Autoscriptorium

Autoscriptorium is a diverse and introspective Substack that covers themes ranging from poetry and literature analysis to personal growth, lifestyle advice, and observations on corporate culture and creativity. It blends practical advice with deep dives into the works of poets, reflections on life, and the exploration of obscure and philosophical concepts.

Literature Analysis Personal Growth Lifestyle Advice Poetry and Poetic Forms Observations on Corporate Culture Creative Writing Philosophical Reflections Historical and Cultural Insights

The hottest Substack posts of Autoscriptorium

And their main takeaways

How to Keep a Man

59 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
😂 Humor Comics
  1. Consistency is key in maintaining a relationship by creating a stable and predictable environment.
  2. Conscientiousness involves taking care of your partner's needs and ensuring their well-being.
  3. Continuity emphasizes the importance of maintaining a connection and bond with your partner over time.

Short Thoughts on Obscurity

79 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Reflection Thoughts
  1. Thoughts and ideas can be obscure and difficult to grasp, forming erratic shapes and trailing away like comet's furze.
  2. Accumulating new habits can dilute old ones and lead to personal growth and realization.
  3. Sometimes, our own thoughts and feelings can be unclear, requiring us to analyze objective data like our physical reactions and routines.

Diary #16

79 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
📚 Literature Diary Reflection Writing Creativity
  1. The blend of good and bad news creates a unique suspension throughout the day, not merging but colliding.
  2. Original thought is explored, pondering on how fresh insights and observations come to fruition.
  3. Navigating moments of responsibility and accountability, reflecting on the concept of 'naked responsibility' in daily life.
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Lost Tarot Cards

79 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic Religion Beliefs
  1. The post discusses lost tarot cards and their symbolic meanings like measurement, observation, and secret knowledge.
  2. Each tarot card represents different concepts like foundations, structure, and perfect love.
  3. The tarot cards mentioned in the post evoke unique themes such as dedication, asceticism, and preservation.

Thomas Hardy, Genius

99 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
📚 Literature Poetry Author Themes Biography Style
  1. Poetry involves sound and requires a voice. Thomas Hardy believed in conveying meaningful messages through poetry, not just elegant words.
  2. Thomas Hardy, a talented architect turned poet, had a diverse range of influences and taught himself various languages. He was known for his unique style inspired by folk music and rhythm.
  3. Hardy's poem 'The Voice' beautifully conveys deep emotions and longing through its poetic language and structure. Each line reveals layers of complexity and evokes strong emotions.

Short Thoughts on Affirmations

39 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Well-being Psychology
  1. An affirmation is a positive statement to boost self-regard and integrity, relying on repetition and reassuring oneself.
  2. Affirmations are like spiritual jumper cables, making one strong by using words to shape reality, unlike prayer which asks for things.
  3. Making personalized affirmations is crucial for guiding oneself through uncertain futures, rather than relying on generic statements from others.

Short Thoughts on Misery

79 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
📚 Literature Thoughts
  1. Misery can stem from the clash between different sets of criteria or standards, leading to disappointment and pain.
  2. Some believe that lyricism and deep emotion arise from enduring hardships, suggesting a connection between pain and creative expression.
  3. Being stuck in a cycle of pessimism and optimism, constantly facing conflicting standards, can be a source of misery.

Little Treats #7

39 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty Skincare Perfume Books
  1. The author highlights various little treats including scalp body scrub and Russian manicures in this post.
  2. The SunSeeker app is praised as a useful application of AR for apartment hunting and plein air painting.
  3. Book recommendations are included such as 'Lives of Wives' and 'The Silk Road' for those looking for new reads.

Short Thoughts on "Getting It"

39 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Ethics Morality Competition Influence
  1. Understanding and aligning with the shared 'it' within a group is crucial for individuals to navigate collective reality.
  2. Diverse interpretations of the same 'it' can lead to significant discord and fractures within groups.
  3. The concept of 'getting it' is dynamic and ever-evolving, requiring individuals to adapt their understanding to avoid becoming outdated.

Diary #19

39 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
📚 Literature Diary Writing
  1. There are three gradations of oblivion: to forget, to sleep, and to die, possibly sliding from one to the next easily.
  2. Imagination allows shifting one's awareness, almost disappearing from reality at will.
  3. Change is inevitable, yet sometimes oblivion shrinks, leaving one wide awake in unfamiliar places.

Diary #5

79 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
📚 Literature Writing Philosophy Art
  1. Work can sometimes become overwhelming with long hours, interruptions, and constant screen time
  2. Creativity may require external stimulation, leading to a struggle between generating ideas and transcribing them
  3. Characters and individuals are shaped by circumstances, moments, and external forces, rather than being static entities

Elizabeth Bishop, an Eye

79 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
📚 Literature Poetry Author Analysis Symbolism
  1. Elizabeth Bishop was a genius American poet known for her attention to detail and devotion to her craft.
  2. Bishop's work often reflects her outward focus and meticulous observation of the world around her, without delving much into personal details.
  3. In her poem 'The Fish,' Bishop showcases her rhythmic precision, imagery doubling, and symbolic references like the rainbow and the fish as a Christ symbol.

Short Thoughts on Purgatory

59 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Analysis
  1. In Dante's Purgatorio, each terrace is structured to purify a vice from the souls, paired with its opposite virtue, progressing upward in a cleansing manner.
  2. The formulation of each terrace in Purgatory aims to break the soul's habit found on that terrace, allowing the soul to move towards freedom.
  3. The terrace of Sloth in Dante's Purgatorio reflects an insufficiency of love, leading to profound discussions on love and poetry.

A Brief List of Words of Creation

59 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
📚 Literature Creation Words
  1. Words like 'soligenous' and 'thymogenic' describe creation by the sun and emotions respectively.
  2. The concept of creation extends to words like 'oneirogenous' from dreams and 'nubigenous' that are cloud-born.
  3. Language offers depth with words like 'relinquerous' related to relics and 'oblivegenous' tied to forgetting.

On Differentiation

59 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Self Consciousness Identity
  1. Understanding differentiation of self is complex and challenging, with the concept of a unified consciousness being debated in modern philosophy.
  2. In certain environments, individuals may suppress their ego and hide their true selves for self-preservation, sometimes avoiding standing out to maintain a sense of security.
  3. The existence of one's 'I' is questioned in a world where many people shape the surroundings, leaving individuals to ponder the significance of their own identity.

Diary #14

59 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
📚 Literature Diary Writing
  1. Observing and detaching from situations can help in navigating challenges without getting emotionally involved.
  2. Understanding and reflecting on first impressions can vary based on individual introspection and self-awareness.
  3. Clear communication about expectations and deadlines is crucial in professional settings to avoid misunderstandings and potential delays.

Seamus Heaney, Fortuna Major

59 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
📚 Literature Poetry Imagery
  1. Poetry can shift our perception, revealing new angles and insights. It has the power to redress injustices and correct our views.
  2. Seamus Heaney, an Irish poet, skillfully blends sight and sound in his work. His poems reflect a deep sense of connection to the land and the sea.
  3. Heaney's poems like 'Lightenings' offer profound insights and emotions. His verses explore themes of mortality, infinity, and the marvels of existence.

How to Find a Man

59 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
😂 Humor Satire Entertainment Relationships
  1. Wait to be found rather than actively seeking a partner. Be observant and discerning when making a choice.
  2. Humorous methods humorously described to find a man, like fermenting, curing, or shedding hair to create a perfect man in one's mind.
  3. Some poetic or metaphorical methods like erecting a city block-sized mirror or emptying one's life to catch a man's shadow on the wall.

Diary #3

59 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
📚 Literature Reflection Personal Experience Observations
  1. Longevity literacy is important for understanding how long one might live after retirement, especially crucial for women who tend to live longer.
  2. Taking time for rest and reflection, like during winter, can lead to deep thinking and planning for the future.
  3. Reflecting on experiences and clearing one's mind can bring a sense of relief and renewal, allowing for fresh perspectives.

On the Spectator Urge

59 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
📚 Literature Fiction Reading Analysis Criticism Writing
  1. The concept of mimetic desire in reading involves imitating the desire itself, not just external representations.
  2. In literature, the mimetic interpretive lens involves subjecting characters to social criticism and evaluating them based on our own experiences.
  3. The mimetic urge in reading can be a way of seeking out desire, constantly evaluating and comparing, possibly as a protective mechanism in the current media-saturated world.

A. R. Ammons Goes For a Walk

59 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
📚 Literature Poetry Authors Criticism Nature
  1. Poetry is about the line, which contains thoughts spilling beyond; the breaks and movements are perceived differently by the eye than by the ear.
  2. A.R. Ammons was a prolific American poet who had a unique background outside of the typical academic path, with origins in rural North Carolina.
  3. In Ammons' poem 'Hymn,' he explores themes of seeking unity with something beyond oneself, incorporating precise scientific language into his work.

Diary #18

39 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Personal Observations Reflection Society
  1. The author reflects on the nature of friendships in different environments like an office and social media.
  2. Isolation during the pandemic may have intensified the author's social ineptitude.
  3. The text conveys a sense of introspection and loneliness, with the author contemplating on thoughts and interactions.

Short Thoughts on Neuroticism

39 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Neuroticism is characterized by a tendency to experience long-lasting negative emotions like anxiety and depression, which can impact work, personal relationships, and overall satisfaction in life.
  2. High neuroticism involves a chronic feeling of restlessness and dissatisfaction, fueled by dwelling on past mistakes and worrying about an uncertain future.
  3. It's important for those with neurotic tendencies to work on transforming it into conscientiousness through a deliberate effort to overcome negative instincts and find a way to charm oneself to navigate through challenges.

A List of Lost Tulips

39 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. Tulips are fascinating flowers with various unique cultivars that are often not cataloged.
  2. The post shares some interesting and poetic descriptions of lesser-known tulip varieties.
  3. Each tulip cultivar listed has its own distinct characteristics and colors, making them intriguing and beautiful.

A Cloud Catalog

39 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. The post describes various unique types of clouds and cloud formations, including turtle-shaped clouds, tenuous cloud-like phenomena, and stationary clouds shaped like figure eights.
  2. Some cloud types mentioned in the post have imaginative names like 'Altoirids' which cast reflections of rainbows, 'Cumulopedia' which are large cloud-forms that can be manipulated by users, and 'Phaetonimbus' which carry the sun across the sky.
  3. The post also talks about clouds taking on different colors and shapes at specific times, like clouds that turn green-gold at sunset and clouds shaped like surf breakers that rotate slowly like a conclusion.

Short Thoughts on Bile

39 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
📚 Literature Metaphor Physiology
  1. Bile is described as irritability and prickliness, associated with making choices and rejecting alternatives.
  2. In American business culture, showing bile or criticism is often viewed negatively, seen as a flaw in character.
  3. The theory of temperament based on humours, like black bile and yellow bile, influences personality traits and physical symptoms.

Short Thoughts on Limits

39 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Thoughts Observation
  1. One's understanding of limitations can be influenced by perspective; being stuck in routine or a negative environment can make the world seem small.
  2. Limitations often come from what we observe and imitate; expanding horizons can come from learning and observation.
  3. The concept of 'exit' from limitations is not straightforward; one's range of experience shapes perception, but it is possible to shift boundaries through self-awareness and growth.

Rites of Spring

39 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History Religion Festivals Literature
  1. Spring festivals often occur in mid-April, a month after the start of Aries season, symbolizing new growth and rebirth under the protection of Venus.
  2. Different cultures celebrate the transition to spring around April 30th, with festivals like Floralia and Walpurgisnacht mixing elements of ancient traditions with newer customs.
  3. Walpurgisnacht, on April 30th, holds historical significance in the Harz Mountains in Germany, blending Christian and pagan beliefs in a festive way.

Brief Thoughts On Sickness

39 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Rest Sleep
  1. Sickness can impact our ability to think clearly and act decisively, affecting the healing process.
  2. The ability to change one's physicality through willpower can lead to a sense of power and control over one's body.
  3. Being sick can force us to let go of control, embrace rest, and prioritize self-care over productivity.

Yet More Lost Tarot Cards

39 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Symbols Divination
  1. The post discusses lost tarot cards and their meanings, such as 'The Familiar' symbolizing companionship and 'The Almanac' representing obscured origins and projections.
  2. Other cards mentioned include 'The Weaver' denoting continuity and 'The Shears' representing irrevocable endings.
  3. Each card described has a unique symbolism that captures various aspects of life, from steady companionship to spontaneous generation and irrevocable choices.

A Typology of Interviewer Styles

39 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Interviewing
  1. Different interviewer styles exist, like 'The Cop' who aims to extract facts through interrogation room tricks.
  2. Interviewers can fall into categories like 'The Wimp' who struggles with confrontation and uncertainties.
  3. 'The Contender' is driven by a goal but may devolve into arguments during the interview process.

Diary #15

39 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
📚 Literature Diary
  1. The author reflects on interactions with various individuals throughout the day, noting observations about their appearances and emotional states.
  2. The author mentions engaging in work-related tasks such as counting cases of ptosis and providing reassurance and attention to others.
  3. Throughout the post, there is a recurring theme of human connection, concerns about work dynamics, and the importance of emotional support and understanding.

Little Treats #6

39 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty Literature Books
  1. The author shares things they enjoy, like a gel lotion, bitters and seltzer, and certain foods.
  2. The author recommends books they like, including works by Gene Wolfe and Donald Antrim.
  3. The author introspects on the concept of enjoyment in their daily life and in reading.

Short Thoughts on Morale

39 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Physical health Well-being
  1. Morale is influenced by internal factors like character and temperament, and it can be affected by external circumstances, but ultimately stems from within.
  2. Unconscious factors like physical energy are malleable and respond to positive encouragement, while neglect can lead to decline.
  3. Small successes pave the way for bigger achievements, and establishing patterns makes starting easier, leading to a cycle of renewal and increased energy.

Short Thoughts on Desire

39 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Language Ethics
  1. There is a human compulsion to organize and categorize information to make sense of the world.
  2. Rating everything one encounters is a common habit to communicate feelings in a quantified manner.
  3. The concept of 'love' has evolved over time, from acts of ostenstion to self-oriented positive feelings.

Little Treats #5

39 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Beauty Books Fashion
  1. Consider indulging in small treats to break up daily routines and find moments of joy and relaxation.
  2. Exploring different activities like watercolor painting or using unique products like squalane oil can bring a meditative and refreshing experience.
  3. Discover new interests, like trying out new snacks or equipment at the gym, to add excitement and variety to your routine.

Short Thoughts on Alignment

19 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Development Self-reflection Critique
  1. Find joy in alignment with your desires, as working against them leads to unhappiness.
  2. Critiques and opinions from others can create conflicting expectations, but focus on pursuing what you truly want in life.
  3. Consistently assess the strength of your desires and take action to make them a reality over time.