Hey everyone! NegativePrimes, the Curiously Dead Cat, here! So life is full of ups and downs, ain’t it? Or if we’re talking about computers, perhaps ones and zeros would be a better metaphor. In any case, consider:
Last week, I broke 50 followers on Twitch, boosting me to Affiliate-qualified status. One!
I signed up, started learning about all the cool things I can do as a Twitch Affiliate—and my computer died. No power, the fans don’t even turn, nothing lights up. Zero!
I’m reminded of the Wheel of Fortune (no, not that wheel of fortune!) in Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy. Poor Boethius! He’d lived a good life, relatively speaking, but then got thrown in jail and condemned to death (I suspect on false charges). He’d had the One; now he got the Zero.
What’s a philosopher to do?
Ha ha, is that even a question? Write a book, duh!
So Boethius wrote a book about how philosophy comforted him in jail. Only, he didn’t write your typical modern-day Hegelian/phenomenological/continental mish-mash of words. “The umschlauss of semi-being has its deontological point of rupture in that which is withheld.” (I made that up.) No, this was ancient Rome, where philosophers put the “classy” in “classics”.
Boethius invented this steamy (for a work of philosophy) account of how Lady Philosophy visited him in jail. She felt bad for him and wanted to console him the way that any smart woman would: with a lecture. People are riding this wheel, she said. One day you’re up, and the next day you’re down. How do you keep yourself from being emotionally worn out from the oscillating highs and lows?
Madam Philosophy told him to move to the center of the wheel. (Being a good modernist, I am quite certain there is something Freudian here, though I can’t quite put my finger on it.) At the center, though the wheel turns, you are free from its highs and lows. You remain immoveable, which is basically the dream of every philosopher since Parmenides.
Now I won’t deny that there’s something to that. But (again, as a good modernist), I can’t help but think it would be preferable to feel both the highs and the lows. Is it perhaps too costly to let go of the pain of existence, if I also have to sacrifice the joy of being alive?
Perhaps the power of the oscillation comes, not from the highs and lows themselves, but from our assumption at any given moment that today’s One or Zero must always remain as such. Sure, if asked, we’d acknowledge that things change; but it seems to me humans tend to live as if things will remain as they are. We’re looking at our one little spot on the rim of the wheel, and living like it’s the only spot in the whole world.
Lady Philosophy just wants us to shift that spot to the wheel’s center.
Perhaps, though, the answer lies in considering at all times the totality of the wheel. During the highs, enjoy them while remembering—and valuing—the lows. It will keep one from imprudent exultation. And when the wheel turns low, remember the highs, and know that no low lasts forever. It will keep one from despair.
My computer shall rise again.
I have been known to say I am not bipolar – my life is a roller coaster. As a Pagan, I believe life is a spiral more than a wheel. Yes, there are highs and lows but as you grow older – and hopefully wiser – the highs are a bit higher (you keep getting better, progressing) and the lows are not quite as low (perhaps you are getting better at managing your money, or just your expectations). Keeping centered, and getting better at that, is perhaps what makes the difference over all? Meanwhile, hopefully, you’ve worked out the computer woes. Blessedbe. And congrats on the Twitch milestone!
That’s a good image: one that I’ve heard used for the process of healing, but not for life in general as you’ve used it here. So thank you!
The computer is in the shop, so I may not be able to stream this weekend. We’ll see! And thanks, it’s exciting to be at this milestone finally!
A spiritual question: I know that Blessed be is a phrase that modern pagans use, but I don’t know its connotations. Is it simply like saying “Praise God” except that you’re not specifying any particular higher power?
Blessedbe is used quite a bit by Pagans as sort of a “see you later” almost but to me, at least, it’s a small blessing. Probably more akin to “I’ll be praying for you” from a Xtian (without the connotation of “because you need it, you fuck up”). It’s a little blessing, a drop of white light, a positive vibe sent your way if you are accepting of it. 😀
Thanks, I appreciate it! 🙂
im not exactly sure what i am but i also suspect there’s something freudian there, also congrats!!! too bad about the computer tho but nice to see you looking on the bright side xD
Thank you! 😁