This will take a few read-throughs to properly understand this, it's a bit beyond my limited intelligence. I'll also have to do some further reading as to be quite honest, I haven't read any of Heraclitus before and this is all new to me.
Two things, stand out to me here mind you, which others might dismiss as bollocks, but we'll see...
Firstly, the ability for 'something' to remain a fixed entity despite a waxing and waning, or flow state seems to far more accurately explain our universe than the idea of fixed states or a strict hierarchy of forms. (As a side note, this does finally solve the puzzle of the Ship of Theseus.)
Secondly, the idea of the universe consisting of this waxing and waning essence, being neither in a state of eternal creation, nor an ominous destroyer, in my opinion seems close to what Penrose has been talking about with what he called 'conformal cyclic cosmology', where the cycle repeats endlessly on like a fractal, flowing endlessly from one state to the other.
Nice to see you around, Jay, and thanks for the thoughtful comment. I agree on your first point. On your second point, the treatment of cosmic cycles here was merely explanatory. I wasn’t making any arguments in favor or against them. I am aware that this is a heavily debated topic in modern physics, from the “Big Bang and Big Crunch,” to what you mentioned about Roger Penrose.
I think, especially if you deny the existence of any singular Homer, it’s not right to think of the man as having “beliefs” that he implanted into the Iliad and the Odyssey, let alone some sort of overarching theme. The Iliad is about glorifying Achilles and all of his excellence, and to a lesser extent some of the other major warriors on both sides. The Odyssey is about Odysseus in the same way… Homer is anti-war in a sort of “do as I say and not as I do” kind of way. His characters tell the reader “oh, war is so bad, I’m so hung up about it”, but you’re the one reading about them for their martial feats. It’s like the mafia boss who drives around in his sports car, wearing pinstripe suits, and living in a mansion telling his son to be a doctor and avoid the life. Ultimately the only way out of strife in Homer’s world is through engaging in heroic violence.
I don’t think Homer is boring. I think the Iliad and Odyssey are both great fun, but they can be an awkward read because they’ve been completely twisted away from their original cultural context. Nobody should read them as “self-help” books. The only people who could use the advice of the Iliad and Odyssey are, like, Maasai herders or Afghan highlanders. It’s not gonna help you be a better stockbroker or auto mechanic lol
Nice. Good stuff for pondering while the silicone age mindset is soaring. From a cosmic view it becomes clearer to see there’s no river to dive into (i.e. there’s no spoon). And from that perspective “staying in the game” means to strive for Ubermensch-mindset 💪🏼 up to a few I guess… thanks for sharing!
‘Any internet veteran who’s watched an Orthobro quote the Philokalia or a Catholic quoting Aquinas while being incredibly rude to intellectual opponents or gluttonously devouring every passion under the sun knows exactly what this looks like.’
and yet even in that, they prove the point, no? all is strife
I don’t disagree with what is written there, but that is clearly AI generated. At least learn to prompt out its common platitudes like making lists; saying “it’s not x, it’s y;” or the “x replaces y” sentences.
This will take a few read-throughs to properly understand this, it's a bit beyond my limited intelligence. I'll also have to do some further reading as to be quite honest, I haven't read any of Heraclitus before and this is all new to me.
Two things, stand out to me here mind you, which others might dismiss as bollocks, but we'll see...
Firstly, the ability for 'something' to remain a fixed entity despite a waxing and waning, or flow state seems to far more accurately explain our universe than the idea of fixed states or a strict hierarchy of forms. (As a side note, this does finally solve the puzzle of the Ship of Theseus.)
Secondly, the idea of the universe consisting of this waxing and waning essence, being neither in a state of eternal creation, nor an ominous destroyer, in my opinion seems close to what Penrose has been talking about with what he called 'conformal cyclic cosmology', where the cycle repeats endlessly on like a fractal, flowing endlessly from one state to the other.
Nice to see you around, Jay, and thanks for the thoughtful comment. I agree on your first point. On your second point, the treatment of cosmic cycles here was merely explanatory. I wasn’t making any arguments in favor or against them. I am aware that this is a heavily debated topic in modern physics, from the “Big Bang and Big Crunch,” to what you mentioned about Roger Penrose.
I think, especially if you deny the existence of any singular Homer, it’s not right to think of the man as having “beliefs” that he implanted into the Iliad and the Odyssey, let alone some sort of overarching theme. The Iliad is about glorifying Achilles and all of his excellence, and to a lesser extent some of the other major warriors on both sides. The Odyssey is about Odysseus in the same way… Homer is anti-war in a sort of “do as I say and not as I do” kind of way. His characters tell the reader “oh, war is so bad, I’m so hung up about it”, but you’re the one reading about them for their martial feats. It’s like the mafia boss who drives around in his sports car, wearing pinstripe suits, and living in a mansion telling his son to be a doctor and avoid the life. Ultimately the only way out of strife in Homer’s world is through engaging in heroic violence.
I don’t think Homer is boring. I think the Iliad and Odyssey are both great fun, but they can be an awkward read because they’ve been completely twisted away from their original cultural context. Nobody should read them as “self-help” books. The only people who could use the advice of the Iliad and Odyssey are, like, Maasai herders or Afghan highlanders. It’s not gonna help you be a better stockbroker or auto mechanic lol
Nice. Good stuff for pondering while the silicone age mindset is soaring. From a cosmic view it becomes clearer to see there’s no river to dive into (i.e. there’s no spoon). And from that perspective “staying in the game” means to strive for Ubermensch-mindset 💪🏼 up to a few I guess… thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked this poast, friend.
‘Any internet veteran who’s watched an Orthobro quote the Philokalia or a Catholic quoting Aquinas while being incredibly rude to intellectual opponents or gluttonously devouring every passion under the sun knows exactly what this looks like.’
and yet even in that, they prove the point, no? all is strife
banger
I love it. Pure joy.
https://sovereigncolony.com/to-love-life-and-war/
I don’t disagree with what is written there, but that is clearly AI generated. At least learn to prompt out its common platitudes like making lists; saying “it’s not x, it’s y;” or the “x replaces y” sentences.
Valid. Appreciate the feedback.
clit