Captive Liberty

Captive Liberty explores philosophical and existential themes through a blend of fiction, poetry, and analysis, touching on topics like the nature of reality, time, grief, and spirituality. It intersperses literary criticism with reflective narratives, and theoretical discussions, often rooted in literary works or personal experiences.

Philosophy Literature Existentialism Spirituality Grief and Loss Memory and Perception Fiction and Poetry Analysis Personal Reflection and Narrative

The hottest Substack posts of Captive Liberty

And their main takeaways

The Simulacra by Philip K. Dick

59 implied HN points • 24 May 23
  1. The word 'simulacra' has historical roots and bridges between different texts and authors.
  2. Philip K. Dick's novel 'The Simulacra' explores complex themes of reality, politics, and relationships.
  3. The concept of simulacra discussed by authors like Baudrillard shows how fiction and philosophy intersect and influence each other.

There Is No Now

19 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
  1. The concept of 'now' does not exist, only past and future.
  2. Memory and anticipation shape our perception of time.
  3. Ultimately, all there is are memories of the past and visions of the future.

The Bullfrog and the Heron

19 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
  1. The story narrates the interactions between a bullfrog and a heron.
  2. The bullfrog and heron have a conversation about food and family.
  3. Misunderstandings and miscommunication lead to unfortunate outcomes.

How to play the game of Decadence

1 HN point • 06 Sep 23
  1. The card game Decadence is about reaching a negative number of points or zero.
  2. To play Decadence, follow specific rules: deal cards into an Atlantean Cross shape, pair cards to add up to ten, and aim for a total score of zero.
  3. Decadence is a short game with arcane origins that can be played solo or with others.

Antecedent to Being

0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
  1. The poem explores the anticipation and fear of approaching a central majesty that remains empty.
  2. There is a theme of searching for Jesus and the Holy One among perplexed righteous individuals.
  3. The universe hierarchy eagerly peers into supermassive saint storage, cheering each diligent victim.
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The rebirth

0 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
  1. A woman is saved from a burning house by firefighters and EMTs.
  2. The woman mistakes a firefighter for her dead husband.
  3. The story illustrates the importance of gratitude and recognizing those who truly help us.

Arise, New Soul, in Agony

0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
  1. The post is a mourning poem about unspeakable grief and loneliness.
  2. The poem explores the connection between souls in a state of lost balance.
  3. It reflects on how art and monuments can immortalize painful experiences.

The Fallen Sleep and Vote Not

0 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
  1. The poem emphasizes unity under one flag for all people.
  2. It highlights the importance of different communities coexisting peacefully.
  3. Forgiveness is necessary for world peace, but should not be forced.

The Valley in Steinbeck's Box

0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
  1. The post is a verse retelling of John Steinbeck's novel, 'East of Eden.'
  2. The story revolves around the two sons inheriting a farm from their father.
  3. Themes of good and evil, betrayal, and redemption are central to the narrative.

Fifty brief book reviews

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
  1. This post contains 50 brief book reviews from the year 2023.
  2. The reviewed books cover various genres and were mostly read as audiobooks.
  3. Summaries of popular books like 'The Martian' and 'A Room of One's Own' are included.

The Transit Authority

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
  1. The idea of the soul and its existence is a complex and varied concept across different beliefs and cultures.
  2. Personal experiences and interactions throughout the day can trigger deep contemplation and questioning of existential themes.
  3. Sometimes, seeking understanding of profound questions like the nature of the soul can lead to unexpected and enlightening conversations with strangers.

This Manual Gives Complete Descriptions

0 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
  1. Using the `man` command in Unix can help understand command outputs.
  2. A visit to the historic Nokia Bell Labs led to a unique Unix user group experience.
  3. The Unix group had a mystical interpretation of Unix commands and the Programmer's Manual.

Four poems

0 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
  1. The poems explore themes of death and money in a philosophical way.
  2. Reflecting on life as a puppeteer, questioning the act of praying.
  3. Life is like a theater play with unexpected events that shape our journey.

Dreaming across the Caucasus

0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
  1. The post discusses original fiction and poetry reflecting on philosophy, religion, or literature.
  2. The writing in the post is descriptive and vivid, creating a scene of two figures boarding military helicopters.
  3. The setting of the post seems to be in Armenia, with mention of a statue in Victory Park, Yerevan.

Vanitas

0 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
  1. The term 'vanity' is mentioned 38 times in the Book of Ecclesiastes.
  2. Qoheleth uses the term 'vanitas' to highlight the fleeting nature of life and the certainty of death.
  3. The name 'Abel' is utilized in Ecclesiastes to symbolize the inevitability of death.

Joop Can Now Program in Python

0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
  1. Joop had a vivid dream where he thought he learned to program in Python, but he realized he already knew how to program in Python.
  2. Although Joop initially doubted his dream, he found out that he was already proficient in Python programming and had been doing it for some time.
  3. Joop faced confusion and contemplation about the significance of his dream, leading to a realization about his existing skills and professional career.

To Redeem Those Yearning for Final Salvation

0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
  1. The poem reflects on a personal encounter where one seeks redemption
  2. Themes of faith, self-discovery, and acceptance are present throughout the text
  3. The desire for spiritual growth and understanding is a central focus of the piece

The Family Curse

0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
📚 Literature Fiction Mythology Folklore Supernatural Narrative
  1. Iphigenia and her family had a curse where each woman lost vision in their left eye after being told to bathe in a lake on a specific day. This repeated for generations.
  2. The nixie, a water spirit, cursed the family because of a past deception by Iphigenia's ancestor Helena. He wanted revenge by taking their eyes each generation.
  3. In the end, Marta outsmarted the nixie by showing him a three-eyed fish from a TV show, which lifted the curse and allowed her family to live free from his demands.

Angel of Deceit

0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
  1. The post discusses themes of deception and betrayal.
  2. Various biblical references are used to convey messages about redemption and consequences.
  3. The writing urges reflection on the impact of lies and the pursuit of self-redemption.

Exhaling in Poetry's Shade

0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
  1. The monk embodies stillness amidst nature's embrace
  2. Through reincarnation, the monk finds unity with all life around him
  3. The monk focuses on inner awakening, detached from external events

A Mother's Lament

0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
  1. A mother expresses deep love for her child, even amidst feeling abandoned.
  2. The mother reminisces about family events and expresses longing for the past.
  3. The text conveys a sense of unconditional love, despite feelings of hurt and betrayal.