Listening to @HistPhilosophy about the desert fathers, and can’t help but remember this gem from @TheToast http://the-toast.net/2016/02/23/the-desert-fathers/

sweet jesus, that’s not philosophy, you’re eating m̧̺͔̳̙͍̫͆ë͙̰̻͖̄ͦ̃͒͗̈́m̱̭ͤ̄̎̓̚̚͠ĕ͉͚ͯ͋ͫ͜s̨̲̳̞̟ͥͅ

From “Millennials and the Ruins of Romance” (@ztsamudzi being amazing, as always):

”Romance—as dictated by dominant ideas and driven by the desires to peddle consumer goods like household appliances on carefully constructed family units—is an impossible-to-redeem mode of understanding love and intimacy and human interaction taught to us by capitalism.”

I would respond to

“We generally want to feel lovable, desirable, worthy, and seen, and we are taught that our ability to be any of these things comes, most importantly, from romantic partners. So why wouldn’t young people, in a period of increasingly relentless demands made by late capitalism, use the resources they have at their disposal to feel these intimacies and desirabilities as frequently as possible?”

with: yes, most of us are taught that, constantly, from all directions. That we are taught, however, is the point: it is a learned behaviour which can be unlearned.

Using the resources given to us by late capitalism to fulfill the needs bought about by late capitalism is all well and good, and I agree that for people to complain that the result is “millennials ruining romance” is ridiculous. But at least for me, the beginning of a constructive solution is to step outside of this system. Start to purposefully unlearn these associations, disassociate self-worth from romantic/sexual relationships, and consciously relate in ways not based on insecurity and love scarcity.

“I take off my glasses & there it is: absolute beauty, surrounded by a sea of lovely analogue blur… and that proximity to something, or more importantly; someone, carries with it an intimacy, the instinct of which is far more important & emotionally valuable than any premeditated intent”

Tim Prebble on lenses and myopia, Lens vs Microphone (& why i love myopia)

I only agree with about half of what I’ve read so far on thebookoflife.org, but it’s some of the most interesting, detailed, honest writing I’ve come across in a long time. Concise, philosophical analysis which glories in small everyday things. Maybe a good world-viewing lens to add to the collection.

“To Siri, With Love” highlights Siri as an excellent example of respectful, responsible technology which embodies moral values, and the ambient, unexpected positive effects of doing so.

“[Whilst] rational actor models are, in themselves, morally blameless… …the use of such models to change the world is not morally neutral. Rational-actor models are metaphorical human constructions humanly imposed. They are not a feature of the world in itself. They can be used insightfully or not, fruitfully or not. How we choose to use them is not a “rational choice” as defined in the models. Not to understand this is truly irrational” — Lakoff & Johnson, Philosophy in the Flesh

#TTC Chapter 26

Here's the twenty sixth #TaoTeChing chapter. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/26/

The heavy is the root of the light.
The still is the master of unrest.

Therefore the sage, traveling all day,
Does not lose sight of his baggage.
Though there are beautiful things to be seen,
He remains unattached and calm.

Why should the lord of ten thousand chariots act lightly in public?
To be light is to lose one's root.

To be restless is to lose one's control.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC chapter 25

Here's the twenty fifth chapter of the #taoteching. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at

Something mysteriously formed,
Born before heaven and Earth.
In the silence and the void,
Standing alone and unchanging,
Ever present and in motion.
Perhaps it is the mother of ten thousand things.
I do not know its name Call it Tao.
For lack of a better word,
I call it great.

Being great, it flows It flows far away.
Having gone far, it returns.

Therefore,
"Tao is great;
Heaven is great;
Earth is great;
The king is also great." These are the four great powers of the universe,
And the king is one of them.

Man follows Earth.
Earth follows heaven.
Heaven follows the Tao.

Tao follows what is natural

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 23

Here's the twenty third chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/23/

To talk little is natural.
High winds do not last all morning.
Heavy rain does not last all day.
Why is this? Heaven and Earth! If heaven and Earth cannot make things eternal,
How is it possible for man?
He who follows the Tao Is at one with the Tao.
He who is virtuous Experiences Virtue.
He who loses the way Is lost.
When you are at one with the Tao,
The Tao welcomes you.
When you are at one with Virtue,
The Virtue is always there.
When you are at one with loss,
The loss is experienced willingly.

He who does not trust enough Will not be trusted.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 22

Here's the twenty second chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/22/

Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.

Therefore the wise embrace the one And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.
Therefore the ancients say,
"Yield and overcome." Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,

And all things will come to you.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 21

Here's today's chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments, or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/21/

The greatest Virtue is to follow Tao and Tao alone.
The Tao is elusive and intangible.
Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image.
Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form.
Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is essence.
This essence is very real, and therein lies faith.
From the very beginning until now its name has never been forgotten.
Thus I perceive the creation.
How do I know the ways of creation?

Because of this.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 20 Here's the twentieth chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Another long one today! Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/20/

Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.

Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense! Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.
In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,
But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am.
Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.
Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool.
Oh, yes! I am confused.
Others are clear and bright, But I alone am dim and weak.
Others are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid. Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.
Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 19

A nice one today. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/19/

Give up sainthood, renounce wisdom, And it will be a hundred times better for everyone.

Give up kindness, renounce morality, And men will rediscover filial piety and love.

Give up ingenuity, renounce profit, And bandits and thieves will disappear.

These three are outward forms alone; they are not sufficient in themselves.
It is more important To see the simplicity,
To realise one's true nature,

To cast off selfishness And temper desire.

#taoTeChing #taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 18

Here's #TaoTeChing chapter 18 people. What do you think Lao Tzu is trying to say? Let me know in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/18/

When the great Tao is forgotten, Kindness and morality arise.
When wisdom and intelligence are born, The great pretense begins.

When there is no peace within the family, Filial piety and devotion arise.

When the country is confused and in chaos, Loyal ministers appear.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 17

Here's today's chapter from the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/17/

The very highest if barely known.
Then comes that which people know and love.
Then that which is feared,
Then that which is despised.

Who does not trust enough will not be trusted.

When actions are performed Without unnecessary speech,
People say, "We did it!"

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 16

Here's #TaoTeChing chapter 16. Let me know your thoughts on it in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/16/

Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind become still.
The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
The way of nature is unchanging.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy, the mind is open.
With an open mind, you will be openhearted.
Being openhearted, you will act royally.
Being royal, you will attain the divine.
Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao.
Being at one with the Tao is eternal.
And though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 15

Another long #TaoTeChing chapter today! Let me know what it means to you in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/15/

The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable, All we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy pools.

Who can wait quietly while the mud settles? Who can remain still until the moment of action?
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 14

Another long one today! Let me know what you think it means in the comments.

Accept disgrace willingly.
Accept misfortune as the human condition.

Look, it cannot be seen - it is beyond form.
Listen, it cannot be heard - it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held - it is intangible.
These three are indefinable;
Therefore they are joined in one.

From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark:
An unbroken thread beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
The form of the formless,
The image of the imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination.

Stand before it and there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the ancient Tao,
Move with the present.

Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao.

#taoism #taoteching #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 13

Thirteenth Chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments!

Accept disgrace willingly.
Accept misfortune as the human condition.

What do you mean by "Accept disgrace willingly"?
Accept being unimportant.
Do not be concerned with loss or gain.
This is called "accepting disgrace willingly."

What do you mean by "Accept misfortune as the human condition"?
Misfortune comes from having a body.
Without a body, how could there be misfortune?

Surrender yourself humbly;
then you can be trusted to care for all things.
Love the world as your own self;
then you can truly care for all things.

#taoism #philosophy