The Classical Futurist

The Classical Futurist explores future visions inspired by classical antiquity, bridging ancient wisdom with modern insights. Topics range from cultural evolution, classical philosophies, and their relevance today, to futurism in technology and governance. It advocates for learning from the past to navigate contemporary dilemmas and shape a holistic future.

Classical Antiquity Cultural Evolution Philosophy Governance and Politics Technological Futurism Education and Initiation Architecture and Urban Planning Ethics and Virtue Censorship and Freedom of Speech Cultural and Political History

The hottest Substack posts of The Classical Futurist

And their main takeaways

Histories of the Greater West

74 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
  1. Many letters of the English alphabet descend from Egyptian hieroglyphs, showing a historical connection between cultures.
  2. The concept of the Greater West helps us appreciate unique cultures and their contributions to global diversity.
  3. China has maintained distinct cultural traditions despite Western influences, reminding us of its unique historical development.

The Threatened Survival of Ancient Texts

22 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💾 History Transmission Preservation Ancient Greece Literature
  1. Greek literature survived not just through material preservation, but through its utility and constant transmission.
  2. The survival of ancient Greek texts relied on continuous copying, debate, and adaptation through different mediums over centuries.
  3. The future existence of ancient Greek texts is uncertain, as modern technology poses challenges for their preservation and transmission.
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Classics from the New World

48 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy History Literature World Politics Art & Illustration
  1. Non-Western philosophy, like Aztec philosophy, should be considered for inclusion in the canon.
  2. Aztec philosophy focused on the concept of rootedness and living a virtuous life in a constantly changing world.
  3. The study of Aztec philosophy challenges traditional Western views on what constitutes philosophy and raises questions about cultural biases in defining classical traditions.

Against Making a Difference

14 implied HN points • 02 Mar 22
  1. The pursuit of making a difference is relatively new in human history, but still important.
  2. Altruism should be a part of one's life plan, supported by effective arguments like Peter Singer's.
  3. Role ethics emphasizes excellence in roles taken on, guiding behavior towards virtue and away from indeterminate pursuits.

The Classical Futurist Predicts Stuff for 2050

11 implied HN points • 01 Feb 22
  1. In 2050, the world is expected to be familiar with gradual changes, rather than completely unfamiliar.
  2. Population demographics will shift, with countries like China facing a decline, while regions like India and Africa gain importance.
  3. Technological advancements will impact daily life, with improvements in AI, VR, and space technology, although challenges like climate change and food sustainability remain.

Living on the Periphery of the Empire

11 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
  1. Growing up at the edge of an empire brings unique cultural and linguistic challenges.
  2. Historically, despite not actively promoting assimilation, empires like Rome influenced conquered regions to adopt their language and culture.
  3. In today's world, strong cultural diversity can be at odds with the pull of globalized American culture, leading individuals to make tradeoffs between personal success and cultural preservation.

Issue I: Why Antiquity Is The Way Forward

11 implied HN points • 01 Sep 21
  1. The Classical Futurist explores the future through the lens of classical antiquity.
  2. Studying classical civilizations can provide insights for building a better future.
  3. Reviving classical aesthetics and philosophies can inspire contemporary innovation.

When Antiquity Trained the Future

2 HN points • 03 Apr 23
🚌 Education History Philosophy Classics Literature Politics
  1. The Founding Fathers of the United States looked to Greek and Roman texts for models of virtue and practical wisdom.
  2. Studying history, particularly the Greek and Roman civilizations, offers valuable insights into governance, society, and human nature.
  3. Classics provide a self-contained simulation to explore questions about civilization and offer a unique perspective not fully captured by modern social sciences.

Romans at the End of History

7 implied HN points • 02 Mar 22
  1. The US emerging as the lone superpower post-Soviet Union was humanity's best shot at stabilizing international systems in the Nuclear Age.
  2. The current multi-polar world order combined with nuclear proliferation increases the probability of great power war, making mutually-assured destruction an unreliable solution.
  3. To avoid nuclear conflict and achieve a stable global system, history suggests the Roman Empire's model of unipolar rule and stability could offer a potential solution.

Four Ages of the Olympic Ideal

7 implied HN points • 02 Mar 22
  1. Ancient Olympic Games in Greece were about honor, glory, and competition among city-states.
  2. Modern Olympic Games by Pierre de Coubertin focused on amateurism, nationalism, and peace through sports.
  3. Contemporary Olympics in Beijing featured political controversies, doping issues, and a shift in focus towards nationalistic goals.

March Recommended Readings

7 implied HN points • 02 Mar 22
  1. The ancients had a different vision of a good life and politics than us
  2. Paul A. Rahe's book discusses the distinctions in ancient culture and politics
  3. Rahe presents Sparta as a model city state to learn from

The Founders of the United States Were Classical Futurists

7 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
  1. The Founders of the United States were deeply rooted in classical antiquity, drawing inspiration from Greek and Roman civilizations.
  2. They believed in the importance of virtue and the pursuit of good character for individuals and societies.
  3. The Founders created a system of government based on the lessons from ancient Rome, combining elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy.

What Does It Feel Like to Live in a Golden Age?

7 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
  1. Golden Ages in history can be defined by cultural achievements and economic prosperity.
  2. The Athenian Golden Age was marked by political strength, cultural flourishing, and relative economic equality.
  3. To create a modern golden age, we should focus on nurturing democracy, investing in culture and intellectual pursuits, and balancing economic growth with wealth redistribution.

Virtual Violence, Real Peace

7 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
  1. Violence in modern entertainment is often staged and less extreme compared to ancient times, like Roman events.
  2. In ancient Rome, violence was celebrated in events like gladiatorial games, showcasing a different cultural attitude towards violence.
  3. The decrease in physical violence in modern society may be due to advancements in technology, leading to a more virtual and less brutal portrayal of violence.

Discipline Is Freedom

7 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
  1. Cultivating traits like moderation and self-mastery can help thrive in a superabundant era.
  2. Beware of the hedonic treadmill where seeking pleasure leads to wanting more, and value self-imposed discipline.
  3. Learning from the Spartans, focus on excellence over fleeting pleasure, practice self-mastery, and avoid the allure of overindulgence.

The Atemporal Cosmopolis

7 implied HN points • 01 Sep 21
  1. Longtermism emphasizes the importance of the future on a large scale, beyond just the present generation.
  2. The Stoic philosophy provides a unique perspective on longtermism by focusing on rational citizenship and virtues over mathematical calculations.
  3. Stoic longtermism differs from modern longtermism by emphasizing community, never compromising virtue, and considering everyday risks over speculative ones.

Let’s Build Cities of Marble, Not Metal

7 implied HN points • 01 Sep 21
  1. Classical architecture can inspire future designs
  2. History shows a trend of classical revivalism throughout different periods
  3. Contemporary architecture trends may shift back to classical influences

On Classical Futurism

7 implied HN points • 01 Sep 21
  1. Classical futurism combines elements of the past with modern innovation to create something new.
  2. Cultural revivalism involves remixing old cultural elements to give rise to a renewed culture.
  3. The influence of classical antiquity on Western civilization has been profound, shaping cultural revivals and innovative progress throughout history.

The Meaning of Politics Today

3 implied HN points • 01 Feb 22
  1. Politics in ancient times was about serving the state and active citizenship.
  2. In modern times, politics is more about bureaucracy and performance rather than community and political liberty.
  3. Specialization, increased population, and the influence of stakeholders have changed the role of politics for individuals today.

On the Origins of Censorship

3 implied HN points • 01 Feb 22
  1. The word 'censorship' originated in the Roman Republic from the role of a Censor, a high-ranking magistrate.
  2. Catonian censorship focused on enforcing traditional behavior and manners, while Orwellian censorship targeted beliefs and ideas.
  3. Today, censorship has evolved with deplatforming on social media enabling easy suppression of dissenting views.

February Recommended Readings

3 implied HN points • 01 Feb 22
  1. Adrian Goldsworthy's 'Caesar: Life of a Colossus' is a well-written and accessible book on Julius Caesar's life and Roman history.
  2. Julius Caesar was involved in pivotal events that shaped Rome's transition from Republic to Empire.
  3. Goldsworthy's book not only narrates Caesar's life, but also explains the historical significance for a modern audience.

Meanings of the Iliad

3 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
  1. The Iliad can be interpreted in various ways throughout history, offering different insights and meanings.
  2. The poem explores themes of glorious heroes and gods, warrior morality, and the end of the age of heroes.
  3. The Iliad portrays a world ruled by gods, offers insights into primitive patriarchal societies, and reflects on the complexities of human nature and ancient beliefs.

No Purpose Without Initiation

3 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
  1. In antiquity, a person's purpose was defined by birth and reinforced through religious and social rituals.
  2. Initiation rituals, like baptism or joining a mystery cult, marked transitions in life and clarified one's purpose.
  3. Today, education serves as a modern form of initiation, demarcating life phases and signaling readiness for a career, but lacks the depth and transformative power of ancient initiation rituals.

January Recommended Readings

3 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
  1. Reading order recommendation: Start with contemporary books like 'The Song of Achilles' before diving into classics like 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'.
  2. Deeper appreciation: 'The Song of Achilles' fleshes out characters and brings Greek mythology to life in a more relatable way.
  3. Decentralized cities: Check out interesting articles discussing history and concepts of decentralized cities with centralized states.

To Selene

3 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
  1. Ancient Greece remained decentralized politically and citizen-centered, which contributed to its wealth and success compared to other premodern states.
  2. The Greek city-states were wealthier, had a substantial middle class, and promoted cultural success due to their decentralized and relatively democratic nature.
  3. Web3, with its decentralization and ownership structures, mirrors some aspects of the Greek city-states, offering potential for significant progress and experimentation.

Building City-States on the Internet

3 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
  1. Online communities need sovereignty to thrive
  2. City-states offer freedom from exploitation, nimbleness, and competition pressure
  3. Internet cities can benefit from political sovereignty for long-term success

Decentralizing the Nation-State

3 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
  1. The concept of nation-states is based on shared characteristics like language, culture, religion, history, and identity.
  2. Historically, empires and city-states showcased decentralized control and allowed for unique cultural expressions.
  3. In the digital era, decentralized network states are becoming a potential future model of political organization, decoupling from traditional geographical boundaries.

December Recommended Readings

3 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
  1. Intellectual life should be pursued for its own sake, not for external rewards
  2. Distorted learning can occur when intellect is used for personal gain or social approval
  3. Cultivating the virtue of seriousness, studiositas, is important for staying focused on what truly matters

AristotleDAO

3 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
  1. Aristotle identified three main forms of government - monarchy, aristocracy, and polity - each with a perverted form like tyranny or oligarchy.
  2. In modern organizations, a monarchy can be likened to a company owned by one person, while a polity resembles a cooperative where everyone participates.
  3. DAOs, such as CabinDAO, operate democratically with decentralized decision-making made possible by blockchain technology.

Ancient Models of Citizenship and Migration

3 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
  1. Relaxing immigration restrictions could result in significantly higher rates of migration into destination countries.
  2. There are benefits and drawbacks to immigration, including economic prosperity and cultural enrichment, but also potential negative impacts like political ramifications and social backlash.
  3. Implementing tiered citizenship, with limited rights for newcomers, could be a potential solution to address concerns surrounding immigration while still offering opportunities for a better future.

November Recommended Readings

3 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
  1. Washington found inspiration in Joseph Addison's play 'Cato' during a challenging time in the Revolutionary War.
  2. Roberto Calasso's 'The Marriage of Cadmus And Harmony' offers a unique exploration of Greek myths with new angles.
  3. Aristotle's 'Nicomachean Ethics' discusses different types of friendship: utility, pleasure, and virtue.

Three Classical Works That Inspire Us

3 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
  1. The Asterix comic series highlights the fun and importance of using history playfully.
  2. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius offers insights on philosophy and perspectives on life.
  3. The reenactment of Socrates' Apology in Athens symbolizes the enduring values of free inquiry and the power of reason in classical antiquity.

On Forgotten Glories

3 implied HN points • 01 Sep 21
  1. Learning from ancient Rome offers insight into building a better future through history and experience.
  2. Embracing a sense of grandeur and belief in a greater destiny can motivate societies to overcome challenges and achieve greatness.
  3. Cultural inclusivity, unity, and a strong collective will to survive are valuable lessons from Rome for modern societies facing existential threats.