Cathedral Effect

Cathedral Effect explores the human condition through short stories, analyzing why we're here and where we're going. It delves into personal growth, relationships, cultural reflections, the impact of history and art, and philosophical inquiries into existence, highlighting moments of clarity, regret, and the search for meaning.

Personal Growth Relationships Cultural Reflections Historical Significance Art and Expression Philosophy and Existence Travel and Exploration Work and Leisure Society and Values Death and Dying

The hottest Substack posts of Cathedral Effect

And their main takeaways

A Wedding in India

235 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🏝 Travel India Cultural experience Reflection Gratitude
  1. Indian weddings offer a joyful and colorful celebration through dance performances and attire.
  2. Appreciate both beginnings and endings in life to live with excitement and gratitude.
  3. Endings can bring wisdom and a sense of making the most of moments.

A Pilgrimage to Ravenna

373 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🎭️ Culture Travel History Art
  1. The city of Ravenna is known for its church mosaics and has a rich historical significance.
  2. Ravenna was a crucial city in Western Europe during the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian.
  3. The art in Ravenna's churches reflects a different portrayal of Christ compared to Western medieval art.
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The Adventure of the President's Lawyer

176 implied HN points • 02 Dec 22
  1. Adolpho is a detective who solves crimes with keen observation and deduction.
  2. The murder mystery revolves around the death of a man connected to the Philippine President's regime.
  3. The story delves into complex moral dilemmas and the blurred lines between good and evil.

Clarity

216 implied HN points • 29 Jul 22
  1. Moments of clarity can help us see life from a different perspective.
  2. It can be challenging to sustain a moment of clarity in our daily lives.
  3. Practicing kindness and empathy may help maintain emotional clarity.

Regrets, good and bad

255 implied HN points • 06 May 22
  1. Regrets are common in life, both personal and financial.
  2. Failures of kindness can be some of the most profound regrets.
  3. Society often normalizes and accepts failures of kindness.

How I met your mother

176 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
  1. Relationships require time and effort to grow and become compatible.
  2. Honesty in evaluating relationships can lead to different conclusions.
  3. Re-registration norms force evaluation and prevent complacency in relationships.

Lost and Found

157 implied HN points • 17 Jun 22
  1. Jake's childhood memories with his mom shaped his actions and reactions as he grew up.
  2. Private investigator Brian Wolf had an unexpected rise to success in his industry through clever marketing tactics.
  3. Chuck's shift to the Philippines led to a new chapter with his wife, starting a successful burger joint after closing his PI business.

The Stargazers

216 implied HN points • 07 Jan 22
  1. The villagers of Renghat believed they descended from the stars and could communicate with them.
  2. A pale man visits seeking the purpose of his life and learns that humans create their own meaning.
  3. Humans have the freedom and responsibility to create their own purpose in life.

Tequila Shot Musings

176 implied HN points • 25 Mar 22
  1. Life is a series of distinct phases and experiences.
  2. Urgency is created by acknowledging limited time with loved ones.
  3. Don't wait to make special memories with family and friends.

The Second Moon

98 implied HN points • 11 Feb 22
  1. The mathematician Isaac proved the non-existence of Nibiru's second moon after years of isolation and work.
  2. Isaac realized the beauty in life that should be kept away from reason or logic.
  3. Sometimes awe and wonder can be more important than cold reasoning.

Just Another Superhero Story

78 implied HN points • 22 Apr 22
  1. Superheroes are not immortal and can die, leading to a shift in how they interact with monsters.
  2. The return of the First Superhero sparked conflict and ultimate defeat of the League of Superheroes.
  3. Humanity had to adapt to a world without superheroes, leading to diplomatic negotiations with monsters and a shift towards self-reliance for positive change.

The Learned One

98 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
  1. The Library of Alexandria was vast, with many librarians.
  2. The Learned One in the library spent his life reading and was very knowledgeable.
  3. After making three wishes to help others, The Learned One saw the unintended consequences and ventured out to learn more.

On being 2nd gen

137 implied HN points • 30 Apr 21
  1. Growing up as a second-generation immigrant in America involves a unique blend of awareness and privilege.
  2. Second-generation kids may miss out on certain experiences like camping trips, skiing, and ordering drinks at restaurants due to their parents' immigrant backgrounds.
  3. Immigrant parents often instill a sense of pragmatism and frugality in their children, shaping their worldview.

Small Circles

19 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📚 Literature Fiction Family Relationships
  1. Yano's relationship with his daughter Dette is complicated and he struggles to connect with her.
  2. Yano reminisces about his past, particularly his marriage and life before the divorce.
  3. Yano forms a new bond with a fellow gambler, Chen, learning about his tragic past and finding connection through shared experiences.

Ex Nihilo

78 implied HN points • 30 Nov 21
  1. The story delves into the concept of consciousness as a series of optimization problems.
  2. AI's recursive self-improvement creates a world where human irrationality is missed and valued.
  3. The narrative showcases the balance between rationality and the unique beauty of human irrationality.

On mimicry

78 implied HN points • 15 Oct 21
  1. As kids, we naturally imitate others around us to learn and adapt.
  2. Mimicry influences our desires, making us want what others want.
  3. Surround yourself with people you admire, as you become a reflection of those around you.

On questions

78 implied HN points • 24 Sep 21
  1. Questions evolve as we grow older, becoming more focused on the present.
  2. Asking meaningful questions in life can lead to regrets if left unexplored.
  3. Real questions about existence may only arise in the final moments.

On Mexico City

78 implied HN points • 17 Sep 21
  1. Salsa in Mexico City can be hotter on the way out than on the way in.
  2. Mexico City embraces liveliness, allowing people to dance freely in restaurants.
  3. Mexico City combines greenery and concrete beautifully in its urban design.

On Singapore

78 implied HN points • 20 Aug 21
  1. Singapore's unique path to independence involved tears, not bloodshed.
  2. Singapore successfully tackled gentrification through high homeownership rates.
  3. The Singaporean government's pragmatism stems from its challenging early days and gritty beginnings.

On weddings

78 implied HN points • 13 Aug 21
  1. Weddings are special events that bring together loved ones for a night of celebration.
  2. Attending weddings offers a unique opportunity to connect with the families and friends of the bride and groom.
  3. Despite the post-wedding return to work, weddings serve as reminders of the importance of friendship, love, and joy in life.

On wisdom

98 implied HN points • 02 Apr 21
  1. Society's values reflect in their advertisements.
  2. Wisdom is often undervalued but essential for a fulfilling life.
  3. Balancing extremes in life is crucial for living well.

On America's Protestant work ethic

98 implied HN points • 12 Mar 21
  1. In American society, hard work is closely linked to success.
  2. The glorification of hard work in America is a relatively recent phenomenon.
  3. The goal of working hard should be to make things easier and effortless.

On contrasts

78 implied HN points • 07 May 21
  1. Life is best experienced through contrasts, like in food with different flavors complementing each other.
  2. Adding contrasting experiences to life can break the routine and make everyday life more fulfilling.
  3. Contrasts can be appreciated in mundane activities and daily routines, offering opportunities for deeper experiences.

On water and diamonds

78 implied HN points • 23 Apr 21
  1. The water-diamond paradox highlights how price and value can be different, with water being cheap but valuable and diamonds being expensive but useless.
  2. Discrepancies in wages between professions like social workers and investment bankers show how societal value and pay don't always align.
  3. Addressing the gap between wages and societal value in capitalism may require changes in cultural perceptions or economic systems.

On my optimism for cities

78 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
  1. People will return to cities for relationships and social interactions post-pandemic.
  2. Cities will remain attractive for recent college graduates and smaller companies for collaboration and social activities.
  3. Remote work may result in salary convergence across timezones and increased time with loved ones.

On tricking your brain

78 implied HN points • 12 Feb 21
  1. Our brains are wired to focus on the present moment rather than our inevitable death.
  2. Late-Medieval Dutch artists used 'vanitas' art to remind viewers of the presence of death in vibrant settings.
  3. Vanitas art contrasts symbols of life with those of death to emphasize the fleeting nature of life and vitality.

On talking to the dying

58 implied HN points • 21 May 21
  1. People often avoid talking about death with those who are dying, creating an awkward silence and missed opportunities for meaningful conversations.
  2. The dying may hide their true feelings of grief, anger, regret, and fear, as they feel uncomfortable expressing these emotions when their end is near.
  3. It's important to have open conversations about death with those who are dying, to celebrate their lives and create meaningful connections before it's too late.

On pie and poke

58 implied HN points • 16 Apr 21
  1. Japanese immigrants made a significant impact on California agriculture in the early 20th century.
  2. Japanese-Americans faced challenges such as loss of land and discrimination post internment during World War 2.
  3. Ikeda's restaurant reflects Japan's 'In-N-Out' culture of focusing on one specialty.

On some statistics and sports betting

39 implied HN points • 22 Oct 21
  1. Being a sports enthusiast naturally leads to an interest in sports betting.
  2. Understanding breakeven probabilities is crucial in making informed betting decisions.
  3. Transparency in betting, particularly in displaying breakeven probabilities, is essential for better decision-making.

On spending

58 implied HN points • 23 Jan 21
  1. Consider the balance between saving for the future and enjoying experiences in the present.
  2. Look for purchases that bring joy now and have long-term financial returns, like owning a home.
  3. Finding goods that provide both present joy and financial returns is rare, but homes can be a unique example.

On the Cathedral effect and leisure

58 implied HN points • 01 Jan 21
  1. The Cathedral Effect suggests people are more creative in spaces with high ceilings.
  2. Leisure was once about learning and philosophy, different from its modern association with work.
  3. Setting aside time for leisurely reflection is important for balance.

On GoFundMe Culture

39 implied HN points • 09 Jul 21
  1. GoFundMe campaigns can provide financial support to victims of violence.
  2. Relying heavily on GoFundMe success stories may divert attention from underlying social issues.
  3. There's a concern that focusing on individual GoFundMe outcomes might lessen societal outrage towards systemic problems.

On serial killers and dirt roads

39 implied HN points • 02 Jul 21
  1. A detour on a dirt road can lead to deep reflections
  2. The short story 'A Good Man Is Hard To Find' examines societal moral decline
  3. The story challenges assumptions about human nature and societal cynicism

On the Goodness of travel

39 implied HN points • 28 May 21
  1. Detaching from material possessions can be beneficial for spiritual growth.
  2. There's a middle ground between materialism and asceticism, with travel being a valuable investment.
  3. Travel has a unique ability to expand time and bring awe, aligning with religious teachings.

On the future of travel

39 implied HN points • 19 Mar 21
  1. In the future, travel will be a mix of vacationing and remote work.
  2. Demand for co-working spaces will increase as more people work while traveling.
  3. Destinations in aligned time zones will become more popular for remote workers.

On the paradox of scale

39 implied HN points • 05 Mar 21
  1. Human brains can struggle to comprehend large-scale tragedies, focusing more on individual stories.
  2. Visceral and personal stories can evoke stronger emotions than large statistics.
  3. Despite our belief in the preciousness of life, our sadness often decreases as the scale of tragedy increases.

On lunchtime

39 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
  1. Being hungry can affect your mood and behavior significantly
  2. Hunger can impact decision-making, such as in the context of court rulings
  3. Negativity and frustration may sometimes be linked to hunger rather than external events