The hottest Existentialism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 3

Weekly Wisdom • 198 implied HN points • 18 May 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Psychology Meaning of life
  1. The evolution of psychology is deeply intertwined with philosophy, with early psychologists being philosophers themselves.
  2. Western existentialist ideas on existence's meaninglessness and Eastern concepts like shunyata converge, yet offer different conclusions.
  3. The field of psychology has transitioned from studying dysfunction to focusing on well-being and flourishing, emphasizing the importance of a meaningful and intentional life.

Why Philosophy Is Not An Option

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Self-reflection Hedonism Existentialism
  1. Philosophy is not just a rarefied activity - it's about the basis informing our decisions and can be seen as a life operating system.
  2. Our default philosophy often revolves around seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, but self-reflection can help in moving towards more conscious decision-making.
  3. Understanding our hypocricy quotient - the gap between our beliefs and actions - can lead to deeper self-awareness and satisfaction in life.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

I don't think there's a conspiracy among AI scientists to trick the public into thinking AI might kill everyone

Philosophy bear • 118 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Beliefs
  1. Senior AI scientists emphasize the importance of addressing AI risks alongside other societal risks.
  2. There are doubts about whether AI scientists have ulterior motives in expressing concerns about AI risks.
  3. Even if the likelihood of AI risks is low, the potential consequences are severe enough to warrant serious attention and action.

jacking themselves off in outer space, forever

Banana Peel Pirouette • 59 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Metaphysics Ethics Science
  1. Both mystical and technological prophecies of salvation cater to common human desires for happiness, beauty, health, and self-improvement.
  2. Futurists present a secularized version of salvation through technological advancements, citing historical progress and scientific advancements as evidence for a utopian future.
  3. The idea of eternal bliss and immortality is being reimagined in futurism as a vision of humanity evolving into advanced beings existing in a digital, self-indulgent form in outer space.

A Postcard From The Far Side of Despair.

Trying to Understand the World • 9 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Action Hope Resistance
  1. People have given up hope for a better future and are engulfed in a sense of despair and disillusionment.
  2. Facing situations without hope doesn't always lead to despair; learning from real-life examples of resilience is crucial.
  3. In times of crisis and hopelessness, focus on practical actions within your control and act with kindness and understanding.

Planting Crops Of Meaning

Weekly Wisdom • 139 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Existentialism Spiritual Practices Worldview
  1. John Vervaeke's work provides valuable insights on existential meaning and wisdom.
  2. The meaning crisis is part of a larger meta-crisis that includes environmental, health, socio-economic, political, and judicial aspects.
  3. Vervaeke introduces the 'four P's of knowing' (propositional, procedural, perspectival, participatory) and emphasizes the need for developing perspectival and participatory knowing to combat the meaning crisis.

Yelling into the storm- a protest against mental agony

Philosophy bear • 69 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Mental health Existentialism Society Ethics Pain
  1. Sometimes, we don't have as much control over our lives as we think we do, and that realization can be scary.
  2. Mental pain is often overlooked and not given the urgent attention it deserves by society and healthcare systems.
  3. The belief that pain is character-building or insignificant unless it has noticeable effects is a harmful societal lie; we must prioritize abolishing mental agony.

Things of the Heart

Apposition • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Materialism Digital Age Human experience
  1. Objects hold hidden stories and memories, forming a connection between their history and our own.
  2. In the Digital Age, information dominates over physical objects, impacting how we interact with the world.
  3. Slowing down, forming personal relationships with objects, and engaging in meaningful action are keys to resisting the overwhelming pace of the digital world.

You aren't special

The Leftovers • 79 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Self-Improvement Life philosophy
  1. The post discusses the idea that you aren't special, challenging the belief in the 'Law of Attraction' that promotes positivity and the universe providing success.
  2. It mentions a film called 'The Secret' that has gained popularity for promoting the idea that to achieve something in life, you just have to know what you want and believe in the outcome.
  3. The post invites readers to keep reading by subscribing to The Leftovers for a 7-day free trial.

Trusted AI #007 - My thoughts on AI Existentialism

Trusted • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Existentialism Risk Assessment AGI Superintelligence
  1. In the near-term, the risk of AI causing extinction is extremely unlikely based on current knowledge.
  2. In the long-term, the risk of extinction from AI is higher but uncertain, requiring more research and caution.
  3. Efforts to reduce uncertainty about AI risks are crucial, but hasty actions could potentially do more harm than good.

The Enemy is Any Thing That Will Get Me Killed

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Society Politics
  1. The post discusses the concept that anything threatening one's survival can be considered an enemy.
  2. The author expresses frustration towards government decisions and the prioritization of weapons over social issues like homelessness.
  3. There is a reflection on feeling isolated in a society that may be considered insane by those who seek sanity and compassion.

Being Patrick Bateman

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Film Literature Societal norms Identity Existentialism
  1. The author reflects on their journey of trying to fit into the corporate machine by emulating characters like Patrick Bateman, Don Draper, and Jay Gatsby.
  2. There's a paradox in the desire to conform and fit in while also seeking identity and individuality within the structured societal norms.
  3. Ultimately, the lesson learned is to strive to be oneself rather than mold into what the machine demands, recognizing the importance of personal authenticity and contribution to life's powerful play.

Humans are Just a System, Right?

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Epistemology Ethics Metaphysics Humanity
  1. Humans are like emergent systems, made up of smaller parts that come together to create complex results.
  2. Emergence exists in various fields like economies, cities, and consciousness, implying that systems are present in many aspects of life.
  3. It's okay to not have all the answers or know your purpose, as humanity might be part of a larger system with a mysterious purpose.

Waste Your Time, Your Life May Depend On It

The Convivial Society • 4 HN points • 12 May 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Technology Human nature Society
  1. Beware of falling into the 'tyranny of tiny tasks' that can lead to exhaustion and dissatisfaction.
  2. Question the societal pressure to save time and optimize efficiency, considering what tasks truly elicit fidelity and care.
  3. Embrace a form of life that values meaningful engagement, care, and relationships over productivity and automation.

Sunday Snippets #2

Aliveness Studies • 3 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Life Time
  1. Desire and longing can be cherished as sensations in themselves, independent of the object being desired.
  2. Don't wait for permission to pursue your goals and dreams; time is finite and waiting only delays progress.
  3. Life is short and unpredictable, so value and make time for the important people in your life.

what the f* is e/acc

e/acc newsletter • 3 HN points • 26 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Optimism Thermodynamics
  1. E/acc (effective accelerationism) believes in continuous growth and technological advancement as solutions to human problems.
  2. E/acc is founded on the physics of life, emphasizing that creating structures that efficiently use energy to offload entropy is crucial for survival.
  3. E/acc promotes increasing energy usage, human flourishing, developing AI, and spreading life beyond Earth as key goals for civilization.

☞ AI, the God of the Gaps, and Our Quintessential Humanity

Cabinet of Wonders • 2 HN points • 23 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Existentialism Ethics Artificial General Intelligence Humanity
  1. AI technologies are advancing rapidly and causing society to question the essence of humanity.
  2. As AI accomplishes tasks once thought unique to humans, concerns arise about job security and existential dread.
  3. It's essential to focus on our quintessential humanity, not just what makes us unique, and find meaning in our lives beyond what AI can do.