Our lives are driven by emotion. No matter how much we rationalize or reason, at the core of all of our actions exist emotions. An inherent desire to feel good, so much so, that it is built into our biology. The very idea of dopamine reflects this, and it is a major part of freudianContinue reading “There’s No Satisfying the Instant Gratification Monkey”
Category Archives: Culture
Pastimes, Passed Time, and the Past: Life During Lockdown and Our Perception of Time
“Everyone is unique.” We’ve all heard this feel-good mantra, and recognise those little details that shape the ways in which, we think, feel and speak, all of which indeed do make us unique. However when considering our individuality a little more deeply, we may come across certain ideas which shift our understanding of all humanContinue reading “Pastimes, Passed Time, and the Past: Life During Lockdown and Our Perception of Time”
The Simulation Hypothesis: Is It All Real?
The idea that everything you can touch, all the people you know, every memory, every experience, every sensation you’ve ever had, is all merely a part of some simulation, is an extremely disconcerting proposition to say the least. But, does this crazy idea supported by everyone from Elon Musk to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson haveContinue reading “The Simulation Hypothesis: Is It All Real?”
The Joy of Tragedy
While hunting for something to read a few days ago, I came across what seemed to be quite an interesting novel—A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Reputed to be one of the “most depressing books ever,” it seemed to come with a promise to shock the reader with its dark themes and painfully descriptive writing.Continue reading “The Joy of Tragedy”
Stoicism and Marcus Aurelius: Lessons from a Roman Philosopher-King for Living the “Good Life”
The “Last Good Emperor” of Rome, Marcus Aurelius, was quite literally the most powerful man in the world when he was alive (in the latter half of the 2nd century CE) being at the helm of the Roman Empire at it’s peak, one of the greatest civilisations the world has ever known. Having in hisContinue reading “Stoicism and Marcus Aurelius: Lessons from a Roman Philosopher-King for Living the “Good Life””
Aesthetics, Herd Mentality and Social Identity Theory: Why You Should Just Be Yourself!
In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. Friedrich Nietzsche Our conception of what is beautiful, what is aesthetically pleasing, what art, music or poetry is worthy of appreciation, should ideally be instinctive, something you are not consciously aware of. The subconscious nature of the feeling it evokes, shouldContinue reading “Aesthetics, Herd Mentality and Social Identity Theory: Why You Should Just Be Yourself!”
Political Correctness and Free Expression in the Realm of Comedy
A recently resurfaced video of an Indian stand-up comedian had many people out for blood, both online and offline. In the clip, comic Agrima Joshua joked about the upcoming Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue that is to be made in the Arabian Sea. She described some of the comments she had read online that spoke aboutContinue reading “Political Correctness and Free Expression in the Realm of Comedy”
Ad Hominem Politics: We Don’t Have A Healthy Political Discourse
There will always exist a dispute amongst two or more parties in politics with a different set of beliefs, and with that will always exist partisanship. However, a democracy allows for the fruition of debate and argument to put that dispute to a rest by the majority’s vote. Yet this vote can be manipulated withContinue reading “Ad Hominem Politics: We Don’t Have A Healthy Political Discourse”
The Candid Contrarian 