We might not have too much to say regarding what /happens/ to us, but how our day goes is absolutely our call.

#Christmas, or other holidays around the #winter #solstice are profoundly #material celebrations, which can be traced back to their #pagan roots: we celebrate the fact that we have survived another year, that the #Sun is reborn, and that the days are lengthening anew, bringing life with them. All of this is worthy of celebrating. However, I think it's also good to contemplate the fact that everything we have – our loved ones, our material possessions, our health or the chance to live another year – is not really ours but, as material things, are things loaned to us, and wholly property of the #universe we live in. And as such, we may have to give it back, willingly or not, at a moment's notice. We should keep this in mind. Celebrate merrily, but reflecting on this fact, for the twofold benefit of appreciating what we have even more, and understanding and accepting the nature and laws of the universe.

Lately, I've been researching #spiritual and #religious #traditions a lot. When I was younger I used to be an atheist fundamentalist. I was enlightened, believers were dumb. Science ruled supreme, physicalism was my creed and #RichardDawkins (PBUH) was my prophet. However, by exploring my political and thus ethical convictions, I came to the conclusion that materialism is a delusion, a self-contradicting negation of the human experience. I've considered myself an #agnostic for a while, but recently I've started to feel like this label doesn't describe me as well as it should. By no means am I a theist, at least not in the regular sense of the word. I do not believe in the literal existence of a #god, and I maintain a position that what we think about in regards to cosmology and theology is very much a reflection of our own experience. However, I've crossed a line after which I cannot deny that experience as a fundamental part of the human life. Anyone can relate? #religion #philosophy #cosmology #life #existentialism #atheism #agnosticism #atheist

Not believing in #FreeWill is lying to yourself.

#Gnosticism makes a whole lot of sense #Religion #Philosophy #Christianity

Lately I've been making an effort to go to bed and wake up every day at the same time, even on weekends. Aside from that, I've set up a simple routine for my mornings that includes meditation, a nice shower and going out. I've mostly eliminated my caffeine consumption and yet I could not feel more awake. It's surprising how far a bit of discipline and structure energizes you.

Deja vus are weird

I physically recoil when hearing about cloud-enabled consumer products

So, a thingy called the "AI Pin" has been announced by a company called "Humane" - hu.ma.ne It's a lapel pin through which you can interact with an **obviously** cloud-based AI. Just a camera that you carry around pointing forwards, that tracks you at all times. Like a smartphone, but even less privacy friendly. The technology sounds cool and exciting, I'm not gonna lie, but why not allow me to self host my own services?