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

On Fairy Tales

151 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
📚 Literature Storytelling Childhood Mythology Symbolism
  1. Fairy tales often focus on themes of transformation and redemption, showing how characters grow and change through their challenges. For instance, Belle and the Beast evolve through their relationship, revealing that true beauty lies within.
  2. Telling stories connects generations, creating a special bond between the elderly and young, as tales from the past guide the future. These stories help children understand their roots and the world around them.
  3. The journey in a fairy tale is often unpredictable, leading characters to unexpected places where they ultimately discover what truly matters. This reflects our own journeys in life where we learn and grow along the way.

Links and Tingz (May '25)

530 implied HN points • 29 May 25
📚 Literature Poetry History Art Music Philosophy
  1. Poetry often reflects deep feelings about life and existence. It can make us think more about our thoughts and emotions.
  2. The history of marginalized groups, like the Cagots, shows how society can exclude and discriminate. Understanding these stories helps us learn about empathy and acceptance.
  3. Time can feel powerful and transforming, blending our experiences. Thinking about time can change how we perceive ourselves and our surroundings.

Time held me green and dying

580 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Art History Philosophy Memory
  1. Time changes everything, and it can make the past seem more beautiful than the present. We often remember past moments fondly, even if they weren't perfect.
  2. Memories can be clearer and more vibrant than reality. Sometimes, looking back helps us see the good things that were overshadowed at the time.
  3. We should appreciate the present more and not just rely on nostalgia to feel happy. Finding joy in today can help us avoid getting lost in the past.

Japanese Death Poems

1742 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Cultural Studies
  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.

WILD, WILD WOMEN

1212 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Fashion Literature History Photography
  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.
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WILD, WILD WOMEN: FLORA AND FAUNA (PART 2)

505 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Photography Creative Writing Graphic design
  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.

Nevermore

454 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Football Athletes Games Teamwork Fan culture
  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.

Gnosticism: Convergences

606 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Buddhism Esotericism Mysticism
  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.

Gnosticism: Awakenings

454 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religious history Mysticism Esotericism Spiritual Practices Counterculture
  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.

Nomen est Omen (repost)

353 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Naming Identity Psychology Society Athletics Philosophy History
  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.

Gnosticism: Inversions

606 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Theology Metaphysics Ethics
  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.

Gnosticism: Origins

631 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religious history Philosophy Spiritual beliefs Religious practices
  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.

The Mountain

656 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Short Stories Japanese culture Folklore
  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.

Immediatism

580 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Art Society Philosophy Alienation
  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.

SPOOKY SEASON EXTRAVAGANZA BONANZAHHHHHHH!!!!1!!!!1!!!!1!!

505 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art History Literature Traditions Festivals
  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.

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 Orbis Tertius Society

378 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🚌 Education Community Learning Society Philosophy Decentralization
  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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 Astrobiology 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.