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

The Most Dangerous Idea

1161 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Reality Consciousness Spirituality Human experience
  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.

Epistemic Hell

1768 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🔬 Science Health Physics Medicine Biology Research
  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.

The Journal of Dangerous Ideas

808 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ideas Journal Thought Morality Creativity
  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.

Links and Thoughts (Feb '24)

454 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📚 Literature Quotes Conspiracy Theories Conference Music
  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.
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Hunger Games

353 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food Writing
  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.

Life on the Grid (part 1)

884 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Society Education Technology Literature Art
  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.

THE DAY IS COMING

656 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Peace Dreams Society War Hope
  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

The Soul of the Writer

808 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Artificial Intelligence Psychology
  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.

The Eden Project

681 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🔬 Science Technology Disasters Animals AI War
  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.

Are Stars Conscious?

707 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🔬 Science Metaphysics Cosmology Physics Evolution
  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.

Dreamtigers

328 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Literature
  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.

Musical Heresies (Part 1)

454 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🎶 Music Critique Religion Social Impact History Psychology
  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

Musical Heresies (Part 2)

429 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🎶 Music Genres History Artists Philosophy Influence
  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.

Pedophile Problems (v2)

505 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Genetics Interventions
  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.

The One Heresy to Rule Them All

353 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
😂 Humor Satire Comedy Jokes Parody
  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.