Come then, let us complete the purification. For upon harmonies would follow the consideration of rhythms; we must not pursue complexity nor great variety in the basic movements, but must observe what are the rhythms of a life that is orderly and brave, and after observing them require the foot and the air to conform to that kind of man’s speech and not the speech to the foot and the tune. What those rhythms would be, it is for you to tell us as you did the musical modes.
Plato’s Republic Book 3
We take a break from our regularly scheduled programming.
To thank you, dear reader.
While this substack was “started” a long time ago, truly it’s only been about two months, since I started writing here. The first post was completely different, and it was over a year between it and the second post. I started regularly posting when a… misfortune, struck, and it was either write or start some self destructive behavior.
Since then, posts have been regular.
And I have found true joy in them. It is a labor of love.
They, quiet literally, help me sleep at night.
So, I thought I would thank you.
As of last weekend, we have a quiet humble 35 subscribers to this little substack and 1,000 pageviews over the last 30 days.
Considering the esoteric nature of the posts, that I have not made known the substack to the people I know offline besides my wife and one dear friend, I consider that quiet good.
So, thank you.
Substack has been wonderful, and I have been caught off guard by the open conversations and minds that are found here. Truly edifying, and I hope to get more interaction as readership grows.
As one final note, if you haven’t caught on yet, I would recommend you listen to the musical selection as you read the posts. They are, quiet literally, a commentary in and of themselves.
Sometimes reinforcing, sometimes in deliberate contrast to, the post itself. The version of the song and, if there’s a video, are purposefully selected.
So, if you have not been listening to the videos, I would encourage you to go back and re-read your favorite post,
or even least favorite,
with that in mind.
Because it all means something…
In the end.
They are like jesters who palter with us in a double sense at banquets, he replied, and resemble the children’s riddle about the eunuch and his hitting of the bat-with what and as it sat on what they signify that they struck it. For these things too equivocate, and it is impossible to conceive firmly any one of them to be or not to be or both or neither.
Do you know what to do with them then? said I?
Plato’s Republic Book 5