Caleb’s Newsletter

Caleb's Newsletter explores the principles of Stoicism, its application to modern life, and critiques of contemporary culture and media. It incorporates insights from books, films, and philosophy to discuss self-improvement, ethics, societal norms, and the impact of digital age on human behavior and thought processes.

Stoicism Philosophy and Ethics Personal Development Film and Media Critique Book Reviews Societal Norms and Critiques Digital Culture and Technology Ancient Philosophies

The hottest Substack posts of Caleb’s Newsletter

And their main takeaways

What I've Been Reading | October 2023

176 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🚌 Education Parenting Philosophy Literature
  1. Education is essential for living well, and continuous learning is important for a liberal life
  2. When parenting, communicate directly with kids and set clear boundaries in a firm yet friendly way
  3. Some books provide reasoned critiques of societal norms, like traditional sexual morality

Is Gladiator Stoic?

137 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Justice Afterlife Heroism
  1. The movie Gladiator raises the question of whether it embodies Stoic principles.
  2. Maximus's pursuit of revenge in Gladiator is seen as being non-Stoic due to his intense passion and anger.
  3. The character of Maximus in Gladiator eventually evolves to embody more Stoic values, moving from a place of rage to fulfilling his duty.
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What I've Been Reading | November 2023

58 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics China Political Power
  1. Political Tribes by Amy Chua discusses the importance of ethno-cultural identity in politics.
  2. China After Mao by Frank Dikötter presents China as a superpower with internal problems like corruption and state control.
  3. Both books offer insights on crucial issues shaping global dynamics.

Why Stoicism is True

334 implied HN points • 17 Nov 22
  1. Stoicism is an ancient Greek and Roman philosophy that emphasizes the power of controlling thoughts and emotions.
  2. We have the ability to change how we think, which shapes who we are over time.
  3. Good decisions and judgment are crucial in Stoicism, focusing on living well and building good character.

What I've Been Reading | September 2023

78 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
📚 Literature Fiction Philosophy
  1. No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners is a clear and practice-focused introduction to secular Buddhism
  2. The Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger offers a descriptive perspective on war without much introspection on its futility
  3. On The Marble Cliffs by Ernst Jünger explores ways to respond to tyranny and decay through notable character examples

The Unhappiness Machine

137 implied HN points • 13 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Reality Perception Meaning Mental health
  1. In today's digital world, many choose to consume negative news and virtual conflicts, feeding into an 'unhappiness machine.'
  2. The 'unhappiness machine' creates a sense of crisis, victimizes individuals, and distorts reality with constant exposure to negative information.
  3. To break free from the 'unhappiness machine,' prioritize engaging with reality, avoiding unnecessary exposure to shallow meaning and cultural noise.

What I've Been Reading | June 2023

98 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue ethics
  1. The book 'Learning to Live Naturally' by Chris Gill explores Stoic philosophy and the importance of virtue ethics.
  2. Confucius's 'Analects' is a profound work that provides valuable insights into life and human behavior.
  3. Both Stoicism and Confucianism emphasize the importance of moral virtue and living in harmony with nature.

What I've Been Reading | August 2023

58 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
📚 Literature Fiction Philosophy Authors Novels Book Reviews
  1. The Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante is a complex series exploring female friendships and societal projections.
  2. Bronze Age Mindset by Bronze Age Pervert provides wild speculation and insight on evolution and societal norms.
  3. Nazi Literature in the Americas and By Night in Chile by Roberto Bolaño offer intriguing perspectives on fascist literary figures and political reflections.

2022

117 implied HN points • 30 Dec 22
  1. Caleb got engaged and is working on his own projects full time, focusing on growth.
  2. Caleb ran two marathons and aims to run faster in 2023.
  3. Caleb's mind changed on topics like retributivism and continental philosophy, and he's building towards more intellectual and economic output next year.

What I've Been Reading | July 2023

58 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
📚 Literature Fiction Philosophy
  1. The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa explores the dynamics of power and dictatorship
  2. The Inner Game by Timothy Gallwey emphasizes objective observation and self-trust for improvement
  3. The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis delves into themes of choices, realities, and rejecting the good

Why Is There No Epicurean Movement?

117 implied HN points • 31 Oct 22
  1. Stoicism is popular today through apps, organizations, and media, while other ancient philosophies like Epicureanism have faded.
  2. Epicureanism is different from Stoicism, emphasizing pleasure as the highest good instead of virtue.
  3. Epicureanism declined due to its focus on tranquility and theoretical problems, such as the belief that pleasure is the only good.

What I've Been Reading | May 2023

39 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Mythology
  1. Poetry is not just a cerebral art form, but also embodied and auditory, with power as a spellbinding tool.
  2. Consider mental disorders as evolutionary vulnerabilities, not adaptations, challenges assumptions about treating symptoms as diseases.
  3. CS Lewis' book 'Till We Have Faces' offers a Christian re-reading of the myth Psyche and Eros and contains intellectual discussions alongside a joyous reading experience.

February Update

19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Books Philosophy Movies History Gender
  1. Consider moving newsletter to paid subscription for more in-depth content
  2. Engaged in various intellectual activities like launching new newsletters and participating in conversations
  3. Shared personal updates on running achievements, event attendances, and intellectual pursuits

January Update

19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
  1. Ran 26 miles in 26 hours
  2. Discovered new healthy recipes
  3. Enjoyed analyzing movies with different perspectives

What the Future Will Think of Us

19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
  1. It's important to be on the right side of history by avoiding past mistakes in attitudes and behaviors.
  2. Future generations are likely to judge our treatment of animals as a moral failing of our age.
  3. Good manners and etiquette are important, and future generations may view our lack of consideration and cleanliness as negative traits.

2022 in Books

19 implied HN points • 30 Dec 22
  1. The author shares a list of books they read and listened to in 2022, providing brief insights and opinions on each.
  2. The list includes a variety of genres and authors, offering a mix of new reads and rereads.
  3. The author invites recommendations for their 2023 reading list and feedback on which books readers would like to hear more about.

Virtual Worlds Are Not Illusions or Fictions

19 implied HN points • 31 Jul 22
  1. Virtual reality can be just as real and valuable as non-virtual reality.
  2. The definition of reality in virtual worlds raises philosophical questions about existence and authenticity.
  3. Virtual realities can vary in their level of realness depending on how they are created and experienced.

How Do You Think This Interview Is Going?

19 implied HN points • 31 May 22
  1. The book 'Talent' by Tyler Cowen and Daniel Gross focuses on identifying and nurturing elite talent.
  2. Talent search requires a combination of intelligence, curiosity, alertness, and ethics.
  3. Interviewing for talent involves observing, retaining information, and understanding various conceptual frameworks.

On Heroes

19 implied HN points • 29 Aug 21
  1. The information tsunami exposes heroes' flaws and mistakes.
  2. Political and cultural turbulence is linked to the abundance of information.
  3. We can find guidance from fictional characters, focus on real heroes' strengths, or embrace honest realism when considering role models.

Girardian Pictures of the American Pandemic

0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 21
  1. René Girard's theory highlights how communities often seek peace through sacrifice of a victim, regardless of guilt
  2. Political responses to the pandemic reflect a clash between protecting victims and personal liberties, showcasing a struggle between left and right ideologies
  3. The focus on victimism in pandemic politics can lead to hyperchristian behaviors and weaponization of care for victims, rather than effective responses

Political Virtualism Requires Sacrifice

0 implied HN points • 29 Nov 21
  1. Political beliefs often serve a social role and may not be well reasoned but can be rational in context.
  2. Virtualism in politics revolves around imaginary worlds and experiences.
  3. Virtualism predicts a decrease in violence and is fueled by technology and media shaping personal narratives.

The Spectre of Stable Totalitarianism

0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
  1. Totalitarian regimes in the past have led to significant atrocities and the risk of future ones is concerning due to technological advancements.
  2. Global coordination efforts may increase the likelihood of a totalitarian state with oppressive dictatorship tendencies.
  3. Technological progress and advancements may enable more stable administration of totalitarian states, posing a threat to human progress and freedom.

The Object of Meditation

0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 21
  1. Meditation can focus on physical and mental objects simultaneously
  2. Meditation can also be an exploration of consciousness and mental experiences
  3. Meditation can be about attending to the physical properties of the world and our bodies

Notes on Meditation

0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 21
  1. Mindfulness meditation can help increase stability of attention, mindfulness, and insight.
  2. Mindfulness meditation can be beneficial for internalizing insight, expressing self-discipline, and relaxation.
  3. Mindfulness meditation may not provide deep insights on its own, and the benefits may not justify the time commitment for everyone.

On Historical Parallels

0 implied HN points • 30 Apr 21
  1. Using historical parallels for predictions is not very effective.
  2. Comparing present situations to the past can provide meaning and ideas.
  3. Historical analogies can be valuable for understanding lessons and inspiring new perspectives.

An Approach to Suffering

0 implied HN points • 31 Mar 21
  1. Suffering is a natural part of life that we must accept and deal with.
  2. Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes accepting negative experiences instead of fighting or avoiding them.
  3. ACT promotes willingly accepting pain and anxiety, and living in alignment with our values.

Taking Belief Too Literally

0 implied HN points • 01 Jan 21
  1. Beliefs can be substantive for action or social for communication.
  2. Substantive beliefs are intuitive and have immediate consequences.
  3. Reflective beliefs are abstract and don't directly impact behavior.

The Difference Between Feeling and Emotion

0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 20
  1. Feelings and emotions are different, often confused, but have significant impacts on our lives.
  2. Ignoring or suppressing emotions can lead to negative consequences, like emotional repression or emotional turmoil.
  3. Understanding the distinction between feelings and emotions can help us make better decisions and live in line with our values.

Stoicism and Wellbeing

0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 20
  1. Recent study questions Stoicism's benefits for wellbeing
  2. Stoicism may not directly cause wellbeing but could be sought by unhappy individuals
  3. Misconceptions exist about Stoicism, focus on cultivating virtues

Programming as Metaphysics

0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 20
  1. Approaching a topic from an unrelated angle can lead to expertise and novel ideas.
  2. Code design involves three levels: execution, concrete representation, and abstract representation.
  3. Programming is similar to metaphysics in focusing on conceptualizing objects correctly.

Self-Defeating Targets

0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 20
  1. Some targets are easier to hit without being self-aware of aiming for them.
  2. Success and happiness are best achieved as unintended side-effects of personal dedication and actions.
  3. Instead of aiming for self-defeating targets like success and happiness, focus on external pursuits and self-sustaining goals.

On Reality-Centeredness

0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 20
  1. Reality-centeredness involves transcending the self to see the world as a whole and promote the good.
  2. The ability to make wiser decisions about others' affairs than our own is known as The Solomon Paradox.
  3. Being reality-centered means finding the balance between ego-centeredness and rootlessness, understanding our place in the world.