Outlandish Claims

Outlandish Claims discusses merging different academic fields, challenging standard education, and exploring philosophical and societal issues. It emphasizes historical reinterpretations, critiques on traditional educational systems, and metaphysical inquiries, aiming to inspire new perspectives and progressive thinking.

Interdisciplinary Studies Educational Reform Philosophy Historical Analysis Metaphysics Societal Critique Cultural Commentary

The hottest Substack posts of Outlandish Claims

And their main takeaways

Yes, Carrots Really Are Orange Because of Orangists

0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food history Genomics Color Theory Culinary Arts
  1. Carrots have a long history and were mostly cultivated for their leaves and seeds initially, with their roots later being consumed by the Roman Empire.
  2. Genomic studies have shown that orange carrots were likely deliberately bred and cultivated in the 16th century, possibly in honor of the House of Orange.
  3. It's important to be aware of overconfidence and skepticism, as historical beliefs can be supported or refuted by emerging evidence, like in the case of the orange carrot's origins.

Bring Me My Arrows of Desire

0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existence Environmentalism Technology Civilization
  1. Humans have unintentionally caused devastating consequences on the Earth's atmosphere similar to past natural events, leading to the Anthropocene era.
  2. Interacting with the world mindfully can make it a better place by expanding the circle of empathy and caring, creating a 'noosphere' of mindful impact.
  3. Technology and moral development are seen as complementary tools to expand the 'noosphere' and shape a more humane world, striving for a future where suffering is minimized and diversity is embraced.

What Is High Art?

0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Quality Originality Time
  1. Quality in art can be subjective and influenced by factors like popularity, originality, and cultural context.
  2. Works of art can degrade with age as language and tropes shift, impacting their appeal.
  3. Art categories like classics, pop, high art, and more exist, each with its own characteristics and nuances.
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Institutions Don't Automatically Have a Purpose

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🚌 Education School Curriculum Institutions Taxation Students
  1. School doesn't always teach practical life skills like tax preparation, which raises questions on its purpose.
  2. Institutions can exist without a clear purpose but can still have significant impacts, whether positive or negative.
  3. High school attendance is often influenced by external factors like truancy laws and job requirements, but this doesn't define the inherent purpose of the institution.

Friday Fruit Salad

0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
📚 Literature History Science Fiction
  1. The author's letter-to-the-editor in the New Yorker discusses the history of suspense and William Godwin's influence on page-turner novels.
  2. The relationship between r/K selection, proof-of-work, and euphemism treadmill is explored in a New Yorker article mentioned by the author.
  3. Ada Lovelace's insights from 1843 on programming merging the abstract and concrete are referenced in the author's post, highlighting the impact of computer language development.

Writers Named Neil: A Guide

0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
📚 Literature Authors Writing Styles
  1. The post humorously presents different writing styles of three authors named Neil when responding to a scenario involving a flying pig.
  2. Neil Gaiman's style is concise and narrative-focused, creating an intriguing scene.
  3. Neal Stephenson's style delves into detailed scientific explanations, adding depth and analysis to the situation.
  4. Neil deGrasse Tyson's style interjects scientific facts and logic into the conversation, showcasing his trademark scientific approach.

Vintage Memes

0 implied HN points • 12 May 24
🎭️ Culture Internet culture History Humor
  1. Jefferson preferred traveling alone without bodyguards or assistants, allowing strangers to criticize him to his face without recognizing him, spawning the 'My name is Haines' meme.
  2. The 'Here's your mule!' meme originated from the South during the Civil War and later became associated with jerky behavior, linked to stealing mules and creating chaos during land grabs.
  3. Ancient Sumerians possibly created the first jokes, including riddles and humorous observations, showcasing early humor and wit in written form.

The Joeliad

0 implied HN points • 15 May 24
📚 Literature Poetry Religion History Philosophy Politics
  1. The Treaty of Tripoli's Article 11, which states that the US is not founded on the Christian religion, was written by American poet Joel Barlow and ratified by John Adams, emphasizing separation of church and state since the founding of the nation.
  2. Joel Barlow, an American poet, started his career selling fraudulent land deeds but later became a key figure in advocating for freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.
  3. Barlow's writings, like 'The Columbiad,' reflect his vision of a federated and diverse religious landscape in the United States, advocating for a unity of religion that respects individual faiths.