In episode thirty-one of Thoughts, I talk about my experience with the video game franchise: Halo. Enjoy!
Tag: Thoughts
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
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!
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!
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!
Thoughts: Sexuality
In episode twenty of Thoughts, I talk about the nature of sexuality and our relationship with it. 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
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!
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!
Thoughts: Duality
In episode five of thoughts, I talk about the complex nature of duality.
Thoughts: Intentions
In episode four of Thoughts, I talk about intentions and how difficult they are to grasp.
Thoughts: Introspection
In episode three of Thoughts, I talk about the tool of introspection in regards to emotional stability. Enjoy.
Attention
"Adults with ADHD who are undiagnosed and untreated in childhood are at greater risk of low self-esteem, substance abuse, anxiety and depression," Labour’s shadow minister for mental health, Barbara Keeleyshe says. "Despite the serious problems that adults with undiagnosed ADHD face, many living with the condition say it has had a positive impact on their… Continue reading Attention
Thoughts: Transient Thoughts
Welcome to episode two of Thoughts. Here I talk about late night thoughts before work.
Thoughts: Retrospect
Hello everyone and welcome to a new little project of mine! Thoughts. These will be vocalizations of my Thoughts blog on my website, thejoevan.com. Enjoy!
Back
Allow me to take you on a retrospective journey... thinking back to who I was at the turn of my second decade. God, I'm still so stupid. No, I shouldn't use that word. I'm learning and will learn for the rest of my life, there's nothing wrong with that. I was just so lazy and… Continue reading Back
People
Clambering for some kind of resolve negates the point. Will you forgive me? Cracking down often does the opposite. It's not a fad! Knowing for certain shuts off your brain. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
How Hollywood Moves Ideas
Culture: Reflected and Shaped by Movies Joseph Van Landschoot The Matrix changed how mainstream audiences thought about reality. Through Star Wars, a fan community formed where people made life-long friendships and even families. Us now holds the record for highest grossing original horror film on opening weekend, (Box Office Mojo,) ushering in new… Continue reading How Hollywood Moves Ideas
Why Care About The Movies You See?
How the Average Moviegoer Votes with Their Wallet Over 48% of the U.S./Canadian yearly box office income is from moviegoers that frequent the theatres one or more times in a month, (source: M.P.A.A. theatre market statistics 2016,) so it’s safe to say that the rest of the money made comes from blockbusters. The top five… Continue reading Why Care About The Movies You See?
