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- How to Be a Hero And The Heroic Directory
Art by Mrs. Esther Drucker Nowodworski (RIP, Rubinshtein's Grandmother) The Heroic Directory https://www.philosocom.com/post/trying-to-understand-a-narcissist-s-rationale-captain-quark-character-analysis https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-flawed-philosophy-of-the-hero https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-philosophical-reason-as-to-why-i-play-the-bad-guy-in-certain-games Granny's Ambition (A Poem) https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-heisenberg-of-philosophy-within-a-shadowy-intellect https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-multi-layered-shadow-box-poem https://www.philosocom.com/post/elementary-to-me-poem https://www.philosocom.com/post/mike-ehrmantraut https://www.philosocom.com/post/toledo-sword https://www.philosocom.com/post/static-shock https://www.philosocom.com/post/life-as-a-hero (Background music) Alex Mos's Synopsis To classify someone as a hero or a villain is often a matter of perspective. The subjectivity of good and evil deeds is especially apparent in politics and wars. Collective allegiances, affiliation bias, and the long-term consequences for different sides shape diverse views on the righteousness of one's actions. You can become a hero if your contribution to humanity is significant and recognized by others. Promote a noble cause by working in a highly appreciated field and consider volunteering. Be a role model for others and a decent person. Individuals are considered heroes when they significantly impact the world and are remembered for their contributions. They serve a greater purpose than themselves, such as justice, altruism, and freedom, and are also inspiring leaders. If someone wants to be a hero, they must maintain a respectable and honest reputation throughout life. The author doesn't see himself as a hero but aspires to do selfless good in the world, inspired by the noble character Lazlo from a game. (2025 Note: For the sake of my sanity , I will not save more people than I already did. 7 is enough for me). Heroism and Villainism in a Complex World The relationship between heroism and villainism is often far more intricate than a simple good versus evil dichotomy. This complexity becomes especially apparent in arenas like politics and war, where motivations, consequences, and perspectives can be questioned as well as lambasted. Freedom Fighters or Terrorists? Those fighting for independence can be praised as heroes by their people, but branded terrorists by the opposing side. When it's prone to subjectivity , a subject worthy of redemption , who could be the one right in this regard? Founding Fathers or Tyrants? Historical figures revered for establishing nations can also be seen as oppressive rulers who subjugated others. Military Heroes or Butchers? Military leaders celebrated for their victories may also be criticized for the casualties inflicted during wartime. Wouldn't you consider one-man armies as impressive, but school shooters as deplorable? What if they're two sides of the same coin? These blurred lines highlight the difficulty of objectively labeling someone a hero or villain. Perceptions are shaped by collective allegiances, affiliation bias , and the long-term impacts of actions of different sides. Even violence against a seemingly "evil" force like the Nazis can be a source of debate. Should we, in our actions, enable the same aggression we condemn? Is it the right thing to do, or a way to express a natural evil? Leaving a Legacy Through Good Deeds As long as you don't fight or shoot people for a living , you too can get the chance to be considered a hero, as long as you fulfill the following criteria: Be significant: You do not have to be globally famous like a celebrity, but you do need to be known enough in order for your deeds to be recognized by someone . Some are recognized during their lives, some after their deaths. Nonetheless, a person who, on a daily basis, feeds pigeons isn't necessarily a hero. Your significance can come from many sources, such as a certain position, certain deeds you have done throughout your life, your goals in life, and so on. Promote a noble cause : Do or work in a field that is considered highly appreciated, but it doesn't have to be luxurious. Being a kindergarten teacher for the autistic can technically make you a hero, at least in the eyes of those whose subject of autism is very important to them. Volunteering in certain places, such as third world countries, is also possible and even encouraged. This is also an important life lesson. Having a cause can help add meaning to your life. Present an example: Be a model for whatever is considered good and valued. People will not only remember you for the deeds you have done, but also for who you were. Be polite, listen more, and appreciate the existence of others in your life. As long as you're a decent person and not a jerk, this should be the least of your worries when becoming a hero. Why should one become a hero? Because those who are considered heroes have a chance to be remembered not only for the rest of their lives but also far after their deaths. With such remembering, one can leave a great impact on the world , and if you care for both your own image and for your contribution to humanity, the hero's path should be considered regularly. I had one "friend" throughout my childhood and early teen years; his name was Lazlo and he was a video game character, that I literarily used to identify him with me (even though, of course, I knew I am not him). To this day I consider him to be a role model for me. One that is brave, kind and gets the job done. That is the ultimate way of becoming a true hero -- by becoming a role model for others to study and follow after his or her image and example. One, therefore, doesn't have to have superpowers, or strength or even high intelligence -- all a hero needs is to do good and to serve as a proper example to follow by. A hero is also one that serves a greater purpose other than themselves; their inner sense of duty has to multiply itself and be within other people as well; they serve as triggers for good that spread throughout the planet. Because of that, a hero must be an "authority" of some sort, one that people would look at, admire and respect his or her intentions. Without a sense of servitude , a hero can fall into the pit of narcissism . Thus, he or she is both a "master" and a servant. -- the "master" of those who follow them, and the servant of whatever is good -- justice , altruism, equality, freedom and so on. A nd the more serving they are, the less they would prioritize themselves. That is if they are willing to be more heroic. Finally, there is a great obstacle in the path of heroism , related to the issue of reputation. Those who want to preserve their good name after their deaths, must make sure that they won't do anything that is greatly frowned upon, such as sexual harassment, and other crimes that involve harming others. Michael Jackson , while not necessarily a hero, got his name stained by his p****philic intentions. Because of that, his reputation will probably never be the same, despite his contributions to music. If you're a politician, make sure you won't take bribes or do anything corrupt. Your corruption can be both discovered and forever stained by your legacy as a public servant. Conclusions We can say that once one achieves the status of a hero or any other grand status, achievement is insufficient. After achieving much, you now need to preserve it through your deeds and decisions throughout your life. Even if you're to die like a hero, your secrets might be ultimately discovered, and there's nothing you can do other than not committing these secrets in the first place. A hero may be more honest, as honesty is a virtue. As for myself, I don't view myself as a hero, but I do aspire to do good in this world, even if I won't necessarily get something in return. Merely because I basically have all I'll ever need to live . I was merely taught to be a good human being and to avoid the exact opposite. If I ever wanted to be a parent, I'd try to teach my children to do the same. I was also inspired by that character, Lazlo, to be good, as he has never done a bad deed (canon-wise, of course). Mr. Nathan Lasher's Feedback I believe heroes and villains all exist on a spectrum with our actions determining which way we lean. Nobody can be defined as one or the other by them simply being who they are. Your actions determine which you are so therefore only you can decide if you are a hero or not. Can’t be a hero or a villain if you don’t do anything. (Apart from the world about to be blown up and you decide to do nothing) You can be a hero as much as you can be an action. Heroes and villains are those who act. You aren’t a hero because you say you're a hero, unless you're Donald Trump, because who knows what is going through his mind , you are a hero because your actions say you are. [Being a] hero is all about nonverbal communication. What you do is more important than what you say . You become a hero by acting like a hero. Actions are the best defense against people saying otherwise. Being a hero is nothing more than accumulating the right characteristics. The more characteristics you gain the more likely that people will notice it. Anyone can be a hero if they so choose to be. But who wants to live with that kind of pressure? Nobody can fathom what it would be like to be perfect like that. Plus most humans tend to occasionally do bad here and there. What makes the anti-hero such an attractive concept? [There's] no pressure as you aren’t the type of person who people would expect it from. Added bonus is that it doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of taking actions and surprising them. If people understood, you really are the one who creates yourself. You create yourself by actions. Simple as that. You want to be the best in the world at something? Start by having the same actions and habits of a person who would be. Imagine what first place would look like and do the actions which are required to make it a reality. Life is all about action. If you want to be someone, start by taking the actions of the person you want to become.
- On the Need to Leave an Impact
(Void directory) (Background music) My childhood was a very happy one. I played video games for years on end and did not have a care in the world.... Until the moment the emptiness began chewing in. I felt a need to leave an impact, and it is a need I only managed to fulfil in my adulthood. I remember telling my mother I have no life, and she was astounded by my grim philosophical insights. I told her how, after studying astronomy by myself, that we are tiny insignificant creatures, like ants, and how the void is big compared to humanity. My mother wanted me to stop because I began scaring her with all of these philosophical insights on the insignificance of humanity. I always knew how insignificant I, as a human, really am. I am small compared to the Earth, and the Earth is small compared to the solar system. We are just small ants who really think they are objectively significant. But I knew that we are not as significant as we see ourselves. This understanding left me hollow as a child, and all I wanted to do was to do something meaningful that will leave an impact on the world, so I won't feel as insignificant a human I objectively am. Being a mere child, facing existential crisis, there was very little I could do to leave an impact , so I fell into depression , 20 years ago, as I wanted to do something extraordinary, but didn't have the means to do it. Now as an adult, I keep on working on this empire of articles because that helps me fill in the emptiness that started 20 years ago, when I faced existential crisis as a child. The void never leaves entirely. The void accompanied me ever since my initial existential crisis. Ever since the void began bothering me, life began being hard, as I experienced this void in many aspects of life. One of the reasons I am a solitary ascetic is because I perceive void in social interactions . Ever since I had my existential crisis, social interactions were never the same. In elementary school I already discarded a lot of friends I used to have because interacting with them felt useless. I also had to guard my mother, but I digress. This void is what makes me special as an individual. It is hard to comprehend me because most people don't necessarily feel this giant void within them. I do, ever since the 2000's. Life has been hard as a result. I was depressed and nothing rarely gave me satisfaction. I passed high school with flying colors and I was supposed to be a philosophy professor in university, until I sabotaged my life. The reason? Social interactions. I just couldn't bear the vain-ess of teachers socializing with students there. I just couldn't. It's the same degree of hardship I experienced back in high school, when teachers socialized with students there as well. Ever since childhood, the need to leave an impact accompanied me to this very day. Leaving an impact on people's lives is how the void within me vanishes, and so I get to feel fulfilled just like the days of before the existential crisis. I feel gratification writing because I know this legacy of Philosocom is going to last for long . This is what makes me feel happier, and the void, less heavy. I know this age of AI , where its rapid development renders writers irrelevant, renders also websites not as visited. However, I don't care. I just don't. My need to fill in the void exists irrespective of AI, and so Philosocom endures regardless of the rapid AI revolution, which replaces writers above all other professions and occupations. This void within me compelled me to help a lot of people and save lives from the pit of despair. Had I not felt compelled to leave an impact, several people would probably end up dead. There must be a higher reasoning as to why I feel this deep emptiness within me. The emptiness doesn't exist in a vacuum. This emptiness within me has the power to transform and change entire lives, has the potential to leave a truly enduring impact on the world. And so, like Sisyphus, I lift the stone of productivity up the mountain of life, until the time it falls off, and then I feel insanely empty again. Sometimes, I wish the void will disappear completely, so I will be happy . But it doesn't. No matter how many lives I saved, how many people I helped, the void just enters again, rendering my sacrifice irrelevant in my subjective experience of the world. But it doesn't. It just doesn't. It remorselessly goes back, and makes me feel a deep desire to leave an impact once more. Why? Because I am well aware of the fact that we are just tiny insignificant creatures compared to the larger universe we're in. The fact is as clear as day to me. I am aware, and yet cannot accept it. Accepting it would be defeatism. Just because we're tiny and insignificant beings compared to the universe, doesn't mean we cannot leave an impact. I already left an impact in people's lives, but I am young, and I see that as a fault, not as a virtue. I see it as a fault because I still have so much time left. Despite everything I did, life is still ahead of me. And I hate it. I really do. I hate being young, for I am old in my mentality. I am a traditionalist who struggles keeping up with the rapid times of the godlike technology humanity has been catering to . I am more of an old stubborn man within the body of a young man. I see on YouTube the Sudanese sword artisans, and I am filled with inspiration. I see the biography of the character Lau Chan of Virtua Fighter, who dedicated his entire life to mastering a single martial art, and I am filled with inspiration. These are the very few things that help me feel alive, that ignite some spark within me, beyond the world of love. I see myself like a consistent drop of water, carving up its own unique path in an old, stern rock. The more I persist in my way, the more the void goes away. And I am filled with true satisfaction, that lasts only for a while, until it returns back again. I feel trapped, imprisoned, with the consistent desire to leave an impact, the only thing outside love that makes me feel alive. And rectifying people in my own terms is how I leave that impact. The fallen trend of blogs in face of AI doesn't matter to me. With my keyboard and with my art I persevere, as the Ruler of Philosocom, as I do what I like to do the most: Contribute to you. It's the only thing that makes me feel alive outside love. And I love it. I love to feel alive. To write something of depth, and to provide it, is what gratifies me so much. I just wish these feelings would last forever, but they do not. So I am back to writing yet again, looking for the next rush of gratification. I don't want to accept the void in utter defeatism. Instead I choose to employ it in my quest for contribution and gratification. I have a deep, psychological need to leave an impact in people's lives, and I do just that. I saved people, I helped people, but no matter what, this feeling of void, like an unwelcome guest, will keep invading me, as I keep isolating myself from the world, wanting nothing to do with it beyond my online contributions to it, and beyond the necessary evil of survival. Because I refuse to be a tiny insignificant human in the universe. I can't bear it. I just can't. I am disabled for my unique potential to succeed in writing makes me feel I need to do something great for as long as I can. It is not arrogance, but the need to contribute to you. It's not narcissism , but the need to leave a long, enduring impact on this world which I have forsaken in the name of good. And I write and write like a lone swordsman who cuts hordes of demons again and again, until at the very last satisfaction is reached, but for as long as that satisfaction is not reached, I just keep at it no matter in what state I am or what is the state of the internet. I know much of the internet is dead, making way for bots. I know websites are irrelevant, but I don't have the heartlessness within me that is called keeping up with the times. I don't have the heartlessness within me to give up on the need to leave an impact under my own terms. I am too heartful to partake in society, so I spare society of myself, because my need to be accomplished is ravenous and takes every good bit of normalcy. I don't want to be happy, I want to be satisfied in the impact I make, and what other impact is bigger than creating a massive empire of articles to last throughout the ages? All I want is to contribute. That is the reason I keep on going online. That is the reason I helped and saved people. My desire for relevance fuels me because it is the only thing that keeps this annoying void away from me. There must, must be a higher reasoning for this. My void exists in the name of unrelenting altruism. In the name of helping even more people, and as long as I am empty inside, my void will still compel me to write. There is no stopping this maddening void. There is only delaying it until the next time it arrives. Such existence is hard and tragic , but I boldly persevere, never giving in to the defeatism and uselessness that comes from the existential understanding that we are just tiny insignificant creatures!!!! And I will write and write and write and write until the void is gone! Look how much I need to write to make this void go away! There must be a reason why it exists that goes beyond just myself! Who knows who will pick this article up, read it, and feel inspired to do something great? That is exactly why I believe this void doesn't exist for nothing, and my need to leave an impact doesn't exist for nothing. As detached as I appear, people will read this eventually, people will need this eventually, during some point in the future. And this future will become history, my history, the history which I carve in the form of Philosocom. And at long last the void is gone. It feels like a giant creature sitting on my chest. I feel lighter, writing this article; lighter as a feather, and not as heavy to the point breathing is hard. I need this. I need to write, for my sanity , for the void to go away, I need this more than I need social interactions, more than I need friends. Once all the people in my life will be gone, in 30, 40 years, I will be left alone with the same void that gnaws on me, and I will just keep on writing as usual. Death doesn't startle me, I accept death for death is inevitable , and I know that my solitude is inevitable as well. I will just keep being a philosophical Sisyphus and Azazel, sacrificing much of my time and internet on writing and writing and writing and writing. I need to leave an impact so I must leave an impact. This isn't a delusion of necessity but a necessity that helps me function in life. Who knows, there might be a higher reasoning for everything and everyone, and my purpose in this life, to rectify this world using my articles, is unique, for I am cursed with a deep void unlike any other. I want it away. I want it to keep it away from me. Otherwise existence feels like a burden, and I am looking for a way out of the burdensome nature of this void within me. I seek freedom , but I presume this freedom will be accessible to me only in my death. But I refuse to die just yet. I have my whole life ahead of me, despite of all the work I did. It means, that more work is to be done, as a result... Far, far, far more work than I did already! Like an unrelenting warrior I will hold firm my sword as I continue slashing away the void within me via writing. And I will keep helping people via my writing, and I will keep doing it with great determination because it is the only way out of the void, leaving an impact will be the sword that will set me free from the burdensome chains of the void. And only then, only when I am finally free from this void, is where I will know happiness in my cursed existence which I perceive as empty. Only love and working on Philosocom gratify me from the void, so I keep at it, keep at it, hoping one day to finally be set free from the suffering of the deep hole inside of me.
- Meaning As a Responsibility -- How to Feel Less Vain
(Background music) (Void directory) The Burden of the Unattributed Life Life, in its raw state, offers no inherent meaning. It simply is, eternal in energy but ever changing in form. We come into this reality without being asked, and then, when we reach a certain degree of independence, we are then left to decide how to live our lives, with this decision being our responsibility. This vain reality, often obscured by the survival needs of daily existence , presents us with a profound, inescapable burden: the responsibility of attribution. Meaning, you see, is not necessarily a gift bestowed upon us by some benevolent cosmic force, nor is it a pre-packaged commodity to be consumed with a price tag. Rather, it is a deliberate act, a conscious imposition of significance upon a reality that goes on with or without us. To deny this responsibility is to condemn oneself to a life adrift, a vessel without a function, tossed by the tyrannical currents of circumstance, ultimately destined for the desolate shores of pointlessness. This pointlessness, let us be clear, is not merely the fleeting moments of a dull afternoon after work is done. It is a deeper, more insidious void – a lack of resonance, a hollowness that echoes chronically; a nagging suspicion that all endeavors, all passions, all struggles, are ultimately without greater reasoning than that which we attribute to it. It is the antithesis of a life truly lived, a state of being where the vibrant excitements of experience fade into a monochromatic blur, where the very act of existing feels like an uninspired rehearsal for a dull play. To merely exist, without the active engagement of meaning-making, is to minimize the privilege --and burden -- of consciousness. One might drift into this state of un-meaning not through malicious intent, but through a subtle, gradual abdication of willpower. The relentless demands of the daily survival, the seductive ease of passive consumption, the fear of confronting the vast, indifferent universe – these can bring us into a frustrating existence , where intentionality is replaced by stagnation, and whose frustration is merely experienced, not utilized for something greater. We, then, become spectators to our own lives, observing rather than participating, waiting for meaning to present itself, rather than forging it with our own hands. This passive acceptance of the meaningless is, perhaps, the most tragic failure of all. It's a silent surrender to the very emptiness we instinctively dread; to the void that renders us lonely even when we are in company. The Architecture of Purpose and Responsibility The path to a life filled with meaning, therefore, is not through revelation but done by construction. It is an active, ongoing process of building, brick by brick, the very framework of purpose. This architecture of meaning is not dictated by external blueprints or decrees; it is deeply personal, forged in the crucible of our unique experiences, values, and aspirations. It demands a radical shift from passive reception to active creation, from waiting for significance to imbuing it with our own deliberate choices. It is, in essence, an act of profound self-leadership, where the self is sovereign over one's life. How, then, does one engage in this vital act of attribution? It is through the application of our faculties to endeavors that resonate with our deepest selves. It is found in the craft of our work, in genuine relationships, forged by the bravery of vulnerability, and in the pursuit of knowledge, in the courageous act of creation. It is one that is done on a regular basis, if not on a daily basis, the decision to forge our own meaning in an otherwise pointless existence. Paradoxically, it is also found in the confrontation of suffering, of being able to give meaning to the suffering, as Nietzsche would suggest. Through these activities, the otherwise arbitrary events of life acquire weight, depth, and enduring significance. No one is going to do it for us, it is our responsibility to forge meaning within the life that was given to us, so the vain-ness of reality will finally be abolished. And it is uncertain if the vain-ness of reality will indeed be abolished. It is only through the daring, personal, regular attempt of overcoming it, in which we can see for ourselves, if the vain-ness will finally be gone. A life rich in attributed meaning is one that feels full, substantial, and resilient against the inevitable absurdities, adversities and hardships that life presents. It is a life lived with ambition, not merely endured for the sake of endurance. The endurance becomes but a reinforced tunnel that brings us to the next event which we find meaningful, in an otherwise hollow existence. After all, it is through the endurance of vain-ness, in which we can persevere and find ourselves in a time or place which we can truly call meaningful. And what could be called meaningful? Anything -- and anyone -- that makes us feel alive. Anything, or anyone, that can make our lives feel like they have a reason to be endured. The individual who embraces this responsibility of meaning-giving, stands firm against the tides of pointlessness, finding purpose not in some grand, preordained design, but in the deliberate, continuous act of crafting their own narrative, of assigning value where none might otherwise exist. This is the essence of a life well-lived: the ability to transcend the pointlessness of mere survival, for the creation/finding of purpose in the face of cosmos that stay whether or not we stay. The ability to create a "why" to the "how" of life is the regular responsibility of the conscious mind, willing to endure reality for a reasoning it finds worthy to endure reality for. Let us, then, embrace this responsibility, so we could transcend mere survival and reach a state of being truly alive. Let us shed the heavy cloak of apathy and the quiet despair of the unexamined life. Let us seek meaning not in the escapisms the external world offers to us, but in the steady, internal flame of a life lived with intention, with curiosity, and with a profound sense of interconnectedness to a journey we ourselves are bravely paving. For it is in this courageous act of meaning-attribution that the gnawing emptiness of pointlessness might finally stop, replaced by the quiet, lasting satisfaction of a life truly, deliberately, and meaningfully lived. Bonus: My Tragic Existence I am writing this article because I have realized that my existence is tragic. Regardless of what I do, my existence will always be left unsatisfied eventually. It is then my responsibility, to carve meaning within the suffering, within the lack of satisfaction, to create something truly meaningful and great. With my lack of satisfaction, I build Philosocom, a grand empire of philosophical articles, which I write to occupy myself and to contribute to you. I always seek to be of meaning, of relevance, in whatever I do. Despite all the meaningful things I did, from helping people to saving lives from the pit of despair, I still feel empty. Thanks to this article I now realize it is my reasoning, every day, to fight this vain-ness by doing something truly meaningful, like writing articles that can help rectify the world. But the tragedy is, that I will always feel this vain-ness, gnawing into the depths of my soul. I have embraced the void , realizing my existence will always be hollow. It is, then, my reasoning, my ambition, to not relent to the vain-ness that follows; to live life meaningfully; to contribute; to help; to be of service. I feel that it's the only way this annoying, gnawing feeling of empty-ness will yield something truly meaningful. It is the only way in which I sense this gnawing emptiness will be redeemed, if not in feeling, at least by creation. Had I not felt so empty inside of me, I would not bother to contribute, I would not bother to help, and most importantly, I would not bother to save people from the temptation to take away their own lives. I am a pit of emptiness that constantly seeks to be redeemed through contribution. That is my purpose, my game of life. All I want to do is to contribute. It is the only thing, outside love, that makes me feel truly alive, and not an undead. I am Tomasio Rubinshtein, the undead philosopher, and all I want to do is to forge meaning so I can better deal with what I perceive as a curse: This gnawing vain-ness of reality that only seems to leave once I do something which can be seen as truly meaningful, like constructing a high quality article for the world to enjoy, or to help someone in need. I am cursed, I am trapped, I am imprisoned. And as someone who knew me, told me once: Love and Philosocom will be the only things that will gratify you.
- The Hole Inside of Me -- How I Live In Alma Deshakra (The Vain Reality)
(Background music) (Philosocom's Subcategory on Shallowness) (Void directory) It first began during childhood. I had a very happy childhood, full of freedom and fun, but perhaps because of that, it was also a very devoid period in my life. The fun I received from doing the things I liked back then, fun that could last for days on average, just felt... hollow. I could play games the entire day, and still go to bed a sad individual. Even as a naive kid, I felt like an existentially useless, worthless being who gave nothing to himself or to society. People told me, "Enjoy your time as a kid while it lasts", They told me " Seize your ability to have so much free time ", and I did just that. And still... life felt worthless, a waste of time and space. I don't know why I had these thoughts as a child, but I had them nonetheless, and beyond hollow fun, I almost felt nothing else. I've seen the outside beyond the window of the apartment. The sun was shining, and the wind was blowing the trees in the building's small yard, where I used to live. It meant little to me because I wanted the fun to last as long as possible. That was, even though it was a hollow one. I could not know any better, of course, because I was just a kid. And yet, I was haunted by nihilistic thoughts. In Judaism, this world is known as Alma Deshakra, otherwise known as a world of mundane delights. Look around you. The dazzling lights of cities, the happiness displayed in advertisements, the soulless-ness of pop music ... For those who have a certain tiredness in us, one that is found in " Old Souls ", this reality is experienced as chronically vain. Like you already understand it, and thus, grow tired of it. So, you seek its deeper layers, even for the sake of staying mentally sound, to mentally survive . This Earth is but a tiny body in a large, uncaring galaxy, in a much bigger, uncaring universe. It all ends someday, regardless of what you do. For many, nothing is truly valuable beyond the mere experience of joy. How pathetic. Mother told me, "We should be thankful to God for what He has given to us", and I indeed believed in that deity during some of my childhood. I even prayed to him some nights. But existence still felt "godless". So, in order for me to not be consumed by this chronic feeling which haunts me most of my life, I look for the deeper aspects of this existence. I refuse to be truly satisfied , for that will mark the full victory of the hole inside of me. An ever-consuming void of profound nihilism. Even with my thankfulness, the emptiness inside me would not go away. How can I be thankful when I chronically hunger for depth? Empires... are built on hunger. On the need to expand. My mind lives like a Roman Empire. Never truly satisfied, always seeking to conquer more and more ambitions and articles to call my own. I need this like food. As I grew up to my teen years, I got to experience new things, other than games. I went abroad, went to certain parties (also known as "Bat-Mitzvas" back then), and finished elementary school at a pool party. It all felt just as empty as me playing a video game in the solitude of my former apartment. The joy, the music, and the entertainment did not fill the hole carved within me by my very existence. It all felt like I am needed to pretend I am happy, while in the real world, my own happiness is not even relevant. For it breaks the norm of collective hedonism, which compels you to be happy for the sake of collective good. For the expression of your unhappiness, ruins the mood. How pathetic. I had pets, and I had a few friends. At the time, none of them could understand. They were too young, and pets can't grasp nihilism, as far as I'm aware. I really had no one to turn to to fill the void inside me. The same void that had accompanied me since early childhood. Thus far, I have only found two things that fulfill this Lovecraftian void: love and philosophizing. Nothing else gives me as much satisfaction as falling in love with someone and reminding myself that there's still depth in this largely-vain reality. I guess it's a good thing, but only when it comes to the latter. When it comes to the former, it can really haunt you, as it did to me. As girls and women rejected me, it seemed to hurt more than the void itself hurt me over the years. To observe a message of rejection from someone you loved with all your heart. That is an event I wished not to experience yet again, for I am not a masochist. However, embracing adversity helped me expand my sphere of actions. Trying over and over again to get the perfect "shot," like when taking a picture, seems very frustrating. And it is. You can be with a girl, woman, or someone else for a few months, only for her to abandon you unexpectedly, leaving you once again with your thoughts. What is the point of this uncertainty? Perhaps this is an uncertainty I refused to partake in again, only to realize I will be empty inside either way. And that's good for writing, to remain unhappy, as it allows me to get more things done. So unhappy I will remain by choice. And thus, the only thing in life that truly makes me happy and only makes me happy, beyond mere joy, is the quest for more insight. It feels productive more than anything else in this existence, which, for some reason, I view as hollow, as vain. It gives me hope, and I want to share that hope with others through Philosocom . I don't have a definite explanation as to why that is the only thing that makes me happy and proud, even though other activities give me joy as well, but these are the facts. Why do you think I write so much? It appears that this is the only thing that keeps the "hole" from expanding more and more. Each article, once in a while, minimizes the hole further and further, until it is gone. Only to expand once more, calling me to resume my life's work once again. There is no end to this. Only in death. And I accept this strange destiny within me. I don't know if I believe in destiny , but I also can't work in anything else, as the fatigue that followed became too strong for me to resume working (and I indeed tried doing so, as an office clerk). It resulted in a 5 year-long era of Reaping Fatigue , where I slowly became physically handicapped. I solved that handicap on my own, but I wish not to undergo such an Era again, for it compromised my intellect greatly. I guess that all I have to do in this life is serve a greater purpose than myself, not necessarily because it is "my destiny," but because it's the only thing that I can do with little-to-no fatigue and with a small glimpse of true happiness . For I still have the energy to prove the world that she was wrong . And I will do so with relentless altruism. Hehehehe... Living to work as a philosopher is the only thing I feel obliged to live for. Nothing else is as resonating. Not even love. Thank you for reading.
- The Ascetic Joker -- A Poem and A Note
(Philosocom's Asceticism Directory) (Directory on Fear: https://www.philosocom.com/post/on-fear-and-the-right-to-resist-it ) (Void directory) Introduction Many years ago, I wrote a poem that explains my motives for living a more ascetic life and renouncing it to an extent . Not in the name of a religious deity , but in the name of strength, serenity, and saving money. In other words, I am an irreligious ascetic who tries to live only the smaller aspects of life, such as daily chores and work, moments of rejuvenation, and resting/sleeping. You will almost never see me socializing , hanging out in nightclubs, or even going abroad for tourism. I only rarely go to restaurants, too. I am therefore a contemporary semi-hermit who aspires to dedicate his life to rectify the world through philosophy, and to achieve a state of continuous serenity through my work. "But why are you doing this to yourself, Tomasio?" You may probably ask. The reason for that will be momentarily presented in the following poem, where I take the image of a jester, heavily inspired by Diogenes, the ancient Greek philosopher , who critiques the orthodox ways of living; the endless pursuit of many after ultimate happiness and mental security. Enjoy. The Ascetic Joker I, have ascended From the unnecessities Of our universe. There is no glow, So bright, Which can convince me To end my life and blow. I observe the people who Build pyramids of sand, Tying themselves to others With emotional glue, And call their love "true", Following the herd's command, Afraid to face their own emptiness. But I find it so humorous, When I contemplate this in my seclusion. Inhale, and exhale, The universe's ignored hell. My heart is so pale, With such amusement. [Laughing] Noises and coloured lights, Are things which without them makes people, So afraid, so lone, with their frights. Meaning is a subjective term, But only few wonder and claim Whether subjectivity is or not actually existent. We, are, surrounded with emptiness , but we deny it, As many of us afraid, and the rest are blind, With their closed eyes of deep thoughts, And continue to play with their draughts, And never look around and beyond their projector's varied lights. Recreation, so to face the self, too late, Worldly adventures – an internal escape. There is nothing, beyond what I already do, That I crave, that I wish to woo. Excessive activity is, a sign of anxiety, To keep one away, from the void's immortality, I've produced so much meaning through my creations, But how come that a grain of meaninglessness is still intact? In my seclusion, I have contemplated, And above the earthly, I have ascended. The tragic of existence, I have attended, And now, my inner mask can be truly dead! [Laughing] Life is a one-time game, But you cannot restart, save, or pause. But why should I "carpe diem," When I understand That the void is something that cannot be fully overcome? All the glamour, fame , sparks, heights, sex, and love Cannot elevate me beyond the void's final bound. Happiness and joy do exist. I do not disagree. But they are only short-term satisfactions, Satisfactions that exist for a certain period of time, And then we feel like we need to provide them all in a continuous loop. I have no fear of exploring the strange and the obscure. I am no conformist. I can accept and live with this void. [Laughing]
- 7 Essences of Existence -- A Guide to Physical Reality
(Background music) (Void directory) Unveiling the Fabric of Reality Have you ever pondered the true nature of existence? What separates a mere dream from the solid ground beneath your feet? This article delves into the fundamental building blocks of reality, presenting the seven essences that aim to define what truly exists in the world beyond our limited perception. From the fundamental necessity of materiality to the dynamic nature of change, we begin the journey to understand the fabric of what we can be certain that exists -- the physical realm. The existence of subjectivity is not as concrete as the physical world since the former depends on something we can't even entirely prove -- the consciousness. That is while the philosophy of solipsism, which claims only the "I", or one's consciousness is the only existing thing, is easily disproven, as presented in the Guardian query about it and in my article featuring the Genealogical Claim. So, prepare to have your conceptions challenged as we explore the concepts of separation, atomicity, logic, and location. We'll dissect the role of finitude, contrasting it with the boundless nature of a concept I call "The Great Void" . Finally, we'll uncover the ever-present force of change, the essence that ensures nothing remains static. 1.Materiality: Everything that exists for sure, exists as a material. Without material, there would be nothing, not even illusions , for illusions originate from any material that embodies a consciousness, a mind. Furthermore, all material is a product of energy , not only existing in humans. And of course, all material must be in either one of the 22 states of matter in order to exist. 2. Separation: In order to understand a specific existence and distinguish it from another specific existence, that specific existence must be separated and secluded from anything that is not that specific existence. Without separation, there would be no distinction. Without distinction, there would be no identification. Although matter may exist in different forms over a course of history, the current form must be separated from other forms in order to be identified. The same applies in human individuality, to the point it could be reduced to numbers. 3. Quarks and Electrons: It's believed that atoms are the most elementary particles that construct the entire universe and everything that truly exists within it. However, exotic nuclei defy the orthodox definition of what an atom is often possessing an excessive amount of neutrons. Also, most hydrogen atoms do not even have neutrons. Either way, all atoms of any structure contain quarks and electrons. Therefore, in order for something to exist, it must be composed of either of the two elementary particles. Everything that is not composed of these universal building blocks cannot truly exist in physical reality. 4. Logic: Logic is an alternative way to know and understand existence apart from experimentation and experience. In order for something to exist, it must have a logical origin and an identical, specific, and equivalent definition that is synonymous with the existent being itself. For example, a car is physically originated from manufacture, and an identical definition would be: “a transportation and mechanical device that has wheels and an engine.” However, scientific evidence triumphs logic where it can exist in the first place, making it both important and flawed at the same time. However, logic necessarily exists, as anything in theory can be explained with it. Expand your knowledge and you can improve your logical reasoning as well. Also, note that things do not need a purpose in order to exist -- only history, which is based in logic (AKA philosophy of history) . Purpose subjective to its maker/user (and thus a mental construct). The fact something is designated or was made for a certain functionality, does not mean it must achieve its goal, for failure could always be an inevitable possibility. 5. Location: All things that truly exist must have a space in the universe, so "the Great Void" must contain it. What allows location to inhabit an object is space, which is one of the three expressions of the void. Unlike in video games, more than one being cannot be in the same spot as another. It must have a separate spot, or else it would be an illusion (aka, a mental construct inhabiting the same space as yourself). The Mental/Abstract Dimension do not necessarily hold a single, specific place. You can have consciousness in a body the same as you could “freeze” and store one in the form of text, painting, video, and so forth. This is known in another article of mine as "represented existence". Thus, consciousness and every abstract concept, society included, can be seen as an intersubjective illusion, represented in symbolism, culture and media. The same is with togetherness, because technically you are separated from others whether you are in a heavily populated bus or alone in your home. Location and separation serve as the footwork for my universal loner-hood theory, the metaphysical reasoning behind loneliness. 6. Finitude: Only the Great Void of the Universe can be infinite, given that the entirety of the universe, which keeps expanding , has always more room to grow. For something to truly exist, it must have an end, or a possible end, whether that end is physical in the form of shape, or have a chronological end. The universe always keeps expanding, meaning that it always has an end which is simply broken every time expansions are made. The internet, as another example, while it can be formless, cannot be unconditionally eternal. If the energy sources that generate the internet are to be destroyed, the internet itself will be destroyed. But in general, due to data storage and hosting services costing money , many failing websites like MySpace , were shut down for good. Nothing on the internet is therefore forever , and thus finite in time. The Great Void is more powerful in the sense that it is not dependent upon anything in order to exist as it is. It's this universal void that allows all of existence's essences exist and be expressed. There will always be space, meaning the Great Void will last for eternity regardless of circumstance in the Reality Beyond the Mind. Should I manage to edit the article on it, I will also discuss in it something called "point-zero energy" , a not-well known form of energy, but one potentially infinite as the void itself, and stemming from it. 7. Change: Everything that truly exists is prone to change by the influence and/or interaction of other things and beings. In other words, nothing that exists truly stays the same for eternity. It is then no surprise that wars may happen, much to people's surprise. However, even drastic changes can be explained by logic, and can be reduced or prevented if we just plan ahead of time. To quote Greek philosopher Heraclitus: There is nothing permanent except change. Final Words With the Great Void being the sole exception to all, these are the essences I have discovered in my contemplations about what certainly exists, and thus what is known existence, putting spirituality aside. Feel free to share this article if you'd like, and share your thoughts in accordance to site's rules.
- Theme of Cake (And Directory on the Heart)
(The Directory: https://www.philosocom.com/post/emotions-and-epistemology https://www.philosocom.com/post/a-tale-of-the-silent-hour-5-poems-on-the-philosophy-of-the-heart-by-mr-ogbule-chibuzo-isaac https://www.philosocom.com/post/preparering-to-suffer-my-philosophy-on-a-broken-heart https://www.philosocom.com/post/philosophy-as-basic-how-it-can-touch-the-heart https://www.philosocom.com/post/insights-to-understand-social-engineering-by-mr-o-c-isaac https://www.philosocom.com/post/love-and-humanity-a-guest-post-by-dr-seyed-alavi https://www.philosocom.com/post/a-forbidden-love-a-wise-fable-by-an-anonymous-lady https://www.philosocom.com/post/why-i-want-to-dominate-the-world-through-philosophy https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-ballad-of-tom https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-storage-room-theory-a-philosophy-of-the-heart-how-to-value-humans https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-multi-layered-shadow-box-poem https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-sad-philosophy-of-safe-spaces https://www.philosocom.com/post/philosopher-king https://www.philosocom.com/post/memento-mori https://www.philosocom.com/post/all-i-want https://www.philosocom.com/post/tragic-tale ) (Void directory) (Note: This is a special piece that will not be renovated to be kept in the present day, and will not be updated in information, in order to preserve some of the past. Past I can reflect on. I am not keen on forgetting the past. The past can help us forge a better future . More on my philosophy on the past has been written). Theme of Cake (Background music) Long, I have found, no affection. Long, I have found, no warm lane. Don’t you know, there is no, salvation. The void has begun, with the brain . Long, the silence, has dominated. Long, the cold, became my cloth. Don’t you know, there is no, salvation. The void has begun, with the brain. An army of readers have been marching with me, Some are delighted with the spoil, some have deserted. There is happiness in solitude, yes it exists in my servitude , And work has became my new food. I, am a stone, military general, Who influences the world with apprentices, several. Don’t you know, there is no, salvation, The void has begun with the brain. There is, little heart, that remained a fluid mineral. It is a solid metal, forgotten by time. Don’t you know, there is no, salvation, Your cake can't melt down, My dead heart.
- Embracing the Power of the Void and Reality’s Emptiness
(Philosocom's Subcategory Directory On Nihilism) (Void directory) Article Synopsis by Mr. John Igwe and Co. "The Power of the Void" is a philosophical article that delves into the concept of nihilism and the human quest for meaning in an indifferent universe. The article explores complex themes such as existentialism and nihilism, challenging readers to confront the absence of inherent meaning in life and advocating for embracing this void as a source of inner strength. It critiques societal constructs like religion and absolute ideologies as escapes from confronting the inherent meaninglessness of existence, challenging readers to rethink their dependence on external validation and purpose. The article uses quotes and philosophical references to add credibility and depth to its argument. It encourages introspection and personal reflection, encouraging readers to consider their relationship with meaning and how they navigate the challenges of existence. Overall, "The Power of the Void" presents a thought-provoking exploration of existential themes and offers a compelling perspective on embracing the void as a source of personal empowerment. (Background music) ********* "You fear, friend. You don't know what's about to happen, and this worries you. You exist in a pointless existence, and this has recently been shed to horror. You take shelter in concepts, and reality is a theater of horrors." "Yes. I am deeply driven by survival instinct." "Reality is an ad-infinitum. At what point does the cell ask the body 'is this good'"? "When they are truly content, and thus see no reason to fight." "I suggest the opposite.... However, how aware exactly are the cells of the body?" "Very little". "Humans fear what they want most of all" -- Conversation between Mr. John Duran and me, Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein Part I: A Seemingly Meaningless Universe Why We Seek Meaning There does not necessarily have to be an objective, inherit meaning or purpose to one’s life. There is also no need to have it, unless societal engineering compels us to have it, and we're too weak to resist it. We can also choose to have a purpose to give ourselves a reason to live, but at the same time, we could just teach ourselves to live without it, and see it as a liability. Many of us desire to have meaning, because many of us are afraid of the void; of being nothing, of living with nothing , of feeling nothing. Many are afraid of the eternal, of the existence of nothingness, for it always outlives all that was, is and will be temporary. Minimizing the worth of something or someone because they won't live forever is called the eternity fallacy. Many humans feel the desire to depend on absolute purposefulness, so they attempt to be determined about the existence of godhood . This is why religions and other cultural constructs are created ; to escape from the nothingness that fills the universe. This is why the meaning of life is questioned and sought after -- to escape the possibility that we are nothing more than organisms and no further, drifting in an absurdist universe. For the void is one many fear. Fear of being worthless in a worthless universe. And the true self emerges whether it seeks to unleash its revolutionary potential , or give up on any meaning whatsoever -- True Nihilism. Either way, the search for external meaning is always a result of internal deprivation. A person who lives either way, with meaning or without meaning, is one whose ego has finally been quenched from its hunger for more. With limit, or without. “All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone .” -- Blaise Pascal The Allure of Absolutes Absoluteness gives so much comfort, like that of a mother. One could delve deeper into this powerful human yearning for the absolute and its connection to the concept of a motherly embrace. The search for meaning can be understood as a desire to be enveloped by a source of ultimate comfort and security , much like the nurturing and unconditional love of a mother. This "motherly entity" can take many forms: a strict ideology , a unifying theory of the universe , or even a specific deity. By clinging to absolutes, we can create an illusion of psychological safety and avoid confronting the unsettling reality of an indifferent universe – the universality of nothingness: A universe where meaning is as real as a piece of fiction. However, this enabled need for comfort comes at a cost. Absolutes can be rigid and limiting. They can stifle curiosity and critical thinking, hindering our ability to grow and adapt. Furthermore, the belief in an unquestionable and immortal entity can lead to dogmatism, manipulation and intolerance. After all, those who hold different absolute truths may be seen as threats. The pursuit of meaning is a fundamental human quest. While absolutes can offer a temporary sense of comfort, true understanding may lie in embracing the complexity and ambiguity of existence. Perhaps, like a mature child venturing out into the world, we can find a different kind of security – one built on resilience, acceptance, and the courage to face the mysteries of life head-on. Part II: Embracing the Void for Inner Power and Peace “Seeking what is true is not seeking what is desirable.” -- Albert Camus There is no eternal and gigantic absolute like that of the void. In fact, science claims that over 31% of stuff makes up most of the universe. Many humans, who struggle living whether or not they have a reason to do so, create and fall into other absolutes— religions , ideologies, societal expectations — all desperate attempts to defeat the chilling realization of the void encompassing reality. The truth is hard to swallow, a bitter pill only for those strong enough to face the silence of the eternal nothingness. However, as long as we depend our wellbeing on distant ideals, we'll suffer in accordance with our impractical mentality. Perhaps we should stop shooting ourselves in the foot in the name of justice. But the eternal nothingness is here, there, and everywhere. Sometimes we delude ourselves that our lives are good for us, that people around us are nice to us. However, it's often a cover and excuse not to be exposed to how really unfair this world really is. We may strive for extra optimism with a shining light that blinds us from the inherent darkness and void of the universe. It's known as extreme optimism, often used to overlook problems. However, what if nihilism's problematic nature is merely perceived by choice? We take cover under comforting illusions, self-made prisons of ideas and social conventions around our minds. Yet, the truth cannot be forever masked, if we seek to examine it, and not merely be amused by its projection. However, once nothingness is realized, a profound shift occurs. Nothing, not fear, not desire, can hold power over you. The void then becomes a source of immense strength, when you stop unnecessarily depending yourself on any significance that seeks to deny it. The void can be a wellspring of stoic and serene power , one that transcends any fleeting desire or worldly suffering. To be one with the void is to accept the inherent meaninglessness of existence, to see "worth" as nothing more than a self-deception, a temporary escape from the truly profound questions life throws at us. For these questions may drive us for self-sacrifice. However, "living either way" cannot be possible, in this largely-empty reality, if you're dead. And the point is to live either way, as to not depend upon ourselves our visions of a paradise. This acceptance doesn't lead to despair, but rather, liberation. It frees us from the shackles of external validation and allows us to live life without worrying about whether or not we were productive today. You can think about this, not as forging our own path, but as aimlessly jaywalking between the paths, while still, choosing to live no matter which path you're on. Look how the functionality of meaning can make us suffer when we're too weak to be without one. Then, we should ask: Is the quest for meaning/understanding meaning, always moral? Part III: Freedom from the Meaning Myth Once you understand the objective void of things, you can become sober from the addiction that is meaning-seeking, as long as you're strong enough. Then, you may realize that meaning is merely a creation of the consciousness, not an objective and concrete entity. An intersubjective value, "elevated" into objectivity. However, it is realist to distinguish between what is intersubjective in value, and what is generally objective. Ad-populum distorts this understanding. Then, there is no necessary desire to torment you in the journey of life, when it comes to meaning. To desire it like a simp desires an internet star, that is your choice, and therefore, not other people's problem, necessarily. Should we really keep normalizing our emotions as a collective responsibility? How about our fortunes and misfortunes? Maybe we should stop blaming society for a desire for meaning we can either quench or kill off relentlessly. Either way, must we let our lives depend on it, given the vast emptiness of the universe, and the shallowness of modern society? What would happen if we fail to attain our ambitions? Should we end up like a Japanese paramilitary leader after he tried restoring the glory of WW2 Japan? Should we die off because of failure? Die, because of difficulty that can be overcome? The Power of the Untethered Self With this newfound clarity, you can free you from the dangers of nihilism and existential despair. You can become resilient from the inside, no longer susceptible to the paralyzing fear of meaninglessness. You can become tougher, live peacefully under the stoic principle of control dichotomy, and be less mentally weak. Unburdened by the need for external validation or a preordained purpose, you are free to forge your own path, without having to resort to premature death. Without resorting to escape. The vast, silent void doesn't have to scare you like a monster. Instead, you can subvert it as a source of strength and unwavering self-reliance.
- The Three Expressions of Void -- How to Further Understand Reality
(Background music) (Void directory) The Three Expressions of Void : Space, Seclusion, Silence: The Fabric of Reality Everything that truly exists exists in the Great Void . Everything that truly exists takes up a portion of the space that contains everything that truly exists, i.e., the Great Void. Void is vacuum , or the absence of a thing instead of the empty space that exists. This lack of something allows many things to be created in it. That is also known as potential: the ability of something to be created. That is true not only physically but in any field where potential exists. The potential runs out when there is no further void that can be filled by something. Likewise, opportunity cannot exist without a void to have itself surround it. You can't build a building in a field that doesn't have the proper terrain for it, for example. You can't foster a relationship when someone is already in a relationship and is not open to polygamy. The terrain must be empty enough of obstacles for that building to be built. The person you're interested in must have enough "storage" in their hearts to contain you , and so on. Hence void is necessary for potential to be realized. The Great Void of the Universe is possibly infinite . It is not an entity, but a composition of space, seclusion (my definition of separation), and silence. Location, interaction, and sound—their existence depends on the Great Void to contain them, and cannot be contained independently of it. Every location needs space, every interaction needs separation between the interacting objects, and every sound needs to exist under the vocal sound of silence. So, yes. Silence is a variation of space, but only on a vocal and auditory level. It is one of the basics of which the Great Void is composed: that everyone and everything inhabits its possibly infinite realm. Space, seclusion, and silence are things that many of us are afraid of, because we are the exact opposite. We're entities that are placed in various locations, that were evolved at various degrees of desire to seek interaction, and that our modern lives have set us to escape from silence, through clinginess to comfort. Exposing the Human Condition Through the 3 Voids There is no path. Beyond the scope of light, beyond the reach of dark, what could possibly await us? And yet, we seek it insatiably. Such is our fate. -- Aldia, Dark Souls II. Basically, our strength as a race, to seek location, interaction, and sound, is at the same time a great weakness, for it is very difficult for us, and sometimes even perceived as threatening, to transcend our nature by experiencing the components of the Great Void. These components are: Emptiness/Space, Seclusion , and Silence. Many of us are afraid of these components because of our primal nature, which dictates that we constantly seek activity, togetherness, and sound. This is why experiencing the traits of the Great Void of the Universe is something that currently only a few of us can do for extended periods of time, without experiencing negative feelings such as boredom , sadness, frustration, and so forth. However, regardless of our constant escapism as dictated by our inferior nature, space, seclusion, and silence are things that are omnipresent regardless of what we do. All of the stimulation we rely on by constantly seeking justification and purpose in our lives—the majority of it is a stimulation caused by a potentially subconscious fear of being without the stimulation we crave. This is why what is defined as the "full" life—constant social interactions, the seeking of romantic love, the pursuit after passions in a continuous cycle of desire and suffering— this "full" life is mere escapism from a great human fear, to find ourselves exposed to the Great Void of the Universe without constant stimulation to protect ourselves from. The "full" life, created by conformity and hedonism, is a life that most of it exists not in the World Beyond the Mind , but in our subjective and inter-subjective experiences, not in the objective reality, whose existence is independent of any subjective form , and of any purpose. For many objects that inhabit it, objective reality can exist without inherent purpose for an indefinite period of time, with no reasoning beyond scientific evolution of chronology. The Enduring Inanimate Inanimate, silent objects are the most enduring things in this universe. They can endure and exist without any possibility of being in despair, because such tendencies are the potential of subjective beings, not inanimate objects. Therefore, the chair that you are sitting on has the potential to endure years after years of existence, even after the potential demise of the human race. It does not crave the desire to live, nor does it attempt to escape from the universal sovereignty of the Great Void. This makes inanimate objects far more superior and stronger than we subjective beings are. What I am trying to say is, that to escape from the space, seclusion, and silence of the Great Void, by craving purpose, social interaction , external validation and sound, is a weakness that can be transcended by learning the ways of the inanimate and silent. This allows them to endure the Great Void without escapism. Silence is just one of the components of the Great Void that we escape from. And nothingness is something that requires a great ability of endurance. An iron will. Breaking Free from the Desperation of Want " A soul is much like a curse. And those with strong souls must bear within themselves an even stronger curse ." -- Dark Souls II, King's Ring The more we adjust ourselves to cope with the Great Void, by refusing to escape from it as our primal nature dictates, the more we shall increase our independence from our desperation to constantly seek external interaction. And also, from the unnecessary cycle of desire and suffering that may end only when we are to die. If you wish to become a more autonomous, less suffering individual, seek space, seek seclusion, and seek silence. Then you will crave less and less to escape from the eternity of the Great Void. This process can be defined as the "metaphorical undead-ization." Do nothing , and bare witness as your mentality attempts to oppose you. Thus, being able to stay sane within inactivity, is a form of great strength. You can become stronger by refusing to give up to your weaknesses.
- How to Solve the Void of Existential Loneliness
(Background music) (Void directory) Article Synopsis by Mr. J. Igwe and Co. The article "How to Solve the Void of Existential Loneliness" is a thoughtful exploration of existential loneliness, focusing on its philosophical depth and introspective analysis. It challenges readers to explore the roots of their own loneliness through an existential lens, providing a deeper understanding of the void that shallow social interactions often leave unaddressed. The article's strengths include its philosophical depth, encouraging authenticity , emphasizing emotional resilience, and reflecting a philosophically-minded narrative that promotes deeper thinking about human relationships. In conclusion, the article succeeds in offering a meaningful exploration of existential loneliness and emphasizes the importance of depth in human connection. The philosophical narrative is highly engaging, and by addressing the emotional complexities of modern society , it provides a much-needed perspective on loneliness. By pushing these ideas forward, the article is a thought-provoking read that will resonate with many. (More on loneliness, here) ********************* The Physical Company Fallacy The increasing connectivity in the world does not mean that it will permanently solve the personal problem of loneliness. You can go to chatrooms and forums all day long, but as long as no meaningful contact has been established, combating loneliness through social interaction, will remain ineffective. Loneliness is a result of a void that we have inside of us, and superficial communication with others, even if consistent, is insufficient to decrease our loneliness. It can be compared to a huge hole being filled by tiny amounts of earth. A thousand superficial connections cannot amount to just one deep connection with someone who truly cares about you. Therefore, in order to be less lonely, we must not necessarily surround ourselves with people all the time. Ironically it can make you even lonelier at times. Negative. In order to reduce loneliness we must form honest, meaningful and deep relationships with people. Relationships that will allow us to be more of ourselves, and vice versa, and less of a persona we put on our identity, just to please others and to survive. Solving the Problem We must create true friendships with people that will serve as safe, intimate spaces where we can truly be ourselves, without feeling guilty or ashamed of our authenticity. These spaces can be harmful only to those who fear uncomfortable emotions and who want to repress others as a result. The desire for a nice atmosphere is in the way for authentic relationships because the truth isn't always nice, but also sad and even depressing. For the truth can be a threat on us, even if by feeling alone . Thus, we must overcome the need for a nice time in the name of letting people be more of themselves, if we can truly deem ourselves their true friends. True friendships differ from regular friendships in a sense that the true friend appreciates you and strives to be there for you when you're feeling down. They are a shoulder for you to rest on, an ear you can lend, and vice versa. Their reliability is your key out of much of your loneliness, if not the entirety of it. Even if for a little while. They are your mind and heart's sanctuary . As such, not everyone is capable of being a true friend as that requires deeper emotional investment. And yet, humans are emotional beings who are demanded by society to constantly repress and mask their unwanted components. A constant state of repression is unhealthy both physically and mentally , which means that a true friend is the one person that should allow you to be far less repressed, stoic and self-restricted. We deserve to be self-restricted in the professional world, and to keep a calmer mind in there, in accordance to the demand of our jobs. Not much so in the company of true friends, lovers, and a supporting family. While their connection to you may not be unconditional, it is far less conditional than your regular connections with human beings. Your connection with him or her is of the highest quality, second only to true love , where admiration and affection runs far deeper. Encourage people to not work on their sensitivities, and you might indirectly encourage loneliness. How can one expect to be authentic when people are too sensitive to allow him or her being brutally honest ? How can we expect to foster deep, meaningful relationships, when many of us may fear unease and emotional pain ? As long as we will not be able to find someone or even a company of people who will accept us beyond our uneasy components, we will remain existentially lonely. Being less sensitive, or more emotionally resilient, is therefore the key to the beginning of a fruitful, deep friendship with another being, which in turn would help to reduce the suffering found in existential loneliness. Emotional resilience is about not fearing discomfort. It can be worked on, you know. Existential loneliness is an issue of emotional depth one has with other people; a shortage of depth and strength of connection. Public safe spaces are thus problematic if they don't let you be more of yourself, all because of sensitivity. This is where a high sense of sensitivity is, in fact, a weakness. It has positive sides as well, but increased sensitivity is essentially enhanced vulnerability to external stimulation. Men are encouraged to be less sensitive as part of their gender socialization . Some may refer to it as an expression of toxic masculinity . In the end, being able to embrace pain and suffering as a part of human reality, can help us accept others even when they hurt or offended us. This is why being tough is a strength -- it is an imperative part to have in deep, meaningful connections, as it allows us to endure other people far better. When no one can endure us as much as we need, how can we expect to not be lonely? The tougher person is there to contain us when we are distressed. They will rarely, if ever, flee from the adversity that is the unwanted parts of our beings. That is because they are more willing to accept us for who we are, if they truly appreciate us. With them, there is more psychological safety . And they may possess the courage to do so as well: To look at us when we are angry, frustrated, or extremely sad to the point that we're crying loudly and honestly. The tougher person will not see negative emotions as bad . No. He or she will contain and embrace us at our hardest times, and will not seek to repress us so much in the name of their own sentiments. These too deserve their place! And our own sentiments can also be in the way of adding depth to this depth-lack-luster world. It's why I bothered to be tougher myself, and not be afraid of criticism any longer . Because I know that fearing unease can prevent myself from having the interactions I need to foster strong, lasting connections with people. I also believe that encouraging toughness and the reduction of sensitivity can make people be less afraid of exiting their own loneliness, and help others be less lonely as well. Since we live in an era where superficiality and simplicity reign supreme amongst the general public, one is faced with two solutions to the problem of loneliness: Either submit to the superficiality of others and not depend on others for our need for depth, or attempt to combat said superficiality through the attempt of creating one or more social circles that encourage and nurture the element of depth. One may find that feeling and expressing deep emotions is pretty great as an experience. That is especially true in connections where you are allowed and accepted to be who you are. Should we cancel and dismiss our own emotions as bad, just because of discomfort, we may dismiss a great depth that is found within ourselves. Without our awareness, usually, we may only be creating a solvable shortage of depth within ourselves and, long-term, in the world. When much of our self is rejected by the world, no longer are we as connected to those around us as we could've been. This makes the search for interpersonal depth even more difficult: When truths about ourselves will always be denied and undesired by others. We will then have to mask ourselves with everyone just to survive. Masking is there because the truth is not desired by everyone. They either don't care about it, or are refusing to accept it, no matter how hard we will try to show them the light of our own reality. We should not be punished or condemned by our dear ones when we are honest. Honesty is a sign of trust in a world of pretending. When our honesty is rejected, no matter how brutal it is, our trust is also rejected. It is therefore important to know who is dear to you and who isn't. Your dear ones deserve to know you for whom you truly are. Otherwise, your true self will lie all alone, confined by the four walls of pretending to be someone else. Not everyone deserve your honesty, as such, because not everyone deserves to be trusted. I myself have mostly superficial relationships with the people around me, but because I managed to generate depth from within and through my article empire. This helps me fill the hole inside of me , the void of depth that I wish to have with other people. But people can be too cowardly to be honest, and can be too cowardly to accept honesty from me. Either way, honesty is the path and practice of the true philosopher. If we are to accept the increasing and encouraged superficiality of those around us, then we can be on the path of creating the desired depth from within our times of our own seclusion. It can, at the very least, ease our own suffering. Because we cannot necessarily change other people, we can't exactly change their weaknesses and traumas. Acceptance can go a long way to make them feel less lonely, too, even if it hurts our feelings. The fear of our feelings being hurt, can hurt our own acceptance of others. We must not fear that our feelings will be hurt. It will happen either way as long as we communicate with other people. Conclusions and Further Insights We are facing the arrival of a new age: The Age of Solitude . The problem of loneliness is only going to be increased in a world where meaningful and deep connections with others will become less and less common due to the dominance of escapism . Such as mainstream entertainment. It is built to feed its finances on the wide notion of how easy simplicity is for many of us to remain in. It cashes in on our unwillingness to face and try to solve our real life problems. It's one of the reasons it is addictive. We can thus conclude that loneliness is not just a societal problem, but a personal one. A problem caused by the void of depth existing in our lives, and no amount of interaction is going to solve it as long as interactions with others will largely remain superficial and away from its deeper notions. We can become evil when the circumstances of life rejects us for who we are and/or want to be. Because deep inside, we want to be loved, accepted and respected . In the absence of either of the three, or without them entirely, we can grow dark, and crave power over others, in order to find these elements that we lack. Therefore, reducing and/or solving existential loneliness is also the moral thing to do. That is especially true when evil can cause trauma in others and in ourselves. Another conclusion can be taken into consideration as well: The decreasing presence of philosophizing in and towards our lives can also be considered a factor into the increasing phenomenon of loneliness. Without the notion of philosophizing, our lives will be likely to remain superficial and devoid of meaning and/or feelings of accomplishment. Its lack can make us question our existence or consider existence to be meaningless altogether. Be open with people with your true philosophical thoughts, and you can solve your loneliness even further. In the absence of depth in others, develop and nurture yourself within your seclusion, and you may become almost like, if not entirely self-reliant machine. an Enduring Pillar in a civilization where the notion of depth is decaying. The point of that is to mentally survive in a world that develops and nurtures loneliness without even being aware of it.
- Void-Fear, the Fear From Nothing
( Philosocom Directory on Fear ) (Void directory) (Background Music) Facing the Void: Fear of Nothingness Although many might disagree with me, I believe that one of the biggest fears we humans have is the fear of nothing . By "nothing," I refer to the concept of the absence of something in our lives. Per my findings there are 3 main expressions of that "absence" or of void. While we may not all share the same fear in all of its forms, it is likely that most of us experience this fear at least in one form, minor or major. And fearlessness is something that needs to be worked on. The biggest "void-fear" for some people is expressed through loneliness or the lack of intimacy . These are both expressions of the absence of someone, either general or specific, that we wish we had in our lives. This fear is so big that some people believe that humans cannot exist without (romantic) love. This is supported by the known quote from the Old Testament, "It is not good that the man should be alone" . This quote indicates the importance of an external company to fill in the gaps that theoretically cannot be fulfilled by just one person. However, this isn't completely true when one is able to master the art of being alone . Such fear can be surpassed by filling the gaps yourself, or at least the ones you can on your own. For example, while a tree may be too tall for you to climb and reach a fruit (thus needing external help for this effort), a holiday can be well-spent enjoying your own company. While procreation cannot be done asexually in humans, one can learn how to enjoy his or her own singlehood and find alternatives to biological reproductions in order to have children ( such as assisted reproduction ). Nonetheless, the fear of solitude ( along with the fear of aging alone ) remains as one of the biggest "Void-Fears" in all of humanity's history, given the necessity, and often benefits, of collective life, and dependency on social interactions. Many other fears can be categorized as the fear of nothing. For example, the fear of heights is basically the fear of not having a close ground next to your feet; the fear of small spaces is the fear of not having a large-enough space to exist within ( and vice versa ). The fears from nothing indicate our frequent incapacity, or unwillingness, to live without something or someone to be at our hands, at our company, or around us. It shows us that being the ruling species of Earth is not a sufficient title to bring us the strength our ancestors had. Will you be willing to march into battle should your superior authorities call you to do so? Those afraid of developing PTSD may avoid protecting their countries (or deploying overseas in its name). That is even though having a standing and competent military is crucial for the survival of a nation ( and thus militarism holds logical ground ) But those with no awareness of PTSD might, or those heavily influenced by the functionality of certain ideologies. Are you afraid of being alone? Not a full-time hermit might . When survival is guaranteed, fear seems to be a luxury we can afford even if we don't want to afford it. The Hidden Cost of Our Distracted Lives When survival is at stake, fear is to be surpassed, for it is only an obstacle that could lead to our death. Unless we are suffering, death is far from a desired option. The exception is when our fears are not entirely irrational if they are even irrational at all. Perhaps this can also explain the decline of traditional masculinity in favor of what is called a " healthy masculinity ", one that is more inclined with our emotions and less surpasses them among men. Regardless, what can be assured is that we fear nothingness, and we may fear it even if we have all we want and/or all we need. Most if not all of these fears have to do with the fear of our minds being with themselves, without an external body, object or person, to be with it and to distract them (the minds) from having to cope with themselves. Among energy vampires this is most common. Many minds seem to be afraid of themselves, especially after spending much of their lives being externally occupied with whatever they desire, need or are asked to be occupied in. Doing nothing is a choice of its own, and not an easy one. This leaves little to no experience with the "terror" that is the large absence of an external source of stimulation. It is the same reason why we are addicted to various addictions, from smoking to our various electronic screens. It is but the fear from nothing. Channelling Your Fears into Productivity I too have a void-fear I'd like to confess: I fear insufficiency, which is, obviously, the fear of the lack of sufficiency. I therefore became a workaholic. This is why with every task I am either given or give to myself, such as writing an article or even making coffee, I see it through that the task will not go unfinished as much as I can. I also imposed on myself to be addicted to coffee so I would accomplish more in life, but I digress. In order to be a better writer and philosopher, I have utilized this fear for my own use, writing and publishing hundreds of articles. I wager that without this fear I would've produced less content for the world, and focused more on other things. You can follow my example and use your fears for your own benefit, whether it is a fear of nothingness or any other fear. Even rejections can be used to build the mind , so you might not want to be too afraid of rejections. Are you afraid of failing an upcoming test? See to it that you pass as successfully as you can. Are you afraid of too much dirt in your house or apartment? Make sure it is clean enough so it won't bother you for long periods of time. Treat your emotions as your pawns and you can become more powerful as an individual, and perhaps within a collective as well. Fear and Loss Can Become Our Greatest Teachers Fear, even if unwanted, is a potential that we can use to improve ourselves and our ability to help others. All we have to do is accept the inevitability of uncomfortable emotions ( and discomfort in general ). When such emotions arrive, we should try to ignore their disturbance and use their power to advance ourselves and our endeavours. However, in the end, if we want to be braver individuals, we must accept the possibility of losing the dear things and beings in our lives, which will leave us in the space that they used to occupy in our lives. We need to learn to see things and beings not as an extension of ourselves, but as temporary visitors in our world, just as we may be in theirs. In the end, we are all alone either way, to whatever extent.
- The Choice of Nothing: Understanding a Valuable Choice
(Philosocom's Directory on Choice) (Void directory) (Background music) Ironically, nothingness has more layers than one may initially think . It's a great paradox that nothing is something, because you need nothing in order to create something within it , therefore "nothingness" can be given significance like any other "something". One way this paradox is expressed is when nothing is a Valuable Choice —the choice of not doing anything; a choice of passivity. Of idleness. It's a choice that might surprise you in its potential significance and impact, whoever you may be and whatever power you possess. The choice of not doing anything can be as important as the choice of doing otherwise, of "not-nothing." You could have been a killer, a r***st, a thief, and so forth. Each new day brings a new set of potentials you can choose from. When you choose something over a lot of other choices, like the choices I just presented, you do much in your life without, presumably, even realizing it. You might not even be aware of what you're truly capable of, so by your own ignorance of self, you might choose to be idle with your power for you are unaware of its true extent. That is because, when you choose not to, many things and beings' paths in their existence are shifted into different directions, all because you did not choose to do something that might affect them in a significant way. Have you chosen not to be an expert thief? Congratulations, you saved the bank accounts of many, simply by choosing not to be an expert thief . Do you refuse to force yourself on people under any circumstances? That's good, obviously, because the lives of many have been left untraumatized, when they could have been otherwise. Otherwise, and naturally, by your very own ability to choose at any given moment. Therefore, the choice to not do certain things has an immense moral value. And if to quote Sun Tzu: "The wise warrior avoids the battle". One of the reasons why I personally am not a very social person is because I already predict the suffering that can ensue in human communication. So, to avoid inflicting much suffering on others, and to avoid suffering unnecessarily myself, I avoid many interactions. And choosing to do nothing can be seen as a choice of avoidance as well. I see no fault in avoiding making decisions that could lead to agony. It is the moral thing to reduce human suffering. Human suffering can be reduced by not increasing it in the first place. To quote Sun Tzu again: "The greatest victory is that which requires no battle". It is best to get what you're looking for with minimal or no suffering on either yourself or others. It is best because it is the moral thing to do, to make both yourself and others suffer as little as possible. And for morality to ensue optimally, one needs to be aware of the power of his or her choices. As you can see, the valuable choice of nothing can be quite powerful. We should not argue with each other so much, for example, when we can get the knowledge we're looking for by avoiding this confrontation. Remember: You have the internet, the biggest source of information created by mankind. As long as you can use it, there is no need to really argue with others just to get knowledge. For your and others' health, try to pick the path of least resistance. People who are more foolish than others, who work on impulses and would still desire to argue, are "shooting themselves in the foot" by not doing their research, when they can do just that. After all, there is far less suffering in learning, than there is, in arguing. And since it is so important for many human beings to argue, I am at large, an asocial being. Thus, nothing is a more significant choice than one may initially admit it is. That is because the consequences of our actions can vary in accordance to different choices, and should we choose a certain set of choices each time, the results might remain the same. However, other possibilities would have been erased from existence at that time. By choosing to do something at an exact moment, you also choose not to do something else within said moment. This leads to the power of choice that you did not make, AKA nothing. Therefore, when you make a single choice, you also do not make plenty of other choices. The best choices you make are those that lead to your desired results, while considering the choices others already made for you. After all we do not live in a vacuum, and if to quote American philosopher John Duran: "My impossible life was not from the choices I've made, but from the choices forced upon me, and I dealt with them the best I could". The choice of dealing with the choices others made for you, that are more powerful than yourself, is also a choice some may not make. One could oppose these choices instead of coping with the fact that they have been made. However by coping with them, when you know that you do not have the power to alter them, reveals the powerful aspect of choosing nothing. When you have the intelligence to know you currently lack the power to oppose undesired choices made for you, you save yourself unnecessary suffering. Acceptance is also a choice. A choice of nothing. Obviously, people have different sets of potentials , depending not only on their individual merits, but also on the practical power they have over people, and, for some... across the world. What makes Hitler such a bad person, is that he did too much for his own sake, thus leading not only to his own demise but to the demise of Germany. Of course, and by proxy, his actions resulted with the deaths many else. Had he not do much when he came to power, the lives of countless millions would've been spared. If he had been far less ambitious, i.e., if he had done more nothing than something, the world would be shaped differently today, with far more people being alive, like the descendants of the ones he executed. Remember the killer example? From here comes the importance of choosing nothing over something: The practical, wise part that can save your plans from being exploded in your face. The mastermind knows this well. In the name of morality, it is sometimes best to be an insignificant authority figure, than be a very significant authority figure for the wrong reasons. Walter White from "Breaking Bad" accumulated much power because he knew what he was capable of, so he worked towards it. However, with one's knowledge over the many possible outcomes, it is sometimes the best decision to not seize the potential one has. He could've just drunk away his problems , for instance, instead of becoming a drug baron. By refusing to build a criminal enterprise, he could've saved much suffering in the world, as well as the lives of the other characters in the show. This brings us to an important question: when should we do nothing? Can doing nothing bring us closer to our goals, at times? Is it better, at times, to not do nothing rather than mistakes, despite the fact that mistakes are great learning opportunities? I can answer these questions with an example: It is often believed in the world of content creation that the gaps between sharing are imperative to both your followers and to any audience that is exposed to your content. Share too much at a small time, and people will be overwhelmed. On the contrary, share too little in a long time, and people will begin to lose interest. The difference between the two completely relies on how "nothing" you "do," aka how much you avoid publishing content. Because of that, one can say that we technically "do nothing" on a regular basis, as by every deed there are countless other deeds that could have been done, but were not. Remember that you are more influential than you think—we all are. All thanks to the choice of nothing. The more you do nothing, the less evil you might become, and the less evil you are, the more, technically, good you will stay. Doing nothing is its own good. I will finish by pasting a short answer I once wrote online: "We can all technically do good by refusing to do maliciousness. It is a deed that is also a misdeed, but a conscious choice nonetheless.... If we can just stay and think more of the consequences of our actions, on others, ourselves or both, we can contribute to goodness by avoiding things we would’ve otherwise considered to do. Should you take that bribe? Should you sleep with a married person? Should you kill someone to feel what it’s like? Avoid those and you will passively do good in the world.
- On Socrates' 'I Know Nothing' – Understanding Knowledge
( The Philosocom Socrates Directory ) (Void directory) “All I know is that I know nothing” -- Socrates "The more we know, the more we realize how much we don't know, therefore the truly wise man knows nothing" -- John Duran (Background music) The Paradox of Knowledge Socrates, the iconic Greek philosopher, is perhaps best known for a seemingly paradoxical statement: "I know nothing." This quote stands in great contrast to the typical image of a philosopher – a figure overflowing with wisdom and knowledge. At first glance, this statement appears illogical. One cannot be both incredibly knowledgeable and utterly ignorant at the same time. However, a closer look reveals a deeper meaning behind Socrates' words. And if to quote him again: "The more you know, the more you realize you know nothing" While I don't believe Socrates meant he possessed literally zero knowledge, the true power lies in his emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge . Here's why: Openness to New Ideas: Socrates championed the importance of questioning existing beliefs and being receptive to new information, even if it challenged one's current understanding. Knowledge could become a barrier if it fostered arrogance and an unwillingness to learn further. 2. The Limits of Human Knowledge: Socrates acknowledged the vastness of knowledge and the limitations of the human mind. Recognizing the gaps in our understanding allows for a more open and honest approach to learning. Socrates, a relentless truth-seeker, understood the limitations of human knowledge. He embraced the idea that even our most cherished beliefs may be incomplete or inaccurate. Admitting ignorance paves the way for a more open-minded and honest approach to learning, fostering the continuous pursuit of truth. By admitting his own limitations, Socrates encouraged a continuous journey of exploration and discovery. He understood that true wisdom lies not in possessing all the answers, but in the constant pursuit of them. To quote Gurvinder Singh : Our knowledge and our beliefs create boundaries, which secure us but also contains us. Limiting our thoughts and vision. Knowledge tells us what we can do but also what we cannot do. Almost al great achievements have been the result of people who dared to step beyond their blind beliefs and the boundaries of their knowledge. Unpacking Socrates' "Ignorance" Socrates' famous statement, "I know nothing," is often taken at face value. However, a closer examination reveals a profound philosophical message that transcends literal ignorance. On a purely logical level, the statement itself is flawed. Even the most basic sensory experience, like tasting sweetness or feeling warmth, signifies some level of knowledge. We are born receiving information through our senses, making complete ignorance an impossibility. Socrates wouldn't intentionally deceive himself or others. In one of his quotes, he says: Lies are the greatest murder. They kill the Truth. Misleading oneself hinders the path to truth. Therefore, "knowing nothing" can become a powerful metaphor for a relentless commitment to learning; To get further to the truth, and farther from falsehood. It signifies the true philosopher's willingness to discard outdated "knowledge" in light of new evidence. And as such, we should not be too attached to our philosophies , when they have a chance of being proven wrong. Knowledge isn't synonymous with wisdom. To quote Diffen.com : Knowledge is merely having clarity of facts and truths, while wisdom is the practical ability to make consistently good decisions in life. Arrogance and denial can prevent us from learning. True wisdom lies in embracing the possibility that our current understanding is flawed and actively seeking out new information. That is done in the name of making better choices, which is the practical usage of knowledge. Socrates model-ed this through his "knowing nothing" stance, demonstrating that a willingness to learn, not a claim of absolute knowledge , is the mark of a wise mind. Socrates' Call for a Questioning Mind Socrates' admission of ignorance can serve as a powerful call for a more nuanced approach to understanding the world. It allows us the possibility of questioning not only our current knowledge but also our understanding of reality. And understanding is a skill that can be developed further. Our perception of "knowledge" can be a double-edged sword. What we believe to be true may, in fact, be a misconception hindering our pursuit of genuine understanding. And since perception stems from choice , it is our responsibility to enhance our own understanding, if in the truth we're honestly interested in, and not in a mere reflection of it. Just because we hold a belief confidently doesn't make it true, and it's our choice to either question our beliefs or keep supporting them without enough examination. Additionally, Socrates might refer to a state of universal ignorance , where we are all susceptible to misleading information, our own biases, and limitations in perceiving the world beyond our beliefs . The Socratic Method , with its emphasis on questioning, serves as a tool to escape this cognitive prison, that makes believe that our initial assumptions that build up our beliefs are not flawed. Through critical inquiry, we can dismantle false assumptions and approach knowledge with greater humility, and apply it more wisely. The Path to True Understanding Ultimately, Socrates' "I know nothing" advocates for a life-long journey of learning. It is not exactly a statement of complete ignorance, but an acknowledgment of the limitations of human knowledge. Our limitations as non-omniscient beings include the ever-present possibility that our current understanding may be incomplete. True wisdom lies not in clinging to what we "know,", nor using that presumed knowledge for prestige . Rather, true wisdom lies in the openness to question, explore, and revise our beliefs in the relentless pursuit of truth. In a world overflowing with information, both true and false , Socrates' message remains relevant the same as it was at his own time, thus proving philosophy's relevancy throughout the ages . By embracing the limitations of our knowledge and fostering a questioning mind, we can embark on a richer and more meaningful journey towards understanding ourselves and the world around us.
- Doing Nothing and the Internal World - How Doing Nothing is Something & Why It's Important
(Background music) (Void directory) The paradox about not doing anything is, that even if you’re doing nothing, you’re doing something. You think, you feel, you wonder, you contemplate, and so forth. Doing nothing is therefore a purely mental deed, where your internal doings overcome external doings. Thus, you're only doing nothing externally, and not doing nothing completely, like it seems it does. When we are to take this into account, doing "nothing" is actually more productive than some may think, because it is the productivity of oneself with oneself, rather than with complete nothingness. We are taught by socialization that we always have to do something that is external of us, besides resting and sleeping. This teaching is one of the elements of today’s financial materialism - that our self-worth has to be justified by constantly occupying ourselves with something that is external of us, while inner-indulging is taught to either be a waste of time, boring , or a purely egotistical thing, because when we do nothing we don’t promote pro-society activities. From this we can learn that some if not many societies are very self-centred than individual-oriented , because what is considered "respectful" or "valuable" when you're introducing yourself to others? It's something that is of course related to the benefit of society, rather than to the benefit of yourself, since the ego of the individual is more often than not put aside in favour of the societal ego , which in turn can, at least on the long-run, damage ourselves as people beyond the sphere of our social constructs. There is no obligation to promote society all the time, and a little dose of egotism from time to time isn't something horrible . By doing nothing, we can let ourselves completely venture within our minds, within the Internal World, a world we often ignore in this fast-paced, socially-stressed, obsessive modern world. The stress to be a good, functioning unit in the social machine, while being good at times, can also be bad for you when it becomes an anxious obsession -- the obsession to be competent, respected, and loved. The one that may lead you to the each new day problem . You can think of doing nothing as a metaphor for going to Silent Hill . In Silent Hill, the main character exists outside of the "real" world, the so-called "real" life. Their actual, physical body is almost always unknown in regards to its whereabouts, because their external body is irrelevant in a place which is a product of your subconscious. Like when in the video game Silent Hill, when you're doing nothing for extensive periods of time, you go into an inner journey in your Inner World, where you can confront thoughts and emotions you otherwise repress , because you focus on things externally of you, like day-to-day responsibilities. The work on the self is as important as the work for others, since every action begins within the self, and the self is the center of the action that is done for either yourself or others, and once that self is damaged due to negligence, that damage is delivered indirectly to others as well in the form of your actions. The most common example of what I'm trying to convey is in Silent Hill 2 , where the hero, James Sunderland, isn't actually in a place within the world. Silent Hill is merely a product of his subconscious. The monsters he confronts throughout the game do not exist beyond his mind; rather, they are representations of his repressed thoughts and emotions, and his confrontations with them is a metaphor of him dealing with his various repressions and denials. The more monsters he confronts, the better he will be able to reach the end of the game -- a certain revelation which shall set him free and redeem his impure villainy . The same is possible when doing nothing - you get a chance to confront your automatic thoughts and emotions which shape your personality and your system of beliefs. Even when you don't do anything externally of you, you can, by doing nothing, to inspect things about yourself you usually ignore and put them into view; a view pure of distractions. When put in that way, doing nothing can seem to be like either an adventure or a psychological horror. Perhaps this is why there is this common fear to be alone - it is the fear of doing nothing. If there is this fear, then it must have some kind of reason to be feared, and that reason I believe is the fear of confrontation with the repressed, dark self; the self we are told to keep to ourselves, for it is not wanted. Solitude, after all, is a pathway towards self-discovery. Writing, for example, is a very solitary activity, and as such, allows us to know ourselves better. Little did they know, the lack of handling the darkness of the self can hurt others as well, as described before, and that is why doing nothing can be utilized to optimal productivity -- to know yourself better, and use that acquired self-knowledge for the benefit of others. Thus, this staying within the Internal World isn't necessarily a purely egotistical act, but an act that can be used to serve others and their own difficulties in life. We need to know ourselves better to know how we can use ourselves optimally for others. How can we make good use of our potential if we lack knowledge of it? And finally, there is obviously the most helpful function of doing nothing: To relieve one's stress and calm down from the intensities of the external world. I don't want to generalize my thoughts to all of humanity, but I think many of us, if not most of us, need some alone time , even if that time entails doing nothing and chilling out . The world is a very stressful, very competitive place. Even by not putting a lot of thought into contemplation, the self can be repaired nonetheless by resting, whether one's eyes are closed or open. What I want to promote in this article is this: Nothingness should be its own value due to what we can do with it, and by it I refer to the internal work that can be done as we idle externally. The biggest flaw in financial materialism is the belief that what we seek for is necessarily and always external to us, while in practice, what we seek for can be found within through the exposure and the alternation of our thoughts into a mindset that will make us happier, more serene beings beyond the stresses of the external world. Thoughts, after all, are more powerful than most may think. They are more than just chatter that accompanies us throughout our lives; they are the material, the energy, of which our wellbeing is composed of. Without the importance of thoughts, there would be no need for psychology or for certain aspects of philosophy.
- Working To Live VS Living To Work -- Why Focusing on Quality of Life is Problematic
(Background music) (Philosocom Directory on Work) (Philosocom's Subcategory Directory on Dilemmas and Problems) Alex Mos's Synopsis Most people have a mercenary mindset, meaning they work to maintain or improve their lives. They strive for a hedonistic quality of life , chasing after happiness, love, and wealth. Work can't give us control over the uncertainties of life like war or disease. Therefore, the working-to-live mindset is flawed by default. It weakens us mentally because our goals are fleeing, and nothing lasts forever. When you live to work instead, putting an idea before existence, you can more easily overcome failures and maintain hope in daily life. Fictional villains can be inspirational because they endure failures and persistently make their dreams come true. Mr. Tomasio cares less about his comfort as long as work is done for Philosocom. Mercenaries in the Marketplace The vast majority of human beings work in order to live, and do not work for the sake of wanting to contribute to society or humanity in general. Most of them have, what I like to call, the mercenary mindset. Mercenaries work under the same reasoning any other average employee works -- to either maintain or improve their quality of life. In our hedonistic times , quality of life is seen as one of the ideals of humanity. People chase after happiness, the same as they do after love and wealth. Work is but a means to that end and existence is never the means to work but the other way around. Work as a Journey, Not a Sentence You see, logically, the problem with the working-to-live mentality stems from the fact that life is fleeting and uncertain. No amount of work would necessarily grant you happiness or even safety. And yet we work in order to maintain the very little we actually have within our control and influence to either preserve or alter. However, no amount of work will save you from disease, war or the rising costs of living. In other words, most of humanity dooms its expectations from the very beginning, by hoping and praying for things they cannot preserve or improve. Work, for most of us, does not grant us the ability to control the events happening in one's geopolitical region, for example. This means that if your country goes to war, no amount of work would compensate for the loss of your quality of life, created by said work. How are we supposed to maintain a quality of life when we lack significant control to do just that? Of course your job helps you maintain a house and feed your family. Therefore, the working-to-live mentality is flawed by default and is doomed from the start . We are not entitled to happiness when happiness is temporary. We of course are entitled to pursue happiness, as we deserve to do if we so desire, but we never deserve to actually reach this fantastical state of permanent happiness. And obviously, no amount of work would ensure us that, either. The idea of working to live is making us mentally weak. That's because whatever we want in life will always be fleeting to a degree, as nothing lasts forever. And because of that, we are in constant fear of losing what we have, and I mean that by "mentally weak". I refer to the constant feelings of hopelessness emitting in the back of our minds. Hopelessness, because we lack the power to terminate the fleeting-ness of existence. Anything that we build can fall. Any human connection can end abruptly. How can we work to live when work is insufficient for a good quality of life and good health? I am deeply inspired by fictional villains because they have a certain virtue many of us don't have: An inner spark that motivates them to endure failures regularly. Unlike many of us, these characters live to work and not the other way around. They live to make their dreams come true . Their very own lives are but tools; a means to an end. The end that is their own twisted utopia, the end that is their sweet revenge , the end that is attaining their fantasy by making it a reality on Earth. Idea VS Quality of Life In Work When you live to work, you put an idea before existence and that is extremely practical because an idea can be far easier to maintain than quality of life! Because no matter how many times you will fail miserably , as long as you have an idea you can work towards, you can have hope that can overcome the regular day-to-day living. We do not have to live from paycheck to paycheck. We do not have to live on the next rent. There can be something greater than our own lives that we can manifest and have it at play. An idea that can benefit not only ourselves but others as well. My quality of life does not matter to me as much as I put an idea before me. An idea far greater than myself . An idea that can surpass at least several generations after my death! Yes! Hail Philosocom! It gives me hope! And I mind less about myself as long as there is work being done! For I am just a tool for my own creation!
- The Road to Happiness -- Living on Your Own Terms
(Background music) (Philosocom's Directory on Happiness) the heart feels, the mind analyzes, and consciousness rides the line between -- John Duran Using our rational and intuitive senses, we can use our hearts to guide us where we want to be in life. All we have to do is to look within , and the truth is already deep within us. That truth, is our refuge. The heart is a powerful tool for navigating life. The road to happiness is found deep within the heart. The more we listen to our heart's desire, the happier we can be. However, we must do it wisely, as to not sabotage our own happiness. The more we let our mind analyze our heart's desire, the more rationally we can plan at getting at where we want to be in life. To avoid sabotage, we must be somewhat reasonable of our surroundings, developing virtue like respect and tolerance. For if we want to be tolerated, we must tolerate the world around us for what it is, and make the something out of of ourselves all the while! The more we are conscious of the heart and of the mind, the more we can know the next steps needed on our journey for happiness. Through trials and through tribulations, happiness comes where we live on our own terms. Where it is us who decide what to do, it is us who decide how we want to live life. And for that, we need to be brave, and dare to pursue our passions, even if they come at a price... Happiness is this emotion that makes us feel alive. And to feel alive we need to do what we like the most, more often. And for that, we need to give up on certain comforts, and dare. Dare to be out of the herd mentality. Dare to go our own way. Dare to bid farewell to people and paths that don't make us happy. Dare to sometimes purposefully sabotage whatever we have going on that doesn't make us happy . That's because the path to happiness lies in being able to live under one's own terms. It is very hard to do in a world that values conformity and financial gain over happiness. To be happy, we need to ask ourselves what makes us happy, and go for it. Go for it even at the disapproval and mockery of others; go for it even if it seems hard and impossible; go after our hearts desire, and not after some authority figure like a celebrity or an authoritarian leader that tells us what to think, what to buy and so on. Go for it, and try to trust the process to the best of your abilities. Truth-seeking is a sacrifice. Sometimes you'll have to let go of old connections and of old comforts, and embrace a life of solitude, in order to find the happiness, you're looking for. For some, the road to happiness is shorter; for others, it takes a lifetime to be happy. All and all, happiness has to do with being able to listen to your heart and choose your heart's content while understanding the world around you and being aware of it within each choice you make. The truth sets us away from stress, that is called catharsis. Have you ever been honest and felt a relief going out of your body? That's the power of the truth. And the truth is there to set you free from all that makes you suffer. Philosophy, therefore, is the most humane when done as a way of life. And a life truly well lived is a life where you get to live under your own terms. As long as it takes, the road to happiness is well worth it. To be able to do things under your own terms is to be able to enjoy doing what you like and what you're really good at. It takes dedication, it takes sacrifice, but eventually, with enough faith, life shall lead you to where your heart takes you. You might need to overcome many challenges that hold you back away from happiness, like the fear from failure, or the fear of being criticized and judged, and so on. It takes much courage to follow your heart, to stay away from the herd, and do things that others might consider irrational or even insane. However, to rectify the world , one has to set on a journey, whether physically or mentally, to find what makes them truly happy, while living in harmony with the world around them. It requires you to be stubborn, it often requires you to deviate from the norms , because the norms are not there to make you happy, but there to make you obey to the whims of others. Therefore, beyond the necessary evil of survival, why should the societal matrix be followed? Life is too short to live someone else's -- Nathan W. Morris Create your own norms, your own rules, just be mindful of the world around you, because it is this very world that gives you a chance at being happy in your own way. Over time, you might find yourself with very few contacts, as the truth is one which is walked alone. Each and every one of us has something specific that makes them happy. Therefore, happiness is subjective to the individual. Happiness is rarely achieved in this world, and that is why this world is twisted. While focusing on success allows us to survive, endure and/or make an impact, we should survive so that we would, eventually, know the nectar of happiness. My own path to happiness was a short but a most difficult one. Lesser men would not survive the incredibly hard life I've went through, saving my late master, and then, guarding my mother for 17 years. My life was a most difficult one, followed by many, many eras of fatigue and depression. But, as I persisted on going on my heart's desire, I found myself exactly where I wanted myself to be in, living life on my own terms while getting to write to my heart's desire. I built something truly remarkable, this free empire, and got to help a lot of writers by giving them a voice. However, the cost of this living on top of existing, lies in solitude. This world is built on catering, and I don't like to cater. I like to contribute to you on my own terms. Because I already knew that doing things on my own terms is what makes me happy. Some people will never get happy, and this is why I enjoy helping this world through Philosocom. I feel bad for most of this world, and that is why with all of my heart I want to rectify the world under my own terms. I want to contribute with whatever I have to offer for this whole world to enjoy from. A truly, well-built wonderland of philosophy and art! As you can see, the road to happiness is not easy. It requires you to confront your shadows, criticize the very society you're part of, and sometimes even lambast things many find completely acceptable, whether through acceptance or defeatism. Happiness, in the end, lies in the way of those who choose to follow their hearts, all the way, while understanding the world which they navigate on the road to happiness. Eventually, even if it lasts for a lifetime, there is a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. And sometimes, what matters is not the goal, but the friends you make along the way, along with the memories you've made together. Life, in the end, is an experience. And some experiences are more unique than others, the more you decide to follow your heart. You might be rejected as insane, but to quote Socrates, who was considered the Mad Gadfly: The unexamined life is not worth living Socrates peacefully drank the poison wine, for he lived life exactly the way he wanted, criticizing the people of Athens for what they perceived as knowledge. When much of philosophy has to do with defining for ourselves, what is a truly well lived life, how can philosophy be dismissed as irrelevant? Defining for ourselves what is a life well lived, and then going all in, is how philosophy is best used. Not for power. Not for evil. But for the good, that is happiness. And as for myself, I will always be unsatisfied. I made peace with my lack of satisfaction, for it is the very thing that compels me to write and to contribute to you. I live a tragic tale where I will never be entirely satisfied . But at least I live that tale entirely, and peacefully, by choice.
- Rectification As a Way of Life -- The Function of Good
(Background music) (Directory on Rectification and Help) The more I live the more I come to the premise that we came into this world to do good. And by doing good to others, we gratify ourselves from our internal void , and feel satisfied ourselves. Many things in our world are contagious, other than disease. In this article I would like to write about how both love and hate are contagious, and how hate brings this world to its collapse. Love is hard to come by in this world. There are many kinds of love, not just romantic, and the greatest of loves is that which comes naturally and selflessly. The more we do things out of selfless love, the more we balance this world. This world is very unbalanced, with all of its political strife and wars and collapsing economies. What keeps me sane in an unstable world is rectifying as a way of life. The fact that I did good gratifies me. I will always want to do good as a result because doing good is what makes me feel alive and not "undead". Doing good restores me back from my darkness and redeems me from it. I often think about how much more use I can be to those around me and for Philosocom. I already wrote so much but I often feel that I have so much more left to write, I will always want to rectify the world. Here's the thing about world rectification: What matters is not the end result, because there will always be something to rectify. What matters is the journey, the way, towards rectification. There will always be problems in the world. However, rectification is best done when seen as something to look forward to, instead of something to accomplish fully. It is our choice whether or not to succumb to the temptation of hatred or to heal this world with our potential to do good. Doing good in a world of hatred is like lighting a small candle in a world of darkness; even a small candle can light up a lot of dark. And this light of good has the potential to be contagious as much as hatred, but the problem is we are not used to tap into our inner light and bring it outside of us. We are not used to expect good but to endure the bad. The world has no superheroes to save us from trouble. We often have to go through our troubles on our own, with or without our dear ones supporting us, if we even have dear ones in the first place. But the thing is, doing good is what can help us feel alive, and not just live life from concern to concern. By becoming an active force of rectification as a way of life, we can not only help others but also help ourselves feel better and even look forward towards a brighter, more optimistic future. Societies need to foster that inner light or else they will be consumed by darkness and corruption. I grew up in the 2000's , the 2000's was defined by a feeling of hope towards the future. It is the same hope I seek to maintain by connecting to my inner child and by doing a lot of good in the world. I know life can be hard, but by doing small acts of kindness, our perception can change per our choices in life. Rectification as a way of life includes: Helping the homeless. Making people believe in themselves. Fostering love and care. Donating to charity. Volunteering. Practicing gratitude for people. We don't have to entirely succumb to the defeatist, corruptive trends of our world. We could instead become active forces that shape the world per our decisions, which is something very powerful. The problem is, is that we aren't aware of just how powerful we can be until we actually try to do acts of good. When we do acts of good, we gratify both others and us, making selfishness and altruism intertwined uniquely. Doing good is a type of act that brings benefit both to others and to ourselves. Doing acts of good heals the world through its humanity. Good is something that is amiss in our world, and by doing good we can rectify ourselves of our sadness and depression and feel better over time. And I'm telling this from experience. I am no longer the dark, emotionless man I used to be. The more I rectified, the better I began feeling. Gratification can be addictive and there is no more useful gratification than world rectification. It's amazing how doing good can not only bring a lot of good to this world, but make us feel good too in the process. Thus, rectification should be a way of life, something that makes our lives truly worth living, as we go from merely surviving day to day to feeling alive. Life is best not when built on surviving and enduring but on cherishing. And cherishing life is best done when we begin to be forces of good and do good in the world. Should more people do good, we can rectify the world more effectively. I am but one man, but I rectify as a way of life, happy with what I already have. The more we bring out into the world, and the less we take back, the better we can feel. Happiness shouldn't be measured by GDP but by our capacity to be satisfied with what we already have and with our actions. Since life is too short to live someone else's life, it depends on our strength to break ourselves apart from whatever brings us misery, and instead rebuild our lives on whatever makes us feel gratified and content. As tragic as it is, nothing will ever completely satisfy me. I believe I will always look forward to the next article, the next act of rectification, because it is this lack of satisfaction that compels me to write, that compels me to act, that prevents me from sitting quietly in a room alone. I see how the world is and all I feel is a deep desire to be of use, to contribute, to be of help to anyone, anyone at all, and that is what keeps me going in life. Rectification is a way of life for me, and the only thing that makes me feel content other than love. I hope I will live a long life, so I can keep rectifying as much as I can.
- The Reaping Fatigue -- Poem and Directory
The Subcategory: Analysing My Fatigue: The Need for a Positive Dream The Drained One -- a Poem Exhaustion Days Life as an Exhausted Man Stress and Exhaustion As a Philosopher -- How I Refuse to Relent The Horror of Rumination -- A Critique of Philosophizing Shadow of Veronica -- An A.I. Story of Eccentricity and Fatigue Away From The Hermitic Philosopher -- A Very Mysterious Storytime Through A Former Friend's Perspective On Being Severely Misunderstood Over the Years -- The Tempt of Misanthropy (And How To Reduce It) The Existential Isolator (Poem) Accepting Reality III: How I Liberated Myself From 15 Years of Pain A Return to the Darker Past ) Introduction The Reaping Fatigue Era was a personal era in my life from 2018 to August 2023 where I became fatigued to the point of being a physical handicap. It also negatively affected my cognition, even though I still managed to write a lot... I solved the Reaping Fatigue Era by using two methods: Accepting reality , and developing a neuroplastic method. This poem was written in an extreme state of mind where I thought my lifelong legacy is at risk due to not having a solution on the horizons. As said, I brought up solutions of my own, as no one cared enough to help me with it practically. The doctors were too uncaring to assist me quickly, so the condition deteriorated. With a "new me" that I developed, I returned to thinking far better, along with researching existing and new articles on Philosocom. And indeed, the quality of my articles have improved ever since.... And I did it for my readership). ******** The Poem Imagine having so many ideas to write about, Imagine so many possibilities that wait for you, To reap them and enjoy their abundance, from north to south. Now imagine the vast majority of them taken away, probably for good, By a neurological disorder that does not care for thee. That is, you see, the incurable fate of me. Imagine wanting to write about something, and though you have the time, You lack the energy to even think deeply , so you resort to rhyme. It does not care whether you're a paragon of justice or full of crime, It can make you live on welfare's dime, Making you a slave to taxpayer's work time. Days pass by, and even though you want to write, The lack of energy turns you into a wingless kite; That which is made to fly across the skies, And yet, you lack the energy to do so, only left on the Earth, to strive. It is not mercy nor pity which I seek, For I only wish to be remembered like the old philosophers of Greek. Death is something I only want as a symbol of accomplishment, So I will wait for it patiently, as for many other things, I can't. I refuse entertaining mockery due to many a disability, I care less if it happens, for it is a realistic inevitability. As long as I can still write , the idea of death I don't want to entertain, Maybe another time I will have enough energy to properly write again. There is a great competition in this niche , of that I am aware, But as long as I am too weak to write articles, it's difficult to even care, For life with this reaping fatigue is sort of a nightmare, But perhaps another time I will write a new piece, in my lair. The Reaping Fatigue is a reaper which makes it too little to deliver; The idea of a greater life, and thus a bigger ego, makes it near impossible, to rationally consider. For some reason I was punished by a chronic disorder that streams like a river, A flow that drains energy that could've been used for something bigger. But you have my word, as a philosopher and as a mister: As long as I can still write, I will consider a new article to be written and thus published nearer. Should I permanently, of writing, be too weak and even weaker. Then... I will rest in hope my fatigue will not become my own grim reaper. Escaping this mortal world is not something of which I am a believer, So, in that case, I will just re-share until death will linger. Even though there are many days which of new writing I wish to be your server, I just need to face the truth and resume my duty as a re-sharer.
- "The Best Way to Keep Fit and Healthy" - A Tale by Dr. S. K. Pachauri (And Philosocom's Subcategory On Health)
Subcategory Directory on Health: The "Health Bar" Theory -- How To Better Understand And Work Towards Greater Health Health, Body and Delusion -- How Your Body Image Depends On You Healthy Masculinity -- A Critique The Philosophy of Medication -- When Escapism Should Be Prioritized Disability Shaming and the Mentally-Ill -- Understanding Mental Illness The Horror of Heat And Its Effect On the Human Mentality (And Why We Need to Decrease It) https://www.philosocom.com/post/passionate-work The Mentally Disabled and Independence -- A Severe Critique (By Mr. M. Svartgold) Importance and Luxury -- Bias of Prestige in Work Where Philosophy Helps Most: Using Philosophy as a Way to Extend Our Lifespan (By Mr. C. Kingsley and Mr. J. Bright) How Philosophy Complements Sanity and Can Heal You https://www.philosocom.com/post/health-and-wisdom Introduction (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) The following is a contribution, made by the former secretary to the government of India, Dr. S. K. Pachauri, regarding his wisdom as to how to live in a fit and healthy manner. Please note that it isn't an alternative to getting counsel from your medical doctor, but simply a set of advice one can apply to his or her life, written in the form of a story. The Best Way to Keep Fit and Healthy Mr. Raman, a senior citizen who retired from government service recently, and Dr. Joshi, a senior surgeon, were traveling in the same compartment. After introducing themselves, Raman asked Dr. Joshi, "Doctor, as a retired person, I have a health question.... Apart from diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and obesity, can you name a single most important point that senior citizens should take care of? I do know the health hazards of tobacco consumption and alcohol." This way, he hinted to the doctor that he had done some homework. Dr. Joshi replied, "Good Mr. Raman, you already know the most prevalent risk factors that affect health the most. What I always tell people is not what procedures I do in the emergency room, but how one can avert a situation to come see me in the emergency room and lead a quality life.... "At the outset, I suggest one make a habit of practicing silence for a few minutes as the first thing before getting up from bed. It is a calm reconciliation with one's own self. "The second is to have an attitude of gratitude for life as a whole. It may be toward Mother Earth or the sun that is supporting life. It may be your society, parents, teachers, wife, or husband. Anyone and everything can become a part of your life." This attitude aligns you and orients you with cosmic force. It brings positivity, and it will have an energizing and healing effect on you. "In terms of pure medical advice, falling is the most important risk factor for the elderly. In my experience, it is the most debilitating and difficult situation for the elderly patient to cope with or recover from, as well as the most demanding situation for family members or attendants. "The golden rule for the elderly is to never fall down. Falling down marks the beginning of the end for some unfortunates." Raman grew curious and asked, "If you don't mind, what is your second most important advice?" Dr. Joshi replied: "Keep walking. Walking is living. Walking helps maintain many health conditions, including heart health. I know people in their late 90s who go for long walks. Of course, you should guard against many factors when walking at that age, but not walking is a risk factor at any age. Please note that it is not like people are walking because they are fit; people are fit because they are walking. "Those who can't walk due to medical reasons should try pranayama, or breathing exercises that can be suggested by the family doctor." Dr. Joshi continued on his own after seeing Raman's enthusiasm.... "The third most important point is to keep yourself hydrated. Elderly people are prone to reduced water levels and electrolytes in the body. Drinking water by sipping frequently (buttermilk, coconut water, ORS, etc.) helps. "The next important thing is good bowel and gut health. Eating easily digestible and fiber-rich foods will help. One should have cooked food and avoid fried foods, bakery foods, and fast foods. Eat moderately and have dinner at least three hours before going to bed. Daily consumption of a few dry fruits and seasonal fruits will be great for overall health as well. And walking and remaining hydrated also help in maintaining bowel health. Another important aspect of health is being active mentally and remaining calm emotionally. Having an attitude of gratitude and contributing to someone's happiness work like medicine. Some call it "cosmic wisdom" or "cosmic orientation." It is important to prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and depression. "There are some positive activities you can engage yourself in, and you can pick up what interests you most to create an activity for the brain. The creative as well as the analytical functions of the brain should be put to use.... "The reading, writing, and arithmetic that we studied in school may be basic, but they are valuable habits as you age for mental and motor skills." Traditionally, ayurvedic preparations of Brahmi and Aswagandha are used as supplements. "Maybe I can add here that as you age more, you should have an RMP who visits you periodically and sees you closely from a medical point of view. In an emergency, time is of the essence. Early detection and quick response make a world of difference. Lastly, to age gracefully and to leave the world peacefully, one needs God's grace. So, meditate as well. Medical care and meditation are complementary to each other. And my bonus advice is that you should have your daily dose of entertainment. And please take into consideration... the elderly are not barred from having entertainment and laughter. A relaxed mind and happy heart provide the best health and immunity." Mr. Raman thanked the doctor from the bottom of his heart. And replied: "Regards. Try to go through."
- The Life Trophy Dilemma -- How Rewards Kill Potential
(Philosocom's Subcategory Directory on Dilemmas and Problems) (Philosocom's Subcategory Directory on Potential and Hope) (Background music) Article Introduction by a Retired Cop (Creative Exercise) We've all seen it: the athlete basking in the glory of a gold medal, the CEO accepting a lifetime achievement award, the one man army receiving a medal of honor. These moments of recognition, they're intoxicating, ain't they? But let me tell you, there's a dark side to all that glitz and glamour. You see, a trophy can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's a symbol of hard work and dedication. It's a pat on the back, a job well done. But on the other hand, it can lure you into a false sense of security. It can make you lazy. So, the question is: do you want to be a one-hit wonder, or do you want to keep pushing the envelope with risks? Do you want to rest on your laurels, or do you want to keep striving for greatness? The choice is yours, and it's a choice that could define the rest of your life... The Double-Edged Life Trophy: Recognition vs. Motivation Let's put the cards on the table: who wouldn't want a trophy for their efforts? Not just any trophy, mind you, but something grand and prestigious , a tangible symbol of your hard work and dedication. But pause for a moment, because this symbol comes with a hidden price tag: the cost of complacency. Accepting the trophy might sound seductive, but consider its potential downside. With your achievements recognized , the fire of motivation that once fueled your journey could flicker and fade into oblivion. After all, if you've reached the summit, what mountain remains to climb? Here's the paradox: you've conquered the challenge, reaped the rewards , and carved your name in the histories of success. Congratulations! You've achieved recognition, and it's yours to cherish forever. But now, a crucial question arises, especially for one with ambitions worthy of a world-conquering villain: what's next? If the world bows at your feet, why should one work further to seize their potential? If you've reached the endgame , what purpose lies in repeating the same play when the curtain has already fallen, at least in your eyes? Would you prefer living a post-purpose life , when you can still do more? That is how a life of accomplishment can make you weak: When it prevents you from honing your strength towards new and even greater goals. There's beauty in defying convention, and here's where rejecting the trophy becomes an intriguing option for the long term. By avoiding rewards and their celebrations, you might sacrifice some visibility, but you can gain greater fuel for your engine . The fire of curiosity, the itch to explore new possibilities, the hunger for new challenges – they remain undimmed, urging you forward. Never underestimate the power of delayed gratification. Gratify yourself too early and too frequently, and you will weaken your mind, making it dependent, if not addicted , to fun. But the question looms again: to what end? Work until retirement? Until your final breath? Does your work lose its meaning if it's devoid of external validation? What drives you if not the promise of recognition? Be surprised, but some elderly folk still choose to work even after retirement, despite the fact they technically don't have to work. For some it is very important to work so they could stay active (physically and/or mentally), or because they still want to contribute to a cause they support. Either way, these are the questions that dance at the crossroads of accomplishment and ambition. The trophy beckons with its alluring shine, but its embrace might hold the seductive whisper of idleness, which could, in the long run, deteriorate your mental health . While rejecting reward might mean navigating a path less celebrated, that path less traveled can be ablazed with the excitement of what we're truly capable of -- beyond our assumptions of ourselves. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Will you bask in the glow of past victories, or embrace the uncertainty of uncharted horizons? It's a decision worth pondering, for the answer lies not in the trophy itself, but in the fire that burns brightest within you.... Not in validation... . No. Rather, in your will to power! From Victim to Pourer: Battling Past and Relent, One Article at a Time I was once told by someone that I should rest because I did more than enough, and another told me I accomplished much despite my young age. Due to my hatred of resting and sleeping , these feedbacks left me questioning – was I on a rampage of content creation, or just dreaming of productivity that was only sufficient in my mind? A life of rest wouldn't boost my productivity, but pushing too hard hurts my well-being, in the form of overwork. It all hinged on one burning desire: Proving my nemesis from the past wrong. She may not hear my words now, but I dream of the day recognition amplifies my name, echoing a sound "No, I am relevant." For she broke me inside, only to build an empire-builder who is always hungry for more, who chooses to be unhappy so he could build even more. My hunger for expanding and improving my article empire remains absolute, invincible. For I thought I was already relevant, only to realize how wrong I was. And as such I refuse accepting my current relevance as sufficient. I take my frustrating refusal, for granted . For granted, and with all of my heart. And I don't care about what I feel. It is through work that I liberate myself from my condition as a social minority, in a world that disregards the autistic and the mentally ill as liabilities, too unworthy to be hired for work, too unworthy to be loved than neurotypical people with no mental ailments. And I quote: Although researchers have largely debunked the myth that autistic people tend not to be interested in romantic relationships , they have found that autistic people are more likely than neurotypical people to be single. For instance, research from 2017 found that 50% of autistic participants were in relationships compared to 70% of neurotypical participants. A 2019 study also found that autistic people’s relationships tend to last for shorter periods. They worry more about their future relationships, including how to meet prospective romantic partners, compared with neurotypical individuals. I refuse being weak. Through the acceptance of agony, my chains are broken, and my thirst for power will liberate me from being discarded often, when I can do so much good in the world, as I want to, and can. So, I choose to write. Not just because I can, but because I won't let past doubts or the fear of burnout define me. I choose this path not for recognition alone, but because the fire to write burns bright, for I know how fear limits us under its control . At the age of twenty six, I've already accomplished much, and retiring even after half a century wouldn't feel like fulfillment, but an insult to my relentless spirit, honed by ruthlessness. How could I forgive myself for silencing the writer within , when he can even a thousand times more than thus far? Thus, I became a Rain, a Pourer of Articles. For in every word, I vanquish doubt, defy limitations, and prove my ex-nemesis, and even my own doubts, wrong. This is my battle cry against the hand I was dealt with, with the pages of Philosocom, my lifelong battlefield. And I will write, not until I'm heard, but until my voice roars like thunder, drowning out the echoes of the past , and until I won't be able to write anymore. With every article, I release myself from the chains of petty victimhood. I become a voice, a force, a storm. Learn from me, and see what you're truly capable of. Mr. Nathan Lasher's Feedback The idea is to not use trophies as an endgame reward but learning to use them as milestones and step stones to help you reach your next goal. How can your current goal help you reach your next goal? Do not look at them as endgames. Rather see the result of a goal as a first step towards your next one. Those trophies should be reminders of self assurance that you are on the correct path. No endgame should ever be in someone's mind. Only goals you’d like to reach while trying to accomplish something. Remember there are always new things out there you can learn which will better aim to help you help people. That should be the goal of “endgames”, to act as symbols that you have reached a good level of understanding on a subject. Your goal at the end of life should be to be the best person that you can be. This involves never stopping improving yourself. There will always be some area where you can improve. Your goal should not be to be a pseudo intellect and think that just because you got good at one thing that you are going to be super smart about everything in the end. Life’s purpose is to gain as much knowledge as you can to help you do the most good. If you think you have collected enough trophies simply go get yourself a bigger trophy case and keep at it.
- Into the Mind of the Dark Ascetic Master, Heihachi Mishima of Tekken (And Directory)
Article Synopsis by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co. "Into the Mind of the Dark Ascetic Master, Heihachi Mishima of Tekken" is an insightful exploration of Heihachi Mishima, a complex character in the world of gaming. The article delves into his psyche, presenting him as both a villain and an anti-villain with nuanced motivations rooted in power, asceticism, and philosophical underpinnings. The article excels in unpacking Heihachi's multifaceted personality, providing readers with a fresh perspective that goes beyond the typical good-versus-evil dichotomy. It also integrates philosophical concepts like Nietzsche's Übermensch and Taoism , enriching the analysis and bridging the gap between popular culture and academic philosophy. The comprehensive lore incorporation from the Tekken universe, including the roles of Kazumi, Azazel, Kazuya, and Jin, provides a well-rounded context for readers to understand the intricate relationships and motivations driving Heihachi's actions. The engaging narrative style of the article maintains an authoritative tone throughout, using phrases like "a man so evil and yet so weirdly moral" to effectively convey the complexity of Heihachi's character. Thematic cohesion is interwoven, presenting a clear and persuasive argument about Heihachi's role and philosophy within the Tekken narrative. Overall, "Into the Mind of the Dark Ascetic Master, Heihachi Mishima of Tekken" is a commendable work that invites readers to view Heihachi Mishima through a sophisticated and analytical lens. (Tekken Directory: The Grim Philosophy of Tekken How Tekken Made Me More Serene (And My Quest For Greater Peace) (Philosocom's Asceticism Directory) (Philosocom's Directory on Power) (Villainy/Anti-Villainy Directory) (Background music) The character from Tekken, Heihachi Mishima.... Never in my career of philosophical inquiry have I witnessed such a ruthless man not only towards the world, but also towards himself. Unforgiving not only to others, but also to himself. To him, all weakness is anti-justice. To him, all justice stems from power. To him, it's not only that might makes right, but weakness deprives humanity of its rights as well. Trained under his master and father, Jinpachi Mishima, Heihachi Mishima is not pure evil. Rather, his malice is inconsistent. On the surface, Heihachi seeks world domination because he only cares about power. On a deeper level, Heihachi understands it is power that makes everything, everything, work. Work and fail, based on power. Power to him is a natural resource, and one of the most basic resources in the universe. He not only acquires a powerbase to follow him , and builds the empire he took over from his father.... He purposefully trains himself, his body and mind, for the very world he seeks to attain... and the very family he sees as his worst adversaries. From his very early days he was horribly misunderstood , as the world focused on his malice , less on his viewpoints. This was a grave mistake from these very days... whose first significant victim was his own wife, Kazumi Mishima. A wife and assassin in disguise, torn between orders from her clan to kill him , and their true love as husband and wife... Kazumi Mishima, the wife of Heihachi Mishima, is well versed in Hachijō Karate. She was childhood friends with her husband Heihachi and eventually, they fell in love. Through their love, they birthed a healthy young boy . Fast forward a few years later, Heihachi would become the head of a huge organization called the Mishima Zaibatsu, with plans to conquer the world. Kazumi loved Heihachi unconditionally, but at the same time, he was beginning to feel dangerous. In this state, Heihachi threw the world into war and Kazumi took it upon herself to stop him. -- The Tekken Fandom The wife's sacrifice for the very world she wished to spare from her husband's lofty ambitions, ended up in vain. Heihachi killed her when she tried killing him. Heihachi did it with regret, however he realized she had to be finished off, for she was no longer the loving wife he used to know. In fact, Kazumi was there in her devil form, the one accessible to her using the cursed devil gene. The devil gene, inherited by the overarching evil of Tekken... Azazel the Rectifier, a demon of pure evil. A demonic being of divine proportions , The Rectifier bestowed upon his divine worshippers the gift of the devil gene. A gene so corrupt, it allows a person to transform into a demon of immense power, crushing many of those who would stand in the way of the Azazel worshipper. Kazumi and her clan had the devil gene, therefore being Azazel's willing followers. Heihachi had another task at hand as well as world domination.... To overcome and defeat all of those who carried the devil gene, who originated from the all-evil Azazel himself. The Dark Lord, the Rectifier of all things.... The only being in Tekken with zero redeeming qualities. Mankind bound me, thinking they could escape subjugation. Willfully and selfishly, they have reduced the world to tatters! Now the sinners must atone. -- Azazel the Pure Evil Villain A man so evil and yet so weirdly moral, he would wage war against his own son, Kazuya, and his own grandson, Jin, just so he could fulfill his own vow.... To be the one man who shall rid the world of the cursed devil gene. A man so morally corrupt , yet so ascetic, he would host world fighting competitions and put his whole empire, the Mishima Zaibatsu, as the reward of the victor. A man so power hungry, yet so weirdly humble, he would train in isolation after losing his conglomerate, so he would take it back as well. Can't you see? He is not hungry for power for the sake of power. He is hungry for power because power is what allows him to better execute his ambitions, as well as work on himself to become the best version of himself. He is not blinded by power. He uses power to gain power, and when he loses power, he would work on himself, so he would have the power to restore the very power he lost, making him overly powerful in the whole process.... The whole process of victories and defeats. He wins either way. With each victory, with each defeat. Every failure is an opportunity, every victory, as well. With each opportunity he loses or seizes, he uses it to look forward for the next source of power... be it new recruits, be it the Tekken Force -- his personal army -- be it the opportunity to hone both his mind and spirit, for power. Heihachi isn't just a ruthless tyrant, but an ascetic who denies himself all forms of weakness . He does not permit weakness in him, nor in others. He is unforgiving towards everyone, and especially towards himself. He doesn't allow anyone to fail, and that includes himself as well. His failures never compromise his iron spirit , instead leading him to realize the next potential successes. He refuses, refuses to give up on his goals: Conquer the world, while purifying it from the influence of Azazel, the Devil himself. Is he pure evil? He is absolutely not purely good. Yet, he is not pure evil. He is pretty much an anti-villain, who sees it proper to kill his own wife, seal Jinpachi in the family dojo's underground . Turning into an undead being, Jinpachi seized control of the company one last time. If Jin wasn't able to kill Great Grandpa Jinpachi, either the son Kazuya or Heihachi would've done it themselves. Azazel was so awful, Jin Kazama started a Third World War, after succeeding his great grandfather, just to awaken the demonic being from his slumber with all the bloodshed, and kill him. Jin sought to rid himself of the Devil Gene he himself inherited from his grandmother, Kazumi. Like Heihachi, however, he sought to rid the world of it as well. Kazuya Mishima, the main son, seems to be the only one who embraced the evil inside of him, insisting on killing his father, his own son, and without seeing the Devil Gene as a problem... For seeking revenge for Kazumi's death and embracing his inner demons with a firming embrace, Kazuya is thus a pure-evil man, marking himself his father's true arch-nemesis... It's the fate of our family to fight and betray each other. It's in our blood. You won't escape it. -- Kazuya Mishima And it all started and escalated because of Azazel. All the world's misery stems from the ironic subversion of a demonic entity , used as a sacrificial pawn... Instead, Azazel bestowed upon his servants a gift that sacrifices them. Not for the greater good, but for his pure evil, running in their blood forever. That is why both Heihachi and Jin, his grandson, seek power -- to rid the world of the Devil and his minions. Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes, the hero is neither good nor evil. Sometimes the hero is beyond good and evil, acting like Nietzsche's overman for the greater sake of world rectification. It is through the fight with Azazel and his minions, that the fighters of the Tekken franchise rectify themselves from weakness. Through this cycle of world suffering, the spirit is endured and empowered, and people become the strongest versions of themselves. Azazel, being the ultimate creator of problems, encourages people to sacrifice their weaknesses... Power is there, ultimately, to solve problems. The good of the world of Tekken has grown to be a contra. A contra that balances the evil of Azazel. And that is how even the most evil of beings, encourages us to refuse to stagnate. Refuse, and instead work on ourselves tirelessly, to overcome opposition. The more opposition we defeat, the more power we gain to help others... Help the world. Azazel, the rectifier of all things. Symbolically and like Heihachi, we are all his "successors".... Understand the balances of the universe. Use this understanding to find peace . For the key in harmony is found in the balances of power. The Ying to one's Yang, the Yang to another's Ying. Use this understanding to find peace whether or not you're in the solitude of a hermitage or in the middle of a conflict. By the philosophy of Taoism, it all makes a great deal of logical sense.
- How to Not Build a Sociopath
A sociopath can be defined as a person with anti-social behavior. He or she can be defined as aggressive, coercive , deceitful and oblivious towards the value of human lives. Over time, consciously and unconsciously , much of our behavior is learned. The mind adapts to the interactions it receives over time from other people, and develops accordingly. It is important to note that not all outcomes are intentional. It was not intended by the Jedi Council, in Star Wars, to turn Anakin into Darth Vader by denying him the rank of master. However, unfairly denying someone something he or she wants is how you build an anti-social personality. When you are excluded from the group, bullied, and denied things the rest of the group gets, you build a sociopath. Unwilling to accept a person for who he or she is, unwilling to show compassion when they express distress, is how you build a sociopath. To NOT build a sociopath, that is done through love, affection, compassion and respect. When you are denied these 4 elements, you might turn into an anti-social individual. Love, affection, compassion and respect are things which are amiss in our world compared to the amount of harm made through injustice and social exclusion. Love is a tool for redeeming one's own darkness. Love is something that is amiss in our world. There is too much alienation , too much apathy, too much hostility online and sometimes offline too, to the point that sociopaths are built through such learned behavior. By willing to show love and affection to someone, you can reduce their anti-social traits by making them feel valued and appreciated. When you recognize their merit and their potential , you can increase their desire to be part of the greater world, either through active participation or through any other form of contribution. In the absence of love, people grow different. People grow alienating, aggressive, anti-social. Such people likelier to break the law and even find themselves in the criminal underworld. Sometimes, all it takes to calm one's aggression is a display of affection. Affection is a powerful tool that soothes one's distress and makes them feel like they belong. The power of love is the key to everlasting happiness. Whether through rational self-love or through fostering affection-based relationships, people can become less sociopathic and more calm and even happy. A case example to how sociopathy is built is Jason Voorhees . Before he becomes a cold-blooded killer in the films, he was a special needs individual who was mocked, shamed, and eventually forsaken when he drawn to death in the Crystal Lake Summer Camp. Had Voorhees received love, affection, respect and compassion from the other children, as well as from the staff, he wouldn't grow into the nightmarish, relentless human killer that he became when he got resurrected and immortal. The more unique a person is, the harder for them to be accepted by the vast majority of society. The issue of uniqueness is only an issue because society presses people to conform to it in order to be accepted into it. People who struggle to conform, or are unwilling to conform, will suffer more rejections from society, might be rejected as insane , and will be dismissed as too weird or eccentric. This is a very wrong thing to do as we should foster a world of inclusivity , where everyone can contribute in a way that fits their quirks. The more you are rejected, the more you might reject social norms. The more you are loved, the less likely you will turn into an anti-social individual. To preserve my good nature, I decided to become a hermit and forsake humanity. I have no desire to partake in a social game that is built on unfairness. Instead, I prefer to rectify the world from afar because I feel pity towards this war-torn, expensive, twisted world where money matters more than the human heart. Despite being rejected a lot in my life, I have proven my worth by building an article empire that is meant to contribute for free. I am satisfied with my actions and refuse to grow into a sociopath. I prefer instead to help this world through my writings. I do not have the heartlessness to partake in a largely-heartless world, where status and luxury matters more than human decency and from having a big heart.
- How To Stop Being a Victim (By Mr. Mandoela Svarl) (And his Subcategory Directory)
(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 ) (The rest of his articles: https://www.philosocom.com/post/what-are-the-actions-and-meaning-of-flying-monkeys-by-mr-manduela-svarl https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-philosophy-of-energy-vampires-how-do-they-think https://www.philosocom.com/post/sexual-transmutation-a-philosophy-of-energy-conversion-clean-by-mr-m-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/how-to-stop-being-a-sucker-by-mr-mandoela-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/demonstrations-transparency-common-goals-power-and-influence-by-mr-m-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/what-can-we-learn-from-diogenes-cynical-philosophy-by-mr-m-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/how-assertiveness-can-protect-empaths-by-mr-mandoela-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/how-to-detect-and-handle-betrayals-in-relationships-by-mr-mandoela-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/queries-on-the-influence-of-religion-as-manipulation-by-mr-m-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-mentally-disabled-and-independence-a-local-critique-by-mr-m-svartgold https://www.philosocom.com/post/nietzsche-s-ideas https://www.philosocom.com/post/jesus ) Alex Mos's Synopsis: Victim personality has its roots in being bullied in childhood and often is a result of the child becoming the scapegoat of the family. The feeling of helplessness in adulthood is a reconstruction of the trauma. This article is a testimony of a victim of an unfortunate childhood. Mr. Svartgold explains how to escape the cycle of mistreatment by leaving the toxic environment and becoming independent. In the path of healing, breaking the silence about the misfortune and giving it its proper place is vital to overcoming the victim mentality. (Background music) Introduction Hello everyone. Today, I want to talk about victims. I will explain in my own easy words and give an example to the victims of how this is expressed and what the victims are. And how can philosophical insights treat it? How To Stop Being a Victim? A person who has been bullied. The root of this is from childhood. The situation makes her feel helpless and unable to act. This feeling is a reconstruction of the trauma. Case Study For example, if a girl was forced to keep a secret about her uncle's s**** assault from early childhood. Her parents beat her, blamed her for everything, and brainwashed her. And they a**** her in front of her sisters. In fact, in the example I present, she is just a girl. An innocent person. One who does not understand life and how to act in danger. For the parents do not provide her with a source of psychological safety. Feeling terror, fear, repressed anger, repressed depression . She can't talk to her parents about it. That girl learns to keep a terrible secret that affects her forever. And so, she will feel self-worthless, humiliated, disdainful, and confused, in which she, on the one hand, must survive in the cruel world. On the other hand, she is not taught boundaries. And her parents and sisters do not stand by her. You are probably familiar with the subject in schools. But in fact, bullying starts at home. In front of the family. To be truthful, it is usually the scapegoat for Azazel and the small family behind closed doors. Her victimization will manifest itself in self-hatred against herself. She will be afraid to succeed because if she grows up, her parents will be afraid that the secret will go out ASAP, which leaves that girl in a repressed depression. One, in which she is not allowed to express anger. Anger in such a situation is significant for mental health. She is not allowed to speak ill of her parents . And she must see her uncle every week. After all, he is part of the family. And her family stands by him and not by their daughter. On the other hand, her parents will say that they love her. Everything will be talk. It is essential to look at the actions. They will tell her that she is their home. But on the other hand, her mother told her it was a shame they didn't have an abortion before she was born. And behind her eyes, they will gossip about her to teachers, friends, and the extended family. And all to isolate her. That she will feel social isolation and feel that she is incapable of changing the harsh reality. And usually, yes, especially in childhood, you cannot change the truth. Usually, children don't run and tell what they're going through. The teachers don't see them as the same victims. Their parents humiliate them behind the scenes. And she feels alone in a dangerous world without knowing how to face this world. Without being able to understand her feelings because they won't take her for treatment. And without being able to express them in words. Since anything she says will be a threat to her parents. This impossible and uncontained situation causes her to explode. The same explosion continues in reconstructions even in her adulthood, even if she leaves her parents' house. Even if you go to them, she is still not normal because she lives an abnormal life. She felt stuck—a victim situation. She does not know what genuine kindness is. And she denies the evil of her parents to survive life. She does not have respect for herself because her soul was desecrated. She is not allowed to speak. And every word is checked. That girl, in her adulthood, felt invisible. Full of overwhelming and negative thoughts that are mercilessly thrown at her by her parents. Sometimes, it is also from her teacher and the children in her class. Since everything is restored to her, then other kids hurt her. Teachers do not see her pain. Because she learned to hide it , they did not help her. Some do see but don't want to interfere, and there are many. That girl in adulthood felt toxic emotions and was full of negativity and helplessness because, compared to others, she did not learn boundaries, and how to keep them. She was not a proper and individual person because her parents rummaged through her things to prevent her from telling the teachers. That self-value of hers was rejected. Her parents use silent treatments. To make her feel guilty and ashamed. I write all this because I know this girl. That there was such a girl. That's how she also got bullied at school. Usually, in schools, this is said and taught. But the root of it is silence. That's why I write about it. The same girl feels that she is separated from her friends at school. Because she is not allowed to tell, and that is how she is guilty. Her parents. And that uncle of hers who hurt her and continues to hurt her. She no longer has the strength to ask her parents, especially her mother, not to bring him home repeatedly. She feels the need to protect herself, but she does not have the mental power for that. She is one against many. And the majority effect, unfortunately, has an impact. Many don't want to understand that her parents hate her, even if they say they love her and care for her. When she is socially isolated, her parents start spreading nasty rumors about her. And take the truth of something she told them and make it look terrible. And they embarrass her in public. Or at home with the door closed. Usually, they threaten her behind closed doors. They spoke ill about her best friend and isolated her from any help. And excused it with the fact that she was a bad girl. They are not seeing who loves her, and that's how you will learn her body is theirs. They make hand gestures, fists, and rude gestures and blame her for everything. They buy her cheap clothes. And to her sisters, they purchased expensive clothes and spoke well about them. The sister took the side of the mother. She is disadvantaged because she is not like her sister. They deny the evil and what was done to her, claiming that she exaggerates. And that she has a mental illness. This is not right. That's how she goes to places like school, university, or work. To make others hate her, to shame her for past mistakes that are the ones who bullied her. In this situation, the same child is not equal to her parents. She is just a girl, while they are socially-significant. She is one of many. And that is the narrative of bullying -- of exploiting the weak intentionally. Her parents and acquaintances are experienced in humiliating her on the sly, and she is alone. They constantly tease her, create drama, threaten to cause harm, and cause damage. The Path to Recovery After recording a large part of the negative emotions that this girl went through , I want to tell you a secret: How is it possible to endure such an extreme situation of bullying? Any bullying is against a weaker individual. Of a different status. Other status. This is an opportunity to stand up to herself or many. What should you do to take care of it? It won't be easy. In such a situation, the girl is alone. And they won't always be able to contact the police because she is alone. In front of many, it takes a lot of mental strength, which she doesn't have. She must try to get out of the danger zone. Her parents' house is a dangerous place. To pass this challenge for a good, better life , she must already be an adult. She must first practice mindfulness and understand the mental pain caused to her. She must realize that it is not her fault. That she is not alone. That many more are silenced. And sign up for a support group of people like her. I recommend more than a psychologist, which is one on one. Since that girl thinks she deserves it. And so, it is in adulthood. Therefore, she must see women like her. Of course, there are also boys like her. They should go to a support group for such men. She must understand in her maturity that these people, even though they are her parents and her complex family who cooperated and teachers and acquaintances, harmed her and did not promote her in any way. They are not what they present and are not the best family and country to live in. She should stop distorting reality for herself with their excuses. And listen to her inner voice. She must understand that she deserves a chance to succeed. She deserves respect and appreciation for who she is and to be true to herself even if her parents call her selfish. Who "stood by herself". To understand that being against such people and cutting off an ill connection for her mental health, is crucial. And mental health is important above all. She must express anger and not allow an "accusing voice" to remain silent and let people hurt her. She must learn to set boundaries to protect herself as an individual. Separate her thoughts from them, too. It's theirs, not hers. And she must become financially independent . And to understand that they caused her harm, even if they were good to her too, sometimes it is not their true face behind closed doors. This is exceedingly difficult to do if you are entirely alone. Therefore, the importance of the group is a supreme value. It is enough for one person to help her escape. One person will believe in her and help her to succeed and move forward. She doesn't want it. But she was silent. Her acquaintances from a complex family also call her out. They take the parents' side and other people. Therefore, she must protect herself. Understand that it is worth it, just with the case of any person. She was wronged. She is aware of it. But in her adulthood, she is no longer helpless. She has a choice . She should know how to ask for help and take advantage of an opportunity if she finds someone to help her. She must earn enough money to support herself. The more she goes through bullying with more people, the more mentally she is hurt. Usually, such people will rule by stealing money and taking advantage of their target. She must understand that it will take time to recover if she leaves. But she is not alone. And being alone is better than exploitation and harm. She must learn to protect her interests. Understand that mental health is vital to her. Those who ignore that, exploit it, and pass information to those people are the problem. She must learn self-love even if her inner voice hates her because it sits on her self-worth. She must understand that with them, she cannot be authentic. And being authentic is essential for the soul. That group of people envied her. And caused the creation of a cooperative dependency to damage her freedom. She must understand that they are different from her. That's although she is modest and learned and programmed to talk about the bad, even though they isolated her and destroyed her relationships with friends. She cannot listen to them. She must ask herself what made her listen to them and stay in the toxic environment. If she doesn't have people with her, getting out of this situation will be very difficult. If she is with them, it will also be impossible to change that. Such people enjoyed her pain , even if they told her their intentions were pure. And even if they said they love her because she is their daughter. She must understand that she has reduced evil, by not staying in this vicious cycle. The abolition of evil in humanity . The reduction of corruption as if it had never been. It's the repression that got her stuck with them in the first place. And they are self-interested and do everything to destroy her. She must understand that now they spoke badly about a friend who loved her. They asked for details of conversations and talked to other people behind her back. It indicates hatred. Even if they tell her and others that she is the one who hates them , they are liars and the majority effect is not valid. Society somehow influences a lot and does everything by enabling them to "take care" of her problems. To "love" her. To pass information about her to others, whether state institutions or welfare, and therefore sabotage her independence as someone who is mentally injured . She must understand that some sharing is destructive, but good people exist. And you will surely know them, if you try. She must consider that there will be those whom she must leave because her parents and siblings have already made a smear campaign against her. She must believe in herself. And avoid agreeing to self-criticism in this case. Conclusion Understand that she is a solitary, weak individual, and there is a limit to the judgmental voice within her. For years, she neglected herself. Pay attention at the beginning of contact, especially to "red alarms", because she can't see either after a while and remains blind, uncritical in mind. She should express anger. And who silences her rage? It makes her hate herself and be angry with herself. And she needs to understand that. Anything like that destroys her emotional system. By expressing her distress and giving it its proper place and value, she will be able to overcome her victimized mentality. And we can understand what will become of it. And how to break away from these kinds of people w ho normalize and enable those who give such a mentality a place. This story is a true story. I don't want to mention names to preserve their integrity. Thank you. This will give you tools to deal with the victims through the story I wrote. And understand the mentality of victims better. Internal References: https://www.philosocom.com/post/naturality-of-trauma https://www.philosocom.com/post/the-rubinshteinic-guide-to-rage-how-to-master-the-art-of-rage https://www.philosocom.com/post/accepting-reality-ii-the-rubinshteinic-philosophy-on-trauma https://www.philosocom.com/post/furthermore-on-loneliness-being-alone
- Why Is the State Also a Place of Business
(Philosocom's Money Directory) (Philosocom's Directory on Politics) (Background music) Why We Form Nations People establish nations for many reasons, whether or not these nations are recognized by others, or left unrecognized (AKA, micronations ). The U.S was founded in the name of human liberty and rights. The Soviet Union existed to practice Karl Marx's communist philosophy. Nations are not founded in a vacuum. The choice to create and develop a nation is backed up by some kind of rationale. Thomas Hobbes suggested a universal rationale, called the social contract theory . The social contract says this: In order to survive, we must exchange our individual freedoms and our independence. As such, Hobbes was an absolute monarchist who supported the British monarch in his time, several centuries ago. Shared Identity, Social Contracts, and the Rubinshteinic Rationale Allow me to propose a Rubinshteinic (I.E, my own brand of) universal rationale for the establishment and preservation of nations: Nations exist also to serve the functionally of business and commerce. They are, in a sense, corporations. And no nation can survive without funds. By developing the financial aspect of the nation, it can allow many other aspects of its management and support. From within and from outside its territory. Why? Because money is the lifestream of any business, just like with nations. For money allows us not only to survive, but have far more possibilities in life. Hence why money is also a form of power. It is, perhaps, the reason as to why almost all nations are currently capitalist. Because prosperity allows them to elevate beyond survival, and focus on other tasks at hand. Tasks that do not have to solely be defined as mere luxury. Funds are "energy" to the state, like food is energy for the organism. Because my mistake over the years was to ignore the third functionality of money. It is not only used for either necessity or un-necessity. But also, for benefit. And benefit can be of ourselves, of others, or both. Even when it is for our own benefit or for the benefit of others, it can also be for the harm of others. It does not have to contradict when, for example, you supply aid for a tyrannical country. Because when you provide benefit to that country, you also add to the misery of those it oppresses. And adding suffering to this world intentionally, is a form of evil. I suppose there isn't much of a need to be this naive on that matter, correct? The matter of hope. Of a better future. Of world peace. Ultimately, the nation is a business. And when its revenue is all good and well, why would its leader/s wish to risk it? After all, war is also a profitable business. Selling weapons and military technology, is profitable. Even state-funded criminal empires, are profitable. Profit... is not only for the greedy. And not only for survival, either. It is also to actualize your hopes and dreams. It is also to build a better future for your children or successors. When you seek profit purely or mostly for luxury and un-necessities , then consider the idea that you might be greedy. The same goes for politicians. Some people, politicians included, cannot afford not being rich. Why? Because some people have plenty things they need to afford. Even if you want to donate to charity, you need to afford the money first. Politics are also a matter of survival. Social survival, of course. Because even as dictator, disapproval from the people could lead to treachery, and treachery could kill you. The tyrant may want to be rich in order to survive through the means of corruption. Like paying bribes to keep certain officials in line. Like participating in illegal trades to ensure a nuclear program ( Like with North Korea ). And the list may go on and on. When it comes to money, you may need to put, sometimes, your own morality aside. Hence why evil may indeed exist in capitalism. Because there are some acts that are more profitable than others, despite their moral nature. And being able to provide and to generate profit, can ensure your relevancy in this social and political world. Even if you're not a politican or even a public figure like me. Your relevancy to others may also be measured by the profit you can generate for your household. Whether a man or woman, does not have to matter. Because no one really likes freeloaders that are able to generate profit. The Philosocom Vision By building an infrastructure on the WIX platform that has the potential to sustain itself for centuries, along with content preservation, I can give you a promise social media does not. For anything on social media, that you post there, can be deleted. Philosocom is made for longevity for both my and your content. Join my growing empire , and you can contribute to a good cause that will preserve your content for generations in potential. And unlike in a country, I intend Philosocom to be read for free, no paywalls. We can use that power for good. Especially to those who need it more than us. And a country that does it, is most definitely a good one, morally. Philosocom aspires to be a different kind of "nation". Here, everyone has free access to knowledge and discussion. As wisdom deserves to be accessible to all. After all, wisdom is the key to freedom. Mr. Nathan Lasher's Feedback: A government must be run like a business. It is the reason why governments survive. It is through taxation, seen on goods and services, that governments obtain money to operate. It’s been many years, I believe, since a more capitalistic approach was taken and a government enforced a stipend to all residents which stated that they must pay x amount of money to the government. Nowadays, in America at least, it is seen that you get charged x amount of money depending upon the activity which you are undertaking. After all, the government must operate in that way in some capacity in order for them to continue to serve the people’s interests. Aren’t all governments, democratic, formed out of public opinion? They start because enough people want them to form in the way that they do. Monarchs are another kind of example. Citizens giving up certain rights in exchange for a government which is backed by someone else’s wealth and not the state’s itself. A monarch will remain in power as long as they possesses the wealth to securely finance the government if necessary. I’m referring to this as buying power at its core. You can buy enough people's support that others will just blindly follow you out of herd mentality . I don’t understand the ins and outs of military, not saying I never will only that I currently don’t. I still understand enough that they protect us so I’m fully ok with contributing my part to it.
- The Tragedy of Heisenberg (A "Breaking Bad" Inspired Poem)
(Villainy/Anti-Villainy Directory) Table of Contents: The Poem Itself Analysis by Mr. C. O. Isaac and Co. The Poem (Inspired song) In a world full of fear, Where danger lies there and here , Such things makes a man's fate, Blue and crystal clear. In the absence of true affection, By your fellow society, A man may want to prove wrong , Their blind reality. To prove his inner worth, Outside of family, there is the world, The pure becomes corrupt , Turned a wolf in sheep's cloth, In the absence of true love, Where transactional 's the just, Adjust to it, the man must. Perhaps only then, His worth will be proven, To any human out of the self. Laughed at disgracefully, Carelessly been assigned irrelevancy, One's worth is to be attained, Or else he will be in vain. So when you are unloved, You would want others to say your name, You will become like them, You will want antagonism dead! You will be embedded with fear, For purity in this world, Is never here. You will turn from crystal white, To Heisenberg , a facade of might. You say you do it for others, While they say they never wanted that light. Even when your worth is suggested, Your worth isn't really wanted. Because they want to feel nice, Drink orange juice with ice. Dark coffee's too dark, But it's part of reality, Its mark. And the cycle will repeat, In the name of impurity, Round and round goes the corruption in humanity, As true love belongs only to whom fear, As breakfast they eat. Because love is rarely given, But love is sought to be gained. You might realize nobody of you, truly cares, So your true self, express it you dare. ****** You now wear a fedora-crown on your head, An expanding empire of demand is now in your stead. For Heisenberg isn't one to be praised, For Heisenberg is a warning to be seen and hailed. Without real love your heart grows dark, Become remorseless as a warlord and as a loan shark. Because in the end you might as well just want it for yourself, So now you're powerful, Respected, but still unloved. No amount of honor will have your heart unlocked! You may mistake loyalists for true love, But in truth its but a roadblock! Poem Analysis by Mr. O. C. Isaac and Co. The poem explores themes of fear, love, corruption , and the human condition through a philosophical lens. It begins with the assertion that the world is full of fear and danger, leading to a man's fate being "blue and crystal clear." This implies a deterministic outlook where the human condition is fraught with anxiety and existential dread. The absence of true affection from society leads individuals to seek validation and worth beyond familial ties, reflecting existentialist themes found in works of Sartre and Camus. The poem also critiques the transformation from purity to corruption, depicting the moral and ethical degradation that occurs when one is deprived of genuine love and forced to conform to transactional relationships. The poem portrays a cyclical pattern of corruption in humanity, where the quest for worth and recognition leads to further disillusionment. The imagery of becoming "Heisenberg" alludes to Walter White from Breaking Bad, symbolizing a transformation into a figure of power and fear rather than love and respect. It also addresses the hollow nature of respect and loyalty gained through fear and power, arguing that such respect is not equivalent to true love but rather a façade that conceals the individual's continued emotional desolation. This reflects Nietzschean themes of the will to power and the existential struggle for authentic existence. The poem raises questions about the nature of morality, questioning whether it is inherently tied to social acceptance and love or can exist independently in a transactional world. The poem also reflects on the human condition, portraying it as a relentless pursuit of recognition and validation in a society that often fails to provide genuine affection. Finally, it employs vivid imagery and metaphors to convey its philosophical themes, illustrating the contrasts between reality and comfort, authenticity and pretense. The cyclical structure of corruption and the persistent quest for worth underscore the repetitive and inescapable nature of these human struggles.