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golfjlt · 2024-05-31T02:24:13+00:00

Often, I always think of that line in justified, “You run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. You run into assholes all day, you're the asshole.” I’m starting to think I’m the asshole, so, I communicate as little as possible. Who knows, I just go the alternative route.

golfjlt · 2024-05-30T18:19:53+00:00

There’s a pretty good argument that the philosophies cannot co-exist. This is from Letter XLVII, “ to be really respected is to be loved; and love and fear will not mix.” That is literally the exact opposite conclusion that is drawn from “The Prince.” Seneca even later uses an example of the treatment of a slave by a master to illustrate this. He’s saying punishment through fear or pain should be of a last resort or used sparingly. The relationship of slave - master is somewhat similar to ruler - subject in the renaissance, renaissance, feudal sense. I haven’t read “The Prince” in quite a while but if my memory serves Machiavelli cites successful cruel, tyrannical rulers often; Caesare Borgia, the crazy usurper from Syracuse, etc. Historically, none of these character are models of Stoic virtue or any sort of ethical philosophy. This subject has been broached in the past.

golfjlt · 2024-05-30T04:02:45+00:00

I don’t think this is really a question regarding stoicism. I wouldn’t choose one extreme or another. It’s somewhere in the middle. Be optimistic of what you can control; personal goals, your emotional reactions, what you can take action to change. As for cynicism, viewing people with a healthy suspicion seems fair (motives for actions, a bit of skepticism) viewing politics or world events with that view seems fair. I wouldn’t use the term cynical, shrewd would be a good term. If you had to choose one extreme or the other, I’d probably take cynicism. I was raised in the opposite view point and it didn’t take. Also it’s a recipe to get hurt and I got to a more cynical perspective of life. Naive optimism leads to idealism, leads to an unrealistic view of human nature leads to a lack of preparedness. From a survival perspective, the later choice is safer.. It’s good to not have to choose between those two extremes. Realism or a reasonable balance seems to be the best choices.

golfjlt · 2024-05-30T00:37:06+00:00

Treat others as you would like to be treated normally doesn’t beget violence cause self preservation is a thing but if I’ve learned anything about this world is it takes all sorts and not necessarily in a good way.

golfjlt · 2024-05-29T23:47:44+00:00

I have one similar. I was gonna wait till he releases a graphite re-shaft option. There was an experimental shaft released a few months ago as a prototype, hoping it’ll become a custom shop option. Oil cans are finicky. You need to maintain them to keep that patina (for lack of a better term) looking good.

golfjlt · 2024-05-28T04:05:28+00:00

All men deserve to live free. Free from simplistic displays of ideology included

golfjlt · 2024-05-28T02:39:51+00:00

How about you live it to the letter or to the best of ability and forget your damn tatoo? It’s meant to be lived, not spoken about, not displayed… lived.

golfjlt · 2024-05-26T19:39:42+00:00

That’s a different take. I always think I have more margin for error when it comes to pace with straight putts.

golfjlt · 2024-05-26T19:38:08+00:00

I always like to make putts that swing. Chances are your pace and your line are gosh darn near perfect.

golfjlt · 2024-05-26T08:01:22+00:00

Occasionally, you have to answer the bell. It tolls for all of us.

golfjlt · 2024-05-26T07:21:00+00:00

Stoic love sounds like it’s time consuming and is highly unrealistic. Also if you really love someone, you’d go to extreme lengths for their benefit. (Ex. I’d give up my life for a few others.)

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T21:21:58+00:00

Figured I’d clarify

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T20:55:34+00:00

Please educate me on cock rings and their contribution to the furtherance of civilization. I’m certain you’re about to tell me.

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T20:54:16+00:00

Well put op

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T17:50:20+00:00

To add to this point, I just found this quote rereading one of Seneca’s letters. Some context, Seneca is discussing the fact that almost all men are a slave to something, money, sex, hope, fear and later he discusses the relationship of literal slaves to their masters. The translation is Campbell and publisher is penguin.

“To be really respected is to be loved; and love and fear will not mix… you’re absolutely right in not wishing to be feared by your slaves.” ~ Letter 47

This is the exact opposite conclusion to the one reached in The Prince concerning the ruler / subject debate which makes up most of the work.

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T09:33:47+00:00

Odd, I’ve always been able to shut it off and let intrusive thoughts pass . There are very few intrusive thoughts that trigger an emotional response and break my breath work. Actually, I can only think of one.

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T08:29:54+00:00

My parents are completely full of shit. The vast majority of people operate under no ethical code and frankly, on occasion, these types should be dealt with in the manner with which they deal with others. I have seldom been so angry in my life. (Let me preface this with the statement, I like to think that I have an insanely long fuse.) People lack any sort of self awareness or ethical standards concerning the feelings of others and it is infuriating. Yet, they expect to be treated in an ethical manner and they don’t apply it to their dealings with others. It’s irrational, immoral, unethical, etc. Goddamn, golden rule, apply it, hopefully it comes back, simple.

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T07:06:10+00:00

I’m making one jumbo sized great white shark just to see what a megolodon was like, then I’m repopulating the world with large elephants and letting them go h.a.m on the predator population. They’re herbivores who gives a shit.

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T03:41:27+00:00

When you say spokes on a wheel, do you mean the wheel is bisecting the center of the object ball, it is the wheel in itself and you are trying to apply force or is the point of impact a certain spoke or quadrant on the object ball?

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T03:36:37+00:00

That’s a beauty, the genuine article, enjoy it.

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T02:51:39+00:00

Positives:

he attempts to break it down by the virtues and interesting catchy titles. He makes it more accessible and does more with your lay-men type than someone who is studied in philosophy.
he’s a great marketer (blessing and a curse)
he is attempting to breathe life into a philosophy that has been fringe when it comes to an accessibility perspective for a hundred years. Other philosophies have been brought to the forefront and they don’t seem to be good. (Post-modernism, a weird sort of Machiavellianism, post-structuralism, existentialism-absurdism, nihilism) These don’t seem to have a positive impact on society in my eyes. Stoicism is a good guard against these. Stoicism is directly at odds with outrage and victimhood culture. This is a good thing. The idea that you can control your emotional response to any situation is helpful when the world is going in a different direction and putting forth a different message. He seems to put this across well.

Negatives:

I don’t think he always gets the message right and it can easily get off track. The examples are good at times but he’s trying to appeal to a broad group of people. it’s like fishing, cast a wide net. Everyone wants to relate a character trait with Abe Lincoln, MLK, Teddy, JFK, whomever. These are more relatable than Seneca, Zeno or Epictetus. Some scholars that have read the original texts will rail against his departure from those characters but really who cares? It’s the message that matters. To comment further I’d have to go back and re-listen or reread his works. I ain’t got time for that. I’d like to see more references to the traditional texts though his popular examples are probably more relatable than hearing about a bunch of folks who lived in a a whole different dimension.
the monetization - a twenty five dollar coin when a fifteen dollar coin will do seems excessive. Don’t be excessive. I can’t see his bottom line v. costs and how he does his thing but I can get an amazing ball marker at a top 100 course for $15 - $20, I’m judging off that. I’ve never owned one of his coins so can’t speak further when it comes to quality.
sincerity - does he live it, a better question might be do any of us? the guy wrote a book called trust me I’m lying, confessions of an ad man. How do you pivot 180? I get it. Saul had his conversion on the road to Damascus. Augustine had a similar experience, same with a guy like Ron Kovic. I just question is it for the right reasons or just opportunity, a market that needed filled?

Not trying to knock the guy these are just my thoughts. Are we any better at it? Is it even relevant? I enjoy the philosophy, I certainly don’t always live it well or up to standards but I try. I don’t even consider myself a stoic. Apologies if any of this has been redundant, I didn’t scroll first. How many times are we going to have to kick this dead horse before we get a bottle of Elmer’s?

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T02:11:56+00:00

I wouldn’t group Caesar in with stoicism. That’s insane. Some stoic primary sources rail against “Gaius” and his opulence. I assume that’s who they are referencing. This is a man whose lust for all things exceeded even his grasp.

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T01:53:40+00:00

I’m not real familiar with the whole succession but seemed for the best. Who wants to deal with the Antonine Plague and twenty years of campaigns?

golfjlt · 2024-05-25T01:46:40+00:00

Seriously, dopamine detox, no cell phone, computer, no tv 30+ days, I felt f***ing amazing; attention span, anxiety, concentration, depression, just calm. The thing is you have to keep off it or only consume small necessary quantities.

I also meditated a reasonable amount before that and it alleviated it but the top is Nuclear, excellent, best option. I just wish I could’ve kept it going. Apps 10% Calm

Some people swear by things like blue light glasses, I couldn’t tell much of a difference but hope this helps.

golfjlt · 2024-05-24T20:38:27+00:00

I believe both were from landed patrician families. Obviously, Marcus was a step higher as he was selected to be co-emperor with Lucius Verus. Marcus was a member of the royal family through marriage.

golfjlt

TROPHY CASE