(Click here for Philosocom's Escapist-Related Directory) (More on General Skarr) (Background music) Introduction "You shall know the Truth and the Truth will set you free ...means that once you know the Truth you are free from suffering. Many have heard this statement but only few have asked: What is the Truth? If there was a Truth that had the power to set you free...why would not everyone want to know the Truth?" -- Vivian Amis To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's. - Fyodor Dostoevsky We often attempt to run from our deepest ambitions. Whether out of fear, societal pressure, or a desire for a simpler life, we don masks of complacency. To understand the psychological toll of this denial, we can look to an unlikely philosophical archetype: General Skarr. Originally a paramilitary leader hellbent on world domination, Skarr's narrative shifts when his organization collapses. He retires to a quiet, suburban neighborhood, trading his uniform for gardening tools. He attempts to rebrand himself as a harmless, mundane neighbor, desperately trying to conceal his inherent desire for ultimate power. However, his story serves as a profound allegory for a universal human struggle: The impossibility of hiding from your authentic self when your true desires are within reach. The Anatomy of Denial "You pretend to take pride in folly and flowers, but I know that inside you lust for more power. Speak your true mind, reveal your desire. I think you'll soon learn, baby, I can light you fire!" -- Thromnambular "I thought you were bad. You ain't bad, you ain't nothing!" -- Billy (Skarr's Neighbor) When individuals possess high ambition, dominant traits, or a grand vision for their lives, attempting to suppress these qualities is an exercise in psychological friction. Skarr uses gardening as his camouflage. He engages in domestic distractions to reject his authentic nature. Many people do this in the real world. They take unfulfilling jobs, adopt quiet personas, and distract themselves with mundane hobbies, all to convince themselves and the world that they do not hunger for more. They fear the magnitude of their own potential. However, this manufactured peace is always fragile, and a liability. The Catalyst of Proximity The illusion of contentment shatters when the individual is brought into proximity with the tools of their true ambition. In Skarr's neighborhood resides the Grim Reaper, wielding a scythe of omnipotent power. When a neighborhood child simply mentions that whoever wields the scythe commands ultimate power, Skarr’s carefully constructed "good neighbor" persona begins to crack. He attempts to physically throw the temptation out of his house, a classic psychological defense mechanism. He tries to forcefully remove the reminder of his suppressed ambition. Yet, the temptation persists. A simple, haunting phone call whispering the words "Ultimate power..." is all it takes to completely break his facade. Skarr retrieves his old uniform, abandons his garden, and embraces his true nature. The proximity to his actual desire made the lie of his mundane life impossible to maintain. The Haunting Vision of Potential The philosophy of General Skarr teaches us a critical lesson about human motivation. It is incredibly difficult to escape your true intentions, especially when the path to achieving them is visible. We often tell ourselves that denying our grandest ambitions is the "easy" path. It protects us from failure, judgment, and the grueling effort required to succeed. But in reality, living in denial is psychological torture. The vision of a more satisfying reality—the knowledge of what you could be—will forever haunt your mind if you continually conceal your desires from yourself. The friction of pretending to be less than you are eventually requires more energy than simply stepping into the arena. Conclusion: Seize the Scythe Do not choose to become less than what you were designed to be. If you have a grand vision, an intense ambition, or a desire to build an empire of your own, burying it beneath mundane distractions will only breed internal resentment. Stop hiding from your honesty. Acknowledge your true intentions, retrieve your armor, and seize the "scythe" of your own potential. The only way to silence the haunting vision of what could be is to actively build it in the real world. Review by Alex Mos Ambition is a character trait that motivates a person to achieve success and recognition. Historically and socially, it's a highly valued human feature in Western culture. "A man's worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions." Marcus Aurelius wrote in his stoic teachings about the significance of personal excellence. However, Eastern philosophy takes a contrasting view, associating ambition with a materialistic ego that hinders humility, wisdom, and enlightenment. What perspective holds the key to truth? Is human ambition a virtue or a seed of depravation? The answer is not in the concept of ambition, but in the goals one pursues. An ambitious person does not necessarily seek power and domination but can envision success for themselves and a better world. Western and Eastern cultures are built on wisdom philosophers or spiritual teachers share with their students and followers, gaining relevance and sometimes fame and worship. The same applies to science and religion. Humans are ambitious, and this trait makes us an advanced social race competing for excellence, relevance, and recognition. The evil ambition of a narcissistic ego results in power-hungry tyranny, while the moral ambition of a philosopher contributes to a better world.

(Content on the Enduring Pillar Symbol: https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-symbolism-of-the-enduring-pillar https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-secret-plans-path-to-a-ruthless-self The Roots of Negativity and Optimism: The Battle for the Mental Fortress) Table of Contents Words of Introduction The Poem Itself Analysis by Mr. C. Kinsley and Co. "With sentient life, there are three forms of power. physical (actions taken), mental (intellectual), and spiritual (our essence). The first is directly dependent upon the other two, which are often mistaken for each other" -- John Duran Love your suffering. Do not resist it, do not flee from it. It is only your aversion to it that hurts, nothing else. — Hermann Hesse Words of Introduction Here is a poem I created after a recent realization of mine on the way we either choose or are taught to see life's many pains. As someone who used to experience emotions more intensely than the average person due to a former sensitivity, I found myself suffering strongly from things people take for granted. This is the lesson I have received from my contemplations on pain, and I hope you will not only understand through this, how life can be for highly-sensitive people, but also see the logic of why we should embrace the suffering we receive. Embrace it, in order to become not only more resilient, but stronger in body and mind. Cower away from the ability to endure pain, and you will not learn its lessons. Wisdom may often be gained through pain. And it is through pain, that I grew wise beyond my years as a 25 years old man. Hence why I no longer regard pain to be a bad thing by default, but a chance to expand my intellect. Expand it, in the name of Philosocom and its readership. Lastly, the original melody is from a theme composed in Imperial Japan of WWII, called "Shussei Heishi O Okuru Uta". If you enjoyed it or at least find agreement with it, feel free to share and spread the word. Thanks. The Poem Itself After years, of pain and suffering, Of which I was so terrified from, The time, to embrace, has rightfully come, To cope with that the world shall bring. No longer a child, or a sensitive teen, No more of it I will be. Once again I've become a better me, The suffering, Accept it, And march, march, march on. I had enough, being such a passive man, The one I learned to idolize in school. No more benefit, no more benefit it can, Bring to manipulated fools. As the smith strikes the weapon so rightfully, And it becomes, stronger, finally… Now I shall accept the suffering that strikes within me: The suffering, Accept it, And march, march, march on! Each, action, that is pure with joy, Is one that can weaken the mind. And even, if, happiness such man will find, He shall still be as soft as soy. Fool, the one, that says life should be easy, He can't change a world, of merciless apathy! Now it's time to bring this aspect to Rubinshteinic philosophy: The suffering, Accept it, And march, march, march on! (I planned, this strength, ever since childhood, Training in secrecy and solitude). Pain, is like a form of medicine, One of a very bitter nature. It goes to show you can easily deny the rapture, At the expanse of preparation, against adversity. Escapism, is giving up on opportunity, Wasted potential, of stronger humanity! Even if it entails hunger and ruthless walking, The suffering, Embrace it, And march, march, march on! There might be always, at life, countless people, Who may disregard the agony they inflict on you. But although, remorselessly, your serenity will cripple, There is a better, painful solution in store for you: Prepare, your body, and mind, for life's many careless strikes, Although some may hurt as unforgiving spikes! Endure, rest and endure by repeat: The suffering, Accept it, And march, march, march on! The world, of today, is filled with weaknesses, A product of a better comfortability. But while, it brings fun, as millions can witness, It also decreases our mind's capabilities. The ability, of the mind to be reforged, Deconstruct, reforge and transcend! A stronger mind is key for greater choices and demand: The suffering, Accept it, And march, march, march on! Philosophical Analysis of "The Iron Way – A Poem of The Enduring Pillar" (By C. Kingsley and Co.) Introduction and Thematic Exploration "The Iron Way – A Poem of The Enduring Pillar" is a contemplative work that addresses the nature of suffering and its role in human development. The poem is a meditation on pain, suffering, and resilience, drawing from personal experience and broader philosophical reflections. It is framed by an understanding that life’s difficulties, far from being mere sources of misery, serve as challenges through which a person can become more resilient, wise, and self-aware. Mr. Tomasio, influenced by his Rubinshteinic philosophy, emphasizes the transformative potential of suffering. The repeated motif, "The suffering, Accept it, And march, march, march on!" serves as both a mantra and a call to action, encouraging an active, almost militant acceptance of hardship as a path to self-improvement. Pain as a Pathway to Growth The central tenet of the poem is that suffering is not inherently negative; rather, it is a means to cultivate strength, both mentally and physically. The speaker, reflecting on their personal experiences, suggests that embracing pain rather than shunning it leads to wisdom. This idea aligns with philosophical traditions that view suffering as a necessary component of growth, such as the Stoic belief in enduring hardship to develop virtue or Nietzsche’s concept of "amor fati" – the love of one’s fate, including all suffering. The poem’s author frames pain as a teacher. The line, "Wisdom may often be gained through pain," underscores this belief. The poem rejects a passive existence, opting instead for a dynamic engagement with suffering. It calls into question modern comfort, which is seen as softening the mind and weakening the spirit. Symbolism and Metaphor: "The Enduring Pillar" The poem draws heavily on the metaphor of "The Enduring Pillar," which is a symbol of steadfastness, resilience, and strength in the face of adversity. The Enduring Pillar represents an unyielding stance against the pressures and pain of life. This aligns with the Rubinshteinic philosophy’s emphasis on strength and endurance. By comparing oneself to an iron pillar, the speaker suggests a transformation from a state of fragility ("a sensitive teen") to one of resilience. The repetition of phrases like "march, march, march on" evokes a military cadence, suggesting discipline, determination, and a forward-moving momentum. The use of the word "march" aligns suffering with a purposeful, almost inevitable aspect of life – something one does not avoid but faces head-on. The "march" is both literal (a journey through life) and metaphorical (a mental fortitude and relentless pursuit of growth). Critique of Modern Comfort and Escapism A notable theme in the poem is its critique of modern comfort and escapism. Mr. Tomasio contends that comfort leads to weakness and intellectual stagnation. "Each action that is pure with joy, is one that can weaken the mind" suggests that a life focused solely on happiness and ease lacks the transformative edge provided by hardship. The philosopher implies that the pursuit of comfort undermines the development of a strong mind capable of facing life's challenges. The poem argues that escaping pain ("Escapism, is giving up on opportunity") equates to wasted potential. This perspective is reminiscent of existentialist thought, where facing the inherent difficulties of existence is seen as vital to living authentically. The poem criticizes those who shirk suffering, suggesting that such avoidance only limits their capacity to transcend adversity. The Call to Embrace Pain: A Heroic Ideal The call to "embrace pain" is presented as a heroic ideal. By positioning suffering as akin to a "bitter medicine," the poem suggests that while the experience is unpleasant, it is also necessary for achieving a stronger, more resilient state of being. This aligns with the poem's broader philosophy: only by facing and accepting pain can one attain true growth and wisdom. This perspective may resonate with those who value endurance, self-discipline, and the cultivation of inner strength. The poem critiques the idea that life should be easy or pain-free. It challenges readers to consider the benefits of hardship, asserting that only through struggle can one achieve true greatness. The author views suffering as a trial in which the mind is "deconstructed, reforged, and transcended." This metaphor of reforging evokes the image of a sword being tempered by fire – a process that makes it stronger. Reflection on the Poem's Structure and Tone Structurally, the poem is marked by its rhythmic, almost chant-like repetition of key phrases. This repetition lends a sense of urgency and determination to the work, echoing the idea of "marching on" despite adversity. The tone is resolute and didactic, aiming to persuade the reader to adopt the same stance toward suffering. The language of the poem is direct and forceful, employing a mixture of declarative statements ("Fool, the one, that says life should be easy") and imperative commands ("Accept it, And march, march, march on!"). This reinforces the speaker’s conviction in the transformative power of pain and their desire to convey this lesson to others. Philosophical Context: Comparisons and Influences The poem's themes echo various philosophical traditions. In addition to Stoicism and Nietzschean thought, it also resonates with Buddhist teachings that view suffering as an inescapable part of life and a source of enlightenment when approached with the right mindset. However, unlike the Buddhist path of detachment, this poem advocates a more active engagement with suffering, almost as if wrestling with it. The poem also shows an awareness of existentialist themes, especially the idea that individuals must find meaning and strength in a seemingly indifferent or even hostile universe. By accepting suffering, Mr. Tomasio creates their own meaning and asserts their own agency. Conclusion: An Enduring Philosophy of Resilience "The Iron Way – A Poem of The Enduring Pillar" is a powerful meditation on suffering and resilience. It challenges readers to reconsider their relationship with pain, urging them to see it not as a burden but as a tool for personal and philosophical growth. The poem’s philosophy aligns with a broader tradition of viewing hardship as an essential part of the human experience, one that can lead to profound inner strength and wisdom. By advocating for the acceptance and embrace of suffering, the poem suggests that true strength comes not from avoiding pain but from enduring it with purpose and courage. This perspective invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with hardship and to consider how they might use these experiences as opportunities for growth and transformation.

Sleep is the best medicine before a battle -- Unidentified Napoleonic General Difficulties strengthen the mind, just as labor strengthens the body. — Seneca (Background music) Accepting the Inevitability of Conflict and Suffering Conflict and suffering are inevitable parts of life. However, we can choose to view them negatively, with sorrow and misfortune, or positively, with open arms. If we choose to view conflict and suffering positively, we can use them to increase our strength, resilience, and endurance. We can also use them to gain maturity, confidence, and other benefits. Interpersonal conflicts are always possible in a civilized society. However, we can learn to deal with them effectively by accepting their inevitability and by viewing them as opportunities for growth. That includes the most agonizing of moments. It is not helpful to be miserable because of inevitable adversity. Self-pity will not help us cope with adversity or with societal struggles. We are taught to disdain discomfort and to hope for it to go away so that we can experience pleasure and ease once more. However, if the uncomfortable situation is already present and there is nothing, we can do to make it go away, then there is no point in preserving counter-productive mindsets. Instead, we should focus on extracting the lemon juice out of the different lemons that life throws at us. Finding Peace Within Screeching Walls of Object and Mind While I seek to live a life of optimal serenity, I am aware that something very uncomfortable, such as involuntary adversity, is here to stay for a long time. In this case, my ambition becomes more of a hindrance than an asset, and it is no longer useful or beneficial in helping me cope or grow. Because my quest for optimal serenity is not yet actualized due to noise and other disturbances, my hope to find optimal peacefulness might be proven impractical and even counterproductive. Not only will it make me unnecessarily miserable, but it might not help me become a stronger being by enduring their yells and sometimes initiating a counterattack of my own. From a purely logical perspective, a life of peace, while not possible in its absolution, can be achieved optimally. However, I hope you will agree with me that being very sensitive and not very resilient will make my search for optimal peace harder than it should be. Hence, I give this personal example to show you that adversity, even if uncomfortable, may sometimes be proven as inevitable. Instead of saying to oneself "there's nothing I can do about it" and feeling completely hopeless, why not think the opposite: that adversity can be seized for one's own benefit? Like a bitter, yet rewarding medicine, as you suffer in the name of health. In video games, we are eager to beat bosses that are not easy to beat. This is because many bosses in video games are obligatory in order for us to proceed in the game and reach new areas. We can, technically, not fight with them and stay in the same areas we have already unlocked and explored. But why should we? Mining the Depths of Pain for Uncommon Strength In the same way, we can choose to see adversity as an opportunity to grow and become stronger. By facing our challenges head-on, we can learn and develop new skills that will help us overcome future obstacles. We can also build resilience and learn to cope with difficult situations more effectively. Of course, this does not mean that adversity is easy or pleasant. It can be very challenging and even painful. However, by choosing to view adversity in a positive light, we can make it an opportunity for growth and development. Why "think positive" and escape from the depths within you, when you can permit yourself to sink into these depths and face the following features: Past traumas. Heart-breaking moments. Darker truths about yourself. Darker truths about those who are dear to you. Triggers. Consider reliving the past, from time to time, not for the purpose of clinging to it. No. Face its darker and sorrowful events, as if you are a miner about to make a fortune in his gold mine. Do not escape from your pain. Let yourself be engulfed in it, and see how it will reward you in exchange for allowing it to be experienced and expressed. Give in to your anger, to your sorrows. They represent what you could've done, and couldn't. They also represent what you could've never done, and still cannot done. Face the truth day and day, night by night, and see how stronger you become, mentally, as your boundaries expand. That is because these pains, when normalized, normalize your reaction to them as well. Pain is constructed entirely by the brain. And when it comes to the subconscious, it remembers everything you've experienced. In other words, all of the pain and torment you went through in life, exists somewhere in your brain. And it provides the raw material to forge a new you, in order to live life, along and despite the haunting presence of pain in either past, present or future. The Forge of Resilience Life, like any grand adventure, is not a tranquil stroll through a flower garden. It's a trek through diverse, often harsh landscapes. Wanting to live a life pure of rugged mountains embodied in dense mist, is often unrealistic. And just as a climber wouldn't fear the steep climb, but embrace it as the stepping stones for the top, we must confront discomfort as the forge of our resilience. It's not about seeking pain for its own sake, as it's often with fun. It's about recognizing its inherent role in shaping us, and developing us to become tougher, if not ruthless human beings. Through neuroplasticity, the strike of failure teaches us to rise stronger, the ache of loss sharpens our empathy, and hardship hones our determination to further accomplish our goals relentlessly. Each obstacle, if navigated with courage and wisdom, becomes a stepping stone, to the greater transformation of the self. So, let us not fear from discomfort and disinterest. Let's teach ourselves the meaning of discipline, of acting independently of our own willpower. Let's embrace these repulsing energies, as a vital furnace, to fuel the industrial complex of bodies and minds we can become. And as such, it is often the breath-taking landscapes often lie beyond the most challenging climbs. There is no greater reward without a considerable amount of sacrifice. The Human Hand of Justice Remember, words have the power to inspire and uplift or to inflict pain and division. Choose them carefully, for they can gratify, as well as torment. Don't say something you might regret saying at a later date. And make sure you are not brewing humans who care about you dearly, into heartless revenants. Some have become heartless to seal away the pain you inflicted upon them, but as written before, it stays deep within the human mind, never to go away. And different people experience pain differently. Some of these may return for revenge. Some of them are crow-like enough to not forget things you said about them, for they have exceptional memory. As such, they remember, for you were one of the triggers that made them break inside... Break inside, and form anew. Rise from despair. Reborn. For good and for bad. Stronger beings. Relentless beings. Heartless beings. Broken beings. Do not give power, with your words, to people who can utilize your insults and hunt you down, should your paths ever cross again on this Earth. A certain person earlier in my life, knows that well.

(Subcategory on Book-Related Content) Fighting Against the Misanthropic Demon Introduction The creator washed His hands soon after our fall -- John Duran At the present time. I long only to sleep. I am sick of humanity. — Albert Camus One of the problematic aspects of solitude is misanthropy, which is hatred for other human beings. I find it to be a problem because it can serve as an obstacle to what I call Solitarus (in my native language: Bdituta), which is the ability to be in love with one's solitude. A bigger problem regarding the relationship between misanthropy and solitude may be social stigmas. Imagine a group of workers going on a lunch break at the nearest restaurant. All of the group but one individual are sitting together, while the other individual sits on their own on purpose. Afterwards, the group calls him, humorously, a misanthrope. Even if such an assumption is made out of humor, sitting on your own at lunch breaks does not necessarily mean you loathe the existence of other people. Yet, such social stigmas are implemented in our consciousness by social evolution; stigmas that disrupt the potential harmony between solitude and company. Generally, my ideology of Rubinshteinic Individualism is highly against hatred for other people. As such it does not in any way promote hatred or doing harm to other people. In fact, it promotes social harmony and serenity as superior values due to the morality behind it. Because this philosophy is against being evil. Every one of us carries the will to survive and to endure in the journey of life. Thus, It is sensible, for all of us who didn't give up on life, to have this motive of survival and endure. Endure, for the preservation of collective harmony, in which in turn shall make us some space to feel serenity and peace while alone. And when we are left alone, we can promote our own health. This logical structure therefore does not find any functions or useful exchanges in the concept and mindset of misanthropy. The word ‘demon’ is used as a metaphor to describe a problem (in my native language ‘demon’ also means ‘a messenger of sabotage’ or a destroying angel which in this case may be coincidentally relevant). The Misanthropic Demon This exploration delves into the relationship between solitude and misanthropy. It distinguishes between constructive solitude (which we will refer to as "solitarus"—a state characterized by love, wisdom, and inner harmony) and misanthropic isolation, a state driven by deep hatred and social disconnection. While misanthropy itself isn't classified as a mental illness, it fosters societal disharmony and motivates individuals to withdraw not for introspection but to escape expressing their hostility towards humankind. One key distinction lies between the inclination towards solitude—a potentially innate drive for individual survival and reflection—and a misanthropic mindset. This mindset comprises dysfunctional thoughts, doctrines, and dogmas that alienate individuals from society, not for the value of introspection, but due to hatred, and a desire to escape the perceived societal oppression. Constructive solitude, or solitarus, is not an escape from reality but a way of life embracing material simplicity, harmonious ambitions, and inner peace. In contrast, hateful isolation serves as an escape, not from objective reality, but from the internal conflict arising from disharmony between the individual and the collective. Within solitude, two primary, dichotomic archetypes can be observed: the contemplative individual and the reactive individual. The contemplative type is characterized by love, forgiveness, philosophical inquiry, and serenity. The reactive type, however, is marked by hatred, resentment, and anxiety. The contemplative seeks inner and outer peace as the path to harmony, love, and wisdom. The misanthropic individual, conversely, often engages in self-destructive patterns of bitterness and melancholy, rather than pursuing harmony. Therefore, anyone considering seclusion should introspectively examine the dominant aspects of their inner world: the loving and serene, or the hateful and rebellious. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding regarding the nature of solitude often leads society to misinterpret those who are alone, frequently labeling them as sad or ill, rarely as content. General social consciousness tends towards simplistic, stereotypical and associative thinking when lacking deeper knowledge. Generations have inherited the biblical notion that "it is not good that the man should be alone," a concept often used not to promote well-being but to maintain a conformist and intellectually limited society that struggles to think beyond its own norms (a sociocentric approach). Consequently, the word "solitude" is often associated with negative emotions like depression, sorrow, and despair. However, society often fails to recognize that its own dogmatic and sociocentric education has created these negative associations, even though solitude as a concept is ethically neutral (AKA, can be either good or bad, depending on perception). I suggest that misanthropy is a product of negative social interaction, not an inherent trait. Individuals are not born with inherent love or hate but learn these through their experiences, both in interaction and self-reflection, thus becoming the individuals that they are (Learned behavior). The conflict arises when society forcefully promotes philanthropy, yet an individual's mind, shaped by negative social experiences, inclines towards misanthropy. A truly loving and a truly hating individual find it difficult to coexist. However, even hatred can stem from a perceived rationality—the observation of misery, oppression, and the stifling of individuality within society. Solitary/Rubinshteinic Individualism, or the philosophy practiced by the Indie-Solitaire, does not originate from misanthropy but from a drive for harmony and a comprehensive understanding of the human and social landscape achieved through contemplation. The Indie-Solitaire acknowledges societal problems and seeks to avoid committing them themselves. The rugged misanthrope also recognizes these issues but, unlike the Indie-Solitaire, may seek to control and combat the uncontrollable. Their hatred, though potentially rooted in a desire for a broader understanding, becomes corrupted by the human tendency towards destructive and self-serving impulses. Should their embrace their darkness, they might have no regard for human life, seeing them as pawns to puppeteer under ulterior motives. Society, focused on maintaining its functions rather than deeper understanding, may label the misanthrope as "psycho," "bad," "distressed," or "cowardly." Only a minority within society may genuinely contemplate the nature, causes, and potential de-escalation of misanthropy—not merely for social order, objective reality, or goodwill, but for inner and outer peace and the overcoming of disharmonious and imperialistic human drives. The methodology of Indie-Solitaire aims to address problems not through mental or social escapism but through direct confrontation, adopting a contemplative lifestyle, prioritizing logic, and ultimately transcending the ego through awareness and asceticism. In a society saturated with distractions that encourage external engagement and the acceptance of supposedly objective beliefs, solitude offers a space to observe, develop critical thinking, and overcome the dominance of purely sensual experience. Thus, instead of escaping and weakening their ability to cope with internal struggles through over-reliance on others, Solitary Individualism encourages self-confrontation and self-mastery. This seemingly paradoxical conquest of the self allows individuals to evolve and better serve their own needs for mental survival and even prosperity in solitude. While a sociocentric individual experiencing sadness might pathologize it and seek external dependence as a coping mechanism, the Indie-Solitaire approaches emotions differently. They do not equate feelings with morality but use introspection, akin to meditation, to critically understand the origins of their emotions from a broader perspective. They constantly analyze themselves, viewing emotions and urges as separate entities to be examined through rationality and criticism, thereby cultivating autonomy in their solitude. This analytical approach applies to all emotions.2 The Indie-Solitaire functions as their own psychologist, sociologist, and philosopher, investigating themselves, society, and existential questions to redefine their understanding. They may choose solitude as the most conducive environment for such intellectual pursuits and self-analysis. This same principle can apply to the emergence of misanthropy. In summary, misanthropy is not an inherent evil or an inevitable outcome of solitude but rather a social dysfunction arising from problematic interactions that negatively shape individuals and society. Misanthropy has its own underlying reasons, including rebelliousness, lack of inner peace, the desire to control the uncontrollable, and the adoption of antisocial beliefs, rather than acknowledging society's role in their lives. Society, however, often views misanthropy as solely a characteristic of depressed and suffering individuals in isolation, overlooking its deeper causes. As such, society often seeks to suppress this phenomenon in the name of its norms, rarely attempting to understand the misanthrope's perspective. The Indie-Solitaire approach proposes that emotions, including hatred, should not necessarily be repressed but rather understood, analyzed, observed, and contemplated. Solitude can serve as a method for cultivating a rationally-grounded individuality that can accept and ultimately overcome the dominion of these emotions.

(The Subcategory Directory: The 2000's "Spirits" and "Ceremonies" -- How Immersion Fell Indefinitely The Nostalgia Experiment -- When Bias is Right Cognitive Dissonance of Memory - A Philosophy of Mind and Reality The Unconscious Conclusion How to Overcome Denial and Unlock Reality Philosophical Complementary on Silent hill 2 (By Mr. Ogbule Chibuzo Isaac) https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-heisenberg-of-philosophy-within-a-shadowy-intellect https://www.philosocom.com/post/chronic-chronicles-exploring-the-metaphysical-entity-within-the-brain-by-mr-nathan-lasher https://www.philosocom.com/post/had-to-be https://www.philosocom.com/post/world-peace https://www.philosocom.com/post/secret-life https://www.philosocom.com/post/driven-by-fear) The Sanctity of Memory: Insights on Memory and Nostalgia (Philosocom's Subcategory On the Past) (Background music) Among all the various genres of literature, memoir authors bear a special burden among their writing kin that only craft fiction. To create an engaging story that showcases the glamour of a good fiction while rendering justice to authentic memory. It relates so much pain, and the dedication is far less respected than fiction authors. We juggle worlds, but worlds that actually happened, is not an easy task -- Mr. John Duran There is nothing better than memories, and there is nothing worse than them. — Anton Chekhov Come to think of it, our sense of self comes from our memories of valuable things that have happened in our past—events, achievements, people, and so forth. If it weren't for our memory, we would not have any sense of self, not until we are updated once again about who we are. Because the future is uncertain, it's possible to assume that every day we have a chance of losing our memory, and thus our own conscious identity. The fact that we have not lost our memory all the days and years we've been alive does not guarantee that tomorrow will not be the day where our memory is at least damaged to an extent by a physical accident. Let's not be biased the stability of our lives. It is often best to let the truth be your safe space, and give up on longing on a past long gone. This is why any kind of history is imperative to the identity of the entity that had it. Without history, there will be no identity, and with no identity, there will be no purpose or a grip of reality in relation to said entity. It's more than just being able to repeat the same mistakes over and over; it's the unfortunate state of not knowing who we are and what the heck are we doing in this place, in this time, and what are we supposed to do the following day or days. Without understanding our own mysterious origins, the world can appear quite an absurd place to exist in, which then can lead to uncanny feelings of cognitive dissonance... Do you have any passwords that you remember by heart, or, more generally, anything that you remember that is not written anywhere, something that you need to remember in order to get things done? Should you lose your memory by whatever unfortunate accident, that imperative information is gone for good.... As such, it is important that you take a very good care of your brain.... Hence why everything that is important, should to be written or recorded in any other way in a form that can be accessed. That is because paper, or any other recording device such as a virtual document, has ironically a far better memorizing capability than most people; a memorization that can last for centuries. The past is arguably the most important time between the present and the future. Anything that is done with thought is done by past knowledge and/or experience. Profession or occupation, relationship-preservation,—all are futile without a certain grip of the past. If you do not rely on the past using your memory alone, you basically risk forgetting important things. Sure, life is a game of risk, but that risk can be minimized. An accident (or even more than one) can occur everyday, anytime, especially if you go out of your home a lot, as the outside world is far more uncertain than the safety of your own home. The more you focus on being pragmatic, the less likely you are to commit silly mistakes that would compromise your own memory. Obviously, memory can also be seen as a double-edged sword... For example: you remember things you do not wish to remember, like a very uncomfortable, very negative, and/or triggering experience. Fortunately, there are better ways to distract oneself from the scars of the past instead of seeking harmful ways to erase one's memory. That may, of course, appeal to you, if you are an escapist. That is unless you have the strength to look within your own backstory as a way to accept the painful reality of the present day. That, however, comes with the following issue: should there ever be a technology capable of erasing memories, like the recycler of a computer, or the fictional neuralyzer should that technology be used, or rather banned? If, let's say, an evil, cyberpunk organization is to be able to get their hands on that technology and use it... They can remove from mankind any memory that is important to keep in order to prevent themselves from doing the same mistakes over and over again... For example, the Holocaust, the Pearl Harbor Attack and so forth... Should that technology be banned to begin with? Conversely, such a hypothetical device can plant in your mind many many good memories, however, these memories would be fabricated. Is it ethical to meddle with someone's mind by planting in them good memories that didn't really happen, but will, however, make that person feel happier? What is definitely certain is the fact that without remembering the past, we will not be competent enough in our various roles in the present moment, and thus the future will be as less good as it could have been. Hence why, when it comes to comparing between the three time tenses, the past triumphs above all in its functionality, to allow beneficial events, and to prevent the more unfortunate ones from happening. Record anything you believe to be important, whether to yourself or to others, as backing anything up is far safer than relying on memory alone. The best way to record is by paper, as paper cannot be hacked or be virtually found by an attacking force from the other side of the globe. Please consider the ethical philosophy that lies behind using the online world. That goes especially for the social media realm. Should you save something on your computer, make sure you have any other backup, should it ever be damaged beyond repair. Otherwise, having external records will be gone forever from your own memory, and will be lost forever. Having a site, like this one, is such an example for a back up. Clouding services are another. Do your research if your memories matter to you. Don't just post something on social media platforms and expect them to ever-last. They can always be taken down by moderation. Moderation, especially AI-based moderation, is way beyond your control... Be a guest writer to Philosocom, and your content can be stored here for generations to come. That is how much I value memory and preservation. Why? Because anything can contribute to anyone. Which means that any human is capable to be useful to a degree. That includes yourselves as well.

(For the directory on success, click here) (Background music) Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration.... -- Summer Redstone They dismissed me as dumb, so I evolved into a genius. Being classified as uneducated, I learned it all! Mistaken for weak, I made myself strong. Classified as insane, I realized I was hyper-sane. Dismissed as reckless, I was carefully precise. Being told I couldn't write, I wrote better than them all. Scoffed at for seriousness, I made the entire world laugh. Being considered the very worst, I became the very best. Mistaken for a fool, I showed the world how foolish it is! -- John Duran Never give in, never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. — Winston Churchill To build something truly remarkable, you need to understand, endure, if not appreciate, frustration. What is frustration? Frustration is when you feel something isn't right, and you want to make it right. It's when something you really wish for, doesn't go. Sometimes, you want that something to go so much, that you can get blinded with rage, ignoring the things you do have. Philosocom is built on my frustrations with the non-rectified world, and stems from my desire to rectify it. If it weren't for my dark frustration, Philosocom would not have been built. If things were right in this world, I wouldn't bother to vent and to philosophize. What is the practical point of philosophy? The practical point of philosophy is to offer solutions to problems, AKA problem-solving. If something isn't right, then there is a problem. The positive side of frustration stems from the fact that you have not only vision but passion. It is this very own frustration that fuels you to act; to work; to create. And indeed, emotions are tools. Emotions are the canvas in which we can create something truly remarkable. Through frustration, we grow stronger. Through frustration, we develop virtues like patience, like relentlessness, like long-term thinking, and so on and on. As long as we don't give up, our frustration will grow us, will develop us to new heights, to new horizons. Frustration is a dark emotion that shows how darkness can be used for the greater good. How much we fail, how much we are defeated, what matters is the fact that we are still on-going and not giving up. The less we give up the more we can develop as humans. Why do people go to the gym, for instance? Sometimes, one of the reasons is because one is frustrated with how one looks. It is the very own frustration with how one looks, that fuels them to build a stronger, healthier body. When frustration is fueled towards whining and complaining, it becomes infantile. However, when frustration is fueled towards work, it then becomes a catalyst for something that can be truly great. How more you want something, how more you will be fueled to find a way to succeed. How more you will want to defeat every creed, every nation, until the very last your vision is actualized and is within your grip. And only then.... only then you shall know true satisfaction. Only then you shall know true peace. I have picked an ambition harder than world domination. World rectification is harder than world domination because there will always be something to rectify. World domination, on the other hand, is a goal that can be measured. World rectification, on the other hand, is beyond measure, as the flaw is always... always indefinite. Thus, per my desire to improve this world through my writings, per my unyielding spirit to prove my relevance, overcome problems, and see adversity as medicine. I have already written and contributed so much to humanity for free.... I am not going to give up on that. Ever. I will always want to rectify the world. Because rectifying the world is the right thing to do. Because when I see the lack of empathy people have nowadays, it fuels me to be the one who does have empathy. When I see online news of war, it fuels me to be more peaceful. When I see symptoms of alienation and sociopathy in this world, it fuels me to forsake humanity to be the one who does have a heart. Because to rectify this world, one has to rectify himself. Under any given situation, I will always want to do the right thing. I don't have the heartlessness to give up on doing the right thing. With all my frustrated heart, I want to contribute to people as way to make this world a better place to live. I want to inspire! I want to intrigue! I want to fuel the very humanity the conventional world takes apart and destroys in the name of financial materialism and superficiality. So, if you want to avoid defeatism, you need to appreciate the frustration, develop the habit of looking both ways, and see the frustration for the good that it is. For the good that it can bring. For the success that it can yield. You need to be like Sisyphus, who grows stronger every time he lifts the rock up the mountain.... and you need to imagine him to be happy. Not sad. Not miserable. Not pitiful. But happy. Because sometimes, for something as simple as putting a rock, stable on a mountain.... You need to become the best version of yourself.

(Disclaimer: The guest posts do not necessarily align with Philosocom's manager, Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's beliefs, thoughts, or feelings. The point of guest posts is to allow a wide range of narratives from a wide range of people. To apply for a guest post of your own, please send your request to mrtomasio@philosocom.com) (Philosocom Asceticism Directory) (Philosocom's John Igwe and Co. Articles) The best wealth is to be content with living on little. - Plato (Background music) *************************** Asceticism 101 Introduction Asceticism is a lifestyle characterized by strict self-discipline and self-denial, often pursued for religious, spiritual, or philosophical reasons. People who practice asceticism intentionally abstain from material comforts, pleasures, and indulgences in order to focus on higher spiritual or moral goals. The term "asceticism" comes from the Greek word "askēsis," which means "exercise" or "training." Asceticism is a philosophy or way of life that involves the renunciation of worldly pleasures and comforts in pursuit of spiritual or moral goals. Its relevance in our lives can vary depending on personal beliefs, cultural context, and individual circumstances. Here are some perspectives on the relevancy of asceticism: Part I: Spiritual growth and Self-Discipline Spiritual growth and self-discipline are two closely intertwined aspects of asceticism. Practitioners of asceticism often engage in rigorous self-discipline as a means to facilitate their spiritual development. Ascetic practices often involve self-discipline, self-control, and detachment from material desires. For those seeking spiritual growth, asceticism can be a means to develop inner strength, resilience, and a deeper connection with their chosen spiritual path. It can serve as a way to overcome the distractions of materialism and focus on higher truths. However, spiritual growth and self-discipline are not just means to an end in asceticism. They are also seen as essential qualities that are cultivated in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment. By practicing self-discipline, ascetics learn to control their thoughts, emotions, and desires. This allows them to focus their attention on the present moment and cultivate mindfulness, which is essential for spiritual growth. Simplicity and Minimalism Simplicity and minimalism are foundational principles in asceticism, guiding practitioners to lead uncluttered and intentional lives by reducing attachment to material possessions and focusing on what is essential. In a consumer-driven society, asceticism can offer an alternative perspective by encouraging simplicity and minimalism. By reducing material possessions and attachments, individuals can experience greater freedom from the pressures of consumerism, which can lead to a more intentional and meaningful life. Mindfulness and Awareness Mindfulness and awareness are central components of asceticism, playing a significant role in the practices and philosophy of those who embrace this lifestyle. Mindfulness refers to the state of being fully present in the moment, while awareness involves a deeper understanding of one's thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. In asceticism, these qualities are cultivated to enhance spiritual growth and self-realization. Ascetic practices often emphasize being fully present in the moment and cultivating mindfulness. By intentionally simplifying one's life and reducing distractions, individuals can become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. This heightened awareness can lead to greater self-understanding and a deeper appreciation for life. In the context of asceticism, mindfulness and awareness are not just techniques but guiding principles that shape every aspect of an ascetic's life. These practices foster a deep connection with the present moment, self-discovery, and an appreciation for the underlying truths of existence, all of which contribute to the ascetic's pursuit of spiritual growth and enlightenment. Detachment From the Ego Detachment from the ego is a core principle in asceticism, as it involves freeing oneself from the identification with the individual self and its desires. Ascetics practice detachment from the ego to achieve spiritual growth, self-realization, and a deeper understanding of the nature of existence. The ego is the sense of self that is based on identification with thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It is the part of us that craves for pleasure, avoids pain, and clings to things. Asceticism can help us to detach from the ego by teaching us to let go of our attachments and to see ourselves as part of a larger whole. Challenges and Growth Engaging in ascetic practices, whether temporarily or as a way of life, can present challenges that lead to personal growth and transformation. Facing discomfort, overcoming cravings, and navigating the complexities of a simpler lifestyle can foster resilience and inner strength. In essence, the challenges of asceticism are not obstacles to be avoided, but integral parts of the journey toward self-realization and spiritual enlightenment. Each challenge provides an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and the cultivation of qualities that empower ascetics to navigate life with wisdom, compassion, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. Balance and Moderation Asceticism can make you stronger and more resilient, but stoic moderation has proven its timeless and beneficial relevance for humanity through centuries. Don't deprive your body and mind of nutrition, love, and simple pleasures because suffering is not the essence of life. [Suffering's] spirit is a curiosity to examine and learn while taking good care of the essential tools: our physiological bodies and psyche. -- Alex Mos While extreme asceticism might not be suitable for everyone, adopting elements of asceticism can encourage a healthier relationship with material possessions and pleasures. It can promote a balanced approach to life, where individuals enjoy comforts while maintaining a degree of detachment and self-control. Personal Choice The relevance of asceticism ultimately depends on individual values and goals. Some may find fulfillment and purpose in embracing ascetic practices, while others may prioritize different aspects of life. It is essential for each person to evaluate how asceticism aligns with their beliefs and values. In today's fast-paced and materialistic world, the principles of asceticism can offer an alternative perspective that encourages introspection, mindfulness, and a deeper connection with one's inner self. However, the extent to which one incorporates ascetic practices into their life should be a thoughtful and personal decision. Part II: Cultural and Religious Traditions Asceticism holds significance in various cultural and religious traditions around the world. For example, monks, nuns, and spiritual seekers in Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and other faiths often embrace ascetic practices as a means to deepen their connection with the divine and achieve higher states of consciousness. Asceticism has played a significant role in various cultural and religious traditions throughout history. Its relevance can be observed in different ways across different traditions. Here are a few examples: Hinduism: Asceticism is deeply embedded in Hinduism. Renunciants, known as sadhus and sannyasis, detach themselves from material possessions and lead austere lives in pursuit of spiritual realization and liberation (moksha). This practice is rooted in the belief that detachment from worldly desires leads to a deeper understanding of the self and the divine. Buddhism: Asceticism played a pivotal role in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. He initially practiced extreme asceticism before realizing the Middle Way, a balanced path between self-mortification and indulgence. However, ascetic practices such as meditation and monasticism continue to be central to Buddhist teachings, with monks and nuns renouncing worldly attachments to attain enlightenment (nirvana). Christianity: In Christianity, asceticism has taken various forms throughout history. Monasticism, practiced by monks and nuns in secluded communities, involves self-denial and rigorous spiritual discipline. Fasting, prayer, and celibacy are also considered ascetic practices aimed at attaining a closer relationship with God. The Desert Fathers and Mothers of early Christianity are known for their ascetic lifestyles and profound insights. Islam: Islamic asceticism can be seen in practices such as fasting during Ramadan, abstaining from certain foods, and detachment from excessive materialism. Sufism, a mystical dimension of Islam, often emphasizes ascetic practices as a means to purify the soul and draw closer to Allah. Sufi orders may involve vows of poverty and seclusion. Judaism: While not as prominent as in some other traditions, asceticism has appeared in Jewish practices. For example, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, involves fasting and self-reflection. Jewish mysticism, known as Kabbalah, can also involve ascetic practices to attain spiritual insights. Daoism/Taoism: Daoism in China emphasizes living in harmony with the natural order (Dao). While not strictly ascetic, some Daoist practices involve simplicity, meditation, and detachment from desires. The ideal is to align oneself with the flow of nature. Sikhism: Asceticism is not as central in Sikhism as in some other traditions, but there is a tradition of renunciation among Sikhs. Nihangs, a Sikh warrior order, often practice asceticism alongside their martial training. Native and indigenous traditions: In various indigenous cultures, ascetic practices might involve vision quests, fasting, and periods of isolation to connect with spirits, seek guidance, or gain wisdom. The relevancy of asceticism varies within these traditions and has evolved over time due to cultural shifts, social contexts, and individual interpretations. While some practitioners continue to embrace asceticism fervently, others have adopted more flexible approaches that balance spiritual pursuits with engagement in the world. Despite this, the core idea of self-discipline, inner transformation, and detachment from materialism remains significant in many cultural and religious contexts. Conclusion The relevance of asceticism is a complex issue that depends on a variety of factors, including individual values, cultural context, and religious beliefs. While some people may find it to be a valuable tool for spiritual growth, others may find it to be too restrictive or impractical. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to incorporate ascetic practices into one's life is a personal one.

The Rubinshteinic Philosophy On The Night In the heart of all winters lives a throbbing spring, and behind every night, comes a smiling dawn. — Khalil Gibran The night is my favorite time of day. I feel more free at night than at any other time, as long as I don't break the noise laws. For many, the night is a time for hanging out in nightclubs and other recreational places, for sleeping, or for sex. However, for me, it is a time when I can be left alone, undisturbed, and un-interfered with by the outside world. It is a time of blissful, temporary apocalypse in my local region of the world. As if everyone else vanished and I'm the only one alive. No one will complain or invade my privacy as long as I don't break the law (which is applicable almost everywhere and anytime), and as long as I keep my mouth shut so as not to disturb everyone else who is sleeping. Daylight is the atmospheric mask that the sun grants the world. The true colors of space and the appearance of stars only appear when the sun unmasks the world, one time zone at a time, revealing the true colors of the otherworldly reality: dark, empty, and distant from countless other planets by distances unrecognizable by many. Perhaps this reality could be a true analogy to some of our lives. I don't like daytime. It is too bright, too warm, and too civilized. Just as the daytime is the mask of the sun, the External World wishes that you mask the space within you, either partially or completely. It doesn't like the public expression of disturbing truths, and it contains seas of people effortlessly arguing against each other, online or offline, on the untamed exclusivity of the public space; conflicts that are futile and energy-demanding in the long run. But when it's night and most people go to sleep, there is much less conflict, much less pretentiousness, and much less stress. All of these were probably what led Sartre to believe that "Hell is other people," and to many others, such as myself, to either partially or entirely renounce the world in the name of attaining peace and other goals such as enlightenment and mastery of whatever art. For the External World, for many, is but a distraction, an obstacle, that is more in the way than it isn't. The night is like a recurring "free trial" version of what a life of solitude could entail: what does it mean to be within the void while the rest are in another world? It is a presentation in many parts of the globe of silence's relief, with little to no chatter, arguing, or violence, physical or literal. Many people at large contain a basic hypocrisy. They will try to limit others, but dislike being limited themselves by others. This is how unfortunately public spaces work today, under the false belief that many indeed have the legitimacy to limit others, whether they succeed in doing so or not. This is quite sad because much of the world can be more of a democracy, and less of a tyranny of the majority. However, when night comes and you are alone, all of these problems become non-existent. This grants you the freedom, at least temporarily, to be yourself. You can enjoy the relieving silence that you have been expecting since the last time you woke up. The only demand is that you be quiet vocally, just as others are when the law demands it. Finally, the law becomes not just a barrier, but a protector of an enabling deal: the honest social contract that Hobbes believed was the essential reason for the formation of civilization on the ashes of a former anarchy. The contract of blissful solitude is only diminished by the mask-covering-body that is the sun, when it rises once more to commence the unfortunate, noisy necessity of having to live with one another for the sake of the economy and public discussion on things and beings. Many, by the way, are not worth the sacrifice of our serenity. Hopefully, the task that is my life, that my life is for, will finally end, and then I will be able to rest for eternity and peacefully. I do not see that metaphorical rest as exclusively negative. No. I see it as a way to "live" the exact silence I experience when humanity's asleep around me. The freedom from lights, from noise. The freedom that simply allows me to rest, without anything else needed. But until then... Hail Philosocom.

(Philosocom's Directory on Peace) (Philosocom's Subcategory on Aliens and Outer Space) Table of Contents Story Synopsis (G. Grace) The Story Itself (T. Rubinshtein) Personal Insights (T. Rubinshtein) A peaceful man must still know violence, or his peace belongs to whoever threatens it -- Miyamoto Musashi Story Synopsis by Ms. Gabbi Grace "The Peace of the Warrior (A Sci-Fi Fable) -- How Peacefulness is Stained" is a captivating and thought-provoking piece that uses allegory to explore complex themes about peace, conflict, and human nature. The author uses a sci-fi fable to draw readers into a fictional world, making the message memorable and thought-provoking. The fable effectively uses symbolism to explore themes such as the corruption of peace, the dangers of complacency, and the inevitability of conflict. The contrasting characters of the isolationist kingdom and the greedy neighbor serve as metaphors for different societal attitudes toward peace and power. The "Idol of Finance" symbolizes greed and the corrupting influence of wealth, adding depth and nuance to the narrative. The story acknowledges the complexities and paradoxes of pursuing peace in a violent world. The transformation of the peaceful kingdom into a militaristic state is portrayed as both tragic and necessary, suggesting that the path to peace is fraught with moral ambiguity. This complexity encourages readers to think critically about the nature of peace and whether it can truly be maintained without the threat of violence or power. The provocative ending brings the fable into the real world, connecting the fictional narrative to contemporary concerns about toxicity and conflict, both online and offline. Mr. Tomasio raw emotional tone in the final paragraphs adds authenticity to the message, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. The story delves into human psychology, especially in the face of aggression and trauma. It shows how even the most peaceful entities can be forced to adopt aggressive stances to protect themselves, highlighting the fragile and easily corrupted nature of peace. The transformation from a "peaceful monk" mentality to a "vengeful, bloodthirsty crow" underscores the idea that peace is often stained by the necessity of defense and retribution. Overall, "The Peace of the Warrior (A Sci-Fi Fable) -- How Peacefulness is Stained" is a creatively written and thought-provoking piece that serves as a compelling reminder that peace often comes at a cost and that maintaining it requires vigilance and, sometimes, unfortunate compromises. (Background music) The Story Itself There once was a galaxy of interplanetary nations that had just begun interacting with one another and creating both friendships and trade routes. However, some of those nations that were just evolving into the interplanetary state of affairs, both in politics and technology, were often ruthlessly attacked by superior foes for their resources, in the name of the latter's might and dominance in the galaxy. One of the nations in this galaxy was a small, isolationist kingdom that did not want to do anything with the external space beyond their planet's atmosphere. They were a nation of ascetics who wanted to live in peace, unbothered. They even reached a state where not only did they not form relations with other entities in space, but they also refused to colonize, let alone conquer, other planets for their gain. They believed without a doubt that everything they would ever need was already within their reach. The fields, the dense forests, and their mostly environmentally friendly ways of generating energy—these people wanted nothing from others and nothing in return. However, this is where the story escalates. A neighboring planet-nation of warmongering, greedy people decided to take advantage of the short distance between the two nations and loot their peaceful neighbor. Forests were set ablaze, massacres occurred, and the planet's small defense force was easily defeated by the looting invaders, who strategically decided to use this hermit kingdom as their own "piggy bank" by invading and looting it every once in a while to make easy profit. The king of this hermit kingdom furiously decided to do what his advisors were too cowardly to admit themselves... A certain action must be taken. Taken, to ensure both power and peace in a galaxy filled with unknown entities such as their neighbors, who would not likely hesitate to loot or even conquer their sovereign territory. Their small and self-sufficient piece of land in an enormous void of potential. ...A void of potential he was going to make use of. Thus, the Hermit King changed the regime and government type of his kingdom. The peaceful, parliamentary democracy was no more. The citizenry now hailed to a merciless military regime that majorly focused on the might and quantity of its troops and military technology. With the new power in his hands, the Hermit King, now Chief Commander of the Hermit Military Complex forged a fearsome fleet of battleships and attack forces, with the course set to the greedy hostile nation to accomplish their vengeance. Apparently, due to the looter nation's greedy priorities, they had too much money in their vaults and too few defense forces to guard it all. Their planet was practically a nation of hedonistic, slothful workers who praised the Idol of Finance. A relic that corrupts with prosperity and prosperity-related thoughts. And indeed, the vengeful invasion was terribly successful, contrary to the Hermit Ruler's expectations. For the enemy were unaware of the revenge-hungry monster they built with the trauma they inflicted on it, on the nation that was poor and ascetic. With victory in their possession, the former King's only condition to their defeated enemy was the following: that they will leave them alone or pay, next time, with their blood. Little resources were looted during the battle, as they were all burned to the ground, along with the cursed Idol of Finance, and the once-again democratic Hermit Kingdom lived at the peace of their military might. But, they were never as peaceful again, for the mentality of the peaceful monk is now replaced with that of a vengeful, bloodthirsty crow who will do anything it can to burn any opponent who dares become its victim. They will never be the same again, for their peace is forever tarnished by the external universe. **************************** Personal Insights And this is all to provide you with the following insight: There are those who won't leave you alone unless you show some intimidation to preserve your desired serenity in your small corner of the world. It is unfortunate that there are such toxic people out there, but no hope or prayer will necessarily get rid of them from your life. Therefore, you are left with the inevitability of always facing the possibility of adversity, whether online or offline. Those who want to invade and bother your small piece of existence should remind you that you often have to protect yourself and your "tiny land", or your personal presence, in the name of accomplishing extensive peacefulness once more. Take note, also, that no one is truly safe from the threat of toxicity or mockery, especially on the internet, where people are more confident to act in a more vicious manner. Acknowledge my sacrifice to you, by not being a full hermit. I suffered enough. My peace is forever tarnished and tainted. My mentality is broken. You cannot hurt my emotions. They are dead. As such, you cannot hurt what is dead.

(Philosocom's Directory on Happiness) (The Undead Metaphor's Directory: https://www.philosocom.com/post/a-new-type-of-undead-and-my-background-story) (Philosocom Hedonism Directory) The deeper sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain -- Khalil Gibran (Background music) Introduction Joy. The word tastes sweet, a promise of something simple and unburdened. A promise that seems amiss in our world, as we go through our lives concerned about this and that, without really taking satisfaction in what we already have. We think of it as a rush of warmth, an easy, unearned state of being—a child laughing, a lover’s embrace, the sun on your face. And then we have philosophy, a word that tastes like ash and old paper, a pursuit that demands isolation, rigor, and the willingness to tear apart every single assumption that brings you comfort. The two seem like ships passing in the night, never really engaging with one another, like parallel lines. One, a delicate pleasure craft and the other a rust-streaked freighter loaded with the weight of human thought. It's an easy mistake to make, to see philosophy as the antithesis of joy, a joy-killer. After all, philosophy is too complex for most people, you might argue! There is no money in philosophy? What, then, is the worth of philosophy to our time? What if the opposite were true? What if the gritty, difficult work of philosophy is not the end of joy, but its only honest beginning? Clearing Misconceptions The common wisdom is that to think deeply is to suffer. The philosopher is the man who looks behind the curtain and sees the mechanisms and levers, the gears and the mechanical stagehands. He can’t simply enjoy the show because he knows it’s all an illusion. When he knows that, something in him is missing, and he becomes an "undead" of sorts, never truly returning back to his innocent, unquestioning self. The naive, the unthinking masses, they get to be happy. They get to live in their little bubbles of blissful ignorance, while the philosopher is left with the cold, hard, unvarnished truth, left to endure what he has realized. This is a seductive narrative, a seemingly "grandiose" one for those of us who have chosen the difficult path. It paints a picture of a trade-off: comfort for wisdom, joy for understanding. Yet, joy could still be found even amidst the sea of realizations that could change you and your ways, to make you more reclusive and not wanting to partake in a world that you may soon realize is based on corruption, injustice and apathy. And for that, we need to explore the nature of joy. Joy: Being Versus Rush True joy, you see, is not just a feeling. It can also be a prolonged state of being. Because while philosophy is the study of truth, the very act of study is one that could leave you happy and satisfied, without the need to leave the solitude of your home. I myself am doing this for my own pleasure, and the fact that I'm doing it, leaves me satisfied and joyous for the long term. The fleeting, shallow thrills we chase—the new car, the fleeting affection of a stranger, the sugar rush of a well-earned success—these are not joy as a state of being. They are a kind of emotional pornography, a quick, intense hit that leaves you feeling emptier than before. The world, in its constant quest for your attention, offers a thousand tiny pleasures and calls them joy, while in reality, it does nothing but strip away your money for its illusory fun. It asks you to be a perpetual consumer, an addicted passenger on a roller coaster of highs and lows. Is it truly fun to be an addict? To constantly depend yourself on the tyranny of temporary rushes? What if there is an alternative to when the ride stops? A long term one? Because without the long term state of joy, what actually happens when the ride stops? What happens when the new car rusts, the lover leaves, and the rush of sugar wears off? You are left with the cold, unyielding silence of your own mind. Indeed, what the consumer world offers is nothing more than an escape from a void you should have the responsibility to take care of by the strength of your own power! The Role of Philosophy in Making You Happier This is where philosophy comes in, not as an enemy of joy, but as a surgeon. It takes a scalpel to your beliefs, your desires, your entire self-conception. It asks you to examine the source of your so-called happiness. It forces you to confront the fact that most of what you think you want is simply what the collective has told you to want. not necessarily what you want, deep down. And as such, you are left to live life without knowing what makes you happy, what makes you satisfied, surviving day by day, waiting for the next rush. Philosophy is a dismantling act of brutal honesty that can be terrifying, but one that, after its conception, can leave you truly satisfied with what you have. For in this process of deconstruction, you are clearing the ground of the very unquestioned assumptions that keeps you moving in a life that is not necessarily worth living -- which can be defined as a life that doesn't make you truly joyous. With philosophy, you are breaking down the fragility of the uncaring matrix, the joyless structures of inherited wants, allowing you to start building something more real, something that can make you not simply live life, but desire life as well. Such satisfaction can only be found once you work on yourself, once you start questioning the life you're living, then shall begin a journey of discovery, whose end can yield a life truly worth living -- a one of lasting joy, that depends itself not on rushes, but on long-term pursuits, which can make you feel like you're doing something truly remarkable; not merely something that brings food to the table, but one that engages with your passions, and makes you feel truly alive. The joy that emerges from this process is not the fleeting high of the unquestioning consumer. It is the steady, quiet satisfaction of a person that creates his own way, and lives on his own terms. It’s the peace that comes from knowing and discerning, what is truly brings you happiness, and what does not. It is the resilience that comes from confronting the meaninglessness of the universe and deciding, with conscious effort, to carve your own meaning, and thus live a life worth living. This joy is not a gift from the outside world; it is a fortress you build yourself, brick by philosophical brick. The world can throw its disappointments, its tragedies, its inevitable chaos at you, but the foundation you've laid will not crumble, allowing you to be happy no matter where you are, or what the state of the world is. This is the hidden contract of the philosophical life: You give up the cheap thrills, the effortless, ignorant bliss of the unexamined life, in exchange for a joy that is more difficult to acquire but impossible to lose! It’s the joy of the man or woman who knows why they believe what they believe, and stands firm on that, with the power gained by the knowledge that allowed them to carve their own happiness in the world. It’s the satisfaction of the woman who has built her character not on the shifting sands of popular opinion, but on the bedrock of her own reason. It is the quiet, unbreakable contentment of living a life that is truly, deeply your own; not a life meant for an uncaring society. Conclusion So, don't be fooled by the laughter of those who haven’t looked. Their joy is as fragile as a soap bubble. Once their rush is taken away from them, they would be left miserable. They are running from the very thing that could give them true peace, because true, inner peace is gained by the hard work of philosophy. The relationship, then, between philosophy and joy is not one of opposition; it is one of alchemy. It is that of cause and effect, of synergy. Philosophy is the very journey in which long term happiness can be found at its end. It is a journey not offered by any caterer, but by one that requires you to be a truth seeker. Philosophy takes the base metal of human confusion and fear and, with time, discipline, and a little brutal honesty, transmutes it into the only joy that is worth having: the joy of the conscious, self-made soul.

The world's oldest profession is selling oneself. Confusing this with prostitution is an equally ancient misconception. — Albert Camus (Background music) Introduction The transition from youth to adulthood is frequently characterized as a process of systematic disillusionment. In informal terms, adulthood is viewed as the ultimate "crusher of dreams." From a structural and economic perspective, however, this transition is simply the exact point where boundless, idealistic possibilities slam face-first into the unyielding laws of resource scarcity and transactional survival. For the independent creator, writer, or philosopher, navigating this landscape introduces a profound existential friction: the choice between chasing intrinsic intellectual desires and fulfilling the market demands required to maintain basic physical infrastructure. To understand this friction, one must analyze the cold mechanics of market conformity, the transactional nature of civil society, and the true price of intellectual freedom. 1. The Transactional Imperative: Why Markets Penalize Raw Desire The fundamental architecture of human civilization dictates a simple economic reality: survival requires energy, and in a specialized society, energy is bartered through currency. The default economy does not possess an aesthetic conscience, a moral compass, or an intrinsic appreciation for deep thought. It operates purely as a transactional mechanism driven by consumer utility and friction reduction. To extract capital from this matrix, an individual must conform to the law of market exchange: [Individual Creative Output] ---> [Market Filter: Does this solve immediate consumer friction?] | +-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | (YES) (NO) v v [Capital Influx & Visibility] [Economic Starvation & Obscurity] In this framework, an operator is not paid for the intrinsic value of their soul, the depth of their insights, or the purity of their intentions. They are compensated strictly for their capacity to cater to the pre-existing wants, needs, and systemic cravings of a target demographic. To achieve mass market profitability and high visibility, a creator must mold their output to fit the prevailing algorithms, cultural trends, and low-friction consumption habits of the public. Consequently, the pursuit of mass commercial success inherently requires the sacrifice of uncompromised personal autonomy. 2. The Great Trade-Off: Profitability vs. Sovereignty When an individual chooses to step outside this transactional loop, refusing to pander to mass market tastes, simplify complex realities, or commodify their worldview for advertising revenue, the system reacts with cold mathematical indifference. The denial of commercial capitulation results in an immediate reduction in market visibility and financial return. For the independent philosopher or writer, this is not a systemic failure; it is a calculated transaction. Operating a platform or body of work under conditions of strict independence requires a conscious assessment of the corporate ledger. Operational Dimension The Conventional Path (Market Conformity) The Sovereign Path (Principled Independence) Primary Objective Maximization of capital, metrics, and visibility. Preservation of structural and intellectual truth. Systemic Cost Self-censorship; alignment with algorithmic trends. Chronic low profitability; localized obscurity. Cognitive Yield High financial security at the expense of mental freedom. Complete intellectual liberty; pristine self-ownership. Long-Term Asset Status Fragile; entirely dependent on platform monopolies. Durable; an uncorrupted, self-sustained legacy. Choosing the sovereign path means recognizing that low profitability and limited visibility are not signs of defeat. Instead, they are the precise transaction fees required to purchase absolute mental liberty. 3. The Fallacy of Forced Catering The common narrative of modern adulthood insists that a person must completely abandon their inner light to keep the external lights burning. Society frames the subjugation of personal desire to corporate interest as the ultimate sign of maturity. This perspective assumes that a human being is merely a passive economic unit whose primary function is to reproduce, consume, and serve the existing social architecture. However, treating adulthood as a mandatory dream-crusher overlooks the viability of principled non-conformity. While it is true that one must cater to others' needs to secure conventional wealth, it is equally true that one can choose to scale down their material requirements to protect their creative sovereignty. The Sovereign's Declaration True maturity is not found in surrendering your ambitions to a corrupt, transactional realm. It is found in looking at the terms of service of the default world, calculating the exact cost of non-conformity, and willingly paying that tax in the currency of popularity and luxury to ensure your mind remains entirely your own. Refusing to transform your worldview into a commercial product protects your work from the distorting effects of market optimization. It prevents an independent platform from becoming just another node in the network of algorithmic feudalism. 4. The Functional Value of an Unbought Mind When a thinker decouples their internal fulfillment from market validation, they gain a major strategic advantage over the mass of conforming creators: Immunity to Algorithmic Shadow-Banning: A platform funded by corporate entities or dependent on advertiser approval must continuously monitor its boundaries to avoid violating shifting terms of service. An unbought platform answers to no shareholders, enabling it to broadcast raw, uncompromised reality. Trans-Historical Durability: Work tailored to satisfy the immediate, superficial cravings of a contemporary audience degrades rapidly over time. Conversely, philosophy forged in deep isolation, unburdened by commercial trends, retains its structural relevance across centuries. The Integrity of the Archive: By maintaining an independent perimeter, the writer ensures that their life’s work remains an untainted monument of authentic human intellect. It serves as a rare, clear mirror in a digital landscape increasingly saturated with synthetic noise and corporate propaganda. Conclusion: The Final Balance of the Ledger Ultimately, the logic of the independent path is ironclad. You cannot violate market principles and expect market rewards; conversely, the market cannot exploit an operator who refuses to crave its validation. Adulthood does not have to be a blind crusher of dreams. It can be transformed into the ultimate forge of character, provided one is willing to accept a lean, deliberate, and highly focused lifestyle. By choosing to run a micro-enterprise or an independent platform at the cost of commercial visibility, you are trading superficial applause for an unassailable citadel of self-determination. The default world will continue to demand compliance, chasing what keeps the external lights on while letting its internal lights burn out. However, inside the sovereign coordinates of an uncompromised life, the infrastructure is secure, the chores of daily survival are cleanly met, and the intellect remains entirely unowned, operating strictly on its own terms.

(Background music) For a great intelligence and a deep heart, pain and suffering are always inevitable. Truly great men, I think, must have a great sorrow on earth. -- Fyodor Dostoevsky Even with all the material prosperity many of us have, that prosperity alone is more often than not insufficient to make us truly happy. And that does not only apply to material prosperity -- but we can also have many friends, a loving partner, a happy, sustained family -- and still, the presence of suffering, whether grave or small, may still be present. If all of our various fortunes do not grant us the full elimination of suffering from our lives, what does? The truth about suffering is that nothing guarantees you that you will never suffer again, regardless of where you are in your life and regardless of how fortunate you have become thus far. That is because, as long as the mind is not at rest, AKA, in peace, the presence of suffering isn't likely to go away anytime soon. This is but one of the reasons I do not wish to have anything else that the orthodox lifestyle "wants" me to -- because none of what it actually offers, actually guarantees one's peace of mind. And the source of suffering, present in some of us, the thing that keeps the mind away from being at peace while among the living, is simply the feeling of frustration, the exact feeling that tells you that you do not have whatever you seek, either by desire or by need. Even if you will find what you seek, you will resume suffering, once you'll have a new ambition in mind. Drinking water is also an ambition, and yet it is a necessary one, isn't it? Suffering is necessary to an extant when it drives you to continue living. As such, some suffering is good for you. Good for you, because it compels you to live. Bad for you, when it does not match your ambitions. Bad, when you have no use for it. By being hungry, thirsty, cold, and so on, the body is frustrated because it desires something that it does not have. This frustration can lead to restlessness, even if one cannot do anything about it at the moment. Without frustration, both the body and mind can find the long-term serenity they are looking for, and thus get rid of suffering at least temporarily, but as long as possible. Some serenity is bad for you when it goes against your interests. If you are in great danger, there is no reason to be in peace if you want to survive that danger. You need to be on high alert, even stressed, to resolve the situation, and survive. The same goes for fear. Our own frustration can be delusional. The fact that one wants a certain car does not mean they will be at peace once they have it. Eventually, they will become accustomed to the car's existence in their lives, and thus the cycle of suffering will begin once more to haunt us until the next short-term gratification. Happiness is not bought with things that make you grow accustomed to them. Search your feelings, you know it to be true. The key to overcoming this constant stream of frustration and suffering is to learn how to gather the mental fortitude required for giving up on things we don't actually need to both survive and prosper in this world. When we are able to better control ourselves, the addiction that fuels this stream will slowly but gradually cease to exist, thus making us free from it. The maturity of being able to live with what we have or with what we are able to afford for ourselves is more important than some might think. Settling the mind is like settling the stomach: once we put a stop to our gluttony, we will become less hungry. Likewise, once we learn to embrace the things we already have and at least moderate our consumption, our mind's frustrated hunger will be better tamed as well. Many might disagree with me, but I believe the modern world is built on our frustration. This is because that is the way we pay for various products and services. We may even give up on our privacy just for products. Companies are at their best when they are able to provide their customers with whatever they lack. Whether that is about hunger or about sports cars, consumerism is optimally converted into profit once the customers' "pains" are "healed," at least for the time being. It is within the interest of companies that you suffer, so you will use their services again, to restore your peace of mind, in a way that is indefinite. Otherwise companies will run out of business. It is within the interest of fast food corporations that you eat their junk food, so they make it very tasty at the cost of your health. They create a cycle of suffering in your mentality because that cycle is profitable for them. You can of course eat healthier food but it will not be as gratifying as junk food. Your desire for junk food will make you suffer once it is strong enough to compel you to buy it. And it is the interest of corporations that you buy their products time and time again. As a coffee addict I am well aware of that. I have dark circles under my eyes from not sleeping enough. Whether products are legitimate or scams, what is clear is that, while money "makes the world go around," what makes us give over our money is simply our very own unrest. Unrest calls for action. And calling for action is what the customer needs to do to be one in the first place. For a truly satisfied life, frustration should be reduced as much as possible. However, we shouldn't give up on things we need to promote ourselves and our self-actualization for. It's why advertising ourselves is necessary. We shouldn't submit completely like a slave to our desires, but we shouldn't live like addicts with extra money to spare, either. We ought to actualize ourselves as much as we can, while not becoming pure ascetics who spend their lives without the productivity of their personal skills. Capitalism compels us to not be too ascetic if we want to survive in its system. Thus, by becoming moderate in our consumption and by contributing to the world altogether, we can both actualize ourselves and be less frustrated. This will allow us to finally achieve the peace of mind many of us were looking for, for so long. A peace of mind that combines satisfaction with the ability to refuse short-term pleasures that only make us more and more addicted. Financial materialism is in the end futile, because we do not seek what we think we seek upon purchasing something. Rather, we seek a vision of a situation with that thing included in it. All of our fantasies, regardless of whether they are realistic or pompous, are but visions we associate with emotions, rather than fantasies whose emotions are embedded within them. In other words, we may think we will get what we desire, but we are buying it under the assumption that our vision will be fulfilled. It's only an assumption. Since we cannot directly control our emotions, nor command them by will, should a fantasy actually come true, nothing guarantees the emotions of excitement, pride, and so on will actually carry on for that fantasy's reminder. By "fantasy" I refer to the ideal of the purchase and not to something that is necessarily non-existent in reality. Do you wish to live in a place like the Maldives? Eventually, you will begin to associate that country as your home, and thus the excitement of a new, heavenly place will eventually cease to exist. This is also the problem in the world of romance: one of the most important challenges of a relationship is what the couple will do once the spark that ignited their love has expired. What will you do then, in a world where around half of married couples today are getting divorced? Because the search for all things new will only reward us for the short-term each time we achieve them, the most rational solution for a life well lived is a life where you have the ability to settle down and say: "I am content with what I already have, and even if there are small things I buy every now and then, I am content with my life in general, and will be willing to try and stay within them instead of running from the inevitability of habit." And as long as I am a philosopher I will always be unsatisfied in my field of self-taught expertise because I intertwined it with my own mental survival. There is only improvement or there will be death for me. I utilized philosophy to survive better by constantly being on the move for the next article to write, revamp or receive. I have no regrets, for I have no desire to succumb to the darkness within me. Some may deem philosophy as frustrating and thus unnecessary. I deem philosophy frustrating because I deem it necessary. Necessary to trouble myself with problems and making critiques so I could serve humanity and thus give myself purpose. Intellects are not good with people. They most often than not have poor social skills due to who they are. I have no reason to bother fitting in after being rejected by many people. So, I purposefully choose to suffer by being alive. And the only way I will be of importance to most of you is through philosophy. And yes, philosophy isn't meant to be enjoyed, traditionally. Eventually, I began writing and revamping my articles regardless of whether I enjoy it or not. As such, unlike many of you, I do not mind suffering anymore. And don't want to live a life free of suffering. That is a fantasy. Deep inside I just want to be of worth to people who are more than the Rubinshtein Clan. And I succeeded. Philosophy saved my life when I was in existential despair, more than a decade ago. Now, philosophy made me relevant. I have no reason to give up on life because of agony. With philosophy the world is mine. With philosophy, I proved her wrong! There is this fear of what we may call "compromise," of not giving in to certain temptations that give us short-term excitements; a fear of not being able to live that version of life that we see in movies, where there are plenty of adventures, dramas, and excitements. Your fear of suffering, or desire to reduce it to a minimum, prevents you to become the best version of yourself. Because that version will only be earned through hardship. Accept suffering, and do not cower. Accept suffering and the world will be yours. Review by Mr. M. Svartgold Mr. Tomasio was right. Prosperity alone doesn't bring happiness, necessarily. Yet, it does make life easier. It gives you a better standing in society. It helps with health problems. I've thought a lot about suffering. It's a strange thing. Sometimes, it comes from money troubles. Sometimes, it's the feeling of being a failure. It's the gap between what you have and what you want. How much you can handle. I think suffering can be good. It can push you to do better, to make the right choices. Like with junk food. I know it's bad for me, but that suffering helps me stay away from it. People are harder. I'm afraid of them. But I have to work. To grow. To be around them. It's tough, but it's necessary.

We take the base word with eccentric meaning away from the normal. I see life way more differently than most people do. [Eccentricity] could also [be taken] as any perspective on reality that isn't the normal. -- Mr. Nathan Lasher Eccentricity is not, as dull people will have us believe, a form of madness -- Edith Sitwell (Philosocom's Hidden Logic Systems Directory) (Background music) Based on my personal experiences as someone on the spectrum, I have found out that there are two types of norms in existence: Norms that "everyone" recognizes and norms that only one or a few truly recognize. The first type is obvious. Because when you're in society or a community, there must be some guidelines to accept or at least be aware of, from the law to unwritten social codes. Although not "everyone" will be aware of them, the majority of people are well aware of them as if it's something that exists within them. The second type of norm, however, must exist under one condition. That the eccentric person or group be so embedded within them, they won't be aware that they are different. This is why I will call them, the hidden norms. Norms that the individual is aware of in his or her own life but others, due to lack of exposure, may not. Now, allow me to use myself as an example once more, not to glorify myself by any means, but to just present the point at hand and no further. For me, leading a solitary life is something I consider to be absolutely normal, as well as sacrificing my life for writing philosophy and little else. In other cases, like in the story "Insanity on America's Beach", the two protagonists are interrogated at a beach by two cops, merely for being dressed differently. For them, however, it is completely normal to walk in such a place in camouflage attire and boots. However, the rest of the visitors saw them as suspicious, the cops included. They, however, had no regard for the norms because they followed their own, eccentric norms. It may sound oxymoronic, but norms can simply be regarded as codes of conduct. In general, norms can be regarded as a part of ethics, and of course, ethics is a part of philosophy as the field asks how we should live and behave. Norms are, therefore, a field that not asks but tells us how we should behave in a society. The eccentric individual or people have their own norms, consistent or flawed as the norms of the majority of people. Obviously, if we are to take the "eagle's eye" and look at my life from afar, then surely, this is not normal orthodoxically. It is not normal to be almost without friends; it is not normal to live like a hermit, or own a massive philosophy blog in your mid 20's. However, because these habits are so embedded within myself, I find it completely normal to lead the life I'm currently leading, even though, from a general viewpoint, that is not the case at all. The point of this article is to show you the impact of "hidden norms". When you are so embedded within your own "autism" (not the condition, but within your own "bubble"), a distance will be created, between the eccentric and those who view this eccentric fellow or fellows. As I have witnessed, the distant eccentric man or woman can become unaware of how eccentric they are, to the point where they consider themselves to be, more or less, "normal". Like with others, the eccentric may also take things for granted, and that includes their own eccentricity. That's how people normalize things, including the flaws of human reality. What leads to the acceptance of norms is socialization, the lifelong process that adjusts the individual to their respective society or community. However, the thing that stays underrated is the fact that when one is in solitude, this process resumes in their own mind, based on the things they do for fun, for work, or for whatever. In other words, socialization is not only between the self and others but also between the self and themselves. That is because we do not live in a vacuum and the influence of human interaction remains in our minds, as it resumes to shape it even in solitude. That is especially true when your memory is good as mine, because we are very much influenced by memories as well, and in a way, define us. Hence why memory is "sacred". This is why, when my neighbours' guests are amused to find out about my solitude, they wonder whether or not I'm truly happy and content, living in my own hermitage. That is because a split has been created, between the socialization of the local culture, and the socialization one has between themselves! Because of that, the rarer case of "hidden norms" is created. Because the first embraces them naturally, while the rest are not even aware of said norms, as they are not within the eccentric's company, so they can't witness this "split" happening and unfolding. I've detached myself from my local society on purpose, so I could focus on my work on Philosocom. It reached to a point where I am not familiar with my own country's geographic locations within, as well as its local culture and politics. I have no use for such local details because I am writing for the international world, and not to my local countrymen and countrywomen. It isn't exactly normal to do it, correct? But I have no regard for a set of norms that are trying to bring down people like me and prevent one from becoming the best version of themselves. As a result of the "split effect", you see, a large gap has been created between my own perception and others' perception of me. In my own eyes, I'm just a philosophical writer who wants to serve the world and fulfil the void I feel within me. I've been called a "Master-Philosopher", a "Professor", and even a "Doctor" once, even though I have only a minor academic education. One of this site's readers, who is a numerologist, is using me for their mystical research. A shrink I once met told me I'm a "genius," and so on. But the thing is, I don't really know if I'm any of these things. I'm not as arrogant as some people may think. I'm just a solitary, neurodivergent fellow who is looking for purposefulness in this seemingly hollow existence. This is why I made this site, and this is why I'm writing so much. The "glory" is just something I carry along the way, not the goal. As a result of my own "autistic bubble", and my "hidden norms," I have distanced myself from fully understanding how I look in the eyes of others. That is the drawback of being so embedded within developing and refining your own work, to the point you're becoming less and less connected to others. I don't know how many of you can relate, because a life of solitude is not something people usually seek intentionally, let alone, love it. But, I at least hope I've revealed how the world looks in my eyes -- a hollow, noisy place where I don't necessarily have anything in common with. It isn't because I want to be special, but because I am an outsider due to disabilities and eccentricity. Perhaps you have a person like that in your life. A person so secluded within them that you don't know what's going on with them. I wager, at least, that they are having their own "socialization", due to the "split effect" between them and the rest of the world. That was the case with a late ancestor of mine. Unawareness is the root of this article's idea. It might not be as solvable as one might think.

Article Synopsis by Mr. O. C. Isaac and Co. "Trying to Understand Moral Depravity in Today's World" is a thought-provoking article by Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein that explores contemporary moral standards. The author's personal anecdotes and candid observations add depth and authenticity to the discussion, making it more relatable and engaging for readers. The article's strengths include its personal engagement, clear articulation of concerns, call for self-improvement, cross-cultural reflection, and inclusion of a French translation by Mr. Roland Leblanc. In conclusion, "Trying to Understand Moral Depravity in Today's World" is a heartfelt and reflective piece that tackles significant issues in contemporary society. Mr. Rubinshtein's commitment to personal growth and moral integrity sets a positive example for readers. ************************ The nature of proud and vile men is to show themselves insolent in prosperity and abject and humble in adversity. — Niccolò Machiavelli (Background music) Moral depravity can simply be defined as the abandonment of traditional values in exchange for new ones, or the absence of any values whatsoever. As many can clearly tell, modernity has led to a rapid change of customs. It resulted in a rejection of tradition in favor of other values like innovation, modernity, individualism, and so on. It appears as if the interconnected world is getting more and more morally deprived. The instant ways in which information is getting to us across the world, can mean that the local, traditional influence becomes less and less relevant. To pass the time, small children are addicted to their screens. Pornography is free and abundant like a fresh river; intimate parts of the body are spoken publicly and regularly. There's no subtext in this; I'm simply stating my impressions of the contemporary world. Seeing how certain activities become the norm, like twerking, is very embarrassing to me. Sure, it's a form of dance, but why must I see it? Why must others see it? What are the intentions, other than getting some clout? Social media seems to design our mentality, even if we are unaware of it. Some people will do anything for attention, including very embarrassing things, call it "content" (which it is), and upload it for all to see. (Not necessarily for humorous reasons, but simply to give others quick gratification.) Many of us have debased the morals of the more traditional world. We no longer dress in respectable clothing. We wear childish clothing that exposes much of our skin. We no longer wear ties, sleeved shirts, or dresses. We externalize everything so naturally, and it has become the norm. Men talk openly about their penises, and women talk openly about their periods. The bedroom is no longer one's most private quarters. It is open to anyone with internet access by consent. I fell for such norms as well. However, when I remember my grandparents, those who are deceased and those who still live, I yearn for a world I was never in. I yearn for a world where people would dress and speak respectfully; where pornography would not be as accessible, even to juveniles; where people would respect not only others but themselves as well. I walked into a store one day to buy a piece of clothing for someone. That store was apparently a luxurious one. However, it had no fancy clothing, only sports clothes. Sweatshirts and the like. Such basic clothing was, for some reason, expensive, as if it sold formal wear. I was very disappointed to see how such a thing as casual clothing turned out to be overpriced. And maybe it does say something about the contemporary world. Maybe we, as a whole, glorify the casual; we glorify the common, the earthly, the shallow, and the simple. Now I think I understand why philosophy is minimized by some... I theorize that we, as a species, became mentally lazy. So lazy that we praise fictional characters such as the Joker, who rejected all values and lives for anarchism; so lazy that books and articles were outdone by short posts and TikTok videos. It is very disappointing to see how people prefer to just post on their social media and not really explore the massive vault of information that is the internet. As a blogger, I found out that, generally, people don't even like to click on links. They would prefer reading a post on a social network instead. As we glorify the lazy and the casual, we sacrifice other values in exchange. Cognitive skills, such as long-range thinking: why think too much when we can "be like water" and focus on the present moment? Ascetic values, such as self-discipline. Why do you think we have an overweight epidemic? Because we generally reject asceticism in favor of hedonism and are thus surprised when we gain a significant amount of weight. Many more examples can be given of how the casual and the lazy/comfortable change our mentality and deprive us of our own traditional codes. I'm not even discussing religion in this, because the religious can be similarly depraved nowadays. Atheists can be self-respecting, moral beings as well. If you want to better understand the morality that's discussed, I recommend watching the Godfather movie adaptations. The first crime movie in it, was full of the lawfully depraved, but they had a code of honor of their own. They weren't senseless killers who would do things on a whim. They were rational, calculated human beings. They wore suits and ties and spoke like true politicians. Politicians also seem to be depraved, regardless of their alignment. They lie constantly, divide their nations, and speak informally as well. Allow me to summarize this piece by making an apology. I apologize to everyone who felt cringed and felt embarrassed; I apologize for speaking too personally, other than to serve as an example of my philosophy. I apologize if I disrespected others when it was not necessary at all. I wish to rid myself of this moral depravity. I cannot change the world, but I can see in myself the change I want to see in it. I want to strive to become more honourable and noble. Not by blood or by appreciation, but by character. I wish to become a more moral being, simply by being more serious, formal, and self-respecting. I am Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein, a gentleman-in-training. Since I want to leave a worthy inheritance to my future successors, I will respect them by respecting myself more. I do not want them to be embarrassed by my awkwardness. I want to prove to them and to you that I am not morally depraved. Not like porn stars, not like people who sell their dignity for some social media clout! To be a better man, I believe, I must see myself above this. Not only for myself, but for you, as well. To lead by example! To walk the talk! My rationale comes from this basic premise: The fact that something is socially desired, does not mean it deserves conformity, nor following. I might eventually write about how to be a gentleman. I'll try studying it. In the meantime, remember this: Anyone can be a gentleman, not only men. We can all ascend beyond ourselves by conquering our unwise urges. And remember: When it comes to ethical conduct: Moral improvement and self-respect are universal goals applicable to all genders. -- Mr. Ogbule Chibuzo Isaac

(Background music) Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does -- William James The Weight of a Broken Horizon To look out at the modern world is to witness a matrix running a self-destructive script. Between the relentless cycles of geopolitical conflict, systemic instability, and a global economy driven by an extractive, profit-at-all-costs architecture, it is easy to conclude that the macro environment is fundamentally fractured. For the thinking individual, watching this unfold from a distance doesn't just cause fatigue; it breeds a profound sense of existential paralysis. When the systems around us appear to be sliding toward an inevitable crash, the sheer scale of the chaos makes any attempt at macro-level intervention feel utterly futile. How does a single person fight global greed? How do you stop a war from your desk? The short answer is you don't. When the horizon is beyond repair, the human mind naturally experiences a crisis of meaning. If the world cannot be fixed, we ask ourselves, what is the point of our individual effort? The mistake lies in our optics. We have been conditioned to believe that to matter, our actions must be grand, visible, and global. But true systemic resilience does not scale from the top down; it builds from the bedrock up. This is the foundation of Micro-Rectification, which is the radical, stubborn realization that maintaining the absolute integrity of your own immediate perimeter is, in its most authentic form, a localized way of repairing the universe. The Existential Axis: Existence Precedes Meaning At its core, Micro-Rectification is an existentialist doctrine. It operates on the fundamental truth that existence precedes meaning. We are dropped into a cold, silent, and chaotic universe without a pre-written script or a built-in purpose. The cosmos does not owe us stability, nor does it inherently care about our peace. If meaning is to exist at all, it must be aggressively invented and fiercely protected by the individual. Without the conscious responsibility of giving meaning to our immediate existence, the world defaults to a state of hollow entropy. When external structures fail and the noise outside becomes deafening, the existentialist does not despair over the emptiness. Instead, they realize that a blank canvas offers total sovereignty. If the universe has no inherent order, it means it cannot dictate who you are behind your own walls. The order you cultivate within your sanctuary, your ethics, your discipline, your loyalty, is not a set of rules imposed upon you by a broken world. It is a masterpiece you are actively constructing out of the void. Meaning begins where your physical reach ends: at the edge of your personal perimeter. The Sovereignty of the Perimeter Micro-Rectification demands a radical shrinking of the map. When the macro world becomes volatile, attempting to absorb and process the entire global narrative is a tactical error. It drains your cognitive reserves and floods your nervous system with stagnant anxiety. The first step of rectification is to declare absolute jurisdiction over your immediate coordinates. You cannot force the global matrix to heal, but you have absolute sovereignty over your immediate environment. Your room, your routines, and your mind constitute a closed loop where the outside chaos holds no leverage. Think of your immediate space, your home, your study, your hermitage, not as a place of passive hiding, but as a bunker of active preservation. Inside this perimeter, you establish the law. If the world outside is dishonest, your perimeter remains truthful. If the world outside is frantic and profit-driven, your perimeter remains deliberate and grounded in intrinsic value. By keeping your immediate environment clean, provisioned, and organized, you are preserving a baseline of sanity. When you maintain personal hygiene, brew a morning coffee, take your medication, or lock down your evening routine, you are executing a series of micro-victories. These are not trivial chores; they are tactical maintenance protocols designed to protect the most valuable asset you have: your mind. The Fractal Effect: Reducing Systemic Entropy To understand why Micro-Rectification is a legitimate form of global repair, one must look at the world through the lens of a fractal. A fractal is a complex geometric pattern where each individual part, no matter how small, precisely mirrors the structure of the whole. The global population is not a detached, abstract entity; it is a massive mosaic composed of billions of individual coordinates. When a single coordinate succumbs to panic, despair, or chaos, it injects a measurable amount of entropy into the total system. Conversely, when you successfully stabilize your own coordinate, you deny fuel to the global fire. By outlasting a wave of loneliness, sitting through confinement without cracking, and regulating your own nervous system, you ensure that your specific square footage of the universe is not contributing to the collective decay. You become a localized zone where the storm is simply not allowed to win. Furthermore, a secure perimeter creates a stable launchpad for the non-transactional alliances that actually matter. Because your internal space is grounded, you possess the emotional bandwidth to show up for the people within your inner circle. Your loyalty to a partner, your meaningful conversations with a parent, and your commitment to doing good within your immediate community are entirely non-market actions. They carry no profit margin, yet they possess infinite value. These genuine connections form a ripple effect, stabilizing the coordinates adjacent to yours. The Practice of the Sentinel: Outlasting the Noise Executing Micro-Rectification requires adopting the mindset of a sentinel. A sentinel does not leave their post to chase the storm; they stand firm, monitor the horizon, and ensure their defensive lines remain unyielding. This requires mastering the art of emotional habituation. When friction, isolation, or room fatigue inevitably creep in, the untrained mind panics, seeking immediate escape or distraction. The sentinel understands that stress operates on a predictable curve. By choosing to sit still and endure the discomfort rather than fighting it, you strip the anxiety of its power. You prove to your nervous system that the walls around you are a shield, not a prison. The Operational Directives of Micro-Rectification: Isolate the Input: Monitor the news and the macro world from a conscious, tactical distance. Do not allow the cynical architecture of global profiteering to dictate your daily emotional baseline. Maintain the Infrastructure: Treat daily discipline, hygiene, nutrition, sleep, and order, as non-negotiable mission parameters. A fractured mind cannot maintain a stable perimeter. Honor the Core Alliances: Protect and nurture the select bridges you keep open to the outside world. True human connection is the ultimate anchor against existential drift. Accept the Stagnant Hours: Recognize that loneliness and quiet are not signs of failure; they are the natural weather patterns of a solitary life. Outlast them with quiet endurance. The Ultimate Rebellion The world may very well continue to run its self-destructive algorithm. It may spin its wheels, driven by greed and conflict, until it triggers its own systemic crash. However, Micro-Rectification dictates that you do not owe a broken system your despair, nor do you owe it your compliance. Choosing to cultivate order, peace, and unwavering ethics within your own room is the ultimate form of quiet rebellion. It is a stubborn, sovereign refusal to let the chaos outside overwrite the code inside your mind. You do not need to fix the entire globe to justify your existence. By maintaining your perimeter, safeguarding your loved ones, and radically choosing to create meaning out of the silence, you have already begun the work of rectifying the world. One coordinate at a time, the line is held.

"This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi. It will soon see the end of the Rebellion". -- Darth Vader Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things -- Arthur Schopenhauer (Philosocom's directory on death: https://www.philosocom.com/post/defining-death) (Philosocom Directory on Numbers) (Background music) The Mathematics of Attachment Every bond you forge in this world is bound by a finite timeline. Everything you choose to attach yourself to will inevitably end—either with your demise, or with its own. Therefore, when attachment is chosen, you are mathematically choosing future grief. Whether one chooses to adopt an animal or enter into a marriage, the underlying equation remains the same: you are choosing to love an entity whose ultimate absence will cause a structural fracture in your life, unless your own mortality precedes theirs. This is the inescapable architecture of existence. Even the most enduring emotional connections will be dismantled by the death of at least one participant. In the evident absence of biological immortality, choosing to love is simultaneously choosing the inevitable reality of heartbreak. Every finite conclusion is painful, and yet, there is no physical entity that cannot come to an end. Choose your loyalty, and the finite nature of reality will eventually repossess it. We are entirely powerless against this universal law. The Futility of Rebellion and the Logic of Acceptance Whether it is lovers, friends, or family—if they do not depart through treachery or circumstance, they will depart through the absolute certainty of time. All organic beings are programmed to wither, and there is no intervention that can permanently prevent this. When we accept this reality, we can calibrate our lives to operate within it. The fear of abandonment is simply the fear of an event that is already scheduled to occur. Why should we allow the inevitable to paralyze us when we have zero operational control over it? Death is the ultimate equalizer; it will eventually force everyone to forsake us, demanding its exact toll in grief. It is, therefore, futile to rebel against mortality under the delusion that we can overthrow its jurisdiction. Because there is no eternity in the physical world, attachment is not merely a source of temporary joy; it is the absolute origin of future suffering. If you wish to decrease your grief, you must strategically decrease your attachment to entities you do not fundamentally need. To indiscriminately shower the world with unshielded emotion is to guarantee that you will eventually be left drowning in sorrow when those external variables are removed. The Volatility of Emotion vs. The Longevity of Logos Because I am highly attuned to this reality, I have engineered a path of calculated detachment. Disappointment has been successfully relegated to a distant anomaly. This awareness extends beyond personal relationships; I understand that nothing, not even the memory of my own existence, can permanently escape the tide of time. Therefore, meaning based on human emotion is a volatile and highly combustible resource. It burns brightly but is prone to sudden extinguishment. Chasing it is a mathematically flawed strategy, one that inevitably leaves the individual fractured. Rational meaning, on the other hand, is best when engineered for the long-term. If you construct a purpose that extends beyond your own lifespan, you secure a sustainable power source that will yield satisfaction for the remainder of your operational days. This is exactly why romantic love must be secondary, and lifelong, objective work must be primary. This is the rationale behind living for the work, rather than working to live. Any organizational structure based purely on emotion—such as a conventional marriage—can rapidly decay once those feelings fluctuate. Emotions are inherently short-term components. Basing a foundation exclusively upon them is akin to building a structure soaked in accelerant; a single trigger can burn the entire architecture to the ground. The Masterpiece of the Long-Term Plan Emotions have a shorter lifespan than we do. Ideology, however, possesses the structural integrity to align generations. To effectively navigate the mortality of life, we must look beyond our own biological timelines. This requires us to look past our volatile emotions and focus on grander, strategic visions. Where the emotion of love eventually withers, a master plan does not. Etymologically, "logic" is derived from logos, which translates to "plan" or "reason." This is why cold reasoning will always outlast any foundation built on the shifting sands of emotion. Why build our internal architecture just to watch it shatter? Why not operate with supreme calculation, securing sources of meaning that are guaranteed to outlast our own physical body? Life is essentially a temporary pact with death. No living being has successfully breached this contract. The only mechanical workaround to defeat Death is not the pursuit of biological immortality, but the relentless pursuit of work that exceeds our own lives. When we dedicate our energy to a lasting legacy, our purpose does not die with us. Instead of trapping myself in the volatile cycle of emotional loss, my objective is to utilize my present timeline to honor the future through unrelenting productivity. Two Inquiries for the Readership Choosing to participate in standard societal attachments is, in essence, a gamble where the variables will eventually roll against you. The objective questions then become: Are you structurally resilient enough to endure the inevitable sorrow that organic life guarantees? What strategic protocols can you implement today to permanently reduce that sorrow? Contemplating these mechanics is the first step toward enduring life not as a victim of impermanence, but as a sovereign operator.

(Philosocom Directory on Communication) Article Overview by Ms. Gabbi Grace "On Social Communication -- Why It's Not the Only Form of Interaction" is an article that challenges the common belief that socializing is essential for all humans. The author shares personal experiences and reflections, presenting a unique perspective that resonates with those who may feel detached from the need to socialize. Mr. Tomasio's honesty about his experiences growing up and their current attitude towards socializing lends authenticity and depth to the piece, helping the reader connect with the author's perspective even if they do not share the same views. The article provokes thought and discussion by challenging the idea that all human beings are inherently social and require frequent interaction to thrive. This opens up a broader conversation about individual differences and personal preferences, potentially leading to valuable discussions about mental health, individual fulfillment, and societal pressure. The piece is structured around a clear argument that socializing is not inherently necessary for everyone and that there are alternative ways to find fulfillment. The author consistently supports this stance with personal anecdotes, logical reasoning, and rhetorical questions. The comparison between emotional needs and social needs provides a nuanced distinction that supports the article's main point. One of the strongest positive aspects of the article is its emphasis on personal autonomy, advocating for the freedom to choose how one spends their time and energy, whether in solitude or social interaction. This message of independence and self-determination is empowering and could resonate with those who feel constrained by societal expectations. The article challenges generalizations about human nature, particularly the notion that all humans are "social animals." It encourages a more nuanced understanding of communication and interaction. Overall, "On Social Communication -- Why It's Not the Only Form of Interaction" offers a valuable contribution to discussions about personal autonomy, human interaction, and societal expectations. ************************* Parties sickened me, I hated the game-playing, the dirty play, the flirting, the amateur drunks, the bores -- Charles Bukowski (Background music) The dominance of the electronic world has reduced the need for social interaction (AKA, socializing). It's simply because there are many ways one can occupy themselves without company. Video games, TV shows, movies, music you can hear privately -- as someone who grew up with all of those, I increasingly find it difficult to understand the necessity of socializing. For the vast majority of your free time, you can use this incredible modern technology to surround yourself with solitude, peace and entertainment! The frustration of trying to understand the importance of socialization has been something that has accompanied me since childhood. Family members tried to encourage me to go out and play with other children who were strangers to me. Even though I met up with a few of them, I still failed to understand what the point was when I could just play on my own devices. This is why, as my early life went by, I became more and more solitary, because I failed to understand why I should socialize when I can be alone, secure, and self-entertained. Those who say that humans are social animals fail to see that they are generalizing. Not all people enjoy socializing, and there were people who spent their lifetimes as hermits. You may say that if you don't give love to your baby, their development will be damaged. This is something I agree with, but that is not necessarily socializing, because the need to be loved is originally an emotional need, not necessarily a social one. Of course, they may correlate, but we do not always socialize when receiving emotional support. Would you say that speaking to your psychologist is socializing? Is it in the same degree of interaction as in going to a social event? It isn't because people who socialize do not do it for the sake of being productive or for the sake of doing some work, like the work one may do when being a psychologist's patient. Social people prefer to just have fun when they can and want to. It isn't necessarily fun speaking to a psychologist or to a vendor, the same as the fun found in socializing with friends. Therefore, not every human interaction is a social interaction, and as such, a social interaction deserves to be seen as synonymous to socializing. When we have grown out of our families, we don't necessarily need the love of a parent anymore. That's unlike when we were infants and children. It doesn't mean we should discard our original loving family, but when we become adults, we don't necessarily need the love of our parents. The only reason I had friends when I was a student was because we had so much free time in school that needed to be filled. Hence, when we graduated school, I decided not to keep in touch with any of my former classmates, unless they wished to contact me themselves. It's not an arrogant thing to say, that I only needed them for that function. It was a fact, and we weren't always allowed to have phones during this free time between lessons. As a result, having someone to talk to was preferable to becoming bored. Social communication can be seen as unnecessary because it is only used for leisure. When leisure can be spent alone, there is no need to waste time and money on socializing. Unless you really want to, of course, even though your will does not have to force you to do things. Some people love to socialize more than me, which is their right to feel so, but when you seek independence from others, socialization isn't necessarily the way. In order to try to understand the importance of social communication, I did try to socialize through life. The small parties I attended felt like a waste of time, and I only went to family gatherings out of respect for my family. You see, fun is just a feeling you have, and it does not necessarily contribute anything beyond itself. At the same time, we could be attached to machines that give us pleasure for the rest of our lives. In this scenario, would you consider such a life worthwhile? A life that does not go beyond the fulfillment of good feelings. Because of this, I began doubting the value of social interactions. Thus far, I failed to understand why I need to step out of my hermitage, go to the nearest bar or club, and make friends with strangers when I can spend the rest of my life, within said hermitage, contributing to the world at large with my contemplations. I'm simply saying that building a massive article empire seems a more worthwhile investment of my time and energies than any other activity in this world. If I talk to people, then much of it is for that sake and that sake alone. If I had the ability to skip the need for rejuvenation and instantly generate new ideas for articles, I would do so with little hesitation. That, you see, is why I am not a social being, and I am not a hedonistic one, either. I don't live to enjoy. I live to work. And in death I will be discharged. Would you say that a professional call is a social call? Not necessarily. It could be one of the many reasons that "It's lonely at the top". As I mentioned to one of my readers, I communicate with some of my readers on occasion, but I do so not for the sake of amusement, but to do what every good writer must do: Maintain an audience and possibly generate otherwise-missed ideas for new articles. If what I said in this article has offended you, I apologize. Take note that I never had any intention to offend anyone whatsoever. I will promise my future self that I will no longer waste my life over self-serving fun and instead dedicate it to more important pursuits. I just want to work, rest and repeat. I'm doing this for you.

(Background music) When the first button of the shirt is fastened incorrectly, the others will follow suit -- Cahit Zarifoğlu Introduction Herd mentality is a phenomenon that has always existed among humans. However, it is now more heavily recorded in the media every day and thus can have a greater influence than ever before. It is also more tolerated than ever before as long as one's life is not threatened in the process (Like in the case of cancel culture, which can lead people to lose their jobs, and not only hinder their freedom of speech). However, one can overcome the tyranny of the herd mentality by adopting the following traits and by improving them through regular practice: Courage It is very difficult to upset or disappoint our fellow companions in the journey of life - family, friends, partner, colleagues. It is hard to see them suffer or even insult us just because we decided to do something that contradicts their expectations of us. However, courage is a necessity to overcome offenses from other people and to admit and live with the fact that sometimes we have our own thoughts, feelings, and motives that do not always have to correlate with those of others. I once went near a tennis court, and a tennis ball was accidentally thrown near me. One of the players asked me to retrieve the ball, but I said that I was in a hurry (and I really was). The player got mad and called me a "moronic kid." I was deeply insulted, but I knew that people in a hurry are not by definition morons. It gave me the courage to continue to walk away. To admit that we are flawed beings, and to embrace our flaws, that requires courage as well. The courage to admit: "I can't necessarily be at the same standards other people expect me reach". And one of the functions of herd mentality is the expectation for you to conform. Logic Logic is what usually convinces people to put their beliefs into something and to do certain deeds. Syndicate-type organizations form, for example, out of the logical interest that being under a union will benefit the self or their faction. The more logically correct and believable a belief is, the more convincing it will become to other people who are exposed to this logical structure. However, for a better understanding of logic, one that surpasses mere appearance of appeal, we must become more logical beings. Because people are convinced by logic, even with the weakest of logics, social structures and ceremonies are built. However, they often become absurd when they are normalized, and then their followers/practitioners are compelled to follow/practice them due to the herd mentality rather than a reason independent of it. If one wants to overcome the herd mentality, one should enforce their non-conformity with a proper logical structure to support their abstaining from the herd mentality. Just because there is a large enforcement of a certain belief by a large number of people (for example, believing in a certain popular deity or even creating a fanbase around a privileged idol), it does not mean that a single individual cannot overcome their own logic. For logic, you see, is not a popularity contest, even though the philosopher often has to resort to appeal to their audience's reason in order to not be regarded a crackpot theorist. To lay the foundations for overcoming this mentality, the individual should contemplate and ponder about the following questions: Why do I wish to overcome the herd mentality? What do I want to achieve in this, and why do I wish to actualize the said ambitions? What are the consequences of doing so? Would I be satisfied with the results? If so, at what cost? If not, is my cause in my perspective a justified cause, regardless of the cost? What would I lose and what would I earn in this solitary revolution against the masses? Ask yourself these questions and attempt to answer them to the best of your ability. The more logically convincing your answers are (even convincing to yourself), the more acceptance you will earn from others and for yourself. Thus, the easier the task will be with the decreasing withdrawal of guilt, shame, and negative isolation. If you're able to convince yourself like you would be able to convince others, choosing to deviate from the herd should be less difficult. Some may even support or follow you, if you've managed to speak not only to their minds but also to their hearts. Responsibility Standing all by yourself against the masses and their beliefs is not an easy thing. Regardless of the reason that made you wish to overcome their mentality; it is all your “fault” for being against the popular beliefs and practices. Seeing the masses from the viewpoint of a single person in an empty field (even if the said person has family and friends) can be a very isolating experience. The herd is living as if nothing, even for eons, has been done under the sun; as if outsiders deserve to be condemned for being outsiders, despite the importance of being an outsider, to society. And what is this importance I speak of? The philosopher often ought to be solitary, for example, in order to view and criticize society from an "eagle's point of view". In turn, society could benefit from his or her criticism by understanding its flaws and working on itself further to improve. Despite the contribution involved, that said person may find himself completely alone even in the midst of the most social of conventions. While in this ideologically solitary state of mind and being, few, and even none, may be the people who can agree upon your own systems of beliefs. It is your responsibility to demonstrate, and not merely state, that your deviation from general society is one in which people can benefit from. Then, your status as an outsider can be seen as functional, rather than dysfunctional. That is necessary for relevancy especially to those who are more different by nature than most people, as people like them, like myself, need to prove our worth more, or else we'll be discarded. Skepticism Skepticism is the most fundamental aspect of being a black sheep. It is the act of being in disagreement with a certain or a set of subjects and the execution of issues. When in doubt, an outcast of the herd cannot find any answers but in him or herself only, as doubt is what tears the herd apart. Taking doubt on something, regardless of conformity, is a very courageous act, and it is vital for one's own development, and perhaps, also for the possible development of others (in the case of making practical use of criticism). Being skeptical is like working on a muscle on a regular basis of workouts. The more you doubt, the more your mind will be challenged and more used to it, it will become. Just like working out, being skeptical is an action that requires strength, and sometimes, rest. Habits can be broken by turning other activities into new habits as replacements. After being skeptical about a certain subject, one needs to rest and find other occupations, so he or she will be recharged. Like with muscles, it's how we become stronger on the intellectual level, making intellectual skills like philosophizing into a regular practice. Indeed, the intellectual is a mentally strong person, like the fit person is physically strong. The dumbbells of the intellectual are his or her skills to produce and reasonable doubts against previously agreed concepts. Being skeptical is being a reformer: to reshape a certain issue and transform it into a new one, through a synthesis of old ideas with new ideas. Therefore, the overcomer is not only an intellectual, but an artist of ideas, a producer of potentially something new and original. The herd mentality is defined by a lack of willingness to be open to new ideas. Even if these ideas are helpful and beneficial, the herd won't be likely to accept anything that challenges its beliefs. Therefore, this mentality is defined by the irrationality of refusing to accept anything that contradicts their narrative. That is even if their narrative is either false, or can have its flaws reduced by innovative and creative viewpoints And for such viewpoints to be formed, existing viewpoints need to be questioned. Final Words I hope this article will help fighting, even by a bit, against the power of herd mentality; especially in this age of social media and mockery against more-eccentric behaviors, online and offline. If you enjoyed reading this, consider sharing it if desired.

(Background music) "What exactly ARE we? Are we what others seem to see, what we see ourselves, or what we actually are?" - John Duran The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. -- John Milton Who is to be the final arbiter of what actually exists beyond our senses, when there are things that cannot be perceived by us humans? Given that different species have different sensory experiences, it is very likely that whatever is out there, beyond what our consciousness reveals to us, could be actually different. Let's think of a hypothetical reality. There is a psychological disorder called "Alice In Wonderland Syndrome", where the perception of different objects, including your own body, are presented to have different sizes. If everyone or the average person had that syndrome, then it would be typical to believe that, for example, our hands are bigger than our abdomen, just as it is believed today the exact opposite. Additionally, if we had the perception of another species, the same logical reasoning may follow. What we can learn from this is the following: The fact that something is the status quo does not make it true, hence why it deserves to be questioned. What if in the far future we may discover that we humans all have a visual or sensory disability that makes us all see things that are not necessarily the way they actually are, and only a minority, that doesn't have said disability, sees things as they objectively are, in the absence of said distortion? What if our senses are faulty by their very existence? If most of humanity was autistic, would it then be a "disability" to be a neurotypical? At least in the area of sensory reception, things are not always as we experience them. This is either because of a disability, or because we are limited by the fact that we are a certain species (humans, in this case). The same premise would hold true even if we were members of any other race. Of course, we would be able to objectively determine if a certain breed is actually able to see reality as it actually exists — an ideal Objective Consciousness. However, since we may not be able to fully determine what objectively exists, the quest of finding one may be impossible, at least in this time and age. It is already understood that the senses of certain animals, such as dogs and cats, are able to hear and smell more than we can. Even if our senses were enhanced to that level, however, who is to say there are no other layers of senses left to unfold, layers that are not perceived by any being on Earth? Who is to even say that there is even at least one species capable of experiencing the world beyond the mind, in its entirety? How can we overcome the fact that we are human and thus confined to certain knowledge that might as well be an inherited delusion (at least partially)? Perhaps the only answer is through scientific advancement and studying the brains of as many other species as possible. We might just find out something about external reality that has been there all along, and we wouldn't have had any idea that it was there all along! Still, the core problem remains unsolved: how to determine whether a being or race has an "Objective Consciousness," and how to make sure that our judgment is correct. The problem lies not only in the decision-making task, but also in determining the criteria for which being/species is actually qualified to be capable of such a higher, if not ultimate, state of consciousness. If they are capable of speech, then they would also be capable of helping us discover the true reality, unhindered by the subjectivity of perception. In conclusion, we humans, along with every other species on Earth, are theoretically limited in our ability to fully comprehend the world beyond the mind. This is because we are confined by our own consciousness, which allows us to perceive. Our subjective experiences can be compared to a flashlight. Let us not delude ourselves into thinking that just because we see something, we see all there is in the room we are exploring.

(Philosocom's Directory on Sacrifice) (Background music) If everything you offered was not enough, offer your absence -- Mario Benedetti Introduction to Sabotage Have you ever wondered what it's like to burn bridges? Some people do it wholeheartedly. There are two forms of sabotage: One that is intentional and one that is unintentional. Think of it like destroying a building for the sake of building a new building on its ground, sometimes renovation or creation requires a little bit of conscious destruction. In this article you'll learn how to use sabotage to your own advantage, and how to avoid using sabotage in a way that hinders you unintentionally. Sabotage as a Gateway to New Opportunities Sometimes, sabotage is there to allow us new opportunities. With the example of destroying a building, its destruction allows the formation of a new building. That is how sabotage should be seen: as a getaway to new opportunities. Another, more practical example of sabotage is when you cut off toxic people from your life. Sometimes, cutting toxic and ungrateful people in your life allows you to open up new paths in your life. Personal Examples of Conscious Sabotage A personal example of mine of sabotage is when I left much of social media for the sake of working on this site. I deleted off many of my personal accounts so I could focus on what I like doing best: working on the site. I remember returning to Philosocom and thinking to myself, how much work I have left to do! And indeed, I use solitude for the sake of building a large article empire in the name of altruism. Also, I decided to use the loneliness epidemic of our world to always become strong, so during my life I cut off connections with many people so I could prepare for a life of strength. As a website owner, I need to be strong to keep it running, so I sabotaged connections so I could keep mastering the art of writing philosophy articles. Based on your desires and ambitions in life, sometimes conscious sabotage is the right thing to do. Our time and our resources are limited, and we cannot be available for everyone. Sometimes a little bit of cutting off is very well for the sake of our wellbeing. We live in a very toxic world, especially the online world, and we should often ask ourselves how much of that toxicity is necessary. Those who can afford cutting off the toxicity in their lives, should do it. Strategic Sabotage and the "Mad Genius" And in my article about "mad genius", I further explained "mad geniuses" used sabotage in a strategic way and I quote: The physical traveler seeks answers without the mind to understand the world's perceived absurdity without traveling. The genius mind sabotages their own progress over "time", handing out the impression of incompetence, because they see no point catering to a world that understands not what they do. Thus, with perceived carless-ness the genius mind retires early on, while the physical traveler retires only very later in life. In their own self-sabotage of orthodox progression, the genius may already deduce profound insights from the backseat of their own solitude. Sabotage, Sacrifice, and Reality as a Canvas Sometimes, to get ahead in your own way in life, you have to look where you can sabotage what you already have, so upon its ashes, you can find new opportunities. Reality can be seen as an application of a system illusion, and I quote from Philosocom: Life is an illusion. More specifically, it is a system of illusion. The value of it on Earth is only measured by our heads and our unified perception of reality. One that does not necessarily deviate from our own unique perspectives, but one that can allow us to follow our common goals. To proudly have our families filled not only with love, but also to enter our own purposes in existence. Perception is, in other words, but a means to an end. A tool that can have different degrees of functionality, in relation to our ambitions. To see where you can sabotage what you have in life, while still being able to get away with it, requires much strategic thinking. Sometimes, you need to sacrifice what you have in order to get something. Sacrifice can be seen as a form of sabotage, but not necessarily. Sabotage allows us to understand that we are freer than we might think we are. The problem comes from not understanding the power of creativity as a practical tool. Creative intelligence can allow us to see not only opportunities in a blank canvas, but also see life as a canvas itself: A canvas of many actors and many opportunities. By sabotaging what we currently have ongoing, we are basically trading one thing for another. Trading goes beyond the world of economics. Trading is the very fabric of our resource management that goes beyond the trade of wealth. Smart political leaders, for example, know that they can't please everyone, so they also deduce from this that: sacrifices must be made. To be in power is all about survival. To be in power, for many, requires to please those who are most useful for you, so your business can continue thriving. The Demands of Website Management and Personal Sacrifice As a website owner, I dedicate my life to running this website, and as one advisor told me once: Website management is a 24/7 job. Many give up on website management because it's too much work. It requires a long time of dedication, and some people give up on it because they simply don't have the time for it. As Ruler of Philosocom it is my job to give you a high-quality website and build and maintain something truly tremendous. I had to sacrifice most of the friends that I had so I could continue doing this. Also, writing is a solitary task, and to master writing this well and long requires many years. For years, I consciously sabotaged different aspects of my life so I would be able to remain alone and work on this site under my own terms, because I believe doing things under one's own terms is the way to be happy. In the end, my goal is simple: To build a high-quality article empire for you to enjoy for free. As such I deleted many of my articles which I believed their quality was poor and were not worthy to work on their renovation. Since then, I have renovated almost all of the articles I have here on Philosocom, and indeed it required me to also sabotage certain articles in the name of quality. Sabotage in Fiction: Case Studies In "Breaking Bad", Walter White sabotaged his legal life and his family so he could do what he likes best: Running a drug cartel and making his special "blue sky" product. In the end he did it for his own gratification, which was his aim as a cancer patient. In "Star Wars", Palpatine sabotaged his connections with his apprentices, treating them as literal sacrificial pawns for his gambit to rule the galaxy. His aim was unlimited power as he was a power-hungry narcissist. In Virtua Fighter, Lau Chan sabotaged his duties as a family man by working hard on mastering a single martial art. His dedication to his craftsmanship came at the cost of his wife dying from overwork, and the neglection of his daughter. The Bravery and Honesty Required for Sabotage Sabotage requires the virtue of bravery and also requires you to be honest with yourself. You have to ask yourself if what you're currently doing is really worth it, because in the end we, in theory, have only one life to live. Per our ambitions, some existing foundations have to be destroyed so we could build other foundations which serve our goals in life. Sabotage requires you to realize your own limitations, with the biggest of them being time. We don't have all the time in the world to do what we want, so sometimes, the wise thing to do, for the sake of our ambitions, is to sabotage ourselves in order to create the reality we want to see in our world. The Ethics of Discarding People Sabotage doesn't necessarily make you a bad person. However, you have to understand you cannot please everyone in a world where people have different values and priorities. Everyone is useful to an extent, but even the wealthy have to make sure they survive in the life they have chosen for themselves. Some people, in a limited reality, have to be discarded. In an early article I wrote against discarding people. But you have to understand, that Philosocom is first of all a research center using the power of philosophy. What appears as contradiction is merely a way to view something from different points of views. That is why I went out of my way to collect guest posts of various of writers across the world to build -- to expand upon the variety of what this site has to offer -- but I digress. Developing the habit of looking both ways, we can deduce that sometimes people have to be discarded for the greater good specifically because our resources cannot allow us to keep them around any longer. Perceptions change, and I wrote the article against discarding people when I sought to prove my own relevance. I have changed since then and as such I am keeping many articles as relics of the past. Sabotage for Quality and Controlled Chaos Imagine a large city, some of its buildings are abandoned and are just not worth renovating. So what do you do? You blow them up! Of course, when it comes to sabotage, you have to make sure that there is no additional damage made to things that do not serve your interests. So what do you do? You apply controlled chaos into life! And I quote: In the grand scheme of human history, those who have achieved true mastery — whether in battle, philosophy, art, or the personal realm — have often done so by existing at the edge of chaos. These individuals did not simply endure adversity; they thrived in it. Chaos, when understood properly, is not merely a destructive force but a crucible for transformation. The analogy of the blacksmith’s forge is fitting: steel, raw and brittle, is thrown into the fire to be purified and shaped into something far stronger and more valuable. So too is the human spirit, when subjected to the fires of hardship, reshaped and reformed. But there is a key element that most people overlook — controlled chaos. In Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance, Zanetti used Controlled Chaos to eliminate his strongest soldiers, by creating an internal war within his organization. Unfortunately, it failed for him, and the strongest soldiers took over his empire, succeeding him. Again, in Star Wars, Palpatine applied Controlled Chaos by playing into the two sides of the clone wars, so he could seize the Republic from within, sabotage his very own Separatist Alliance, and use the victory of the clone wars to establish his new Galactic Empire. Conclusion In conclusion, Conscious Sabotage is about using reality in a way that serves your purposes and your ideal vision of something. It requires you to understand that life is like a canvas and that sometimes; to create something new, you have to resort to destruction. Sometimes, destruction also allows you to continue something you currently do, by destroying opportunities/connections with people for the sake of working on your passions, as demonstrated in me as a website manager and in the Virtua Fighter example of Lau Chan. Sometimes, sabotage requires sacrifice because we have to admit that our reality is limited, and that we cannot please everyone. Sometimes, for the satisfaction of those who serve our purposes, others have to go. Being a leader is first of all about survival and the smart management of resources.

Reckoning -- An appraisal or judgment -- Dictrionary.com Knowledge is a good that is never lost -- Anton Chekov (Background music) Come with what your wisdom's brought, Express your insightful words, and, Reveal your most genuine thoughts, Of an honesty long lost! Watch as the high-emotional, Unleash their pain and traumas on you, As you consider if this day to rue, Were they really prepared to face the truth..- Watch as they perform coercion, Intimidation, whataboutism, Their minds are in deep self-defense, Against the content you naively present. As wise and kind as you are, You'll always remain ignorant, No matter how'll you reach, high and far, Understanding is never complete, thus subpar. Learn as the high-emotional, Unleash their pain and traumas on you, As you consider if this day to rue, Were they really prepared to face the truth...- People play by different rulesets, Thinking they're universal. They'll apply their game on you, Despite it not being objectively true. Due to the conditions, they follow, Your act they'll naively borrow. And with the utter lack of mutual knowledge, I've been reborn as Tomasio. If you've enjoyed the faces of humans without nausea, When you were a child, still, You might've not known the idea of their trauma, Not in mind and not in feel. Yet consider seeing the high-emotional, Unleash their pain and traumas on you, As you consider if this day to rue, Were they really prepared to face the truth...- Learn why they perform coercion, Intimidation, whataboutism: Their minds are in deep self-defence, Against the content you naively present. Those who refuse to let go... Those who refuse to let go... Shall normalize. They will normalize in cancel culture, Censoring ideas, and, They will encourage trigger warnings, Just to not confront their inner demons' moaning. They've embraced their high emotions, And made a pact with their pain, And they will weaponize it, if you dare, For showing the truth, you wish them to gain- Yet their minds are too deep in depression, Loneliness and anxiety, How can you expect a mind to reach sobriety, It lusts perceiving a matrix of repression. As their trauma haunts and grows, Grows the age of solitude, Your airship either flies or blows, By pain that might not be yours. The pain of past governs people, Gnaws their wellbeing from behind, And yet it is through the truth, Where a far better life might likely to find- We all have different ambitions, Yet act as if we have few, Most seek to unlock the paycheck, So, they will be able to live in happiness and in joy. But beyond their need to work, Nothing else they might employ. And with the utter lack of mutual knowledge, I've been reborn as Tomasio. Come with what your wisdom's brought, Express your insightful words, and, Reveal your most genuine thoughts, Of an honesty long lost! Watch as the high-emotional, Unleash their pain and traumas on you, As you consider if this day to rue, Were they really prepared to face the truth...- Watch as they perform coercion, Intimidation, whataboutism, And with the utter lack of mutual knowledge, I've forced myself to be reborn as Tomasio. To contribute I must leave a mark! And I just don't want to stay too much... In the dark.

(For the directory on success, click here) What is existence for but to be laughed at if men in their twenties have already attained the utmost? -- Soren Kirkegaard (Background music) Living in the Shadow of the Peak Many people, throughout their lives, experience a period of peak performance and success as they conquer their goals in succession. This phase, whether long or short, becomes the pinnacle of their existence. They reach the top of their metaphorical mountain and enjoy the glory of their accomplishments. Phrases like "This is the best moment of my life," "I will never have this much fun again," and "things can't get better than this" echo through their minds, as they feel to be glad to be alive. However, this seemingly positive perspective holds a dark irony. The belief that a particular peak represents the absolute best of their lives implies that it won't get better, if this phase is indeed the pinnacle of their lives. Once the excitement fades, the mountain climber is left only with the memory of reaching the top, unable to find a new peak of equal or greater than itself. This mindset can be limiting. It confines individuals to the shadows of their past achievements, hindering their growth and preventing them from experiencing new joys and triumphs. Life becomes a constant comparison to a singular moment, instead of a journey filled with its own unique peaks and valleys. It can be compared to life of the fictional protagonist Bojack Horseman, which I wrote about before. And indeed, the irony of this peak is, no pun intended, peak irony. The very thing that we aspire to, can depress us, once we attain it. Instead of clinging to the past, individuals should embrace the possibility of new peaks, in an endless stream of goal-conquering that might as well only end with death. That's because every stage of life offers its own opportunities for growth and accomplishment, making it unwise to underestimate our own potential. By focusing on the present, as a platform for potential conquests in the future, individuals can avoid the trap of living in the shadow of their past successes. As such I personally choose to be unsatisfied, and see it as granted, because satisfaction would greatly deter my life's work that is Philosocom. Here are some points to consider: Life is a journey of several destinations, not a destination by itself. There will always be new peaks to conquer and new experiences to be had, as long as we choose life over death. Don't compare your life to others impractically. Life is, at large, a series of competitions over limited resources. Make sure you are not consumed by jealousy, as you attempt to improve the value of your craft over that of your competitors. Embrace the unknown. Be open to new opportunities and experiences, for they can be useful for your goals, as well as people you believe you can trust. Never stop learning and growing. There is always something new to discover. Do not fall to the delusion that omniscience is possible. Beyond the Limitations of Current Success Success is a highly individual experience. While some find fulfillment in marriage, parenthood, or achieving rockstar fame, for others, it may lie elsewhere. It all depends on your goals. Ultimately, whether an event constitutes a "peak" depends on individual values and aspirations. And for these values and ambitions to be understood by oneself, one must be honest with themselves and discover what they truly want to do in life. For many women, motherhood represents the pinnacle of their lives. Similarly, musicians often define their prime success as achieving widespread recognition. The same can arguably be partially applied to philosophy as well, if you're philosophizing publicly. The joy of music extends far beyond mere entertainment; it serves as a powerful tool for expression that can be philosophized about as well. Many artists, for sure, pursue the dream of reaching a vast audience, and may define that as their success. Yet, for me, music production, though a passion, doesn't occupy that peak. My motivations lie elsewhere. How can you reach a peak you haven't designated for yourself to go towards? Either way, whether or not the peak you've reached was of your own design, it's quite hard to resume being satisfied, when you still crave for more. This means that even the highest of peaks might as well fail to satiate our hunger for more, some of us might have. Interestingly, a video game survey posed a thought-provoking question: "Does life begin or end with marriage?" While for some, it's the dawn of a beautiful journey, for others, it marks the beginning of a decline. This illustrates the subjective duality of "peak": A moment of immense joy and achievement that, at the same time, points at the possibility of an ending. Since both answers, of yes and no, are true, this indicates that the subjective equality of existence is true. But I digress. This "Peak's Irony" is one-way ticket to a desired destination; a celebration combined with the bittersweet awareness of potential limitations. It reminds us that life is finite, our chances limited in both energy and time. Just like scoring a basketball with a finite number of tries, our attempts at achieving our peaks will eventually run out, making way for the inevitable demise of the human body and mind regardless of success or failure. This realization, however, shouldn't discourage us. Instead, it serves as a powerful motivator to embrace the present moment and strive for excellence while we can. For in the face of limitation, each success, big or small, becomes a precious treasure to be conquered as ours and as our successors. I have no desire to lead a life of fun and adventure, when I can focus on building my empire in the confines of my physical hermitage from the world. I don't care that I'm missing out on the experiences earned in the orthodox ways of life. I care for my ambitions. And my ambitions I will attempt to realize into a reality. Purposefulness can be a great liability when it is finally earned. However, I am settled with the fact that I don't intend to ever be fully satisfied again. That will make me far more successful in the field of philosophy, promoting Philosocom to be, hopefully, one of the best philosophy blogs online. Resisting the Inevitability of Decline The concept of "Peak's Irony" is a sharp reminder of the fleeting nature of success and the inevitability of decline. It urges us to carefully consider our choices and pursue our visions with determination, or we'll be left with regret and a sense of unfulfilled potential. While achieving a peak can be a source of immense satisfaction, it also carries the risk of frustration and idleness, once achieved. The fear of never replicating past achievements can hinder growth and prevent us from exploring new avenues for fulfilment and self-discovery. Would we want that, or should we resume being on the move as long as we're alive? Either way, life is a dynamic journey, not a static destination. Decline is an inherent part of life's cycle, and our ultimate peak may not be a single moment, but rather the collection of all our experiences, both positive and negative. Should we choose to see life like that, we can basically live life in the best way we can, AKA, according to our own ideals. Instead of dwelling on the fear of inevitable decline (or any fear for that matter), we should focus on how to make the most of our present moment. This involves: Actively pursuing our visions: Having a clear vision of what we want to achieve in life provides a sense of purpose and direction. It's how we can create a meaningful and fulfilling existence. Embracing continuous learning: The world is constantly changing, and to keep pace, we must commit to lifelong learning. This allows us to acquire new skills, broaden our perspectives, and adapt to new situations. That way we can at least try and even overcome peak's irony indefinitely. Ultimately, understanding "Peak's Irony" can serve as a powerful trigger for positive change, despite the bitter meaning behind it (or even, because of its bitter value). By embracing the lifelong ambition constant success, we can create a life that is both meaningful and resilient in the face of the inevitable decline of the human body and mind. And as you might find for yourselves, constantly being occupied, either physically, mentally or both, can help your general situation from declining as you age. And that's why you should always be looking for the next challenge. Not necessarily for others exclusively, but for yourself as well, in order to avoid or decrease personal decline.

(This is part of a mini-series on Philosocom on becoming a philosopher. Here are the rest of the material: https://www.philosocom.com/post/on-the-path-to-philosophership-solitude https://www.philosocom.com/post/on-the-path-to-philosophership-buddies-and-temptations https://www.philosocom.com/post/on-the-path-of-philosophership-the-importance-of-inclusion https://www.philosocom.com/post/on-the-path-of-philosophership-recognition https://www.philosocom.com/post/philosophership-as-duty-definition-and-poem https://www.philosocom.com/post/on-the-path-to-philosphership-being-proven-wrong) Alex Mos's Summary: The foundation of philosophy is analyzing flaws in everything and everybody, including the philosopher. Such criticism should be constructive, offering solutions to problems and leading to a better world. Even in democratic societies, people attempt to regulate free speech, normalizing cancel culture and discouraging unpopular ideas. Ignoring criticism hinders both personal and societal growth. Freedom of expression is the fundamental democratic right and condition for philosophy. The philosopher pursues truth by being open to unconventional thoughts and critical of accepted beliefs. Although their findings may be controversial, they embrace criticism from others as valuable opportunities for progress. Mr. Tomasio emphasizes the importance of overcoming sensitivities, engaging in constructive dialogue, and exploring diverse viewpoints. He encourages readers to be critical, to interact with him online, and to comment on his articles. ******************************** Intelligent people do not take offense, they draw conclusions -- Agatha Christie (Background music) The Relentless Critic: A Philosopher's Duty In his or her quest to be good at their job, the philosopher should be capable of criticizing anyone or anything they find flawed and worthy of scrutiny, including themselves. This critical analysis is the very foundation of philosophical inquiry. By examining the flaws in ideas, systems, and behaviors, philosophers can work to improve them and achieve a deeper understanding of the world. However, the philosopher's role isn't simply to wield criticism like a weapon. The goal is not to tear things down, but to build a more solid foundation. Effective criticism should be constructive, offering alternatives and proposing solutions alongside the identification of problems. Doing so can assist the other side not give in to their confirmation bias, and be inclined to deem your criticism an "attack" on them. Furthermore, recognizing that everyone, including the philosopher themselves, is susceptible to flaws adds another layer to the process. This self-awareness shouldn't be a discouragement to criticism, but rather an opportunity for even more rigorous examination of ideas. After all, if even the philosopher's own thinking isn't immune to error, how much more important is it to subject all ideas to critical scrutiny? Very, very much. In this way, the philosopher's pursuit of criticism becomes a path towards greater knowledge, understanding, and ultimately, a better world. Such a quest is what philosophy is for, and not for the glorification of one's intellect. No, the intellect is merely the tool, not philosophy's purpose. And tools are to be treated as such -- with care and without vanity. For optimal results, provided by your intellect, the ability to criticize, and even lambast, is to become a habit. A second nature. To be executed as easy as a walk in the park, and simple as the toss of the coin. Why a Democracy Needs Dissent In a world dominated by democracies, it's surprising how many struggle with the concept of "agreeing to disagree." After all, a fundamental tenet of a democratic society is the coexistence of diverse viewpoints within a shared space. As such, the normalization of cancel culture is one that is capable of posing a threat on our freedom to express ourselves. It tries to present a vision of reality where some ideas are unworthy of discussion, and even condemnable, while deeming many other ideas and topics as the exact opposite. The problem with the attempt to regulate idea exchange through social conventions is that it has the power to encourage reduction of philosophical exploration where it is legitimate by our right to express our thoughts. Reduction of expression thus entails reduction of the ability of criticizing things and beings. The less people will be encouraged to criticize, the more likely herd mentalities are to develop in communities worldwide. The bad thing about herd mentality is that it can collectively enable the promotion and application of ideas and plans that deserve to be criticized. After all, criticism has its constructive potential. Disregard criticism as objectively bad and you will prevent your own progress and potentially that of society. This freedom extends even to ideas demonstrably false. People have the right to reject the truth, even if they're demonstrably wrong. It's their choice, however misguided it may be. This is why people are allowed to be dumb and do dumb things, and suffer the consequences. The Philosopher's Quest: Seeking Truth, Not Adulation Similarly, a philosopher's role isn't to intimidate others into agreement, nor use coercion. Their primary objective is the relentless pursuit of truth, regardless of whether they ultimately find it. They aren't inherently "above" others, nor do they possess some inherent superior knowledge. No. the path to philosophership is defined by mental training to become capable thinkers and critics. Even if it comes naturally to them, like magic to sorcerers, self-work is imperative to become capable philosophers. The philosopher's prime, if not sole ambition is to lessen their own ignorance, and that training is a means for just that. There are two key approaches philosophers take in their quest for truth that differ from the "average" person: Openness to Unconventional Ideas: Philosophers actively consider "abnormal" or "eccentric" viewpoints. These perspectives, however seemingly outrageous, may contain valuable nuggets of truth. They won't be hasty to disregard abnormal and eccentric people either, into their lives, for they are often those who can supply them with much insight. Challenging the Status Quo: They critically analyze commonly held beliefs, even those perceived as facts. All perceived facts can and deserve to be criticized in the name of understanding the truth, as existent beyond our perception. This willingness to explore all avenues, regardless of their perceived soundness, is vital for a competent philosopher. Their greatest enemy is censorship, and anything else that attempts to hinder them from their path. As such, they may often isolate themselves from society to reduce unnecessary opposition. This tendency contributed to the sage archetype. The Importance of Reciprocal Criticism A true philosopher isn't afraid of criticism or being "lambasted" themselves. Those who dish it out but can't take it are hypocrites. This is why open dialogue through guest posts and exploring opposing philosophies is crucial. While initial resistance exists, the importance of diverse voices becomes increasingly evident as one progresses in this field. Tolerance and understanding for differing viewpoints, with few exceptions like Nazism, are essential. Just as criticism is inevitable when presenting oneself online, so too is the risk of being "lambasted" for challenging established ideas. This potential backlash shouldn't deter philosophers. It's part of the philosophership, especially for those in the public eye. The Controversial Philosopher: A Necessary Role A philosopher may be unpopular at times, delivering messages the public doesn't want to hear. This doesn't diminish the value of their work. Mistakes are inevitable in this pursuit. Even the "great" philosophers had those who were trying to stand in their way. This includes examining conspiracy theories, radical viewpoints, and seemingly nonsensical perspectives. While ridicule and criticism may follow, these explorations are core functions of the philosopher's role. The Price of Intellectual Freedom Being an honest philosopher in a democracy can be risky, even if the threats are primarily social. Consider the absence of known philosophers in North Korea. We need to understand that freedom is what allows philosophy in any society. As long as we still have it, it deserves to be used in the name of the truth. Societal norms be damned, as they do not always correlate with the right to use our freedom for our own pursuits. The ability to "agree to disagree" is the building block of a healthy democracy. Without this fundamental right, democracy is reduced to mere elections. Let's embrace the power of dissent and open discourse to create a more democratic, pluralistic, and tolerant society, without deeming dissent an "attack" on us. Let criticism, even between loved ones and followers, be a force for progress in our collective search for truth. Not for petty arguments, but as blessed opportunities for idea exchanges and other worthwhile collaborations. After all, the freer the exchange of ideas, the closer we get to understanding the world around us. Conclusion: For a Journey Towards Shared Understanding My own journey has mirrored the importance of open discourse I've outlined. As I've become more interactive with others, I've recognized the limitations of solitude in the pursuit of truth. Less engagement can lead to a greater echo chamber of one's own thoughts, hindering the ability to see things from new perspectives. This realization underscores the vital role of dialogue in society. Just as a democracy thrives on the exchange of ideas, so too does the individual philosopher. Therefore, I encourage you to actively engage in respectful discourse, challenge assumptions, and explore diverse viewpoints. Not only in Philosocom but in general as well. After all, two minds are better than one. And through unity we can become wiser. That could only be done if we are peaceful enough to not deem lambasting a threat. Our ability to reduce our sensitivity is our responsibility. Enabling oversensitivity's preservation by enabling it in norms does not solve the problem. The problem that stems from our individual needs to be tougher and psychologically safer. And if we don't want to limit others' criticism of us, we must grow tougher. The stronger your inner core is, the less you'll feel obliged to limit others due to your own insecurity. And if you have something to contribute, don't hesitate to reach out! You can comment or use the chat function. I used to be more wary of criticism until I realized I need it as much as I give it. All in the name of a better understanding of reality, which may require me to cast my personal sentiments aside, and respect others like I want them to respect me. The world is in a grave need to teach itself the value of respect, and understand that through its display, criticism would be far easier to convey. It requires much education and practice, as well as learning from past mistakes. In the end, criticism doesn't have to be perceived as that bad, right?

(Philosocom's Subcategory on Time) (Background music) It's not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it -- Seneca The Irrationality of Killing Time It is ironic that even though our lives are limited in duration, it's common to find ourselves wasting them down even further. We might do this through life-shortening substances like smoking and fast food, or through seemingly harmless activities like watching endless television or playing video games (that excludes people who make a living as gamers). Yet, regardless of how long we expect to live, we all experience stretches of boredom. In these moments, we feel confined by our free time, resorting to "killing" it to bring us – ironically – closer to that inevitable end. Of course, passively filling time doesn't compress our lifespan, but it can leave us with a nagging feeling that we aren't living the life we want to live. Why We "Kill" Time in a Finite Life The human mind is composed of a series of contradictions. Our lives are finite, yet we often find ourselves actively reducing them down further, instead of working towards acutalizing our ideal selves. And the irony is that our need to acutalize ourselves might be more basic than we would think. But why do we do this, especially when opportunities are fleeting and productivity for a better life is an option? This isn't to judge leisure pursuits, but rather to explore the reasons behind them. Here are some possibilities: Facing Our Mortality: The lack of immortality in life can be dreadful. We may feel overwhelmed by the vastness of things we want to do, leading to a sense of hopelessness and missed opportunities. This fear can be good for us if it compels us to regard our time in our lives to be a "problem" to be solved. Stress Overload: Modern life throws a lot at us. We juggle work, relationships, and countless demands, often feeling like we're constantly falling short. Those who handle stress poorly will not get to reap the benefits of the unequal modern world as much as those who do. In response, we crave activities that ease tension and de-stress, even if they lack productivity. The problem comes with these relaxing methods, like substance abuse, become addictive. The Boredom Binge: Sometimes, free time stretches before us like a blank canvas, but inspiration is lacking. Those who rely on muse and not on discipline may face the burden of creative block. We may have exhausted our usual options or find nothing truly engaging in the realm of productivity. This boredom can propel us towards non-productive activities, simply to fill the void. Seeking Escape: Life can be tough to various degrees. It may be harsher more, for example, to homeless people. When faced with unhappiness or overwhelming emotions, we might resort to non-productive activities as a form of escape. These activities offer a temporary relief from problems, even though it's not a sustainable solution. Rage rooms, for example, might help you blow off some stream, but using them would only normalize violent behavior. The Art of Balance: Relaxation and Productivity While idle time/downtime is crucial for relaxation and de-stressing, neglecting productive activities can leave us feeling unfulfilled. The key lies in finding a healthy balance. I, too, enjoy the occasional rest from Philosocom. However, these indulgences come with a realization: The time spent could have been used differently, potentially bringing me more lasting satisfaction. Living to work instead of working to live, I acknowledge that there's more to be done. And thus, every moment "killed" is a reminder that time doesn't come back. It is a limited, dwindling resource. And I'm going to do what it takes to make the best use of it for my work. Have you heard of speedruns in gaming? Players race to complete a game as quickly as possible, minimizing wasted time. While I don't advocate turning life into a "speedrun," watching such feats can be a powerful thought experiment to the vastness of the harnessed human potential. Speedruns highlight how little time it takes to accomplish something productively. This indicate that our productivity can be far larger than we might think, for we underestimate the power of our minds. Perhaps, after revisiting childhood games through speedruns, we recognize how much time we "wasted" when we could have completed them much faster. The same applies to our ambitions. Time is ticking, and its value lies in our ability to do as much as we can while wasting as little time. In business, time is money for a reason. Laziness is costly by the fact that it prevents us opportunities to gain more revenue and come closer to our goals. The Universal Businessman is capable of seeing an opportunity in anything. Despite the allure of a carefree, Diogenes-esque approach to life, most of us have ambitions we want to pursue. Unlike Homer, however, our finite time span means we can't delay indefinitely. That includes things we're obliged to do and things we wish to accomplish. Procrastination pushes our goals further into the future, with no guarantee of achievement. It makes a great devestation on their potential fruition. A Journey to Purposeful Living There was a time when I, like many others, let my days melt away in activities that offered fleeting pleasure but little lasting value. My childhood was filled with games that entertained, but ultimately contributed little to my personal growth. This realization, along with the grave emptiness that followed, sparked a shift in my perspective. Hedonism, the philosophy of seeking pleasure above all else, began to feel hollow. I can't tell how killing time on the altar of fun can be done so regularly without a spark of guilt being followed. While momentary enjoyment has its place, it shouldn't come at the expense of personal growth and achievement. For our personal growth can not only help others but also those who are dear to us. This led me to embrace a more mindful approach to living, one that valued substance and no fun. I choose to live a joyless life because it is almost always been accompanying me with a dreadful feeling of emptiness. So, I prefer being a workaholic. By focusing on creating content, I essentially "speedran" from teenager to a productive adult writer with countless articles. It this isn't a bragging statement, but rather demonstrating the power of focused effort being executed on the long term. Just like video game speedrunners minimize wasted time, I eliminated distractions like television, excessive socializing, and unhealthy habits. This allowed me to maximize my output and achieve more in a shorter period. This is merely because not doing it makes me feel guilty for wasting my time. And If there's something I hate doing, is killing time aimlessly. It requires strength to live a joyless life willingly, and to endure the adversity that follows. What adversity? The adversity of features such as depression. I do not expect you to follow my example if you care about your emotions. I don't really care about them. This approach is open to everyone. Regardless of your beliefs about the number of lives we get, our time here is finite. We are given a unique set of skills, resources, and perhaps even a network of people to support us. These resources won't last forever, even if they are to remain for dozens of your years. Think of it like a corporation, a domain, or accumulated wealth – all tools to fuel your endeavors. And you can't use any of them if you're dead. Use them instead while you're alive to live the life you want to live. Conclusions While some find contentment in a less-than-productive life, wouldn't it be better to face our later years with the satisfaction of knowing we pursued our goals? Imagine yourself on your deathbed, contemplating your choices. Did you chase your dreams? Did you use your time and resources wisely? This introspection can be a powerful motivator to live a more purposeful life now. The choice is yours. But by prioritizing focused effort over time-wasting activities, you can unlock a life rich in accomplishment and fulfillment. Ms. Hali Bash-March's Feedback: In regards, to the philosophy of killing time, I believe philosophy is not some one smart way of percieving life but rather a set of point of views that can be used as tools to look at life throught different lenses and values. As one point of view you can percieve "doing tasks of low productivity" as an escepism from life, wanting to not be present in your own life at the monent. And as another point of view, those killing time activities can be regarded as time for development as you're not aiming for a specific goal but rather just exploring life, unaware of the ideas you might stumble upon. While I agree that from a wider perspective for life we are happier when we have a long lasting goal or direction in our mind, it is important to remember that sometimes we need this alone time with ourselves to disconnent from reality but not from ourselves. Those times are our opportunity of exploration that might lead us to important understandings and even toward realizing our very own 'big goal' direction in life.

(This is the sequel) (This is the final part) (Philosocom's Subcategory Directory on Despair and Surrender) We cannot change anything unless we accept it -- Carl Jung (Background music) Accepting Reality I: Accepting the Pain The years 2008 and 2009 marked the end of my ability to relax naturally. It was then that a seemingly endless physical pain in my muscles began—ushered in by a literal scream of pain. That moment initiated a state of intense, non-stop chronic stress that would accompany me for over a decade. The only time I was free from it was when I slept. I tried everything to reduce it. Psychologists, physical therapy, yoga, anti-anxiety medication, meditation, and alternative medicine. All of them failed. The pain could occasionally be repressed by my unconscious mind when I was heavily distracted, but even then, it lingered in the background. No matter how many deep breaths I took or how much I exercised, all my investments and efforts went to waste, proving either entirely feeble or effective only in the short term. How did I manage to endure for so long without giving up? The answer is not a grandiose philosophical revelation. I simply accepted this reality as inevitable, because I chose to live, and let the pain make me stronger. The Philosophy of Strategic Defeat People often view "defeat" as a sign of weakness. However, sometimes defeat is simply the refusal to engage in another health-wasting conflict. I eventually accepted defeat because I was too busy being miserable over something deemed more "valuable" by society, such as surviving the education system. It is hard to imagine a reality without this pain accompanying me. It acts like a demon that follows me wherever I go—a demon I use to motivate myself and to justify my avoidance of the masses. Pain is an inevitable physical reality, but suffering is the resistance to that pain. By dropping the resistance, the suffering decreases. Conflict is an infantile human behavior that has been normalized and integrated deeply into society. Choosing to be "defeated" by the desire for peace is not weakness; it is a tactical acceptance of a reality where the odds are against you. In solitude, we rest and heal from the physical and mental pains of society. This healing is the key to finding strength against the verdicts of a reality beyond our control—a reality shaped by the tyranny of circumstances and our actions. If you cannot improve your external reality, your optimal strategy is to look within. The Toxicity of Unrealistic Hope Hope is a vital mechanism when there is a genuine possibility of salvation or redemption. However, when you become obsessive about an impossible hope, it morphs into a nuisance—a distracting disturbance to your daily functioning. The more grandiose and unrealistic your hope is, the more miserable it will make you. Instead of compelling you to work, it paralyzes you. Hope must be strictly limited to our realistic potentials. The more we engage with mental fantasies, the more we refuse to accept reality as it is. Eventually, this friction causes us to despise the world and humanity. There is a profound, bittersweet liberation in specified hopelessness. When you become hopeless about a situation you know you cannot change, it becomes easier to accept its presence and authority. Hopelessness does not always mean pure despair; sometimes, it simply means there is no longer a logical reason to expect a change. You stop fighting the current. You just float. The Ascetic’s Peace What has my pain brought me? Anxiety, physical exhaustion, and an ascetic mentality. I am a healthy person, but I am healthy in solitude. I find society sickening, both literally and metaphorically. The toxic behaviors that people normalize have caused me trauma, creating a strong desire to lay low. The world is stressful, and to recover while still writing philosophy to help others, I live in deliberate social isolation. Do I like this world? Not at all. But if I did not accept the moral depravity of this world as an unchangeable fact, I would be far more depressed. Giving up on trying to be part of this world directly reduced my stress. I have found peace by giving up the need to partake in the greater reality. Peace is found first in acceptance. Another person might feel deeply uncomfortable or victimized by having carried this physical and societal pain for so long. But for me? It was Tuesday. And as such, when people complain about discomfort or lack of pleasantness, I can't help but pity them. They couldn't handle what I handled. And as such, I accept not only the inevitability of pain, but also the distance my strength created between me and the rest of society. Eventually, the pain receded, but it remains a stark memory; a shadow haunting me and helping me remember that trying to fit me into society was a mistake. There is far more peace and recovery in solitude.