our story
Once upon a time, there was a man named Justarius. He grew up as a “Third Culture Kid” (TCK), feeling like he belonged everywhere and nowhere. This felt like a gigantic problem. He proceeded to wander the earth for several years, seeking a way to conquer it. He dabbled in all sort of interests, majors, and jobs to no avail. In the end, all it took was a book: The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant. The pen really is mightier than the sword!
So Justarius discovered that he was a philosopher, but not in the traditional sense. He did not have a PhD. What he learned, he learned from independent reading and paying attention in the School of Life. What he enjoyed most of all was talking to others like him. Where could he go to meet such kindred spirits?
Everywhere and nowhere, or so it seemed. So in 2006, he created philoscifi to be a community, a home for thinkers. Since then, he has met many great people, some of whom have become contributors. From the irreverent Phil to the dreamy Many Waters, there is something for everyone here. So take a look around. Make comments, ask questions, suggest topics. Our home is your home. Welcome.
contributors
Email us: contact at philoscifi dot com
Justarius - the thinker
I enjoy pondering the meaning of life and other truly practical things. I focus mainly on the Wisdom and Sci-fi sections. I chose this name because it sounds like “justice,” evokes the imagery of a star-filled sky, and reminds me of Justinian, the Byzantine emperor (I love Greco-Roman history). My influences are Will Durant, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, John Muir.
Phil Safari - the experimentalist, court jester
Some learn by thinking, and others learn the hard way. Give me hard any day, and Supersize it. I’m a glutton for punishment, baby. Read about my misadventures in the Safaris, or: how I learned to stop worrying and love the absurd.
Many Waters - the amateur artist
I learn much from nature and try to express it through the arts. Inspirations - nature, Kahlil Gibran.
Proud Wolf - Wandering sage, occasional contributor
Why Proud Wolf? The name is inspired by a line from the ending song* of Xenogears, an exquisite blend of philosophy and science fiction that holds a dear place in my heart. Perhaps you have heard of Xenogears? It was a role-playing game published by Squaresoft for the Sony Playstation back in 1997. A story of love and war that can teach you so much about how to live your life, to gather the shattered fragments of yourself and face the future while taking strength from your past. Not to flee the demons of the past, not to hide in blame and self-pity, but to transform into the whole person you were meant to be. Stand tall and shake the heavens.
You owe it to yourself to experience this work of art. It is a crowning achievement and an inspiration as to what philoscifi should be. “Proud wolf alone in the dark” also expresses my character: I am no stranger to the passion, the cold, pride, loneliness, and loss; and I am acquainted with the night.
The name also recalls Lykos (Greek for wolf) and its link with the Lyceum of Aristotle, that classical center of science and philosophy which was named after Apollo Lykeios (wolf-god Apollo).
* “Small Two of Pieces,” composed by Yasunori Mitsuda; lyrics by Masato Kato. Here are the first few lines:
Run through the cold of the night
As passion burns in your heart
Ready to fight, a knife held close by your side
Like a proud wolf alone in the dark
With eyes that watch the world
And my name like a shadow on the face of the moon.
Broken mirror, a million shades of light
The old echo fades away
But just you and I
Can find the answer
And then, we can run to the end of the world
We can run to the end of the world.
