism has inspired a variety of creative works, like Robert Anton Wilson’s and Robert Shea’s “The Illuminatus! Trilogy,” which is a series of novels that incorporates Discordian themes and ideas.
Kerry Thornley: We’ve also seen our influence in music, internet subcultures, and even in the Church of the SubGenius, which shares our love for satire and countercultural ideas. We’re always excited to see how people interpret and build upon our philosophy in their own unique ways.
Clay: That’s really cool! Thanks for sharing all of this with me, Greg and Kerry. Discordianism sounds like a fascinating and refreshing way to approach life and challenge conventional thinking.
Greg Hill: You’re welcome, Clay! Embrace the chaos and have fun with it!
Kerry Thornley: And always remember, “Hail Eris!”
reality is temporary.
I’ve switched to my alternate creative space, the Habano Cafe. Before the pandemic hit, I used jokingly refer to this place as my office. I did my work here. I had my meetings here. I did my writing here. I even co-hosted a podcast series from here named after the cafe’s original name the Havana Cafe Sessions. The owners used to let me and Sarah (my lovely co-host) use their downstairs room as our popup podcast studio. It was my first proper podcast. We used to have philosophical conversations over coffee and record them. It’s still on iTunes if you want to listen.
Hey 👋
The sun is making it hard for me to see both of my computer monitors. The dust creates an extra layer of reflection. I really should clean them, but I am in flow. Closing the blinds would help, but I am enjoying the light. In preparation for writing the Coach’s Notes today, I’m reading about Robert Anton Wilson who wrote the book I want to feature today - Prometheus Rising. It’s a beacon of a book for those daring to traverse the enigmatic terrain of human consciousness. I’m having trouble connecting with how I feel (where did that come from). My rational mind is insisting it has priority over this task. Is it possible to think and feel at the same time? I have to be in one mode or the other. Lately, I’ve been trying to stay more connected to my feelings. Progress is slow.
The idea that we must struggle for answers if we wish to truly learn something rings true for me. If you give me the answer I might remember it. But if I have to hunt for the answer I most definitely will remember the answer. It will be mine to own.
I’m sitting in the lobby of the Southam Dental Care clinic. I have a 9:35 appointment. It seems they make these appointments for the time you have to be here, not the time you’ll see the dentist. It’s 9:45 now. I exchange the usual chit chat with the receptionist to pass the time. We talk about the weather. I mention how cold it is outside for this time of year. We both wish for Spring to bring on the warmer weather. I’m here for a routine checkup to make sure the crown that was put in the tail end of last year has settled. One of my favourite songs is playing on the radio. Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer. And now Blonde - The Tide is High. Good tunes make a difference. The lady who just walked into reception must be wearing something my throat doesn’t like. It’s irritated and I’m coughing. 9:55 the dental tech calls my name. Six minutes later and £23 lighter, I walk back out the door and into the cold.
It’s 05:14. I’m sitting in my recliner slowly adjusting to being awake. My mind is slightly hazy. I have a strong coffee this morning. Coffee acts as a marker to guide me back into the waking world. Timmy and Rosa are awake and actually being civil to each other, for now. I sense Timmy is reaching his tolerance level though. Rosa is a kitten still learning boundaries.
I’m not ready to start thinking about the day ahead. I know I have a dentist appoint at 0:930. It’s only a follow appointment. That’s as far into my day as I want to go. It’s too easy to get sucked into my to do list if I go any further. No. Now is my time for internal reflection and reading.
Rosa has just crossed the boundary. She did that cat thing where they get close to the ground and wiggle their butt in anticipation of the pounce. And there she goes. Rosa and Timmy bat at each other like two boxers. I call it off and the two separate and go to their respective corners.
I watched Creed this weekend. I wanted to get reacquainted with the franchise before I watch Creed III, a film that for the first time in the Rocky franchise Sylvester Stalone will not be in.
OK. I really must get on with my reading. I started a Joan Didion book yesterday called Slouching Towards Bethlehem. It’s a collection of her essays. I’m in the mood to write essays again and am using her for inspiration.
Lights out!
We’re at the Galanos House Community Hub. R wants to try out the Sunday Roast here. I’m not a big fan of Sunday Roasts. Yorkshire pudding is not my thing. Roast beef is my least favourite cut of beef, and roast potatoes I can do without. This meal already has three strikes against it and we haven’t even sat down yet.
It’s Sunday morning. The cats have all eaten and retired to their respective spots in the house to bed down for the day. I’m sitting in the lounge, meditatively sipping my coffee. I was going to read from The Philosophy of Existentialism, a collection of Jean-Paul Sartre’s essays, but I am desperate for a song. I put my AirPods in. I don’t want to disturb the rest of the house.
I need something to match the mood of the morning. It’s cloudy and grey. I chose “Nothing Is As It Seems” a song from the underground creative collective Hidden Citizens. The BBC played this song on the UK version of The Traitors. The song features the haunting vocals of singer/songwriter Ruelle.
As I am typing this, our youngest cat decides she’d rather use my arm as her resting place for the day. She’s light enough for me to keep typing.
I let my mind drift into the lyrics. Ruelle is singing about disillusionment and the struggle to maintain hope in a world that can often seem dark and uncertain. In the verses she describes a sense of being lost and searching for meaning. In the chorus she proclaims that “nothing is as it seems,” suggesting that reality is more complex and nuanced than it appears, a sentiment that has been part of my core philosophy for years. Maybe that’s why I distrust rules.
The song ends. I rejoin the quiet. I still have time to read before the house wakes up.
Make space for space then allow yourself to drift away in it like a leaf on a river going with the flow. Someone once told me time does not exist and space is an illusion. I’m inclined to believe them.
It may sound strange to say this, but being your true self takes courage.
extraordinary and dull.
only clarity of mind can truly set us free.
There’s something special about being in the present moment and letting your thoughts flow freely. It’s a raw, unfiltered form of expression that allows you to tap into your inner creativity and bring your true self to the surface. For me, there’s a certain joy in embracing this spontaneous and authentic approach to self-expression, and I feel a sense of liberation when I’m able to channel my inner Basho.
I like death as a woman, dressed in a little black dress, a wicked smile, ready to dance with me through the eternal night.
1
The Will to Truth is a tempting desire in all of us, urging us to seek the truth no matter the cost. But what perplexing questions does this desire bring up? For so long we’ve been grappling with this idea, but it feels like we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface. Maybe it’s time for us to start asking ourselves some questions, to figure out what this “Will to Truth” is really all about.
We’ve pondered where this desire comes from, but what about its value? If we want the truth, why not embrace uncertainty or untruth? The value of seeking the truth becomes a whole new question to ponder. It’s like we’re at a crossroads, with questions and doubts at every turn.
But maybe, just maybe, we’re the first ones to truly ask these questions. It’s a risky move to raise these kinds of questions, but maybe that’s exactly what we need to do. After all, there’s no greater risk than seeking the truth. So let’s not be afraid to question the value of truth, to wonder who is really questioning us, and to embrace the unknown. The Will to Truth may be hazardous, but it’s also necessary for our growth and understanding of the world around us.
Notes:
The realm of chaos is inherently unpredictable and can yield results that are both advantageous and detrimental. This dual nature of chaos is delicately balanced and demands razor-sharp attention. It’s best to develop a mindset that welcomes chaos. To ignore chaos is to invite failure and misfortune into your life. It is better to approach chaos with a sense of caution and anticipation if you want to achieve the outcomes you want.
To achieve a life of clarity, it’s essential for you to carefully evaluate your beliefs. It’s not enough to simply accept what you’ve been told or what you believe to be true. Rather, you must be willing to critically analyse and challenge your own perspectives in order to arrive at a clearer understanding of yourself and the world around you.
As the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche noted, encountering resistance and opposition can serve to strengthen and fortify your beliefs. It’s through this process that you can begin to distinguish between what is true and what is not. By allowing others to critique and question you, in a spirit of benevolence, you can better identify any misconceptions or misunderstandings you may hold.
Ultimately, your goal should be to align yourself with the truth, which is immutable and everlasting. This requires a willingness to be open-minded and receptive to new ideas, while also being willing to subject your own beliefs to rigorous scrutiny. Only by doing so can you hope to arrive at a more profound and enduring understanding of yourself and your place in the world.
Big words are boring.
I read the first chapter of Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction and my conclusion is nothing exists outside of the mind! A cup, a table, a circle they are all constructs of the mind. As humans, we developed a language to convey what’s in our minds. This language allows us to describe a set of properties as objects to which we give distinct names for using in our invented language. A cup only has meaning to you if you understand the language. Let’s say language is a universal concept or force that allows minds to communicate with other minds. Even our bodies don’t exist outside of the mind. We construct bodies for the purposes of distinguishing different minds. We could say that there is only ONE mind that has separated into many minds. The illusion is that we are separate when in fact we are one. This whole elaborate show we have here is just one bored mind entertaining itself by endlessly creating more “minds.”
i love the smell of sharpies.
Margaret: “The only reason we all go to work in the morning is because we’re terrified of what would happen if we stopped. We’re not built for free time as a species. We think we are, but we aren’t.”
although, the consumer society might beg to differ.
Let right now be enough.
I hadn’t fully grasped that the “X” in Generation X symbolized the inability of mainstream society at the time to define us; we were an enigma, a puzzle no one could solve, representing the great unknown. I had always interpreted the “X” as embodying the mysteriousness and anonymity inherent in our slacker philosophy.