In episode thirty-one of Thoughts, I talk about my experience with the video game franchise: Halo. Enjoy!
Blog
Joe Van Recommends
Hey everybody! It's ya boy, Joe Van, comin' back at ya with another piece, but this one's different from the rest. In this piece I wanted to recommend some YouTube channels to you guys. These channels are ones I've come across over years of binge-watching YouTuber content. So, they'll come in no particular order, but… Continue reading Joe Van Recommends
Fame
Shamans and heroes! Serial killers and singers! Fame. The subject of fame is cool as hell because it's one of those other things that's completely unique to humans. It's the state of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements. People the world over know who Tom Cruise is.… Continue reading Fame
Thoughts: Love
In episode thirty of Thoughts I gush about love! Oh what a thing to be captured by. Enjoy!
Language
At my elementary school, when you rose to grade five, you were inducted to the fictional island of Foo. You learned their language and pastime sports, and near the end of the year you would compete with your peers to claim victory in each category. That was the first and only time I truly learned… Continue reading Language
Thoughts: Strength and Power
In episode twenty-nine of Thoughts, I go over the MANY different definitions of strength, and discuss how power plays into strength. Enjoy!
The Conflict with Conflict
Does life need conflict? More specifically, do humans need conflict in our lives to keep things interesting? Just look at animals in zoos for Pete's sake. They got no worries in the world, but also nothing to do. Good stories certainly need conflict. And states of higher consciousness or enlightenment are merely momentary, so it… Continue reading The Conflict with Conflict
Thoughts: Follies of Consciousness
In episode twenty-eight of Thoughts, I talk about the follies of consciousness and what we do with our understanding of them. Enjoy!
Halo
When you first saw Halo, were you blinded by its majesty? Before I jump into the video game that I'm actually referring to, let's cover the other uses of the word. A halo is a disk or circle of light shown surrounding or above the head of a saint or holy person to represent their… Continue reading Halo
Thoughts: Determinism
In episode twenty-seven of Thoughts, I dive deep into the philosophical standpoint of Determinism. Is it the truth of reality? One must make up their own mind. Enjoy!
Love
Love is compassion and attraction. It's kindness and well wishes. It's hidden magic, being in it, and something worth fighting for. If life is a game, love is the prize! It's the one thing everyone wants. But does true love really exist? Sorry to keep playing the word game with you guys, but let's look… Continue reading Love
Simulated Frights
Welcome to episode 57 of Joe Van's Secret Podcast! Today I have another 2nd time returning guest come back from the top of the year to discuss their experience during Canada's quarantine time. We talk about Black Lives Matters protests, films to watch, Jay-walking, what the odds are that we live in a simulated reality,… Continue reading Simulated Frights
Thoughts: Fear
In episode twenty-six of Thoughts, I discuss the sensation of fear, where it came from, why it lives within us and what one does with it. Enjoy!
Strength and Power
Strength! Power! Austin POWERS. What is strength, and what is power? Strength is physical, and strength is emotional. Power is external control and authority, and control is an illusion. So what does that say about the people seeking power? One could say they're chasing a fleeting dream, like chasing the pink dragon- something they might… Continue reading Strength and Power
Thoughts: The Good Life
In milestone episode twenty-five of Thoughts, I discuss the pursuit of happiness and how to live a generally good life. Enjoy!
Thoughts: Time
In episode twenty-four of Thoughts, I go over time in all of its complicated simplicity as it draws us ever forward. Enjoy!
The Follies of Consciousness
There will be people that can argue to a good point that human consciousness is a part of evolution, but my intuition says it just ain't! Hence my title: The Follies of Consciousness. First, what is consciousness? Consciousness is the fact of awareness by the mind of itself and the world. In shorter words; self-awareness.… Continue reading The Follies of Consciousness
Thoughts: Substance Abuse
In episode twenty-three of Thoughts I go over the heavy subject of substance abuse, what factors play into how it develops and how breaking through mental walls is all part of living a better life. Enjoy!
Thoughts: Identities
In episode twenty-two of Thoughts, I talk about the concept of identity, what it is, what it means, where it could come from, and what we make of it. Enjoy!
Determinism
Is determinism the truth of reality? For starters, what is the idea of determinism and what are its counters? Determinism is the philosophical belief that all events are determined completely by previously existing causes. Causal determinism in physics is known as cause-and-effect. It is the concept that events within a given paradigm are bound by… Continue reading Determinism
Thoughts: Dyson Spheres
In episode twenty-one of Thoughts, I talk about the theory of Dyson Spheres, their potential origin in myth, and what it means for us looking out in the universe. Enjoy!
Another Reading
Hey everyone! Here's another video of me reading a sample of my writing. This time it's the very beginning of my first book: Deviance. I hope you enjoy! For those hooked and want more, if you google smashwords and search my full name: Joseph Van Landschoot, you can find Deviance as an ebook for free!
Fear
Fear is tucking your daughter in for the night only to realize once you've closed the door that you don't have a daughter. Fear is laying in bed as a figure walks into your room from the hallway and you can't move. Fear is being three hours into a hike and hearing a crunch beside… Continue reading Fear
Thoughts: Sexuality
In episode twenty of Thoughts, I talk about the nature of sexuality and our relationship with it. Enjoy!
Check Yourself
Welcome to #56 of Joe Van's Secret Podcast! Here I talk to another returning guest about her early past, quarantining with friends, what the point or lack-there-of is regarding the theory that reality is a simulation, and virtual babysitting among other things. She was a treat to have on and I hope you all enjoy!
Thoughts: Melancholy Flower Infinite
In episode nineteen of Thoughts, I wax poetic about our understanding of existence and how little we will ever know. Enjoy!
Thoughts: Attention
In episode eighteen of Thoughts, I talk about attention and what makes us give it. Enjoy!
Album Covers of our Cosmos
This is visual poetry, not brought to you by myself but by NASA. I just thought I'd share it on my website. These images have been rendered in all their beauty for free to the general public; the ones below are my favourites of the bunch. You can find all of the posters by searching… Continue reading Album Covers of our Cosmos
No South Korea
Welcome back to #55 of Joe Van's Secret Podcast! I talk with a returning guest about how the current quarantine has affected his plans, what scares him most, and states of the mind. Enjoy!
Thoughts: Imagine
In episode seventeen of Thoughts, I talk about a hypothetical blob entity that exists within all of us. Enjoy!
The Good Life
What constitutes living a good life? While individual happiness is particular to each person, general well being is quantifiable. A good life includes a healthy diet, or healthy enough for you to still enjoy what you're eating, a moderate fitness regiment, an open dialogue with your inner circle of loved ones, and having a life… Continue reading The Good Life
Thoughts: 12 Certainties and Suggestions
In episode sixteen of Thoughts, I lay out my list of the twelve certainties and suggestions about reality as a human on Earth in our lifetime... just to be specific. Enjoy!
Time
What is time? I'll let you guys answer this one. For real, I'll wait... and wait... and wait. Even if it takes a lifetime. Even when the stars burn out and matter is dissipated into a heat death of the universe. All will be dark, but you'll still have time. Time is known to do… Continue reading Time
Thoughts: Snitches get Stitches
In episode fifteen of Thoughts, I talk about how snitches get stitches! Just kidding, I talk about how that phrase or concept doesn't just work as a threat.
Substance Abuse
How does someone find themselves at the receiving end of a destructive habit? No one plans to live a life of degradation. It's something that happens slowly, like a frog in boiling water. One doesn't notice that certain actions have a predictive outcome of addiction until they reach that point down the line. It can… Continue reading Substance Abuse
Thoughts: It’s Worth It
Welcome to episode fourteen of Thoughts. Here I talk about when fighting is necessary. Enjoy!
Thoughts: Being in It
Welcome to episode thirteen of Thoughts. Here I talk about the concept of certainty, specifically in personal relationships. Enjoy!
Identities
Identities! Also known as personalities made from a collection of memories. I've written about the concept of identities in bits and pieces throughout my blog, like in Duality and Perspective, but I think it deserves it's own work down. Would the ninth grade version of yourself even recognize you? Are you still you if you… Continue reading Identities
Thoughts: Importance
In episode twelve of Thoughts, I talk about the importance we put on things and how it makes us who we are. Enjoy!
Dyson Spheres
One one-billionth of the Sun's total energy output actually reaches Earth. Of all the energy that does reach Earth, 34 percent is reflected back to space by clouds. The Earth itself reflects another 66 percent back to space. Wouldn't it be great if we could harness even one percent of the Sun's energy? That thought… Continue reading Dyson Spheres
Thoughts: Longevity
In episode eleven of Thoughts, I discuss what makes a full life, and why it's important. Enjoy!
Thoughts: New Terrain
In episode ten of Thoughts, I talk about new terrain, and how we were built to thrive. Enjoy!
EEEAAA!
Jumping stretches my aching body! Here now I have some. I can't dance but I'd love to try. The trees call me to climb them, who am I to deny? Eeeaaa do I love a good run from sun rise to sun done. Crackle like a fire when it's time and sing like a choir… Continue reading EEEAAA!
Thoughts: Perspective
In episode nine of Thoughts I break down perspective and how it can work wonders for living a good life. Enjoy!
Thoughts: Being Alone
In episode eight of Thoughts, I talk about the nature of being alone.
Sexuality
Sexuality is both praised and abhorred in society. It's either handled with exuberance or repression, the latter form there arguably running both the show and amok in the western world. The current dominant religions are clearly against it, yet have their own twisted viewpoint on what it even is. Everyone remembers when puberty really changed… Continue reading Sexuality
Thoughts: Hidden Magic
In episode seven of Thoughts, I talk about the hidden magic found in people. It's something ne'er discussed but potent to the meaning of life.
Thoughts: If we Could Live Forever
In episode six of Thoughts, I discuss thought experiments on what it would be like to live forever. Enjoy!
A Reading
Hey everyone! I hope you're having a safe and enjoyable quarantine period. To help you pass the time, I read aloud a section from my second book. Enjoy!
Thoughts: Duality
In episode five of thoughts, I talk about the complex nature of duality.
