Conversation

Notices

1. Embed this notice
   Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 09:28:13 JST Evan Prodromou

   Today is Epicurus's Birthday (10th of Gamelion in the Attic calendar). Before he died, the philosopher asked his followers to remember him on his birthday each year.

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus?wprov=sfla1

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 09:30:23 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     Epicurus is best known for his philosophical stance on living a good life. In his formulation, chasing after money or fame or big causes was just a source of pain. The best thing in life is sharing simple pleasures like good food, the beauty of nature, and interesting conversation with good friends and family.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 09:32:12 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     I feel like I spend a lot of my time thinking about Big Ideas and Important Causes. I really appreciate the reminder of what really matters -- making connections and feeling fulfilled with the real world and people around me.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 09:34:06 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     One set of advice that Epicureans use is the Tetrapharmakon -- the Fourfold Medicine. It goes like this:

     Don't fear the gods.
     Don't fear death.
     Good things are easy to get.
     Bad things are easy to endure.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 09:39:43 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     "Don't fear the gods": they probably don't exist. If they do, they aren't concentrating on personal attacks on you.

     "Don't fear death": you're not dead now, so there's nothing to fear. When you're dead, you won't exist, so you won't feel anything.

     "Good things are easy to get": simple pleasures abound. Sun, sky, trees, bread, water, fruit, a kind word, an interesting thought.

     [Cont'd]

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 09:40:35 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     "Bad things are easy to endure". If the bad thing kills you, then you're dead, and we know there's nothing to fear there. If they don't kill you, then you endured them. Good job!

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 09:41:25 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     I hope your Epicurus's Birthday goes great, everyone.

   • Embed this notice
     Kevin Fox (kfury@mstdn.social)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 13:35:06 JST Kevin Fox

     in reply to

     @evan Whatever doesn’t kill you doesn’t kill you.

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 23:26:33 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • Fifi Lamoura

     @fifilamoura I love those crackers!

   • Embed this notice
     Fifi Lamoura (fifilamoura@eldritch.cafe)'s status on Sunday, 21-Jan-2024 23:26:35 JST Fifi Lamoura

     in reply to

     @evan I made seeded crackers for the household today so that's my tribute to Epicurus.

   • Embed this notice
     Adam ♿ (voltagex@aus.social)'s status on Monday, 22-Jan-2024 11:31:27 JST Adam ♿

     in reply to

     @evan hey I haven't found a reference to "remember me on my birthday" - apologies if I missed it in the wiki but is there another source?

   • Embed this notice
     Evan Prodromou (evan@cosocial.ca)'s status on Monday, 22-Jan-2024 11:31:27 JST Evan Prodromou

     in reply to

     • Adam ♿

     @voltagex

     https://www.google.com/search?q=epicurus+birthday