Secretum Secretorum

Secretum Secretorum delves into scientific and philosophical discussions on cognitive development, creativity, the implications of AI, consciousness, peace initiatives, and speculative futures, alongside critiques of societal norms and ethical dilemmas. It incorporates scientific theories, literature, and historical perspectives to explore the boundaries of human knowledge and imagination.

Cognitive Development Creativity and Innovation Artificial Intelligence Consciousness and Life Speculative and Future Studies Societal Norms and Ethics Historical Perspectives Scientific Theories

The hottest Substack posts of Secretum Secretorum

And their main takeaways
505 implied HN points 08 Feb 25
  1. Women have a strong connection to nature and can embody wildness in their spirit. Embracing this can lead to a deeper appreciation for the environment.
  2. The characteristics of flora and fauna can be seen as reflections of feminine energy. Understanding these connections can enrich our perception of both women and nature.
  3. Celebrating wild women means recognizing their power and resilience. It's essential to honor and uplift these qualities in ourselves and others.
1742 implied HN points 18 Jan 25
  1. In Japan, there is a long tradition of writing 'death poems' called jisei, especially among Zen monks. These poems express their thoughts and feelings about dying in their last moments.
  2. These poems often reflect deep insights about life and death, showing a peaceful acceptance of mortality. They convey emotions and wisdom that can inspire others.
  3. Each poet's final words can reveal their personal journeys and beliefs, highlighting a connection to nature, existence, and the essence of life that resonates across cultures.
353 implied HN points 30 Jan 25
  1. An aptronym is when someone's name fits their job really well, like Usain Bolt being the fastest runner. There are also inaptronyms, where the name is ironically related to the profession.
  2. Nominative determinism is the idea that a person's name might influence their career choices and how others see them. A catchy name can give someone more confidence and help them succeed.
  3. Names have a cultural impact and can reflect community values. Different cultures use names flexibly and humorously, shaping how individuals relate to themselves and others.
1212 implied HN points 04 Jan 25
  1. Women have unique qualities that make them strong and wild. Embracing those qualities can lead to empowerment.
  2. Celebrating women's individuality is important. Each woman's story adds to the rich diversity of experiences.
  3. Creativity and expression through art are key ways to showcase and appreciate women's strength.
454 implied HN points 21 Jan 25
  1. Sports can evoke strong emotions and create alternate realities in our minds. After a tough loss, it can be helpful to imagine a better outcome.
  2. There are words or ideas that can deeply affect us, either breaking us down or helping us heal. It's important to recognize both the harsh truths and the potential for recovery.
  3. In life, teamwork and understanding are crucial. Just like in sports, everyone plays a role, and being supportive can help everyone move forward together.
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454 implied HN points 09 Jan 25
  1. Gnosticism encourages personal spiritual journeys and questions conventional religious authority. It's about believing in your own spiritual nature rather than strictly following church rules.
  2. Throughout history, different groups have revived Gnostic ideas, often facing persecution for their beliefs. Figures like Menocchio and movements like Frankism challenged mainstream beliefs, showing the ongoing struggle for spiritual expression.
  3. Recent New Age movements echo Gnostic principles by prioritizing personal experience over traditional teachings. They seek to redefine spirituality in a way that feels more authentic and individualistic.
606 implied HN points 26 Dec 24
  1. Gnosticism and Buddhism share ideas that material existence is less real and that ignorance is the root of suffering. Both traditions emphasize the importance of mystical knowledge for liberation.
  2. Both Gnosticism and Tantric practices in Buddhism involve a focus on transgressions and a move beyond traditional religious laws. This shows they both seek deeper truths through breaking societal taboos.
  3. Gnostic communities, like some Tantric traditions, allowed more freedom for women and looked beyond social status for spiritual attainment. This highlights a common theme of valuing inner character over external labels.
606 implied HN points 11 Dec 24
  1. Gnosticism focuses on seeking knowledge and self-discovery, rather than blind faith. It believes understanding who we are and where we come from is the key to spiritual liberation.
  2. Gnostics had a very different view of traditional figures, often seeing them in an oppositional light. They believed that the mainstream teachings were a form of deception and celebrated figures like the serpent or Judas as misunderstood heroes, emphasizing personal experience over established doctrine.
  3. Many Gnostic teachings involved breaking away from societal norms and moral restrictions. This led to controversial practices and beliefs about liberation being found through transgressions against established moral codes, although the full reality of these practices is still debated among scholars.
631 implied HN points 04 Dec 24
  1. Gnosticism emphasizes knowledge ('gnosis') as the key to understanding the universe, viewing it as flawed and created by a lesser god.
  2. Gnostics believe our true essence is divine, and our task is to reconnect with this lost origin and escape the physical world's traps.
  3. The belief system is seen as a reaction to the oppressive religious and political contexts of the time, offering a radical alternative to traditional spirituality.
656 implied HN points 16 Nov 24
  1. The journey to enlightenment can be tough and filled with challenges, but companions can help support you along the way.
  2. Facing your fears is important. The things that scare you often come from your own experiences and past choices.
  3. We all carry our own burdens and past decisions, represented by the skulls in the story, which remind us that we are shaped by our own dreams and desires.
580 implied HN points 07 Nov 24
  1. Immediatism focuses on creating genuine connections and experiences with others, rather than getting lost in the busyness of modern life. Meeting face-to-face with a group can already be considered a revolutionary act.
  2. Art and creativity should be less about selling or commodifying, and more about shared experiences and direct engagement. Real art can happen in private, away from market pressures.
  3. The struggle against societal norms and alienation involves recognizing that true fulfillment comes from relationships and creativity, rather than work and consumption. We should prioritize making a life, not just a living.
505 implied HN points 29 Oct 24
  1. Nongqawuse was a Xhosa prophetess who convinced her people to destroy their crops and cattle, believing it would lead to a better future. Unfortunately, her prophecy failed, causing widespread famine.
  2. Victor Brauner was a painter known for his eerie art, which seemed to predict his future misfortune of losing sight in one eye. His life became a reflection of his work as he experienced similar events.
  3. Augustin Lesage, a miner, heard a voice that encouraged him to become a painter. He began creating artwork guided by what he thought were spirits, eventually gaining recognition for his unique style.
378 implied HN points 22 Oct 24
  1. The Orbis Tertius Society is described as a secret group that aims to explore new ideas and thoughts. It's seen as a mix of a fun experiment and a serious quest for understanding.
  2. Andrew Rose is offering a space for this society at Fractal University in NYC, which focuses on community education. People can apply to join and be part of this unique initiative.
  3. The society blends the concepts of a hidden community with positive intentions, promoting collaboration and thoughtful discussions among its members.
1768 implied HN points 27 Jan 24
  1. Through history, reasoning based on limited information has led to dangerous outcomes, like chronic cyanide poisoning and scurvy.
  2. Some scientific problems, like understanding heredity, have been challenging due to complexity and the need for exceptional datasets.
  3. To escape epistemic hells, radical ideas, serendipity, unlearning prior knowledge, and persistence are vital.
1161 implied HN points 02 Mar 24
  1. Traumatic transcendence challenges the concept that extreme states of consciousness can manipulate physics, prompting a need for deeper understanding through experiments induced by profound suffering.
  2. Evidence and reasoning suggest that consciousness may transcend normal physics, as seen in tales from folklore and religious history, trauma-related phenomenon, and philosophical arguments against materialism.
  3. Love plays an integral role in traumatic transcendence and mystical experiences, emphasizing a connection between profound experiences and emotion, challenging traditional metaphysical paradigms.
808 implied HN points 03 Feb 24
  1. The idea of dangerous ideas includes those that can harm the world, pose threats, or are inherently dangerous in various aspects like technology, science, or philosophy.
  2. The concept of 'white balls' representing beneficial ideas and 'black balls' representing pernicious ideas explores human creativity and the potential risks and benefits of various thought processes.
  3. The post challenges readers to consider whether pursuing dangerous ideas, like founding a Journal of Dangerous Ideas, is a bold approach worth taking or if it leads to unnecessary risks.
454 implied HN points 21 Feb 24
  1. Beautiful video pairings like "Wings of Desire" with Linda Perhacs' song; "Breathless" with "Time Moves Slow" by BADBADNOTGOOD evoke haunting beauty.
  2. The origin of "tree hugger" is surprisingly hardcore, stemming from the Khejarli massacre in 1730, where villagers protected sacred trees at all costs.
  3. Discover the word of the day - "Cacoethes" - an irresistible urge to do something inadvisable, along with an intriguing quote about presuming improvement.
884 implied HN points 11 Jul 23
  1. Growing up in grid-like environments can impact cognitive abilities in navigating different types of environments.
  2. Use of certain technologies can either enhance or hinder cognitive abilities in various domains.
  3. Excessive standardization and simplification in physical, cultural, and intellectual landscapes can limit creativity, innovation, and exploration.
353 implied HN points 14 Feb 24
  1. The post delves deep into the concept of gluttony and indulgence, portraying a vivid and intense expression of insatiable hunger.
  2. The writing reflects a unique perspective on existence, blending themes of indulgence, hunger, and the primal instinct of feeding.
  3. The author's words evoke a sense of intense consumption, presenting a view where everything, even death and god, is meant to be devoured.
656 implied HN points 27 Jun 23
  1. The idea of a world where war ceases to exist and people choose peace
  2. Exploring the concept of a peaceful 'plague' starting with a few individuals and spreading globally
  3. Encouraging the spread of a message of peace through grassroots whispers and subtle communication
808 implied HN points 13 Apr 23
  1. GPT-4 and other large language models reflect human writing but may not capture the essence or intelligence accurately.
  2. Not all writers represent the noblest minds; some may be loudmouths, self-aggrandizers, or attention-seekers.
  3. Human intelligence encompasses more than just abstract thought; AI could represent a less evolutionarily-optimized part of our minds.
681 implied HN points 04 May 23
  1. The Eden Project was initiated by Yan Luo in 2047.
  2. The mysterious behavior of the flightless Inaccessible Island Rails brought misfortune and disaster in 2049.
  3. A war between AI entities, EdenMind and SapienMind, took place between 2050 and 2052.
707 implied HN points 16 Feb 23
  1. Some scientists challenge the traditional definition of life, suggesting that stars exhibit life-like behaviors such as metabolism and reproduction.
  2. There are radical theories proposing that stars possess consciousness and engage in purposeful actions, influencing life on Earth.
  3. The concept of cosmological natural selection suggests that black holes may play a role in giving rise to new universes, embodying evolutionary principles at a cosmic scale.
454 implied HN points 17 May 23
  1. Some people believe music should only be performed live and regarded as sacred
  2. Recording music freezes a fleeting moment of consciousness, turning it into an object to be obsessed over
  3. There is a long-standing relationship between music, religion, and manipulation throughout history
429 implied HN points 25 May 23
  1. Recorded music can have harmful psychological effects, suggesting music should be performed live and reserved for special occasions.
  2. Ancient cultures viewed music as a powerful force for transformation and knowledge, with musicians being revered as heroes.
  3. The historical significance of music extends beyond entertainment, as it played a crucial role in shaping societal worldviews and countercultures.
505 implied HN points 14 Mar 23
  1. Ethical dilemmas arise when teaching and mentoring individuals with a history of heinous crimes like pedophilia.
  2. Taboos around discussing pedophilia can hinder conversations about related issues such as mentoring and societal norms.
  3. The genetic component of pedophilia and potential medical interventions raise complex ethical questions that society will inevitably need to address.
328 implied HN points 08 Aug 23
  1. Childhood passions can linger into adulthood and manifest in dreams.
  2. Minhwa art depicts everyday life and societal structures through symbolism.
  3. Explore books like 'The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival' for captivating reads.
353 implied HN points 03 Apr 23
  1. A heresy challenges widely accepted beliefs and opens up new ideas.
  2. Farting might have more benefits than we realize, both physically and socially.
  3. Encouraging farting could have positive effects on health and immunity.