Orbis Tertius

Orbis Tertius explores diverse subjects intertwining literature, philosophy, science, and personal musings. It delves into the essence of writing, the metaphysical connections in novels, mindfulness, and the impact of language on reality, while also pondering over contemporary issues like effective altruism, privacy, and environmental concerns.

Literature Philosophy Science and Technology Mindfulness and Meditation Language and Reality Environmental Issues Privacy and Digital Age Effective Altruism Creative Writing

The hottest Substack posts of Orbis Tertius

And their main takeaways

I Cordially Invite You to Unsubscribe

402 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
📚 Literature Writing Philosophy Art Mindfulness Fiction
  1. The author invites readers to unsubscribe from their newsletter, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing what captures your attention.
  2. The author shares their transition from science and technology to literature and philosophy, influenced by mindfulness and meditation.
  3. The author aims to create unique and unconventional content, focusing on writing that challenges norms and embraces individual expression.

Borges and the Essay

546 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
📚 Literature Essays Authors Reading Writing Culture
  1. Essays used to be more popular in literary circles than stories, according to Borges and Eliot Weinberger.
  2. The rise of journalism led to a decline in free-ranging essays, but the internet and platforms like Substack may bring back the golden age of the essay.
  3. Substack's network structure fosters criticism, experimentation, and avant-garde essays, revitalizing the demand and development of the essay form.

Interpreting Yonder

172 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Philosophy Reality Interpretation Existentialism
  1. Julio Cortázar's novel Hopscotch has an unconventional structure with different reading options
  2. The novel explores the limits of explanation for understanding reality and life, touching on perspectivism and subjective interpretation
  3. Science and quantum mechanics highlight the subjective nature of interpretation and the limitations of objective reality

How to Protect Yourself from the Fiend's Fiery Brain

158 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction Writing
  1. Protect yourself from negative influences by deploying unconventional techniques like staring at the sun or moon for extended periods.
  2. The author discusses the difficulty of discerning between good and bad in the alchemical process, highlighting the complexity of identifying what is truly beneficial.
  3. Reflections on the human experience and the challenge of distinguishing between the positive and negative aspects of life, as demonstrated through a unique perspective.
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The Metaphysics of Novels and Magic

273 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
📚 Literature Metaphysics Magic Narrative Authors
  1. Magic is understood based on the purpose it serves, not the cause by which it arises.
  2. Fiction is teleological, creating a narrative based on purpose rather than identifiable cause.
  3. Novels are like magic, creating networks of occurrences with multiple connections, making them more magical than other forms of narrative.

Codex Seraphinianus, the Proto-Blog

158 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature History
  1. Borges curated an anthology called _A Personal Library_ but could only complete 74 out of 100 books, making it his final work.
  2. Borges also edited _The Library of Babel_, a collection of fantastical stories, but getting physical copies might be challenging due to scarcity and translations.
  3. Luigi Serafini's _Codex Seraphinianus_ is a fictional encyclopedia with strange illustrations, and he considered it a 'proto-blog' for reaching out to people outside the art gallery circle.

Glimmers Now the Afterglow

115 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🔬 Science Thermodynamics Climate change Entropy Philanthropy
  1. Entropy is a measure of energy spreading out, not disorder as commonly thought.
  2. Negentropy describes useful energy that becomes dispersed and useless, and its decrease is important for interesting phenomena.
  3. Climate change should be approached as a thermodynamic reckoning, balancing the negentropy from the sun to create a sustainable society.

An Astronomical Archaeology

86 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💾 History Archaeology Astronomy Artifacts
  1. The Golden Records sent aboard the Voyager probes contain information for potential extraterrestrial encounters, including a map of our solar system.
  2. The Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient device, was ahead of its time in predicting solar eclipses and movements of the sun and moon.
  3. Artifacts like the Nebra Sky Disc and Phaistos Disc offer unique insights into ancient astronomical knowledge through complex inscriptions and depictions.

The Dream Stream

143 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling Memory Nature Teaching Experience
  1. The anticipation of a fishing trip can be filled with energy, but the actual experience may not always meet expectations.
  2. The act of fishing can evoke deep emotions and memories, whether shared with family or experienced alone.
  3. Teaching someone else to fish can bring a sense of humility and gratitude for the patience and guidance received from mentors.

On Mindfulness

158 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mindfulness Meditation Selflessness Awareness Concentration
  1. Mindfulness is more than just stress relief; it has scientifically proven benefits like reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
  2. Mindfulness, rooted in ancient contemplative tradition, aims to help individuals truly understand subjective reality and live in the present moment.
  3. Mindfulness practice involves meditation to develop the capability to be less distracted, recognize thoughts, and connect with experiences throughout the day.

The Ninety-Seventh Voyage

57 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
⚔ Fiction Storytelling Imagination Adventure
  1. The trail in the story is described as unpredictable and constantly changing, making each voyage unique.
  2. The narrator pays close attention to details in nature and uses markers to navigate the trail.
  3. Respecting the environment, being prepared, and staying aware of time are essential when venturing into unknown places.

Return to Classic Effective Altruism

86 implied HN points • 28 Nov 22
  1. Effective altruism started as simple ideas: donate proportion of income and be effective with donations.
  2. The EA movement has shifted towards longtermism and AI, away from its original principles.
  3. There is a call for a return to classic Effective Altruism for critical thinking on effectiveness and diverse funding.

Morality and Marginal Existence

71 implied HN points • 31 Oct 22
  1. Evaluating the morality of bringing a new person into the world involves considering marginal existences and the lack of consciousness in hypothetical beings.
  2. Zero-value marginal existence consequentialism proposes that the value of a hypothetical existence is neutral, focusing on improving the well-being of existing individuals.
  3. Z-VMEC challenges traditional utilitarian views by not assigning value to mere additions of hypothetical people, offering a different perspective on morality and philosophical arguments.

The Myth of Anonymity

1 HN point • 14 Nov 22
  1. Uncanny personalized ads are not evidence that your phone is constantly recording audio.
  2. Anonymity in the digital age is challenging due to the connectivity and correlation of data.
  3. Privacy is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain as information continues to be shared and technology advances.

An Infinite Dialogue of the Imagination

0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
📚 Literature Literary theory Creative Writing Cultural criticism
  1. Borges argues that literature is more than just words; it creates a connection between the reader and the author's experiences. Without this connection, the words lose their meaning.
  2. AI-generated art lacks true meaning because it is created without the artist's personal experiences or emotions. Art needs to arise from human experiences to be considered valuable.
  3. The interpretation of literature changes over time and depends on the reader's perspective. The ongoing dialogue between the reader and the text is what keeps literature alive and meaningful.

The Creative Process

0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 25
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Philosophy Literature Personal Development
  1. Creativity mainly happens in our unconscious mind, and we often underestimate its role. It's less about our conscious efforts and more about letting our minds work behind the scenes.
  2. The struggle to create is actually part of the process. Spending time focusing on an idea, even if it feels tough, is necessary to let the unconscious mind do its work.
  3. Boredom can be good for creativity. When we allow our minds to wander during boring tasks, like taking a walk or a shower, we give our unconscious the chance to generate ideas.

A Chance to Occur

0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Analysis Criticism
  1. Reading a big book like _Infinite Jest_ can be a form of meditation. It trains you to focus your attention and be less distracted by quick entertainment like social media.
  2. The book's length and complexity aren't meant to entertain you immediately but to engage you deeply over time. Your experience of reading is what matters, not just the ending.
  3. All media exists on a spectrum of attention, from mindless scrolling on TikTok to thoughtful reading. Choosing to read can help improve your focus and make even simple experiences feel special.