![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
In ascending order of length, behind cuts (with commentary):
First, the song which opens this video is one of the best encapsulations of Epicurean philosophy I've come across, since I discovered what Epicurean philosophy is.
( A long note on the video's format (which, if you're not familiar with the channel, seems really weird) )
( We're all gonna DIE (so have a good time, and be nice to each other) -- 'Vlogbrothers channel' 3:19) )
What I find so inspiring about Epicurus is that, after accepting as given that:
He then came to the conclusion that the meaning of life is Happiness, and that Happiness = Wisdom + Friendship. I mean -- for example -- Nietzsche read Epicurean philosophy, accepted the first three givens, but then decided he wanted to end up in a very different place. Well, I know which road I'd rather travel.
Second:
( 'Simon Says' by Theresa Davis ('Button Poetry' channel 4:00) )
A poem about educators who use their power to abuse students, but it ends with a positive tone. She uses "the F-word" a few times, but it's as an exclamation of emphasis and/or surprise, rather than anger.
Third:
( The Worst-Designed Thing You've Never Noticed | Roman Mars | TED Talk (18:18) )
About what makes a good flag, and how so many city and regional flags are so bad. It's part educational presentation, partstand-up sit-down comedy. I've watched this 6 times in the last couple of days, and I still laugh out loud at all the vexillological punchlines.
It's also got me thinking of the challenge of designing a Disability Pride flag that goes beyond the blue stick-figure wheelchair person. That very well may be a separate post, soon.
First, the song which opens this video is one of the best encapsulations of Epicurean philosophy I've come across, since I discovered what Epicurean philosophy is.
( A long note on the video's format (which, if you're not familiar with the channel, seems really weird) )
( We're all gonna DIE (so have a good time, and be nice to each other) -- 'Vlogbrothers channel' 3:19) )
What I find so inspiring about Epicurus is that, after accepting as given that:
- the Cosmos is made of invisible atoms,
- we're all gonna die when our atoms eventually disperse, and:
- Death = Nonexistence
He then came to the conclusion that the meaning of life is Happiness, and that Happiness = Wisdom + Friendship. I mean -- for example -- Nietzsche read Epicurean philosophy, accepted the first three givens, but then decided he wanted to end up in a very different place. Well, I know which road I'd rather travel.
Second:
( 'Simon Says' by Theresa Davis ('Button Poetry' channel 4:00) )
A poem about educators who use their power to abuse students, but it ends with a positive tone. She uses "the F-word" a few times, but it's as an exclamation of emphasis and/or surprise, rather than anger.
Third:
( The Worst-Designed Thing You've Never Noticed | Roman Mars | TED Talk (18:18) )
About what makes a good flag, and how so many city and regional flags are so bad. It's part educational presentation, part
It's also got me thinking of the challenge of designing a Disability Pride flag that goes beyond the blue stick-figure wheelchair person. That very well may be a separate post, soon.
