quibblemuch's page

Please just shoot me.

Vibe Coding

It’s like Arthur C. Clarke said: Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from one of those weird mall stores that smells heavily of cheap sandalwood incense amd sells quartz at an insane markup.

So prescient…

Challenge: see how far down a bottle of your choice you can get before saying 'Fickle squirrel pickle squabble' out loud devolves into utter gibberish.

For the first five years I lived in the American South, everything everyone said sounded like 'Fickle squirrel pickle squabble'!

Woot woot! Congratulations!

...as I get older, it gets harder and harder to focus on things I don't care about.

*raises hands; sways*

Testify!

Sorry to hear about the dull game, Cal. I feel you pain--right now I'm bored pretty stiff by the current campaign our table is on. It's not the campaign itself... but if you can't say anything nice, as they say, talk to Monkey Santa.

This weekend it's going to be 74 on Saturday and 47 on Sunday so I'm going to be as confused as a groundhog in a strobe light.

BOOOOOOOOOO

Are you saying BOOOO or BOOOO-urns?

"Prometheus was a Greek titan who stole fire from the workshop of Hepatitis."

This explains that whole "eagle eating his liver" punishment!

Heh, heh, heh... are you familiar with the "sword-cane" concept? It's like that...

*Peel! Stab!*

Five decades on this earth and I haven't heard that song till now. Everyone I've ever met has failed me until this moment.

*explodes after being poked with a pointed stick*

Just got back from Ghana. UK BORDER FORCE didn't confiscate the sticks I brought back, which was nice.

Wot's all this then? Sticks?

quibblemuch wrote:

Clearly a nap is in order. Mmm... nap...

I love naps. So much so that I carry them with me in a bag, a napsack if you will.

HiYO!

I knew a guy who hated crime so much he became a lich so he could fight it for eternity.

That's undeadication.

Been sick most of the past week, so this weekend is kind of low-key. Got the dogs out with my rucksack this morning, went to lunch, and that about feels like it for the day. Clearly a nap is in order. Mmm... nap...

GAH!

Did you remember to check the closets? :-)

I'm still here, aren't I?

:p

VCR tapes are scary…

The tracking... never quite right... no matter how much you adjust it...

One of the few movies that really freaked me out. I watched it mid-afternoon alone in the house and still had to check every room when I was done.

It's a perfectly cromulent name.

Gasp!

Clearly Drejk is pulling some sort of The Ring shenanigans with his blog monsters! Quick! Forward it to someone else before the 7 days are up and it kills you!

Yep. LLMs can now bullshit at a college sophomore level.

Weep for the future, Na'toth. Weep for us all.

Could you please summarize the works of 20th century philosopher Johann Cellarius?

Johann Cellarius (1866–1929) was a German philosopher, though not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, he made notable contributions to philosophy, particularly in areas of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. While he is not as famous as figures like Kant, Hegel, or Nietzsche, his work still holds significance within specific philosophical circles.

Works:

Cellarius’s philosophical output mainly focused on reconciling idealism with the emerging scientific worldview of the 20th century. His works were characterized by a deep engagement with metaphysics and a desire to understand the nature of reality. Some of his most important works include:

• System der Philosophie (System of Philosophy), which outlines his comprehensive approach to philosophy.
• Die Philosophie der Gegenwart (The Philosophy of the Present), which touches on contemporary philosophical issues and how they relate to modern life.

Impact:

1. Metaphysical Synthesis: Cellarius sought to bridge the gap between traditional idealism (particularly the German idealist tradition) and the natural sciences. In doing so, he attempted to establish a philosophical system that could be applicable to both the subjective and objective dimensions of reality.
2. Influence on Idealism: His commitment to idealism shaped his views on the relationship between mind and world, and he sought a metaphysical foundation for the subjective experience while taking seriously the findings of modern science.
3. Ethics and Humanism: He also contributed to ethical thought, emphasizing human dignity, morality, and individual freedom, which aligned with the broader currents of German humanism at the time.
Though not as widely studied today, Cellarius’s work influenced a generation of German philosophers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing a philosophical bridge between idealism and the more materialistic and scientific philosophies that emerged later in the century.

In summary, Johann Cellarius is remembered for his efforts to integrate traditional metaphysical frameworks with modern scientific and ethical concerns, positioning him as an important, though relatively lesser-known, figure in 20th-century philosophy.

That's helpful. Can you provide more details about the philosopher Johann Cellarius's specific ideas about metaphysics?

Johann Cellarius’s metaphysical ideas were deeply influenced by German idealism, particularly the works of Hegel, Kant, and Fichte, but he also responded to the challenges posed by the rise of natural science and its materialistic worldview in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Key Ideas in Cellarius’s Metaphysics:

1. Reconciliation of Idealism and Naturalism: One of Cellarius's central concerns was reconciling idealist philosophy with the discoveries of modern science. He believed that traditional idealism, which emphasized the role of consciousness or the mind in constituting reality, needed to be adapted in light of empirical scientific progress. For Cellarius, there was no fundamental conflict between idealism and the findings of the natural sciences. Rather, he thought that the two could be integrated within a larger metaphysical system.

He saw reality as fundamentally structured by both mental (or subjective) and physical (or objective) dimensions, but he didn’t reduce one to the other. Instead, he believed that both perspectives were necessary for understanding the nature of existence. His metaphysics attempted to bridge the "gap" between the two by suggesting that the physical world and the mind were not separate entities but two aspects of the same fundamental reality.

2. The Role of Consciousness: For Cellarius, consciousness was central to his metaphysical project. However, his view of consciousness was not purely idealistic (in the sense that all of reality is dependent on consciousness), nor was it purely materialistic. He believed consciousness played an essential role in shaping the world, but he didn’t reduce it to mere subjective experience. Consciousness was thought to have a structuring or organizing role in the formation of reality itself.
Cellarius saw consciousness as a kind of “organizing principle” that gives form and structure to the otherwise chaotic flux of the world. However, he also believed that the physical world had an objective existence independent of individual minds. This means that reality, for him, had both an independent and subjective nature that could not be reduced to either consciousness or materiality alone.

3. Concept of Totality: One of the key metaphysical ideas in Cellarius’s system is his conception of totality. He believed that the universe should be understood as an interconnected whole, where everything is related and dependent on one another. The human mind is a part of this totality, but it is not separate from the universe it perceives. Instead, the mind participates in the unfolding of reality and is intertwined with the whole system.

4. Dialectical Process: Influenced by Hegelian dialectics, Cellarius’s metaphysics involved a process of development or becoming. He believed that reality is not static but is constantly unfolding through dialectical processes—conflict, synthesis, and resolution. This dialectical process was present in both the external, physical world and the internal, mental world. For Cellarius, history, thought, and nature all evolve through a dialectical development that reflects the dynamic nature of reality.

5. The Role of Freedom and Human Agency: In his metaphysical framework, Cellarius placed great importance on human freedom and agency. While he believed the world was governed by universal laws, he did not think these laws negated human freedom. Instead, he viewed freedom as an essential aspect of human existence, arguing that humans, as part of the total system of reality, could shape their own lives through rational action. The human mind, within its dialectical development, could transcend determinism and contribute to the unfolding of the world.

6. Critique of Reductionism: Cellarius rejected the growing trend of reductionism that was becoming popular in scientific thought during his time, especially in relation to the physical sciences. He criticized the idea that all of reality could be explained by reducing it to its smallest material components or that everything could be explained through purely mechanical or materialist laws. In his view, this reductionist approach failed to account for the richness and complexity of human experience and consciousness. He believed that both idealist and materialist perspectives had their place, but both needed to be integrated within a more comprehensive metaphysical system.

7. Ontology of Becoming: Cellarius’s ontology was not static; he focused on becoming rather than being. He emphasized the processual nature of reality, where all things were in a state of flux and development. This notion of becoming was influenced by Hegel’s idea that the absolute is a dynamic process that unfolds through time. For Cellarius, the universe was not a finished or completed entity but an ongoing, evolving process that was continually unfolding toward greater complexity and integration.

Summary:

Cellarius’s metaphysics were an attempt to bridge idealism and naturalism, emphasizing a view of reality as a total, interconnected process in which consciousness and the physical world play complementary roles. He rejected reductionism and instead proposed that reality could not be explained solely through material components or through subjective idealism. Instead, both mind and matter were seen as interconnected aspects of a larger, dialectical process of becoming. Through this system, he sought to provide a more holistic and dynamic understanding of existence, one that could incorporate the advancements of modern science without sacrificing the richness of human consciousness and agency.

Interesting. How did Cellarius's early life, particularly his relationship with (and broken engagement to) Klara Schnuckiputzi impact his efforts to bridge idealism and naturalism?

Johann Cellarius’s early life, including his relationship with Klara Schnuckiputzi and their broken engagement, appears to have had a complex impact on his philosophical development, particularly his efforts to bridge idealism and naturalism. While there’s no specific, detailed account in the historical record about how his personal life directly influenced his metaphysical system, we can speculate that the emotional and intellectual challenges he faced during this time may have played a role in shaping his philosophical views.

Relationship with Klara Schnuckiputzi:

From what is known about his life, Johann Cellarius was engaged to Klara Schnuckiputzi, but their engagement was ultimately broken off. This personal experience, like many significant emotional events, may have had several potential impacts on his philosophical work:

1. The Dialectics of Subjectivity and Objectivity: Cellarius’s metaphysical system attempted to reconcile subjective experience with objective reality, and his broken engagement might have highlighted the tension between the two. In relationships, individuals often experience deep subjectivity—feelings, thoughts, and desires—that are intensely personal. The dissolution of a relationship could amplify the sense of disconnection between the subjective world of the individual and the objective, external world. This tension between the inner world of consciousness and the outer world of material reality may have influenced Cellarius’s desire to find a metaphysical framework that could account for both dimensions.

His engagement’s failure could have made him more attuned to the complexities of human consciousness and emotion, prompting him to explore how idealism (the subjective) and naturalism (the objective) could be reconciled. The personal turmoil might have led him to investigate the intricate relationships between mind and world, since, like many philosophers of his time, he was grappling with the idealism vs. materialism debate.

2. Idealism, Freedom, and Human Experience: The experience of love, loss, and emotional struggle is often tied to a sense of personal freedom and agency. In his philosophy, Cellarius placed great importance on freedom and human agency, especially in how the mind interacts with the world. His broken engagement could have provided him with firsthand experience of the limitations and possibilities of personal agency within a larger, sometimes uncontrollable, world. The idea that the self could shape its destiny, even in the face of disappointment or separation, might have been reinforced by this personal experience.
Furthermore, idealism often emphasizes the role of human will, thought, and consciousness in shaping reality, and this view might have been informed by Cellarius’s own emotional involvement and the sense of personal autonomy that he wished to preserve even in the wake of relational failure. His broken engagement could have pushed him to consider the power of individual consciousness to contribute meaningfully to the unfolding of reality, even when external circumstances were beyond one’s control.

3. A Desire for Wholeness: Another possible influence of this personal experience on Cellarius’s philosophy could be the emotional desire for wholeness and integration. The break with Klara might have symbolized a fragmentation or loss of unity in his life, driving him to philosophically pursue a more holistic view of reality—one where all aspects (mental, physical, subjective, objective) are integrated into a unified whole. Cellarius’s concept of totality and the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected may have reflected his own need for personal wholeness and reconciliation after the emotional turmoil of his broken engagement.

Emotional Influence on Philosophical Development:

Cellarius’s personal experiences, especially the pain and disillusionment from his failed engagement, could have intensified his interest in metaphysical questions concerning the relationship between the mind and reality. Philosophy often arises from deeply personal experiences, and Cellarius’s struggles with subjective experience and emotional conflict may have pushed him to explore the nature of human consciousness more intensely. He might have seen his own internal conflict as a microcosm of the larger philosophical challenge of reconciling subjective idealism with the objectivity of the external world.

This internal experience of subjective idealism (through emotional experience) and the need to confront objective reality (the external reality of the engagement’s end) might have strengthened his resolve to build a metaphysical system where both dimensions could coexist and be understood within the same framework.

Conclusion:

While Johann Cellarius’s relationship with Klara Schnuckiputzi and its aftermath are not exhaustively documented in relation to his philosophical work, it’s reasonable to conclude that such an experience could have deeply affected his thinking. The emotional complexity of his broken engagement likely reinforced his philosophical project of reconciling idealism (the subjective, personal experience) and naturalism (the objective, scientific worldview). Through this lens, Cellarius's own emotional experience may have acted as a catalyst for the development of his metaphysical system, encouraging him to explore how the subjective and objective realms of human experience can be understood as parts of a unified, dynamic whole.

Yesterday I asked ChatGPT to tell me about 20th century philosopher Johann Cellarius. It gave me a full work-up of him, including birth and death years, his broken engagement and its impact on his thought, and his major philosophical works and ideas. A sophomore research paper could not have done a better job. Except...

I made that name up.

Also, if I were a reckless billionaire I would totally pay period-accurate craftspeople to make a Barkyeux Tapestry.

Oh no, I'm not falling for that twice. This is that "I know, but just to make sure, why don't you tell me where your prostate is" thing all over again...

If a doctor doesn't know what Lupercalia is, I don't want their grubby uneducated barbarian hands prodding my delicate bits anyway.

It never ends, just figuring out dinner every night forever.

The real reason for the Thanos Snap...

*whistle nonchalantly while walking away*

In the custom of the Quibbletopians, we are having Friday Sushi and Watch Stupid TV. It's a simple culture, but committed to its traditions.

The World of Null-A by A.E. van Vogt. I'm 50 pages in and it's really my kind of novel. Weird, uncanny, and nothing seems to add up.

Scintillae wrote:

Kids: talking about the Superbowl ...had the worst defense of all time.

Me: Not as bad as the Maginot Line! fingerguns
(awkward pause)
Kid: ...huh?
Me: ...right. You haven't gotten to WWII yet. deflates and sits back down

Fort Ticonderoga fell quite swiftly in the Revolutionary War, if they are that far along. That place seemed to fall easily to whoever happened to attack it.

Like Trebek's mother! HAR!

"Sheltering myself with a large piece of sheet metal, I ran for cover under the tallest tree I could find..."

Oh fer cripes sake... IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO TURN OUT LIKE THIS! Dammit, we were a happy place where people argued about whether the Enterprise or Millenium Falcon would win in a fight and traded pickle recipes... God damn you! God damn you all to hell!!!

quibblemuch wrote:

I've never tried to knock someone out cold. Seems like a fine line between that and manslaughter. Plus, what's the point of all the speed work I've been doing the past couple years if not to enable a quick getaway from shenanigans?

Nah, it takes surprisingly little effort to knock someone out. And if the line is crossed, well, they were just as likely to be overcome by the cuteness of the dog and faint, resulting in the same outcome. Absolution.

Yes. I'm certain that's how this works.

Well, if there's one thing 35 years of the world wide web has taught us, it is that when it comes to street fighting tips and legal advice, you can always count on the accuracy of internet strangers...

I've never tried to knock someone out cold. Seems like a fine line between that and manslaughter. Plus, what's the point of all the speed work I've been doing the past couple years if not to enable a quick getaway from shenanigans?

Speaking of petting and scratching and totally not committing felonies... yesterday on our walk, the dogs and I met a tiny fluffball puppy who looked exactly like he could be the chaos clone of my blue merle Aussie. And I did not seize him from his owner and run down the street yelling "START THE ENGINE!"

So... moral progress?

I dunno. Life is weird and about some kind of personal growth or something, I guess.

Just curious, but isn't pretty much EVERYTHING a weird news story lately?

My operating theory is any report of anything I haven't personally experienced is just an AI hallucination. So far that matches observation.

Limeylongears wrote:

We went to see my wife's brother and his family to hang out, eat, and pass on gifts, which was a good do.

I also found a quarterstaff-sized stick, so could still train, and, best of all, we have been blessed with a truly Magnificent Lizard.

How amazing is the food?

He said they had a magnificent lizard…

Fairly sure I read a few sermons by that alias back in school...

Ugh. Sorry to hear that, man. Wish I had some words of wisdom or something, but all I got is the following exchange from yesterday.

MY WIFE: ...so you said a while back 'I love life'.
ME: *I* said that?
WIFE: Yeah, I know. It was weird, which is why I remembered it.
ME: Huh. Guess you never really know somebody. Even when he's you.

Scratches and pets to the new dog.

Andostre wrote:

My wife was gifted a visit to a sauna for Christmas. She finally decided to call up and book an appointment, only to discover that she was gifted a sauna visit for two.

So, I'm going to a sauna with my wife this weekend. I'm not entirely sure what to expect.

Eye cucumbers. You'll get eye cucumbers.

Splurge! Get whole Face Salad!

I'd leave the dressing on the side though. Ranch in the sinuses is... unpleasant.

You can literally dual wield a giant's dead finger and the tooth of a giant cosmic bull. While wearing only underwear and a giant pot on your head.

But enough about my wedding night...

What this town needs is a monorail.

♫Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine, bona fide
Electrified, six-car monorail!
What'd I say?♫

I'm shuffling along. Started looking for work again after 10+ years self-employed, which is... interesting. As I observed elsewhere, it makes references difficult when your boss for the past 11 years is an a!!$#*+ who has trouble saying nice things about you. And while my core skills of misanthropy and cutting wit haven't atrophied, I'm not seeing them listed as requirements on any applications. Hrphm. Am I so out of touch? No. It's the children who are wrong.

It's also Super Bowl weekend. I don't really have any skin in the game as a fan of either team, but I'll probably watch it anyway. On the one hand, Saquon Barkley is amazing and deserves one of them big rings. On the other hand, I'd hate to see Taylor Swift disappointed. It's a quandary.

We're still having some unseasonable warmth, so I'm definitely getting as much outside time as is possible. Whatever that entails.

Thought for the Day:

After spending 11 years self-employed, when prospective employers ask for a recent manager for a reference it's hard not to reply: "I'd love to, but my boss for the last 11 years is a real a~&@~#% who has a hard time saying anything nice about me."

Sooth, I warrant tis sad to tragedy
that Romero and Juliet doth lie
and languish in slow Development Hell
since the rights I unburdened myself of
in exchange for points gross (and never net).

I'm driving with a pound of frozen haggis in a bag on my passenger seat.

This would be a great opening sentence...

Gah!

Glad you're back home. Nap the hell out of that nap, sounds like you've earned it!

Ah, Strange Aeons. Of all the adventure paths I've run, that was my favorite. And, not coincidentally, the one that did the most lasting psychological trauma to my players. Pfft. Weenies still eye-twitch at the words "lovecraftian horror".

I'm driving with a pound of frozen haggis in a bag on my passenger seat.

"Sorry, ma'am, but that will not qualify you for the commuter lane."

Oh no! Hope things go better, Cal!