In a society dominated by algorithmic systems, modern audiences encounter content shaped by automated aesthetics. While this is widely acknowledged, what matters is understanding the historical continuity behind this mechanism. There is a clear line connecting ideology, image, and algorithm — a causal chain that brings us into the condition of contemporary modernity. In Immortality,… Continue reading Ideology, Image and Algorithm
Between the years of 1642 and 1651, the UK was in total turmoil as the Royalist and Parliamentarist forces competed to lead the way for the union’s future. One man, utterly disturbed by the skirmishes resulting in an uncertain future and a death toll of around 200.000, strived to find out how this outcome could… Continue reading Hobbes and artificial intelligence — the meta-Leviathan
Artificial intelligence is all the rage at the moment (plus there’s plenty of rage against it too). AI has blown up in popularity in the past couple of years thanks to large language models or LLMs like ChatGPT and Claude along with generative-AI tools such as Sora and Runway. Many naysayers assert AI is used… Continue reading Will AI Transform Human Thought?
In Buddhism, it is taught that the root cause of suffering and rebirth are the three poisons of greed, hatred and ignorance. Buddhism does not teach that humanity will collectively overcome the three poisons but rather they will repeat across time as recurring challenges in the human journey, though Nirvana is the way to ending… Continue reading How Buddhism’s Concept of The Three Poisons Can Inform Our Current Predicament
Ghosting, benching and breadcrumbing, the new fashionable terms related to modern dating which have been multiplying rapidly lately. Currently, every social media platform overflows with publications focused purely on love and how to interpret it. Although these terms are relatively recent, obsessing over love is certainly not a new phenomenon: the first love poem, The… Continue reading Schopenhauer and modern dating
The fast-paced nature of modern society leaves little room for stillness and self-reflection. Increasingly, much of our decision-making operates around a growing sense of urgency. This urgency originates from the need to keep up to date with self-imposed timelines. Many of us have goals that involve reaching a certain milestone within a particular timeframe, as… Continue reading To wait or to rush — the philosophy of moving at your own pace
What if I were to tell you that the US government and media is controlled by a secret cabal of devil-worshippers who are organising the mass kidnapping of children? Well, according to a recent poll, 17% of Americans believe this to be the case. Another 30% believe the 2020 US presidential election was stolen from… Continue reading Descartes and the deep state — what 17th-century philosophy reveals about Trump and QAnon
When we conjure up ancient philosophers, the image that springs to mind might be a bald Socrates discoursing with young men in the sun, or a scholarly Aristotle lecturing among cool columns. But what about Aspasia, the foreign mistress of the foremost politician in Athens who gave both political and erotic advice? Or Sosipatra, mystic,… Continue reading Wise women — six ancient female philosophers you should know about
Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus, is an 1818 novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Set in the late 18th century, it follows scientist Victor Frankenstein’s creation of life and the terrible events that are precipitated by his abandonment of his creation. It is a Gothic novel in that it combines supernatural elements with horror, death and… Continue reading Frankenstein — how Mary Shelley’s sci-fi classic offers lessons for us today about the dangers of playing god
A cultural critic rails against a society that worships celebrity and prizes images over ideas. A progressive intellectual attacks the dominance of corporate elites. A curmudgeonly academic condemns his society’s ignorance of its past and the dumbing down of public education. A psychologically astute writer explores the conflicts eddying around gender and sexuality. Who are… Continue reading Seer of the selfie — in the culture of narcissism, Christopher Lasch excoriated his self-absorbed society
