The hottest Existentialism Substack posts right now

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Meaningless day job

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 21
📖 Philosophy Nihilism Existentialism
  1. Sometimes we choose to ignore inconvenient meanings and pretend not to notice. This is a form of nihilizing.
  2. We may try to justify our nihilizing behavior by coming up with rational reasons to believe that everything is meaningless.
  3. The concept of a meaningless day job is explored, shedding light on the fallacies linked to meaninglessness.

All Life is a Stage

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Self Epistemology
  1. The post discusses the concept that all life is like a stage, implying that our lives are like a performance that we play out.
  2. The content assumes that readers have a basic understanding of fourth way literature, suggesting a specific level of familiarity required for engaging with the material.
  3. Access to the full post is limited to paid subscribers, highlighting the exclusive nature of the content.

Ryan Seffinger: The Creative Spirit and the Horizon of the Possible

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 21
📖 Philosophy Political Philosophy Social Critique Existentialism
  1. The left must be wary of getting caught up in protests and demands without a clear alternative political-economic model to capitalism.
  2. Engaging with capitalism while criticizing it creates a paradox - we need to deeply understand and question the systems we're part of.
  3. To envision true innovation beyond the constraints of capitalism, we must broaden our collective imagination and seek solutions outside the current system.

Don’t try to optimise life decisions

Tecnica • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Decision-making Existentialism Rationality Chaos Theory Human behavior
  1. Life decisions can be unpredictable, and overthinking them isn't always helpful. Sometimes, a seemingly small choice can lead to big changes.
  2. We often need to balance enjoying the present and thinking about the future when making decisions. It's a choice between being happy now or planning for what's ahead.
  3. Accept that life is a chaotic system, and not every decision will turn out the way you expect. It's okay to embrace the uncertainty instead of trying to control everything.
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Are “Unconscious” People conscious?

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Ethics Neurology Cognition Existentialism
  1. Scientists can now better tell if people in vegetative states are aware of their surroundings or can regain consciousness. This helps distinguish between those who can't react at all and those who have some mental activity.
  2. Consciousness is linked to specific brain activities. Researchers can use tools like EKGs and MRIs to recognize these brain patterns that indicate someone is conscious.
  3. Future technology might allow people with locked-in syndrome to communicate or control devices just by thinking. This could be a major breakthrough for better understanding and helping these patients.

On winning lotteries

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 11
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Social theory Metaphysics Political Philosophy
  1. Life has factors beyond our control that shape our destinies. It's important to recognize that genetics, geography, and financial status play roles in our opportunities.
  2. Different political views may accept the idea of unequal starting points, but they react differently to the consequences of that inequality.
  3. There are three main 'lotteries' in life: your genetics, where you're born, and your family's financial situation, and it's worth thinking about how you would prioritize these in terms of their impact on your life.

The Cloud and the Soup

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Epistemology Ontology Existentialism Aesthetics
  1. Clouds can be unique in their shapes and appearances. Each cloud can remind us of personal experiences, making them feel special.
  2. Clouds share universal qualities with each other and everything in nature. At a basic level, everything is connected and similar, regardless of differences.
  3. There are patterns and structures in the universe that help us understand how things relate. Looking for similarities can help find connections, but it's also interesting to explore what remains the same despite changes.

Stories with four characters

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 26 May 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Metaphysics Narrative Theory Cognitive Science Strategic Thinking
  1. Stories can have four key characters: you, your opponents, the known, and the unknown. This helps create a clear strategy in any situation.
  2. Using four characters can bring a sense of stability compared to just three. It's about finding balance and understanding different perspectives.
  3. In both stories and computer science, the concept of four relates to structure and relationships. Recognizing these connections can deepen our understanding of both fields.

Long-range dependance

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Aesthetics Epistemology
  1. Sometimes, the value of something isn't about how complete it is, but about the impact of specific parts. For instance, losing the last page of a story can feel like a big deal, while a missing page in a dictionary doesn’t change much.
  2. Different experiences in life have varying levels of importance. Some events or moments are like the very valuable pages in a novel, while others are just pages that don’t add much to our overall experience.
  3. We should think about what makes our daily experiences worthwhile. Just like in a book, some days or moments can bring a lot of joy while others might not seem significant at all.

Know when to stop searching

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Knowledge Cognition Metaphysics
  1. Having courage can inspire more courage in others. Being brave can create a chain reaction of bravery.
  2. Focusing too much on every detail can lead to feelings of meaninglessness. When everything is known, it can feel like nothing matters.
  3. Having choices is great, but having too many can complicate things. It helps to set some limits to make decision-making easier.

The world is an open system

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Narratives Cognition Science Worldview
  1. The world gives us a fresh start every day. This means we can change our stories and try new things, even if it feels hard sometimes.
  2. Simpler stories often hold more power in our lives. They can connect us better and are easier for everyone to relate to, even if they're vague.
  3. Some ideas stick around longer because of our shared experiences and how we connect with each other. This can make it tough to change our perspectives or break old habits.

unfinished thoughts

Midnight Musings • 0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 22
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Self-reflection Human behavior
  1. Taking proactive action helps you imagine a better future, rather than just reacting to everything around you. Creating space for your thoughts can lead to more meaningful personal growth.
  2. Our belief in what we're doing influences our health more than we might think. Instead of following strict health guidelines, listening to our bodies and trusting our instincts may lead to better well-being.
  3. What does 'home' really mean? It might be less about a physical place and more about feeling at peace and connected with ourselves and others.

Will I regret this decision when I die?

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Decision-making Life choices Risk-taking Personal Growth
  1. Most decisions in life are simple and don't have significant consequences. It's okay to make mistakes on these easy choices.
  2. A small percentage of decisions are really important and can change your life. These are the choices that we should think about carefully.
  3. To live a fulfilling life, it's better to take risks and reduce regrets. Choosing what excites you is key to avoiding a life full of 'what ifs.'