(Part 2) Top products from r/coolguides

Alright I wrote a bit about the first three. They took me a while so I'll post these now and I'll edit in any more that I do later.

"Meaning of Life" or, more accurately, how to live according to certain doctrines of philosophy

Platonism - This is a strange word to use in this context, as platonism either refers to Plato's philosophy as a whole, which talks about a lot more than just how one ought to live, or Plato's central idea that there exists two realms of existence: the visible world containing all with which we interact directly and the intelligible realm containing the true, most "good" versions of everything, which he calls the Forms. If one were to live life according to Plato's teachings, "learn more" wouldn't be entirely wrong, per se, but it'd be a disservice to Plato to stop there. To live the best life according to Plato is to strive to not only reach as close as possible to the true Forms of the intelligible realm, but also to spread that information to others. One must, according to Plato, overcome the ignorance that life seems to naturally guide us towards and instead push through towards the truth, and follow that up by returning to those who are guided into ignorance and show them the truth. This concept is represented in Plato's famous Allegory of the Cave - a good, short, easy to understand video explaining it is this one. If I were to put Plato's teachings back into a short blurb about how to live so it'd fit into a picture like OP, it'd be something like "be unrelentingly open-minded and zealous." Even that doesn't do Plato total justice and there's so much more to his philosophy than just this, like all of his works containing the teachings of Socrates. Further reading: The Republic, Apology, Euthyphro

Aristotelianism - Aristotle is famous for his work on many, many different things within philosophy, but within the context of how one ought to live one's life, his central idea was virtue ethics. For Aristotle's virtue ethics, there are a number of characteristics a person can possess and for each one, there is an excess in it and a deficiency in it which are equally detrimental to one's excellence and should be avoided. For example, let's take bravery as a characteristic. If someone isn't brave enough, they're a coward. If someone is too brave, they're rash. Aristotle says that someone who has mastered bravery, that is someone who has neither a deficiency nor an excess in this trait and is therefore achieving virtue, has successfully reached the golden mean. The golden mean is the middle, most excellent version of a trait between the deficiency and the excess. Any trait, no matter what it is, can be a vice instead of a virtue and in order for it to be a virtue one must be capable of exercising just the right amount of that trait. A deficiency in generousness makes someone selfish while an excess of it makes them frivolous. One who is striving towards the golden mean in all aspects of his character is living virtuously. As far as actually getting to the golden mean, Aristotle held that habit is the key; one who does brave things will become brave, one who does selfish things will become selfish, etc. So, to live life according to Aristotle's teachings is to habitualize actions which bring one closer to the golden mean in one's characteristics. In this sense, "be good," like Plato's blurb, isn't totally off but it doesn't do Aristotelian virtue ethics justice. Further reading: Nicomachean Ethics

Cynicism - Cynicism is something I've never studied or even heard of within the context of philosophy. A quick google search showed me that it was once a philosophy that was extremely different from what we consider to be cynicism today. All I'll say about cynicism is that the OP image is obviously giving it its modern definition, based on the blurb it gave it, which is hilarious, and the fact that the blurb itself is "be self-sufficient" is even more hilarious. Modern cynicism is about distrusting the authenticity or "genuineness" of others, instead assuming that people do things selfishly or, more simply, for the wrong reasons. It also encompasses a great deal of pessimism. It's literally just edginess. Cynicism doesn't belong anywhere near a discussion about how to live; the cynic is in the next room mocking the people in the discussion.

There a job called Ravenmaster, and there's only one position.

He's the head Warden whip oversees the Ravens at the Tower of London.

If you want a really funny read, that's also a great reverent take about the Ravens at the Tower of London I highly recommend:

The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

It's an easy read, and really fascinating. It'll blow your mind how much personality they have and how individual and smart each one can be.

Also, having stood next to one of the Towers ravens....... They're HUGE! So SO much bigger then you think.

Vermeer and this guide is using a fairly famous equation for motivation:

Motivation = ENERGY x (Value x Expectancy / Impulsivity x Delay)

It's called the temporal motivation theory.

The founder of this formula (Piers Steel) wrote a book called the
The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done.



When I first read about Temporal Motivation Theory I thought this was the answer.

It's not for me.

The biggest factor is how simple the task is.

It's important to break it down so that it's easy to do; taking baby steps gives better odds that things will get done.

Once I start a task, the next most important part is to avoid distractions (it's hard for me to stay on task).

If you liked this, you will probably appreciate a book called Molloy's Live for Success. This is by the same guy who wrote the book Dress for Success. He did actual research into the habits and body language of successful people, and his book teaches you how to, essentially, come off as a successful upper-middle-class person, even if you aren't. It's something actual successful upper-middle-class people pick up by contact, but you can learn it purposefully as well.

The book is old and out of print (though there are plenty of used copies available on Amazon) but a lot of the stuff in it is timeless.

For anyone who is interested in learning more about this, I recommend the book Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman, who won the Swedish national banks prize in economics in memory of Alfred Nobel.

If you're interested in this, Class: A Guide Through the American Status System by Paul Fussell is a great read. It was written some decades back, so you'd think it would be dated, but it really isn't. He holds no punches, so you'll need a bit of thick skin when your class is being discussed. But still, what he says is so true and very funny at times.

You’re welcome! If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend The Bar Book by Jeffrey Morgenthaler ( u/le_cigare_volant ). It’s emphasis is on technique with some science and history thrown in while discarding a lot of the pretentiousness that comes with this stuff.

This is an obscure but excellent book if you can find it :

https://www.amazon.com/Chariot-Fire-Hales/dp/0380018535/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538832806&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX170_SY244_QL65&keywords=E+E+y+hales+chariot+of+fire&dpPl=1&dpID=317dzgEB64L&ref=plSrch

After 10 seconds searching in the comments, I found it. Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Joints-Collins-Good-Albert-Jackson/dp/0007139764/

This very interesting book presents evidence that the ramps used to build the pyramid are actually inside the pyramid. https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Great-Pyramid-Obsession-Solution/dp/006165552X/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Pyramid+building&qid=1569021723&s=books&sr=1-5

Snake head shape is also a bad idea. Most snakes will flatten their head when threatened or preparing to strike. Think of what cobras can do, but not so extreme. This is to puff up and look more threatening. This isn't 100% universal, but a common behavior.

Yes your rattle snakes of the family Crotalidae/Viperidae do have very prominent head shape, but the rattling is such a better way to pick them out. Contrasting, the coral snake, Micrurus tener, has a very round head, looks very similar to milk snakes, however their neurotoxin venom will kill you.

EDIT: Best advice I have is to just pick a field guide of your region and read it. (https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-Reptiles-Amphibians-Eastern-Central/dp/0544129970) Other then that, just let the sneks be sneks and slither away!

Hail Santa?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081P4HG8W

Olive oil that can handle that high of heat is lampante - lamp oil. It's most likely been stored for months in huge vats, adulterated with other oils, and purfumed to mask it's musty aroma. It's useless in any culinary sense, and has no business being in any respectable kitchen.

Do some reading. http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Virginity-Sublime-Scandalous-World/dp/0393343618

Here’s the article the author keeps referring to

and here’s the book the article is about

https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Baby-Handling-Tips-David/dp/0762424915

National Audubon Society Field Guide

amazon link to ordnance survey map

The artist is Scott McCloud. He has a lot off informative books on making comic books.

https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Comics-Invisible-Scott-McCloud/dp/006097625X

I had this book as a kid. This was at the height of the Rubik's Cube craze. Other kids brought their cubes into school so I could solve it for them. I was a king for that one day in first grade.

OP needs a demography lesson. This is terrible.
Start with Strauss and Howe's "Generations."