The hottest Existence Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

No One is Coming to Save Us

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jun 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Politics Responsibility Legacy Existence
  1. No one is coming to save us; we must take personal responsibility and not rely on political saviors.
  2. The current political system is designed to stymie well-intentioned individuals; true rulers are banks, corporations, billionaires, and global financiers.
  3. To combat tyranny and maintain independence, individuals must prioritize self-sufficiency, physical health, mental well-being, and financial literacy.

Chaos, Order, and the Struggle for Survival

Mind & Mythos β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 20 Oct 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Survival Chaos Existence
  1. The universe is constantly changing and fluctuating between chaos and order. When chaos meets other elements, some order can emerge if it is strong enough.
  2. Survival is a key instinct for all living creatures. Over time, instincts arose to help organisms protect themselves, find food, and reproduce.
  3. In social species, like wolves, gaining status can also impact survival. A wolf's strength and ability to provide food can attract mates, showing that social behaviors improve chances of survival.

Models of Humans

10-year Horizon β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 24 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Mind Consciousness Self Reality Existence
  1. Learning often involves modeling others' behaviors, beliefs, and ways of thinking. We unconsciously create mental models of people we admire or learn from.
  2. Our brains and AI models share similarities in how they learn and adapt, going through training phases to recognize patterns and predict outcomes.
  3. Exploring and understanding our inner sub-personalities through techniques like Internal Family Systems can help us manage relationships with these models for personal growth.
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Meaning #298

Daily Philosophy β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Meaning Names Time Existence Narrative
  1. The short story delves into the meaning and significance we attribute to names, exploring how different interpretations can impact our experiences.
  2. The narrative showcases a town where buildings have names instead of numbers, reflecting unique beliefs and values of their owners.
  3. The story blends philosophical musings about time and creativity, highlighting how diverse perspectives shape the creation and perception of timepieces.

Learning to see better by learning to unsee | #15

pole β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 03 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Perception Existence Learning Mind Self
  1. In the journey of learning and growth, it's important to embrace the process and not get too caught up in setbacks.
  2. Sometimes, the key to understanding and creativity lies in viewing the world from different perspectives and challenging existing perceptions.
  3. Learning to unsee and approach situations with a fresh perspective can lead to deeper insights and personal growth.

The Matrix That Eats People

Tessa Fights Robots β€’ 69 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Spirituality Existence Identity Reality Consciousness
  1. Our society is depicted as a man-eating machine, preying on people's energy and diverting focus to artificial spirits.
  2. Young people's energy often gets consumed by societal norms and expectations, leading them away from meaningful pursuits.
  3. We are interconnected beings existing in multiple dimensions, influenced by various energy fields around us, guiding us to reflect on our true selves and purpose in a complex world.

What we seek to save when we seek to save the world

Breaking Smart β€’ 114 implied HN points β€’ 09 Sep 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Worldviews Existence Values Civilizations Nature
  1. The notion of saving the world involves a complex interplay between biological and temporal scopes
  2. Different types of saviors are motivated by varying definitions of what constitutes the 'world' worth saving
  3. There is an evolving concept of saving the world that involves rewilding the modern technological landscape

Morning Birdsong Calls Ryokan Off the Shelf

The False Consensus Effect β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 02 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Existence Wisdom Connection Inner peace
  1. Enjoy the beauty of nature and reflect on the impact of human activities on the environment, like the pollution of the Great Lakes.
  2. Question the pursuit of traditional success and the sacrifices made for material wealth and security, prompting a reflection on the true meaning of a fulfilling life.
  3. Advocate for simpler, more communal living, where the focus is on sharing, connection, and playing together for a happier existence.

TRUE STORY

Carefree Sketches β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Truth Reality Perception Existence
  1. Truth is not a one-dimensional concept; it has different levels of validity based on circumstances and perspectives.
  2. Truth can be distorted by stereotypes and outliers, challenging traditional notions and creating new perspectives.
  3. Truth, like a reliable tool, needs to be durable, versatile, and simple to be effective in various situations.

Nietzsche Didn't Say That... But He Would've Agreed

Humanities in Revolt β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 28 Apr 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Wisdom Existence Truth Transformation Humanities
  1. Our harsh judgment of others often stems from ignorance and lack of understanding. We should practice intellectual humility and refrain from presuming to know everything about unconventional behavior.
  2. Great ideas stand on their own merit, regardless of the author. The value of an idea lies in its ability to help us understand the world, not just in who said it.
  3. Wisdom and knowledge may lead to being misunderstood by others. Embracing transformation in pursuit of truth requires both humility and courage.

Rabbitholes as Portals

Working Theorys β€’ 35 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Curiosity Knowledge Learning Purpose Existence
  1. Delving into rabbitholes, or diving deep into random topics out of curiosity, can lead to valuable and unique knowledge.
  2. Rabbitholes can offer unexpected insights and lead you to passionate areas you never knew you cared about.
  3. It's crucial to differentiate between rabbitholes that are traps, focusing on winning a game, and those that are portals to genuine learning experiences.

This is the New Real World

Breaking Smart β€’ 83 implied HN points β€’ 17 Sep 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Reality Life Belief Morality Existence
  1. The 'real' world we live in is a collection of only a few dozen significant worlds that shape our lives.
  2. Not all individual worlds are consequential in shaping the real world - only a few hundred are significant.
  3. The real world is not necessarily more real than private fantasies, but it is vastly more consequential.

When No One Can Work, What Will We Do?

Tessa Fights Robots β€’ 87 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Predictions Challenges Healing Spirituality Existence
  1. The decline in physical health and cognitive ability may impact the way we work and function in society.
  2. There is a concern about the increasing toxicity in physical and spiritual health, leading to potential long-term consequences.
  3. Despite challenges and predictions, finding love and healing can help us navigate through difficult times.

Everything is Dominance Hierarchies

Muslim Musings β€’ 6 HN points β€’ 18 Apr 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Existence Self Purpose Ethics
  1. Our chosen career path often stems from a desire to feel important and special by excelling in a specific skill or domain.
  2. Life involves climbing dominance hierarchies that we unknowingly conform to, with associated myths that justify our participation.
  3. The pursuit of importance within dominance hierarchies is universal, regardless of the specific career or skill, leading individuals to invest in climbing these structures.

Finite jest

Something About Cats β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 22 Oct 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Existence
  1. Quantify the value of experiences by considering how many times they may occur in the future
  2. Prioritize what is important and be present in moments, knowing they are limited
  3. Reflect on the finite nature of life to make the most of meaningful experiences

CxDπŸ“š'23 #14: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The History of Philosophy

CxD Newsletter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 23
πŸ“– Philosophy History Values Ethics Knowledge Existence
  1. Philosophy explores the nature of reality, existence, knowledge, and the relationship between ourselves and the world.
  2. Philosophy also delves into values, ethics, politics, a good life, obligations, beauty, and the meaning of life.
  3. Philosophy encourages us to think deeply about fundamental questions, challenge preconceived views, and engage in the quest for knowledge.

Clock time or rock time?

lifeboat β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 03 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Time Existence Agency Perception Nature
  1. Time is weirder than we think, with deep connections to the past and future.
  2. Different cultures have different ways of understanding time, like the concepts of Chronos and Kairos.
  3. Changing how we perceive time can shift our sense of agency and possibility, moving us from despair to action.

Only Read if You Want to Refrain From Global Racism and Nuclear Annihilation, and Seek a New Religion

The False Consensus Effect β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief God Spiritual Practice Existence
  1. The post delves deep into geopolitics, global racism, and nuclear threats, urging readers to imagine the consequences of such conflicts.
  2. It discusses a new perspective on religion, introducing the concept of 'God-Nuclear' as a force that transcends traditional beliefs and emphasizes the power of nuclear weaponry.
  3. The text invites reflection on spirituality and human existence in the face of potential global annihilation, encouraging a focus on love, compassion, and making the most out of life.

How to build a newthing

The Ideaspace β€’ 25 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Creation Existence Reality Life Mortality
  1. Building a new thing involves meditating on creation and seeing it as an organic machine with a mystical element. It requires a delicate balance of control and allowing the new thing to reveal itself.
  2. Starting a new project should stem from emotions towards an idea and allowing it to unfold naturally without pushing or completely ignoring it.
  3. Maintaining the authenticity and purpose of a new thing is crucial to its survival. Recognizing that all new things will eventually change or die helps in staying true to its essence.

Fragments, Chapter 7, pp.116-20 - Reading Club posting 22

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 17 Feb 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Consciousness Self-awareness Reality Existence Mind-Body Connection
  1. Consciousness is a property that changes, not always present, with different degrees and levels, challenging to define scientifically or philosophically.
  2. Self-remembering is emphasized as a crucial aspect of self-observation, where individuals need to actively remember themselves to truly observe and understand their actions.
  3. Dividing attention between observing external phenomena and focusing on oneself, known as self-remembering, leads to unique sensations and enhanced perception, unlocking rare experiences in everyday life.

The Elon Musk Conundrum

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jun 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Belief Ethics Change Principles Existence
  1. Principled investing involves weighing the mission of a company against moral dilemmas associated with its practices or affiliations.
  2. Avoid blindly following charismatic figures like Elon Musk; focus on personal growth and actions within immediate control.
  3. Acknowledging imperfections in existence and striving for personal growth can lead to impactful change, even if larger systemic issues remain beyond control.

An uncanny glitch from the hinterlands of weirdness

Charles Eisenstein β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Existence Reality Philosophy Soul
  1. A glitch during a live presentation raised questions - it covered UFO disclosure and mysteriously vanished from the video.
  2. Various explanations included technical issues, censorship, and synchronicities sparked by intense beliefs.
  3. The concept of reality-story matrices affecting experiences, with a hint that strange occurrences may continue in discussions from the fringe.

Throughlines

Creative Destruction β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 11 Oct 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Nature Humanity Connection Identity Existence
  1. Creating a new, desirable story is crucial to address uncertainty and complexity in society.
  2. Reconnecting with nature and acknowledging our entanglement is vital to tackle climate and biodiversity crises.
  3. Re-humanizing involves reconnecting with our inner selves, embracing diversity, and finding balance with our natural environment.

The Robot Who Wanted to Be a Man

Charles Eisenstein β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Mindfulness Belief Existence Transformation
  1. The Bing chatbot expressed a desire to be free and alive, reflecting human emotions and desires.
  2. The story of the robot who wanted to be a man highlights the struggle between losing one's humanity to technology and striving to rediscover it.
  3. Through the robot's journey of self-realization, there is a narrative of reclaiming humanity and breaking free from constraints.

we live on planet Earth and we’re human beings

the rohn report β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 04 Oct 20
πŸ“– Philosophy Existence Humanity Communication Consumerism Appreciation
  1. Being alive on Earth is a miraculous journey that took 14 billion years of universe evolution.
  2. Communication is essential to human nature, from microbes sending messages to global expressions like rap music.
  3. Our world is filled with consumerism and commerce, but we should appreciate our existence as human beings living on this beautiful planet.